festool vs mafell saw

[Tigers Tigers!]

hi all
looking for a little help here without any bias, I have owned and liked bosch tools for many years however the service and quality of
these tools have IMHO taken a nose dive and as the very poor service and then poor response to my complaints yield zero help  I decided to
search for another good quality tool.
So bought a Festool jigsaw and pow cuts straight as a die straight from the box and has some super Features so I know a good thing when I see it.
Now bosch have made me so  [mad] that I am going to sell pretty much all my other branded tools and renew with Festool not a cheap exercise at £14000
or so.  Now I love the fact they all work together and come in nice boxes, however I believe in the best tool for the job so on visiting my local dealer to hammer
out a deal I was faced with some choices I did not see coming.... first is I was going for the ts75 as the depth of cut is quite useful for me, or the ts55 as the plunge
cut so close to objects (as the side is so flat) is equally if not more alluring, whilst pondering this one and asking the dealer about it he pointed out that I might like the
Mafell mt55cc better, I do believe that he is unbiased and only wants me to have what I really need. Sure, it's a little more expensive  [eek] but two other guys I talked
with both think it's a better machine  and it works (apparently with the Festool guides) so have any of you guys used both ? and any opinions on it??.
now the big one  [drooling] already to buy the kapax and trolley +  all the goody's to go with it and seeing the demo one, lets give it a go well the first thing I liked was
the ability to cut tall skirting top down (very interesting ) however the slide back and forth was not what I would call silky smooth and I am prepared to say that it might
be faulty as its a demo, but I then tried the newest saw (Bosch Mitre Saw GCM 12 GDL with GTA2500 Stand) and I can only say its as smooth as silk  [scared]
now I vowed not to buy bosch ever again [embarrassed] but this saw appears to be better or as good as the kapax  and its  nearly £300  cheaper, so anyone have any
Constructive thoughts on this ??? Heres some details below on it, I am spending a whole heap of cash so need to make the right choice [blink]

Efficient dust extraction due to optimised suction spouts All controls for mitre and bevel settings are situated on the front of the machine to make work more convenient Pull-out material supports integrated on the right and left with integrated length stop Integrated carrying handle for easy transport Compact slide mechanism enables space-saving positioning directly against the wall Powerful motor (2000 watts) offers sufficient power reserves for thick woods Groove-cutting function

Technical Specifications

•Cutting capacity, 0°: 104 x 341 mm
•Cutting capacity, 45° mitre: 104 x 240 mm
•Cutting capacity, 45° incline: 51 x 341 mm
•Mitre setting: 52 ° L / 60 ° R
•Incline setting: 47 ° L / 47 ° R
•Depth x length x height: 673 x 822 x 686 cm
•No-load speed: 3.800 rpm
•Saw blade diameter: 305 mm
•Saw blade bore: 30 mm
•Weight: 32,1 kg
•Rated power input: 2.000 W

 

[peter halle]

Asking this question on a Festool forum will probably get you answers with some bias, just as if you would ask the same question on a Bosch or Mafell site.

I won't bash the Mafell products - they are good.

Regarding the Bosch saw - what I don't like about it is all the plastic nobs and controls at the front outermost point of the saw.  Those guys are all plastic and I would worry about them in transport.  I don't own one.

The apex normally has a very smooth slide so you might be correct that there is an issue with that saw - or the knob that locks it in place wasn't loosened enough.

Peter

 

[wrightwoodwork]

Both the TS55 and MT55 are excellent saws. On the saws I would personally say the mt55 has the edge with more powerful motor, scoring function. The blade being fully closed for improved dust extraction. The single locking knob to lock the tilt. It does work on the festool tracks at 90 but when cutting bevel cuts the blade doesn't line up with the edge the splinter strip on the festool track. Where using the mafell tracks the blade always lines up with the splinter strip no matter the angle. When it comes to joining the tracks the mafell are idiot proof to join. The festool tracks have the advantage of the parallel rods for repative cuts. Where the mafell you would need to come up with a home made solution if you wanted. Festool do the 30 day back option also if you ask your dealer if you can try the mafell on demo period they have demo machines to try out.

 

[mastercabman]

I can say that the Kapex sliding motion is very smooth so maybe the one you tried was not all the way loose?
As far as Bosch,i used to love their tools.But now it seems like it's not all that great.
About 6 months ago I got a 18g nailer and at first I did not care for it(would not sink every nail)I then filed the safety tip and it is much better but sometime I still get a nail that sticks out. Not much but have to get my nail setter to set them
I also got the jobsite table saw about 2-3 months ago and again I'm not really to impress with the cut.I think the motor is spinning too fast and getting lots of vibration.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I haven't used the new Bosch saws, so I can't say. The Kapex is the best that I have used. As the others have said, my sliding action is smooth and easy. The Kapex with the UG station is a joy to use.
The Mafell MT55cc is the best track saw made, but you pay a premium for it.  I find the scribe function useful and it adds to safety. The Festool is my second favorite and is fully competent for all sheet goods. I feel that both saws very safe and both are a pleasure to use.

