Festool Sword Saw USA

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SMLWinds

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Oct 8, 2013
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I am building a timber frame structure snd need to cut 8x8 timbers. Is there any way to get a Festool Sword Saw in the USA? I believe they are not sold, but has anyone figured out a way to acquire one? I know Prazi has a knock off attachment which could be an option, but I am certain the Festool version is much better so wanted to make an effort to get one of those first. Thanks!
 
Mafell is awesome, but 5x the price!

The Festool only does 200mm timber though.  The Mafell does nearly twice that.

You might also check out the Skilsaw version - I think they are around $700.  Pretty new so there weren't a lot of reviews when I was looking last Summer.
I also have a timber frame project(or two) coming up this year.  Not sure which option I'll go with.
The Prazi with a cordless DeWalt(or Makita) is a pretty popular option as well.
 
Ironic that the Swordsaw is available in the UK but not the US and conversely it's nigh on impossible to get hold of a Prazi adapter or indeed an appropriate worm drive saw here in the UK but quite common in the States.

Sounds like a niche export business there.
 
I don't know the scale of your operation but would a Ligna chainsaw jig make more sense? Buy direct from Europe to save a bundle.

Or, for the quick and dirty domestically-produced option, there's the Head Cutter.

No chip collection or roving knife in either case plus you'd need to supply the required chainsaw, but.... 
 
shed9 said:
Ironic that the Swordsaw is available in the UK but not the US and conversely it's nigh on impossible to get hold of a Prazi adapter or indeed an appropriate worm drive saw here in the UK but quite common in the States.

Sounds like a niche export business there.
Click to expand...

"Beam Saw Outlet" located in Iceland carries both. :)

I thought the Festool Saw was discontinued?
 
DeformedTree said:
"Beam Saw Outlet" located in Iceland carries both. :)

I thought the Festool Saw was discontinued?
Click to expand...
The SSU 200 is active for 2021 in Europe/ROW.

I do not see it going away anytime soon.
It shares the engine part with the insulation sheets saw (IS330) which I imagine is the more popular of the two, given the mass move to passive houses in Europe. Hard material insulation sheets above 10" width are common there and cutting those is no fun ...

Not seeing much prospects about US - a 120V motor would be needed and the IS version would probably not have much of a market there to spread the costs. Just too niche to be competitive I guess.

The Maffel reflects this in the price, so the high end market is already covered.
 
mino said:
DeformedTree said:
"Beam Saw Outlet" located in Iceland carries both. :)

I thought the Festool Saw was discontinued?
Click to expand...
The SSU 200 is active for 2021 in Europe/ROW.

I do not see it going away anytime soon.
It shares the engine part with the insulation sheets saw (IS330) which I imagine is the more popular of the two, given the mass move to passive houses in Europe. Hard material insulation sheets above 10" width are common there and cutting those is no fun ...

Not seeing much prospects about US - a 120V motor would be needed and the IS version would probably not have much of a market there to spread the costs. Just too niche to be competitive I guess.

The Maffel reflects this in the price, so the high end market is already covered.
Click to expand...

I got confused with the chain mortiser  CM150, that was discontinued.

I'm a bit surprised Mafell even has a 120V version, they sell the 120V and 230V, same price.

I don't know how mafell prices in the US/Canada match up to the EU.  A lot of there stuff just gives you the sense they aren't even trying to sell it.  It leaves the expensive, or if you make a living it's fine price range and enters the "how does this make any sense" range.
 
Thanks for the advice! So I know the saw is not sold in the US, but is there a way you can buy it abroad and have it shipped to the US? Is it legal to have a freeing in Europe buy it and then ship it to me? Would the motor/electrical be compatible here in the US?

I looked at the Mafell—seems like a nice saw but the price does make you fall over. I love tools—I buy super expensive tools and always buy the best but I have trouble making sense of spending nearly 7K for that saw.

The Prazi is a good idea and I already have a Dewalt worm drive. However, it seems to be a bit less technologically advanced with the need to oil it and I hear reports it is not as accurate.

The Skilsaw version seems decent. Price is reasonable and it looks well made although perhaps not as advanced as Festool or Mafell.

