festool ts 55 now or wait for ts 55R, or mafell kss400

[mbgr199]

HEllo All,
I plan to make some bookcases and cabinets for my home. The material mostly is plywood and 1x for face frame. I also plan to build some back yard furnitures and patio after the in house projects. Please help me with What should I buy now:
1) festool ts 55
2) makita 5140 and some aluminum extrusion for guide.  I like makita 5140 because i know that i make in america or japan.
3) mafell saw like kss400 and the flexi rail
4) or wait for fetool ts55R
5) orther option (example EZ rail)
Thanks for your help
Anh

 

[Jalvis]

The 55R would be your best option but I dont know when the USA will be getting those.  You can Get the current 55 and upgrade later if you see fit.  

Personally my favorite is the Mafell MT55 but most people don't need the added details or the added cost.  If you do get an MT55 it works seamlessly with the Festool system including guide rails and extractors.  Therefore I wouldn't invest in the Mafell Rails just the saw.  

Whatever you choose be sure to get an extractor.....the CT mini or CT 26 are my favorites.

Not many(if any) on this site are going to recommend the Makita or EZ.  If your considering those systems to save money than I would wait and save for a Festool or Mafell.

 

[3PedalMINI]

im still confused on what the new TS55r does better then the current one does. The TS55 is an incredible saw and i wouldnt even dream of buying anything else other then festool. Ill second the above posters Dust Extraction comment, the ts55 is supurp paired with one!

 

[Jalvis]

im still confused on what the new TS55r does better then the current one does. The TS55 is an incredible saw and i wouldnt even dream of buying anything else other then festool. Ill second the above posters Dust Extraction comment, the ts55 is supurp paired with one!

The 55R does some things that the current 55 doesn't do.  Just do a comparison test and you will see.....although not everyone will need or use those differences.

You "wouldn't dream" of another saw because your saw does everything you want.  Not everyone has the same standards and needs.  In fact you might start dreaming differently once you use a Mafell product.

 

[panelchat]

My thought is that any good saw will do- the important part for making casework is to improve the workflow- using parallel guides, a work table, and maybe a long guide for cutting 8 foot sheets. The parallel guides for long/repeat "rip" cuts on sheets, the The MFT for cross cutting and shorter cuts (and all sorts of sanding, assembly, etc.).

I first started using the saw without any of these accessories, laying out the rail on pencil marks, and while the cut quality and accuracy can be superb, the layout work becomes extremely time consuming and getting exact duplicate parts becomes difficult. I've made home made parallel guides that work well, and found using a MFT replacement top with a full set of Qwas dogs/rail dogs will work pretty well as a cross cutting system- this is a way to get faster workflow on the cheap if needed.

Basically, the track saw concept really comes alive with guides and a good cross cutting system.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the TS55 and TS75 saws are superb.  From your description of projects, I think that the 55 would be a great choice.  When I opted for a tracksaw I went with the 75 as I process a lot of thicker hardwoods and needed the extra capacity of the 75, along with the additional power.  I have not been dissapointed in this decision at all.  Since you are posting on the FOG I think that overwhelmingly you will get pro-Festool recommendations.  I have not tried any other brands you are mentioning, but I think that the accessories, support and info from Festool cannot be beat and I would steer you in Festool's direction.  I think that Mafell makes great products too, but it will be significantly higher cost than the Festool and it may or may not be worth it to you.  Couple the TS saw with an extractor and MFT/3 and you have a great system for processing panels and lumber.  You can only get a discount on the MFT/3 if you buy it in conjunction with a saw so I would do that and more than likely you will end up with some more Festools and you can get a discount on the CT with the purchase of a differnt Festool like one of the awesome sanders, for example, or a router or Domino...

Welcome to the FOG, by-the-way, and let us know if you have more questions.  Keep us posted on what you ultimately decide.  Now is a good time to buy to get in before the price increase hits (although I think that the TS55 is staying the same price).

Scot

 

[GhostFist]

The 55R would be your best option but I dont know when the USA will be getting those.  You can Get the current 55 and upgrade later if you see fit.  

Personally my favorite is the Mafell MT55 but most people don't need the added details or the added cost.  If you do get an MT55 it works seamlessly with the Festool system including guide rails and extractors.  Therefore I wouldn't invest in the Mafell Rails just the saw.  

Whatever you choose be sure to get an extractor.....the CT mini or CT 26 are my favorites.

Not many(if any) on this site are going to recommend the Makita or EZ.  If your considering those systems to save money than I would wait and save for a Festool or Mafell.

I'm not saying Mafell is the best choice for you...... But it's my favourite saw maker hands down. I have an Mt55 and a KSS 300 and they're just amazing units. I have to say i easily prefer the Mafell rails over festool as well. That being said mafell is a big investment and might be too much for the odd project. The KSS 400 could almost be your do everything saw though.

 

[Jason Kehl]

It is good to keep in my after purchase product support, repairs, accessories as well as the system approach of Festool. Everything works together and there is a high degree of compatibility among the different tools in the line. My experience with my Festool dealer (Felder Machinery Imports in Winnipeg) has been superb.