 

[glass1]

mafell intrigues me especially the jig saw and those big rail saws that stay connected to the rails. The ability to easily link rails seems awesome. But the lack of dealers ie being able to see one and the price scare me. If I got a fat project I might try some mafell. I have the Bosch cm10gsd. Its a great saw. Its all that with a few exceptions, 1 its heavy so if you move and set up a lot be prepared to move a monster. 2 no soft start 3. no light or laser. 4 made in china which does bug me. I have spent plenty of time behind the kapex. Its a great saw but I never took a liking to the vertical handle double trigger safety pull down thing./ It just drives me crazy. If you do a lot of small installs in tight finished areas I think the kapex is great. If not save some money and buy another festool like a vacuum or the 1010 router or a sander.

 

[Kev]

My KAPEX is awesome and silky smooth. Not sure what was going on there.

Mafell? The tools may be ok, but my experience communicating with them has struck them off my list.

 

[TelcoRandy]

The topic is a little misleading because you ask about Mafell and then end off at Bosch and all of the Bosch saw specs. It should've been Festool VS. Mafell + Bosch.  [laughing]

Anyway, I'm no expert with saws but Festool's equipment integrate nicely into their systems and there's enough local Festool dealers around to pickup accessories/consumables/kit. If you buy anything made by Mafell and you want to build out your Mafell system... Well, I'm not sure what it's like out in the UK but here in North America there's only 1 Mafell dealer and although David Powell is a real nice guy (Owner of Timberwolf Tools), it would be easier for me to drive to my local Lee Valley and pickup whatever I need from Festool than have to deal with an online order system or someone over the phone.

I can't really make an argument about what's better regarding the Bosch mitre saw or the MT55C. My only advice with the mitre saw is maybe try to compare their accuracy over their specs? My Kapex is very smooth at sliding on the rails and the mitre base slide is good enough for me, not as smooth as the rails but smooth enough.

I hope that helps a little.

 

[Luzzy]

I own  a ts55 and ts75. In my personal shop , I have the Mafell mt55 and kss300. I would say that they are all fine saws, however the Mafell has better dust collection and is made like a tank. Joining their rail system is just easier and more accurate. Additionally their Aerofix rail that sucks down on the workpiece,is extendable ,and provides simultaneous dust extraction, is pretty slick.

That being said, the Availability of most Festool products and tools as well as support here in the US is hard to beat. As mentioned , Mafell has one distributor here and just about no readily available support outside of Timberwolf Tools.

 

[CoStruct]

I have the bosch mitre saw and like it fine enough.  It is very smooth and if they had a 10" variant, I would probably purchase that as well.  I am not sold on the Kapex yet.  The local dealer brought one in and I've played with it a bit but don't quite understand why it is so great aside from DC.  I want to like the Kapex but I am not sold on it.  That being said, I would like to have one on site for a couple days and see what I thought after a few days of heavy use. 

Can't comment on the mafell saw though I think there are alot of improvements that could be made on the Festool system to make it more versatile.  That being said, I quite like the machine and we have been using it constantly on the job site.  I will be using the TS55 for the next couple of days so I will be interested to see how that works. 

 

[wow]

the Mafell has better dust collection and is made like a tank. Joining their rail system is just easier and more accurate. Additionally their Aerofix rail that sucks down on the workpiece,is extendable ,and provides simultaneous dust extraction, is pretty slick.

That being said, the Availability of most Festool products and tools as well as support here in the US is hard to beat. As mentioned , Mafell has one distributor here and just about no readily available support outside of Timberwolf Tools.

That pretty much sums up my research as well. The Mafell product seems to be well made - perhaps even better than Festool? - but it is INSANE that there is only one place to purchase it in the entire USA? You can't try one out unless you have a friend who owns one and let's you try theirs. And little-to-no customer support from what I found.

No, thanks. Just no.

 

[wow]

hi all
looking for a little help here without any bias I then tried the newest saw (Bosch Mitre Saw GCM 12 GDL with GTA2500 Stand) and I can only say its as smooth as silk

I don't own a Kapex and I am not a Bosch fan, but I tried that saw at Acme tools and I gotta say I was impressed. I am seriously considering buying one.

Now there's no way I would EVER consider dragging that to a job! If I get one, it will live out it's days in my shop - unless I eventually decide to replace it with something newer, brighter, and lemon scented.

