Festool TS55 or the Mafell MS55

[ayhanmecit]

I am new to the group and to Festool as well.  I just bought the CT26/RO150 FEQ combo and love it.  As you already know,  I can't stop there and will be adding a domino joiner or both to my arsenal as well as a track saw, router and whatever else I can get my hands on.  I have been looking at the Festool TS55 and the Mafell MT55 and I must say the Mafell looks like a better saw.  I haven't used either and would like the input of people who either have both or have used both.  any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I was also wondering if anyone owns or has used the Mafell KSS300 and if so,  how is the dust collection on that saw?

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Both track saws are excellent. The Mafell has more a little more power. The real decision would be which system suits your needs and preferences more...the Festool MFT/3, or the Aerofix. There isn't a bad choice, in this case.

 

[Jalvis]

I own 4 festool saws and now only use the Mafell saw and tracks.  Its a better saw but at a price.  Festools newest version of the TS55 has some of the same features so the gap is smaller.  Your decision will also depend on the functions you perform.  For me the Mafell wins with the blade change function and the fast/accurate track connector.  Time is also important to me since Woodworking is large part of my business.

Keep in mind that the Mafell MT55 can be used on the Festool tracks so you can have both worlds combined.

 

[lovemytoys]

I own 4 festool saws and now only use the Mafell saw and tracks.  Its a better saw but at a price.  Festools newest version of the TS55 has some of the same features so the gap is smaller.  Your decision will also depend on the functions you perform.  For me the Mafell wins with the blade change function and the fast/accurate track connector.  Time is also important to me since Woodworking is large part of my business.

Keep in mind that the Mafell MT55 can be used on the Festool tracks so you can have both worlds combined.

can you us festal saw on mafelli track?

 

[RKA]

Festool saw can not be used on Mafell track. 

Mafell saw can be used on Festool track, however when tilting the blade the cut line will not line up with the plastic edge because of the height differences between the Festool and Mafell systems. 

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I own 4 festool saws and now only use the Mafell saw and tracks.  Its a better saw but at a price.  Festools newest version of the TS55 has some of the same features so the gap is smaller.  Your decision will also depend on the functions you perform.  For me the Mafell wins with the blade change function and the fast/accurate track connector.  Time is also important to me since Woodworking is large part of my business.

Keep in mind that the Mafell MT55 can be used on the Festool tracks so you can have both worlds combined.

can you us festal saw on mafelli track?

No, you can't. But, you can also use the Mafell saw on the Bosch track (FWIW)

 

[woodie]

I have to call more attention to the rail connector Jalvis mentioned in his post. I have a 3m Festool rail and boy what a pain that is to move around. With the Mafell connector I can join rails together in a matter of seconds and know that they're straight (and will stay straight), this is a pretty big advantage IMO. The little details on the saw like having one adjustment knob for locking in bevel adjustments, the scoring cut setting, and the way the blade change works is a plus too.

 

[woodie]

No, you can't. But, you can also use the Mafell saw on the Bosch track (FWIW)

The newer FSN rails from Bosch are made by Mafell and are identical to their own except for branding and color of the splinter guard. These aren't technically available in the US but they can be shipped in from the UK at a very reasonable price.

 

[sancho57]

I own 4 festool saws and now only use the Mafell saw and tracks.  Its a better saw but at a price.  Festools newest version of the TS55 has some of the same features so the gap is smaller.  Your decision will also depend on the functions you perform.  For me the Mafell wins with the blade change function and the fast/accurate track connector.  Time is also important to me since Woodworking is large part of my business.

Keep in mind that the Mafell MT55 can be used on the Festool tracks so you can have both worlds combined.

You gonna sell your festools ??

How much?

 

[Jaybolishes]

Asking the question of which to buy, festool or Mafell on a festool website is like  asking dewalt which cordless tool company they should buy.  Festool  is the best tool manufacturer in my mind in  how everything works together for woodworking.  That being said, Mafell is an incredibly good tool manufacturer as well, and on par with festool I believe, but they offer different tools for different needs like timber framing and so on.  So the two companies have some cross over products, but if you're building cabinets or are a carpenter, festool is really a great company to go with.  The Mafell however works in the festool system ( not an accident I'm sure) because Mafell knows how much people like festool.  Festool doesn't need to make their saw compatible with Mafell, and that bodes well for festool I think.  What I want to see in this thread is advice from people have used both the Mafell and festool and that's the opinion that really counts. Once you use a ts55 you may think there's not possibly any saw that's better, which is understandable.  I would really like to try the Mafell, but I won't need to try the Mafell, I like my festool 55 and 75 and I'll sticks with em since I already own them.

