Mafell Erika - own one or ever use one?

[simonh]

So I guess the question is then whether a table saw is any more dangerous than a mitre saw for finger related accidents

It is more dangerous, because you have to push the wood into the blade. That makes all the difference.

You're quotation removed the entire context it was put in!

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

To be fair, any tool can be dangerous and cause terrible injuries, if it’s misused.
I try to make a point of leaving power tools alone if I start getting tired.

 

[Len Coleman]

Average Joe here.

I have had an Erika 70 with all the trimmings for 6 years now and no regrets over the cost. Agree with all of the comments made by Tom. There are very few cuts I cant make safely with the Erika.  Mine spends 6 months of the year in Arizona sharing a small garage with my wife's car then gets loaded in my pickup to spend the rest of the year in New Mexico.

Expensive yes, but I enjoy using it so that's what matters to me.

 

[AlexThePalex]

So I guess the question is then whether a table saw is any more dangerous than a mitre saw for finger related accidents

It is more dangerous, because you have to push the wood into the blade. That makes all the difference.

You're quotation removed the entire context it was put in!

As if that context was needed......

 

[Prizen]

[member=2726]Tom Gensmer[/member]

I have a 120V Erika 70 and just adore it. It completely replaced my miter saw (I sold my Kapex to go towards the Erika) and portable table saw. Plenty of power for ripping, variable speed makes working with aluminum much nicer. VERY precise. I like that I can use it in its "stock" configuration as a compact cutting station, or I can expand the ripping width and add the sliding table. Saw folds up compactly and since it replaces a miter saw and table saw, it frees up space in the van and/or shop, and has a small footprint when working on-site.

With the table extensions, you can rip ~30". Depending on how you set up the sliding table, I think you can cross cut something like ~32".

Plenty of provisions for dust collection, including a passive cardboard box you can use in lieu of a dust extractor. I generally use the collection box when working on-site, as it does a good job of collecting most of the chips, it reduces the load on the electrical circuit (fewer blown breakers), and it frees up my dust extractor for other tasks.

When combined with the TSO TPG parallel guide system, the Erika is a very efficient tool for breaking down sheets, and it's quite fast to convert from a crosscutting platform to a ripping station.

Long term, I'm saving up for a KF-700 so the Erika can just live in the van, but in the mean time it performs shop work just fine.

At ~$4k, these saws are not inexpensive, but on the other hand if you add up the cost of a good miter saw, a good table saw, and all of the associated stands, fences, etc.... the price delta decreases, and the quality of the Erika speaks for itself.

As [member=297]Michael Kellough[/member] noted, most guys who buy Erikas are doing so to accomplish work, and are generally less interested in filming, editing, posting, and curating videos online.

Thanks for the comprehensive response Tom.

Two questions:
1. How do the TSO parallel guides work with the Erika?
2. Put of nothing more than curiosity, what do you cut Aluminum sheets for?!!

Thanks again

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

[member=2726]Tom Gensmer[/member]

I have a 120V Erika 70 and just adore it. It completely replaced my miter saw (I sold my Kapex to go towards the Erika) and portable table saw. Plenty of power for ripping, variable speed makes working with aluminum much nicer. VERY precise. I like that I can use it in its "stock" configuration as a compact cutting station, or I can expand the ripping width and add the sliding table. Saw folds up compactly and since it replaces a miter saw and table saw, it frees up space in the van and/or shop, and has a small footprint when working on-site.

With the table extensions, you can rip ~30". Depending on how you set up the sliding table, I think you can cross cut something like ~32".

Plenty of provisions for dust collection, including a passive cardboard box you can use in lieu of a dust extractor. I generally use the collection box when working on-site, as it does a good job of collecting most of the chips, it reduces the load on the electrical circuit (fewer blown breakers), and it frees up my dust extractor for other tasks.

When combined with the TSO TPG parallel guide system, the Erika is a very efficient tool for breaking down sheets, and it's quite fast to convert from a crosscutting platform to a ripping station.

Long term, I'm saving up for a KF-700 so the Erika can just live in the van, but in the mean time it performs shop work just fine.

At ~$4k, these saws are not inexpensive, but on the other hand if you add up the cost of a good miter saw, a good table saw, and all of the associated stands, fences, etc.... the price delta decreases, and the quality of the Erika speaks for itself.

As [member=297]Michael Kellough[/member] noted, most guys who buy Erikas are doing so to accomplish work, and are generally less interested in filming, editing, posting, and curating videos online.