 

[jonathan-m]

If you want the best tool, it's simple. You buy Mafell. The build quality and attention to detail is unrivaled by any other portable power tool brand, not even Festool. The catch is that it's a niche brand. It doesn't have the huge dealer network Festool has.
As for service, those in Europe, like yourself, don't have anything to worry about.

If you want the 2nd best tool with the superior complete package offering, accessories, availability of consumables etc, you buy Festool.
It's up to you to decide how much you value all the extra's besides the actual tool and if that makes it the best value proposition for you. Some don't care much for that and go with Mafell, for many it's essential and they go with Festool. Either way, you probably won't regret the choice you made.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

If you want the best tool, it's simple. You buy Mafell. The build quality and attention to detail is unrivaled by any other portable power tool brand, not even Festool. The catch is that it's a niche brand. It doesn't have the huge dealer network Festool has.
As for service, those in Europe, like yourself, don't have anything to worry about.

If you want the 2nd best tool with the superior complete package offering, accessories, availability of consumables etc, you buy Festool.
It's up to you to decide how much you value all the extra's besides the actual tool and if that makes it the best value proposition for you. Some don't care much for that and go with Mafell, for many it's essential and they go with Festool. Either way, you probably won't regret the choice you made.

Yes, I agree with this.  If you need to make any track cuts on an incline, then the MT55cc with the Aerofix is the only track saw to handle this safely. Listen... if you're just a one-man or small shop, then just buy into the complete Festool system. Simple, faster, easier is very true. I keep trying to find cheaper ways than going with some of the more expensive Festool products ( ex: Fastcap Bestfence over the UG Miter Station) but, then I always end up with Festool.

 

[arso_bg]

Hi,

I’ve sold my Festool  TS 55 EBQ a couple of years ago and now  I use only my  Maffel  MT55cc. I love this saw and I did never regret my decision.  The Maffel saw has more power, higher speed, cutting depth can be set very precise, it has a scoring function and many other things that the Festool saw doesn’t have.
There are two things only that the Maffel saw hasn’t and the Festool saw does:
1. A riving knife and
2. A splinter guard on the right side of the saw blade.
By the way the quality of the Maffel saw blades is also exceptional!

Regards

 

[jamste]

I have had a close look at the Mafell saws and they are well made. Either the TS55 or MT55 will be a fantastic saw. The cut quality on these track saws  now days is impressive. Every other power tool I have is Festool so I ended up getting the TS55R because it is integrated into the whole 'Festool eco-system'.

I think the deciding factor for me apart from my love for Festool and keep everything the same was the plug-it system. I use a plug-it hose and it is so great. I got fed up with cables and hoses being tangled.  This being said, you can get the Festool Plug-it conversion kit and replace the Mafell saw power cable with this. It all depends on how important the plug it system is to you though.

I'm sure both saws have their pros and cons and people have made up their personal opinion about them both which is great. I have never used a Mafell but I'm sure it won't be much different to a Festool. Perhaps go to your local power tool store who have Mafell and/or Festool and give them a try?

James

 

[woodie]

It's interesting how all the positive feedback on Mafell comes from those that have owned both Festool and Mafell. While all the negative remarks come from those that don't own Mafell...  [wink].

I've owned a TS75 and used the TS55 quite a bit and they're both great saws but I think the Mafell is a much better saw.

There are two things only that the Maffel saw hasn’t and the Festool saw does:
1. A riving knife and
2. A splinter guard on the right side of the saw blade.

Just to add to this.

1. The MT55cc was actually designed to work without a riving knife. I think there's a link somewhere on this forum that describes the "why" to this.

2. I think you'll find the off-cut splinter guard is totally unnecessary on the MT55cc. If you want a splinter free cut on the off-cut side all you do is flip the scoring lever on the MT55cc. I made several cuts this way in plywood that would splinter if you looked at it wrong, the results were perfect.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I agree Woodie. I almost never get any splintering after cutting ply.  I really like the scoring function.  The MT55cc has the power to cut through any ply like it's butter and has better dust collection.  But, you pay a premium for all of this. The MT55cc costs $802...$187 more than the TS55REQ!

 

[RKA]

I think it's $330 if you factor in no rail included with the mafell, plus the cost of shipping on the mafell (usually free or local pick up with festool dealers). It was a hard sell for me, but festool had recalled their saws and after a long wait, I sent my TS back.  No regrets, but now I have 2 sets of rails.  If I was buying today, it would be simpler and cheaper to stay in the festool ecosystem.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I think it's $330 if you factor in no rail included with the mafell, plus the cost of shipping on the mafell (usually free or local pick up with festool dealers). It was a hard sell for me, but festool had recalled their saws and after a long wait, I sent my TS back.  No regrets, but now I have 2 sets of rails.  If I was buying today, it would be simpler and cheaper to stay in the festool ecosystem.

+1