 

[Jalvis]

I own 4 festool saws and now only use the Mafell saw and tracks.  Its a better saw but at a price.  Festools newest version of the TS55 has some of the same features so the gap is smaller.  Your decision will also depend on the functions you perform.  For me the Mafell wins with the blade change function and the fast/accurate track connector.  Time is also important to me since Woodworking is large part of my business.

Keep in mind that the Mafell MT55 can be used on the Festool tracks so you can have both worlds combined.

You gonna sell your festools ??

How much?

I've already sold two of the saws and half my rails.  I have (5)55" rails, (2)70" rails, and (1) 11.5 feet left.  The other two saws need some repair parts but I've been too busy.  One saw is a TS and the other is an ATF.

 

[Jalvis]

As for me and Festool, I have many of there tools.  Some of my Favorites are the Extractors, Domino, C series Drills, and Kapex.  I think Festool is a good Value considering the quality, warranty, and function of there tools.

Although they aren't the only top manufacturers.  A few worthy mentions are Mafell, Mirka, Virutex, and Hilti.  For that matter Makita or Bosch make some top notch tools depending on the item.  Theres even more but most that I can think of aren't sold in the USA.

I'm also not convinced that one can rely purely on a single brand for quality.  Some products are winners but theres always a few that fall behind in the Pack.  

 

[RKA]

Asking the question of which to buy, festool or Mafell on a festool website is like  asking dewalt which cordless tool company they should buy.  Festool  is the best tool manufacturer in my mind in  how everything works together for woodworking.  That being said, Mafell is an incredibly good tool manufacturer as well, and on par with festool I believe, but they offer different tools for different needs like timber framing and so on.  So the two companies have some cross over products, but if you're building cabinets or are a carpenter, festool is really a great company to go with.  The Mafell however works in the festool system ( not an accident I'm sure) because Mafell knows how much people like festool.  Festool doesn't need to make their saw compatible with Mafell, and that bodes well for festool I think.  What I want to see in this thread is advice from people have used both the Mafell and festool and that's the opinion that really counts. Once you use a ts55 you may think there's not possibly any saw that's better, which is understandable.  I would really like to try the Mafell, but I won't need to try the Mafell, I like my festool 55 and 75 and I'll sticks with em since I already own them.

The mafell has a little more power and their blades have a narrower kerf (1.8mm).  On thicker hardwoods this may prove to be an advantage, however if you plan on making bevel cuts, you'll probably want the bosch or mafell rails.  But if you are already invested in the festool ecosystem, you won't want to get rid of those festool rails.  The LR32, routers, MFT and even the jigsaw can all use the festool rails.  Having two sets of rails is an added expense.  The lack of a plug it connector can be a nuisance on the mafell (again, assuming you have a festool ecosystem-the use of the boom arm and switching tools comes to mind).  The Betterley straight line connector makes joining the festool rails easier, so for me that's not a distinguishing feature (if I was on the clock, then I would still prefer the bosch/mafell method of connecting the rails better).  One of the things I rely on with the festool rails are the parallel guides (well aftermarket equivalents in my case).  I haven't found a good equivalent with the bosch rails, but I haven't looked that hard.  I just fall back to the festool rails.  

I ended up with the mafell when the festool was recalled with no estimate on a fix.  Prior to that I had no issue with the festool, but I had only had it a few months and it was my first festool.  If I was starting fresh today, it would be the festool, because of the ecosystem.  I'm just a hobbiest, so take my opinion for what it's worth (not an expert by any measure of the word).  

 

[ayhanmecit]

Thanks for the responses which pertained to the question.  Jordan,  I think it says something that you own so many festool saws yet seem to only use your mafell now.  I also agree that quality is tool by tool,  and that a manufacturer can make the best saw,  yet an average router (just an example).  I think that being part of the Festool Owners Group is being part of a group of tradesman and craftsman that love festool,  yet love their craft even more and are interested in honest feedback and input,  no matter what the brand is.  Cheers and happy woodworking!