Festool TKS ..Mafell Erica

[FestitaMakool]

In Scandinavia, Festool CS50, and especially CS70 are widespread among craftsmen, so also among hobbyists. Cabinet saws as you see them in the US are rather rare. Mafell Erica not so much, due to price mostly I think, but dealers are also less widespread on Mafell.
Stationary saws as cabinet saws are mostly larger sliding table saws, are very common among cabinet makers and wood shops. Most of these complement with a CS50 or 70 for lighter mobile work.

The TKS I believe fall between chairs, it’s a bit too heavy for mobile work, and lacks a bit amongst competing saws with larger and better sliders.

I own a CS50 myself, and I love its compactness and it’s capabilities (coming from a Bosch large contractor saw) The pull function is its trick to make it extremely versatile.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Speaking for my application, the appeal of the pull-push saw is twofold:
-- I only have to set up a single machine, a REALLY big "plus!" on projects where I'm setting up in a finished space
-- My perception is that I can get a more accurate crosscut with the pull function than I could ever get with a miter saw.

The ERIKA 70 and 85 are big machines. I'm 6'2" ~210lbs, and I wouldn't want it much heavier. For quickie in-n-out jobs, the CS50 would be a dream.

As [member=71478]FestitaMakool[/member] points out, they also make a nice complement to a stationary slider.

It's a real bummer that Festool hasn't released the Precisio saws in NA, I would think the CS50 would be very popular. I suspect there are more ERIKA saws in North America than many people realize, but still a vanishingly small number relative to the overall portable miter saw/table saw market...

 

[Packard]

I just checked and I can buy a CS50 for delivery to the USA from Amazon in Germany. (Amazon.de).  I’ve ordered from Amazon in Germany in the past and delivery cost was quite modest, but free Prime shipping is not available. The price is $1,450 euros. I would have to go to the checkout to find the shipping cost and I did not so that.

Amazon.de will honor your USA Amazon account. If you click the German flag icon at the top of the page, you can toggle to another language. I toggled to English.
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Festool-...?crid=2IZENDRQ2AHJU&dchild=1&keywords=festool+cs+50+s%C3%A4geblatt&qid=1635463716&qsid=261-6651763-1755854&sprefix=Festool+cs%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-5&sres=B002RKPE70%2CB0017VDOUY%2CB07KZ4S22N%2CB001497KPE%2CB0013DTZO0%2CB00X7D2QQ8%2CB003TOIIY4%2CB004MNGZH8%2CB00EZ0GVFE%2CB004MNEX4K%2CB08YFKQ3FW%2CB0017VNBTS%2CB0017VNBRK%2CB07CVRQYNK%2CB0749NX63R%2CB001U343YA

 

[squall_line]

On the "See All Buying Options" button, it should show the shipping price.

Looks like 115 euro to get it here.

The 1,450 Euro price includes VAT, which would come off at time of purchase, but it definitely doesn't include customs cost.  2,450 Euro for the full set that includes the sliding table.  Not sure if it's the same slider as on the CMS-GE, but knowing Festool it probably is.

A bit spendy for the loss of warranty and possible Customs headaches, possibly a new plug end.  YMMV, obviously.

 

[ScotF]

Getting blades is also a hassle, but I am sure it is a good saw. If I could only keep one saw it would be my Mafell and it can replace several other saws. I mostly build furniture and it is super accurate for joinery cuts in a compact package. It is not for everyone though.

 

[notenoughcash]

depends if the OP wants to save his fingers if he touches the saw blade or not.

i know from personal experiance that when fingers come in contact with spinning blades it blummin well hurts.  if you want evidence i have pictures.

buy the TKS.

i have not owned or used either of them, but to me i would rather have saw stop than the pull saw feature.  that's my opinion

 

[greg mann]

I have a cs70 here in the states which became available when an ex-pat brought it home and decided to sell it. The only issue I had was finding blades when I damaged one that came with the saw. Local Festool dealer couldn’t import for me but then it occurred to me I could buy a Mafell blade meant for an Erika. Problem solved. I really like the saw but the slider is not its best option. It is dated compared to the present CS50 version common to the CMS.  I agree the pull function is superb. Mafell has a great fence for miters utilizing the pull function and I will machine my own version pretty soon.

My perception is the CS70 is a tweener . CS50 is the most portable, the CS70 being still more portable that the Erika 70 and cheaper as well, while not as robust overall. The 85 is probably as good as you can get in a saw that could still be categorized as portable. That said, as a class of saws they are all unique and could find a niche in NA though I don’t see Festool bringing them in anytime soon if ever.

 

[Dane]

For folks with the pull saws- when do you use the pulling action versus the sliding table?  I’ve never figured out what the different use cases are.