I am buying this to saw beams to build a post and beam structure for my winery with 8”x8” timbers. What do you guys recommend as the best option for that? I will buy the Mafell if it will make my project easier but otherwise may look at Prazi or Skilsaw. I have faith in Festool assuming I can find a way to buy a saw and it is electrically compatible.
 
SMLWinds said:
Thanks for the advice! So I know the saw is not sold in the US, but is there a way you can buy it abroad and have it shipped to the US? Is it legal to have a freeing in Europe buy it and then ship it to me? Would the motor/electrical be compatible here in the US?
Click to expand...

Legal wise, sure. People buy stuff and send it. The issue with Festool stuff is that soon as you get to stuff with motors, it becomes hard to get the tools in from retailers. Festool doesn't allow companies to sell out of their regions.  Some folks report non-motorized stuff they have been able to buy from Europe Amazon sites, I haven't had success.  If you had a retailer that shipped it, then that is the easiest thing. Obviously there is no warranty coverage once you go down this road.  Procurement wise, the easiest way is to know someone over there who just buys it and sends it to you.

Far as will they run.  Yes.  I have 230V tools from Europe, they are fine.  This doesn't mean every tool will work perfect every time, if you have something that has some odd hang up, then there might be a chance it doesn't work.  Many though will have right on them something like 208-250VAC 50/60hz.  My 230V CT26 is the German model, it says 50/60hz right on it yet is not sold in a 60hz country.

I use a plug adapter Schuko to NEMA 6-15, but you can cut the cord and wire a 6-15 plug to the tools. Voltage is voltage, the only difference is they reference ground to one of the phases, vs a centertap like the US, but it's the voltage across the wires that matters.  If you want a 120V version, then you basically have to get a UK jobsite model. Again, voltage is voltage.  You again either need an adapter, or I think (others can confirm), the tools use the same plug-it, so you just use a N.A. cord.    All of this is "do at your own risk, no one here is responsible", but many here have tools from Europe.

One concern could be the tool runs faster on 60hz, for most tools, no one would care, but with this being a chainsaw, this might be a tool where there could be some concern.

I think most of us feel the same on the mafell stuff. It's nice and we have no issue paying good money for tools, but there is a point where it just doesn't make any sense.  I think a lot of folks would buy their tools and start doing timber framing and so forth with them if they just were not priced as they are.  The normal track saws, ddf40, etc are normal-ish, but the pure timber frame stuff, just..... 
 
CeeJay said:
I think you can get the Mafell version:
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-zsx-ec-400-chain-beam-saw

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I would give TimberWolf a call. Mafell is basically in the timber-frame niche. I was at Ganahl lumber in California and they had what was probably a 19” blade on an upside down chop saw. The blade came up from the bottom, it was interesting.
I would check WoodMizer, logosol they make a lot of tools for the forestry industry, and if you go manual look at Granberg (Alaskan Mill) vertical mill. Logosol the distributor is https://www.baileysonline.com Nice bunch of people. Drove up to Woodlands, California for their semi-annual event. They also carry Lucas Mill and that’s a swing blade mill with a cut capacity of 10”....
 
As noted up there by another member, have you tried Axminster. They usually stock the Swordsaw (if not in, they will backorder) and have shipped to other FOG members in the past. Their are threads from members complimenting Axminster on that very service. Granted you will have shipping and import fees but current exchange rate would put the kit itself at around $1,200.

The voltage frequency difference is unlikely to make any material impact on operation but again, plenty of people shipping EU tools to the US and using them so plenty of info on that on this and other forums.

Appreciate it's a little more hassle than buying the Mafell chain beam saw but that hassle is surely worth it if it saves $5k?

To be honest, if you are not put off by the cost of the Mafell chain beam saw then personally I'd be ploughing the funds into a Mafell Z5 portable bandsaw, it is used by post and beam builders and it has so many more uses beyond the chain beam saw in my opinion.

If you already have the worm drive saw, buy the Parzi for rough and hog cutting and the Mafell Z5 to finesse your work. I suspect if precision is your drive here then the Z5 is the puppy for that job.
 
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