Guide rail matching betwen Mafell MT 55 cc and Festool TS55/75

[JakobProgsch]

So due to "reasons" I currently have both Festool TS (75 EBQ and 55 REBQ) and the Mafell MT 55 cc in my workshop. And one piece of information I was unable to find before having them all here was if it is possible to adjust them all to use the same guide rails. Obviously all three can use the Festool rails but the question was whether the blade position can be matched relative to the splinter guard. For the Festool saws the procedure is described in the supplemental manual (page 22). Similar to the TS 55 the Mafell has torx screws accessible from the bottom that allow some adjustment.

Sadly the TS 55R and even more so the MT 55 have very small ranges and I didn't manage to match them. The TS 55R at its farthest wants to cut closer to the rail than the MT 55 at its closest by a fraction of a millimeter. The TS 75 on the other hand has a fairly large adjustment range and can be easily matched to either of the other saws. It's also the easiest to adjust since all the screws are accessible from the top without lifting the saw from the rail.

I ended up matching the TS 75 and the MT 55 for now since those are the ones I use on rails and the TS 55R spends most of its time in the CMS module.

Maybe not the most exciting findings but I figured I'd document this as a data point since I wasn't able to find this information anywhere on the net.

 

[Samo]

May help if you add your location?

The TS 75 is more use for me in the CMS.  I don't own the MT 55 but I've come to understand it may have power advantages over the

TS 55.

 

[Holmz]

"Anywhere on the net" should include what they say on the Mafell Users Forum (MUF)...

The FT rail is 1-mm thicker so the pivot point for tilting the saw is 1-mm higher, and will bite into the splinter strip etc.
For 90 degree (or 0 lean), then it would work fine.

One can put a Bosch/Mafell rail on an MFT (I have one myself). You need some Kreg T-bolts to fit in the B/M rail... and some knurled nuts (from I forget where, and I have some extras)... and then it goes onto the Floppy-hinge just fine.

I think to make the MT55 work and pivot at the level of the bottom of the FT rail, one would need to machine 1-mm off the bottom... which I doubt is possible.
So ideally (if you were keeping both saws) then you would likely want a second floppy hinge and permanently install the Bosch rail on the second Floppy hinge... Then switch hinge/rail when you switch between saws.

I have not used the TS55, and it sounds like the MT55 generally has replaced yours.

Another option is to ditch the 75 and get its equivalent in the red tool brand, which I believe is only available in 230v... Then you get to one rail system, unless you have routers. Some of the Bosch router gear takes FT routers.

Basically have two rail systems seems non-optimal.
(In a perfect world there would be one ISO standard, and it would be like the Bosch)
If you use the MT55 straight up then you should be fine on the FT rail, or I recommend that you go with the additional floppy hinge.

My mix of Green-n-Red tools is appropriate for XMAS.  [wink]

 

[JakobProgsch]

I live in Switzerland and have the swiss versions of all the tools (which I assume are the same as the German ones apart from different power plugs). Using the TS 55 in the CMS is mostly an artifact of the order I acquired them in. I initially only had the TS 55 and got the CMS module for it. I bought the TS 75 later but didn't see an actual need to invest in the extra CMS module since for my CMS use the TS 55 seemed adequate so far. My main use for the CMS is for smaller work pieces where using guide rails is impractical. Which so far also meant that I didn't need huge cutting capacity or power there.

Basically have two rail systems seems non-optimal.

I only use the Festool rails currently. I'm aware of the bevel issue but I rarely do bevel cuts and will probably just use the TS75 in the cases where I do need them. This is really just about being able to adjust the 90° cut position identically on the saws when using the Festool rails.

 

[Holmz]

One could use some thin shim stock and have a washer to move to over to the right.

As mentioned previously, just get an extra floppy hinge for the MFT.
Also mentioned here: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/replacing-a-missing-mft3-guide-rail-system/

It is part 84 FSP-497023.A  shown here:http://www.mtmc.co.uk/Festool-MFT/3-/-495314-Spare-Parts__p-94018.aspx

Instructions here:http://mafell-users-forum.freeforums.net/thread/67/mount-mafell-guide-rail-mft

Then:
- Use the FT-rail for the TS75/55
- Use the Bosch rail for the MT55

 

[Rudymejia12]

I know it's been awhile but just Want to confirm before I try this. I want to adjust the ts 75 to match my ts 55 guide rail. Is it as simple as loosening the screws on top an pushing the blade toward the guide rail?

 

[tjbnwi]

I know it's been awhile but just Want to confirm before I try this. I want to adjust the ts 75 to match my ts 55 guide rail. Is it as simple as loosening the screws on top an pushing the blade toward the guide rail?

No.

Tom

 

[cperren]

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]

Hi Tom - Any video on matching your different saws to your rails .. Or anybody else?  Thanks 

 

[tjbnwi]

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]

Hi Tom - Any video on matching your different saws to your rails .. Or anybody else?  Thanks

No video. Here is a thread on the subject.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/cordless-saws/msg518833/#msg518833

Tom

 

[Rudymejia12]

Hi Tom. So you plunge the saw with one saw and then try and match that same plunge with the other? Is that how the jig works?

 

[tjbnwi]

Hi Tom. So you plunge the saw with one saw and then try and match that same plunge with the other? Is that how the jig works?

Yes.

The blades have a toe in setting. The advantage to using the fixture is the toe will be set properly.

I do not know what the toe in is on the Mafell. Hopefully it's the same as the TS.

Tom

 

[Rudymejia12]

Thanks Tom your the man. I don't own the mafell. I just replied on this thread rather then starting a new one. I have the 75 and 55.  Will this work with a scrap sheet of plywood or mdf?  What do you use?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks Tom your the man. I don't own the mafell. I just replied on this thread rather then starting a new one. I have the 75 and 55.  Will this work with a scrap sheet of plywood or mdf?  What do you use?

I used UHMW plastic because of its stability. My issue with using wood is will it change with condition changes?

If you have an R model 55 use that for your first cut. The R's have less adjustment than the E models.

The 75 blade will not drop as deep into the groove.

Tom

 

[Rudymejia12]

yes I do have the R. I will use that as my first plung. Thanks for the help