I own a Mafell timber framing saw, and while it is truly an excellent saw there are not many places to buy from and I fear replacement parts or repairs could be tricky to acquire. Hopefully it will never become an issue, but...

j

 

[harry_]

Nice! I didn't know there was an `R` forthcoming, but now that I know I am very glad that I don't have a 55,.......YET!

Some of the new features are things we have discussed here in the forum. Cause & effect?  [scared]

 

[peter halle]

Welcome to the FOG.

Obviously if you want to do something in the short term I would recommend the TS-55 because the R version isn't here yet.  Regarding the Makita, I haven't used one because I own the one that was patented prior (TS-55).  Mafell is a good brand but if you want an accessory you might not be able to get one easily - if at all.  I will not even comment on the EZ after being involved here for years and seeing their videos that treat dust collection like an after thought.

Buy the TS-55 and start the process is my suggestion.

Peter

 

[Jalvis]

The 55R would be your best option but I dont know when the USA will be getting those.  You can Get the current 55 and upgrade later if you see fit.  

Personally my favorite is the Mafell MT55 but most people don't need the added details or the added cost.  If you do get an MT55 it works seamlessly with the Festool system including guide rails and extractors.  Therefore I wouldn't invest in the Mafell Rails just the saw.  

Whatever you choose be sure to get an extractor.....the CT mini or CT 26 are my favorites.

Not many(if any) on this site are going to recommend the Makita or EZ.  If your considering those systems to save money than I would wait and save for a Festool or Mafell.

I'm not saying Mafell is the best choice for you...... But it's my favourite saw maker hands down. I have an Mt55 and a KSS 300 and they're just amazing units. I have to say i easily prefer the Mafell rails over festool as well. That being said mafell is a big investment and might be too much for the odd project. The KSS 400 could almost be your do everything saw though.

I also prefer the Mafell rails but for the average user the advantage of using festool rails allows for easy access to accessories such as Clamps, MFT, LR32, Guide for routers, etc.  This will also solve the problem of not getting the accessories when you want.  The MT55 is a better saw hands down but the Festool compatibility makes life easier if your attached to the methods Festool offers. 

Not sure how one cant get parts and accessories since Timber Wolf Tools is a USA dealer?  I'm yet to have or hear of a problem about David at TimberWolf.....great guy and will do everything possible for his customer. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome to the FOG.

Obviously if you want to do something in the short term I would recommend the TS-55 because the R version isn't here yet.  Regarding the Makita, I haven't used one because I own the one that was patented prior (TS-55).  Mafell is a good brand but if you want an accessory you might not be able to get one easily - if at all.  I will not even comment on the EZ after being involved here for years and seeing their videos that treat dust collection like an after thought.

Buy the TS-55 and start the process is my suggestion.

Peter

I agree with Peter.  Buy now and beat the price increase that hits in Feb.

 

[peter halle]

The 55R would be your best option but I dont know when the USA will be getting those.  You can Get the current 55 and upgrade later if you see fit.  

Personally my favorite is the Mafell MT55 but most people don't need the added details or the added cost.  If you do get an MT55 it works seamlessly with the Festool system including guide rails and extractors.  Therefore I wouldn't invest in the Mafell Rails just the saw.  

Whatever you choose be sure to get an extractor.....the CT mini or CT 26 are my favorites.

Not many(if any) on this site are going to recommend the Makita or EZ.  If your considering those systems to save money than I would wait and save for a Festool or Mafell.

I'm not saying Mafell is the best choice for you...... But it's my favourite saw maker hands down. I have an Mt55 and a KSS 300 and they're just amazing units. I have to say i easily prefer the Mafell rails over festool as well. That being said mafell is a big investment and might be too much for the odd project. The KSS 400 could almost be your do everything saw though.

I also prefer the Mafell rails but for the average user the advantage of using festool rails allows for easy access to accessories such as Clamps, MFT, LR32, Guide for routers, etc.  This will also solve the problem of not getting the accessories when you want.  The MT55 is a better saw hands down but the Festool compatibility makes life easier if your attached to the methods Festool offers. 

Not sure how one cant get parts and accessories since Timber Wolf Tools is a USA dealer?  I'm yet to have or hear of a problem about David at TimberWolf.....great guy and will do everything possible for his customer.   

I wasn't speaking badly about Timber Wolf or David.  I have no experience or knowledge of either.  Festool has a small presence here in NA versus other tool manufacturers. They have many dealers.  Mafell's presence is smaller than Festool and they have one dealer.  Common availability of products with one dealer versus many.  That is all that I was trying to say.

Peter

 

[3PedalMINI]

After watching Peters excellent review of the R I would get the 55 now and if you find a need for super accurate depth then you could always sell the 55 at not much of a loss and get the R if you see fit. I am amaized at what used festools will go for used! makes the rather steep investment easier to swallow if you ever what to upgrade or sell later on.  [smile]

 

[Kev]

The Festool TS55 would suit general cabinet making and most garden furniture that I'd imagine most people tackling. The "R" adds some useful features most won't need often or at all.

I won't touch Mafell due to their shocking attitude as an organisation (not their resellers). Good products though to my understanding.

If you're happy to buy any old saw and use an aluminium extrusion as a guide, you're on the wrong forum [big grin]