 

[AlexThePalex]

For folks with the pull saws- when do you use the pulling action versus the sliding table?  I’ve never figured out what the different use cases are.

Pull function = all the time. Slider = never.

The slider only comes in usefull with bigger panels that require the support of the extra table. I am not a fan of the slider of the CS70 and never use it unless I absolutely have to. Which means I use it maybe 2 times per year.

For smaller stuff, I always use the pull function and wouldn't want to have a TS without it.

 

[ScotF]

Alex stated it well for my use cases too. If I need to cross cut panels longer than the pull function of the saw. Most cuts i do with the pull function as larger parts are usually done with my track saw.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I agree that I primarily use the "Pull" functionality for crosscuts. I have the sliding table assembly for my ERIKA 70, in the context of a sliding table on a portable machine it's nice but I found that I was better off just making those cuts with my track saw.

I agree with Greg Mann that the 70 saws (CS 70 and ERIKA 70) are "tweener" machines. The CS50 looks ultra portable and would be an awesome punch list machine. On the other hand, the ERIKA 85 is only a couple pounds heavier than the ERIKA 70, and now that they're both only available in 240V, I'd bump up to the 85 on my next purchase.

Something that I think hasn't been mentioned is the length-compensating property of the MFA fence. This works with the stock fence, as well as the 1m fence. This means that, regardless of the angle set, the fence reading is correct.

 

[greg mann]

As usual, Alex nails it. The pull function allows you to secure your work with a clamp if you wish, and slide the blade thru it. This is highly stable.

The problem with the slider is that it is too far away from the blade, and a pretty small platform to boot. If it’s big enough to require the slider then the MFT and the track are usually a better option, IMO.

 

[Svar]

The problem with the slider is that it is too far away from the blade, and a pretty small platform to boot.

Exactly. It is essentially another version of a miter gauge.

Old Mafell Monika had the left side of the table on a full extension slide. It went up to about 60 mm from the blade. Not quite there but close. Why nobody make these today is beyond me. It's such an obvious solution. Put that table on decent linear bearings and I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[ScotF]

One other nice feature is the variable speed. Nice to adjust the saw for cutting plastics and materials other than wood.

 

[Dane]

Interesting.  So, if you were to buy the saw again- would you skip the sliding table all together?  And do you find that you use the variable speed?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I already put my slider up for sale, so far no takers after 3 months. Pretty odd, most of the time I don't have a problem getting rid of my Festool stuff.

With wood I always leave the speed on full. But in the few occasions I cut plastics or acryllic glass I tone it down a bit.

 

[ScotF]

I vary speed. I have been working on vinyl plank flooring and turn the speed down to prevent melting the plastic and it works great. For wood, always max speed. I do not even use the fence extensions for wider rips as anything wider than the 250 or stock rip capacity I use my track saw.  I added some extensions to give me repeat stops for cross cuts and that has been very helpful.  My base unit and my track saw allow me to cut anything.  I would be perfectly fine with the base unit and suggest people start there and add as necessary. YMMV.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Interesting.  So, if you were to buy the saw again- would you skip the sliding table all together?  And do you find that you use the variable speed?

Hi Dane!

If I were to purchase a new Pull-Push saw package, I'd probably just get the "core"/base setup. Paired with a track saw and a TSO package, and/or a KSS40, the basic pull-push setup works great.

The sliding table on the ERIKA saws is ok, but with the introduction of the TSO squares and parallel guides, I'd be more inclined to break down panels with a track saw, then process smaller pieces on the ERIKA/Precisio.

Likewise, I have the table extension kit (rip/right side), but I can't remember the last time I used it. Again, larger cuts are usually completed with a track saw, smaller cuts performed on the pull-push saw.

If my van were to get hit by a comet tonight, I'd order the core ERIKA 85 package, along with a 1m fence and some flip stops.

I normally run the saw flat-out, but the variable speed is handy for cutting vinyl flooring and aluminum extrusions.

 

[Dane]

Thanks for the info guys.  I’m 90 percent there on the pull saw purchase.  Glad to
Know I can save some cash on the accessories.  I’ve got the KSS40 too and man, I use that for like 90 percent of my cutting anymore.  But there’s always a need for a table saw sometimes. 

 

[urowho]

I'm also thinking about this. I'm very very keen on my fingers though. I've got a TS55 and guides, some TSO guides and an MFT but I had a hankering to process shelves etc with the tracksaw etc and then fine tune using the sliding table on the TKS 80. I've just noticed however that unlike the erika there's no support bar for long material being cross cut.

I suspect that means I haven't got a use case at all for the TKS 80? I cannot imagine putting 4 feet of shelf on that tiny sliding table and it not flipping up and killing me!