Festool TS75 vs Mafell KSP85

[cgmojoco]

I'm a Festool fanatic and I'll be honest...the brand loyalty is here.

That said I'm still drawn to comparing a recent Festool purchase TR75 (that I haven't used yet) given that Festool seems to be lacking just a bit in the plunge saw power and capabilities (as some point out the 55R is disappointing and 2-3 years behind the Mafell saws already in USA):

USA:
Festool-->TR75 $675

Mafell-->KSP 85 F $970

Yah, that Mafell has stats that kick the pants out of Festool.

I have yet to use one nor do I know if the Mafell 85F works with Festool guide-rails like the 55c does but I suspect it would.

Sorry if this is highjacking the thread, please put this in a Mafell thread if that is more appropriate.

I'm into the larger cutting capacity saws, those teeny 55's don't get through a thick cutting board of hard woods...

 

[cgmojoco]

Yah no, the documentation is so poor on those Mafells.  They just don't have the marketing going well enough for me to be confident in the tool (Marketing isn't just advertising it involves getting customers what they need when they need it and making them happy)

Price (need to drop)
Place--> heck I only purchase through local dealers, don't know where I would even start here in San Diego...
Product (yah Mafell might be doing well there, but as a potential customer I can't really tell from here---they need to get their stuff together)
Promotion (lacking seriously here...their website is a mess too)

I'll stick to my T75 thank you very much all.

 

[Tinker]

others have commented about the poor backup service from Mafell.  I don't care how good the tool is, if they don't care after it is out the door.......... FORGET IT.

what kind of wood do you use for cutting boards?  Admitedly, i have only done two that were 1-1/4' thick.  they were both made of hard maple and walnut strips.  So it was all ripping and end cuts.  My next will be a try at end grain type.  I had no problem cutting with my ATF 55.  One of the boards I ended up making into a serving tray. A matching set.  Trying to rout out the middle with my OF 1400 is where I ran into problems.  I burned a little along the sides but rather than try to re-rout or a lot of extra sanding, i left the burn marks in.  the project was for my son and he liked the design left by the burning.  (you see, i am not the only one in the family who is less than sane.  I actually inherited it from him.  :)
Tinker

 

[JimB1]

The Mafell looks interesting but here in the US they really have no distribution or support network and that would be a make or break factor for me. Festool has made a commitment to North American sales and support that Mafell has not yet from what I can see.

Where track saws are concerned the only real choices in the US to me are DeWalt and Festool (maybe Makita but they are a distant 3rd)
-Jim

 

[score0matic]

Jim, just curious why you put DW over Makita?  and why they would be way behind the other 2. 

 

[Jalvis]

I own the Mafell 55cc and just finished a good sized built in for a client last night using the saw.  

Since I will be writing a review on the product I won't say too much.....but when it comes to the details Mafell is a better unit.  You give up some things like having a dealer in town but gain in other areas.  Its really best to decide whats important to you.  Just so you know...the 85 is a future purchase on my list.

Like most things educating yourself about any product is better then going to a dealer.  Due to this website I know more than my local dealer about Festool so there isn't much incentive to buy local other then the immediate need for abrasives or filters.

PM me if you want more info.

 

[VictorL]

It looks like Mafell is not considering USA market at all.
1. Most of their tools are 220V tools. It's some hassle in the shop, and big hassle in the field
2. Lack of documentation and lack of local reps.

Festool had similar saws AP 85 EB and  AXP 132E (cutting depth was 132mm or over 5"(!))(both are NAINA) ten years ago, but dropped them.

VictorL

 

[adubeau]

I like the Mafell edge guide attachment...

However, I would prefer to stick with Festool..... So far all my Festools have performed better than I have expected....

 

[JimB1]

Jim, just curious why you put DW over Makita?   and why they would be way behind the other 2. 

Well, I've had a few bad experiences with Makita tools in the past as far as longevity goes (granted, not too expensive but I expect tools to last more then a few months past their warranty) so I have a slight bias in that regard. I think the only surviving Makita tool I have is a grinder and I only used it once so hopefully it'll be good if I ever need to use it again.