Thanks for the comprehensive response Tom.

Two questions:
1. How do the TSO parallel guides work with the Erika?
2. Put of nothing more than curiosity, what do you cut Aluminum sheets for?!!

Thanks again

Hi Prizen! My apologies for not elaborating, I meant to say the Erika works great in conjunction with a track guided saw (for the initial sizing cuts when working with sheet goods). I use the MT-55cc, and while I prefer the native tracks, I appreciate that it is compatible with Festool tracks, allowing me to use the TSO accessories.

For aluminum, I am primarily cross-cutting aluminum decking materials, and aluminum extrusions.

 

[simonh]

I used to own the Elu/Dewalt flip-saw which converted between mitre/table saw. But, the design was showing its age and it wasn't really that accurate for anything other than rough work IME. So I swapped to table saw/mitre saw. But I still keep toying with the idea of a push-pull saw  (CS70 vs Erika 85) and getting rid of my mitre saw as it mainly lives on the floor unless I drag it onto the workbench for cross-cutting longer lengths. In a small shop been able to put a longer length on the table saw with a clamp and outfeed table and just pull to cut seems appealing. But, then I'm also torn with the shiny new TKS80 although I think that could just be the koolaid factor hence my ramblings above. Maybe, if I sit tight something will come along to satisfy all my wants.

Mafell UK often demonstrate at the UK tool shows, but I've never seen an Erika even on the stand

I don't want to hijack this thread... but if context and what safety precautions are taken doesn't matter... and using Alex's logic... a Push-Pull CS70/E85 saw is a dangerous to fingers when pushing wood into it but becomes safe when pulling the blade to the wood [unsure]. Oh wait... are we onto radial arm saws... My last post on this subject. No more  [big grin]

 

[FestitaMakool]

I did look into the Erika, but found it too expensive at the time. Now that having seen all the features I might consider it more closely side by side with Festool CS 70/50. It certainly has some one off features.

As described by you here, I’m too curious about safety whether pushing wood towards the blade or move the blade with clamped or hold down wood.
You might not be familiar with the most popular saw amongst contractors and framers here in Scandinavia - there is a saw called “Gjerdesag” and it is the most useful tool on any construction site in house building. It does rip, cross cut, bevel and mitre, some with huge capacity. What is unique with this saw is that it has a bar that you lift the saw blade when cross and mitre cutting.
Bear in mind that this saw is not intended to “fine” work.

Link to one of very few videos showing its features (Note that the blade is spinning away from you and not towards as most)

I have been playing with an idea of mounting a handle bar in my CMS module, to make the TS work as a upside down plunge saw. I do also think of flipping the module 90° to have the blade spinning away from me when using the reversed plunge. That way I can clamp the wood and plunge up, with hands at safe distance. Have anyone tried something similar?
=share

 

[Rob Z]

Festita

Thanks for posting the video of the Gjerdesag setup.  That is certainly unlike anything I've seen here in the US, except the "jump saw" feature often seen at a lumber yard.

 

[jarbroen]

Gee, thanks a lot for this thread... lol  It's making me consider saving up for a really expensive toy, I mean tool.

I recently picked up the MT55 and P1CC - I have been SUPER impressed with the tools. 
The Erika has popped on my radar a few times and I think 'cool, but expensive and do I need it'.

What I'm wondering is what are some of the limitations of the Erika?  Like is it awkward if you're cutting large cabinet panels to size after you've done initial cutting with the tracksaw?
How is it for ripping long pieces of ply for say shelving?
There are some things that I do with the tracksaw, but would be great if I could improve efficiency and speed(and repeatability).

I don't currently have a table saw (but do have a Kapex) and don't really consider getting a true table saw because of the space it takes up.  The Erika looks like it would stow away nicely and expand when I need it.

 

[Thistleman]

Erika owning FOG member here

I have had my Erika 85 for the past five years. Was looking for relatively small table saw either Festool or Mafell. Erika had same or better specs than any Festool offering and was absolutely rock solid whereas Festool had a pronounced wobble. Have not used it to cut sheet goods but rips and cross cuts 3” sapele with ease.

With regards to demos there is usually one on the Mafell stand at the D and M show at Kempton Park in October.
If that is to long to wait then contact Nathan at NMA Agencies who are the main UK agent for Mafell

(I have no connection to either NMA Agencies or D and M Tools other than as a satisfied customer)