For the saw in particular I've only played around with it twice at shows and the basic saw seems decent but I like the feel of both DeWalt and Festool better. The Makita has a very upright handle to me so during the cut my wrist is at an odd angle that I dislike (I've had a broken wrist in the past so might be something odd with me). Also the dust collection port is facing almost 90 degrees down so the hose is right on your cutline. Also, the Makita feels more plasticy (is that a word?) to me. I know the Festool probably has the same amount of plastic to it but the Makita feels like the plastic is crackable if you drop it. The Festool feels like the plastic is more impact resistant just in case... The DeWalt feels like it is a tank and I like the plunge mechanism better then the pivot the Festool and Makita use but it is more moving parts so more that can be screwed up or mess up the alignment but I haven't read any issues with that yet...

I'm sure plenty of folks have the Makita and love it however I've had much better luck with DeWalt and have a lot of Black and Yellow tool cases to back up that statement... far more then any other brand (though I've just started checking out Festool seriously in the last year or two so that may change over time )
-Jim

 

[GhostFist]

I've used the ts 55 and the dewalt, I'm getting the mafell

 

[neth27]

I've used the ts 55 and the dewalt, I'm getting the mafell

I have owned the ts55 and the dewalt and now have the Mafell  [big grin]

John..

 

[GhostFist]

Touche

 

[sancho57]

Let me caveat this comment with I have not owned any other track saw then my TS 55.

I'm a one man show that needed/ wanted something to cut sheet goods.

Does my Fstool do it?

Yes it does.

Are other tools in the Festool system readably accessible?

Yes they are.
Does my Festool do everything I need it to do?

Yes it does.

Can I pick up a phone and get tech support or contact a customer rep when I need to?

Yes I can.

Is the system efficent enough that I dont really use my table saw anymore?

Yes it is.

If the CMS ever gets released in the USA will I buy one and sell my table saw ?

Yes I will.

Like my mentor Mr. P (RIP) used to tell me over and over 18 years ago…

" I dont get all mess up behind tools, If it does what I want it to thats all I care about".

 

[fshanno]

Looks like the KSP 65 is the competition for the TS75 from a price standpoint.  Personally, I'd be more interested in the KSP 55 since I don't cut hardwood with my TS55 any more.  That KSP 55 does look like an awesome saw I have to admit.

 

[GhostFist]

What's great about the mafell is that it works with the festool rail system, even though the mafell system seems more reliable. the TS series saws are fantastic, I'm not slagging them at all. They are certainly my number 2 pick. The build quality of the Festool saws seems to be of a higher standard than that of dewalt's. As far as dewalt's ability to cut on both sides of the rail is concerned, I don't really care, so for marginally more money I would rather invest in a better built device such as the TS series saw. That being said Mafell's added power and rugged build quality and more useable features, is attractive as to me it means the tool will get more use, faster more accurate set up, greater longevity, all around more reliable. That is worth money to me.

I'm planning on buying the Mafell kss 300 first as it will be more usefull to me in film at the moment. Once i get it and put it through some field testing I'll write up a review for the NA carps.

Cheers

 

[Christian A.]

Servus,

I have yet to use one nor do I know if the Mafell 85F works with Festool guide-rails like the 55c does but I suspect it would.

No, the Mafell KSP 85 F(c) doesn't work with Festool rails. Currently, the Mafell MT 55 is the only Mafell saw that can be used with Festool guide rails. However, the Mafell guide rail system is well-thought, I can't think of any disadvantages compared to the Festool rails right now. From what I was told, the Mafell KSP 85 is the standard circular saw among German carpenters. I don't know if that is true, though. Here you can see German carpenters working with the Mafell saw at least.
The thickest hardwood I have cut with my KSP 85 was 60 mm oak: No problem at all, using an appropriate saw blade is a must, of course.
TS 75 vs. KSP 85: In my opinion, several features indicate that the KSP 85 was designed in order to meet a carpenter's needs: More power, more cutting depth, better for free-hand usage (due to the different plunge mechanism), bevel cuts up to 60°, parallel fence included.

Hope this helps,

Christian

 

[GhostFist]

Awesome vid! Didn't understand a word but loved it none the less

 

[Jalvis]

One of the best features of the Mafell system is the Guide rail.  Great quality and well thought out.  Only real disadvantage is not being compatible with Festool Parallel Guides.  One would have to make there own for the Mafell rails.

 

[jonathan-m]

For those interested, it seems mafell has given their 85 an update.
youtube link below

 

[Jalvis]

Theres also a K 85 model that just came out from Mafell thats more inline with the Festool TS75.  Really great looking tool.  I will be getting the K 85 or KSS 80 over the Festool TS 75.