Mafell Mt 55 cc

[DRifenburgh]

How is everyone J am new to this website however I have seen some reviews and comparisons on tracksaws specifically between Mafell and Festool I was just wondering if anyone knew weather or not the mt55cc works with auto turn on for the ct26 and if the dust extraction port on the mafell track saw would work with the festool hose on the ct. Thanks for the help!

 

[sfay]

I have the KSS300 and it works with the automatic on feature of all of my dust collectors (the Mini, CT26 and CT36.)  The 27mm hose works with the dust port just fine. 

 

[DRifenburgh]

Awesome thanks a lot how would you compare the quality of mafell to festool? I own festool products but I have never owned a Mafell product before so I am not sure what to expect. And k was planning on getting two of the 1.6 meter rails. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Ivanhoe]

I have both Festool and Mafell tools and the Mt55 is my track saw. It works great for what I use if for - Mostly working with sheet goods. The Mafell tracks are great but... I bought a festool track so I could attach a parallel guide like the ones from Precision or Seneca. The Mafell has no such option.  Since the Mt55 will run on the Festool track it is a great alternative. I even modified my franken MFT table to use a Mafell rail in conjunction with the Festool brackets. Very pleased with the somewhat forced integration of these two manufacturers. Really love the scoring function of the MT 55...

 

[sfay]

I'm a huge fan of Festool but Mafell has the edge in many ways.  Their guide rails are a major improvement over Festool's.  The connector automatically lines up the rails perfectly and stores on the rail itself when not in use.  There is a way to clamp to narrow stock as well.  I have the 1.6 and the 1.1 which together will cut an 8' sheet goods.  I also have the flexible 1.4 rail that came with the KSS300.  Overall I feel the quality of the Mafell saw is slightly better than Festool, although at this level I don't think that really matters much.  My next purchase will be the KSS 80 for it's greater depth of cut and, eventually, the Erika 85 although that will be well into the future.  I really like the MT55 but I have the TS55 so I don't really see the need at this point, although knowing what I do today, I would have probably chosen it over even the latest saw from Festool.

 

[DRifenburgh]

Thanks a lot i really appreciate all of the help I think I am going to go with the mafell just because of the durability and scoring feature. In addition I have found it kindof a pain to line tracks up for the festool model that I hav at work. Usually I use a 8 ft level to make sure they are straight. I do like all if the accessories for the festools however with this tool mafell is going to be my choice I think

 

[Alan m]

if  I was back again I would buy the mafell and the use the mafell rails for the saw on site where I need to join them. then use the long festool rails with the parallel guides in the workshop
the mafell has better power and features. I like that the side of the housing opens to change the blade or unblock anything up in there. the festool is like trying to thread a needle
the better joining bars has me considering changing  just for that feature alone

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I own A LOT of Festool tools, let's just say that right away. The Festool plunge cut saws are very well engineered and are GREAT saws! That being said, the MT-55cc is just a little better engineered, a little better made, and the Mafell tracks have that great self-aligning feature. I own a MT-55cc and just love it.

If you think you'll also be sawing dimensional lumber, I might suggest you check out the KSS-400. Dust extraction isn't quite as good, but it cuts VERY nicely, and is much more versatile. I own both saws, and the KSS-400 sees 95% of the use. Either way, you won't be disappointed!  [big grin]

 

[women with tools]

Could some one tell me please are these just name brand tools or what they are. I have never heard or seen them. Is it a internet thing u have to order.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Could some one tell me please are these just name brand tools or what they are. I have never heard or seen them. Is it a internet thing u have to order.

I assume you know about Festools...

Mafell tools are only available here.

 

[broseiden]

I only own the TS55, so I can't compare it to the Mafell, although the consensus (if not vast majority) on this board seems to think the Mafell is superior.

My only input: I'm usually the type of guy that has to have "the best" -- but in this case, the fact that Festool accessories are readily available near me is a strong selling point for me. I'd hate to need an accessory and have to order it online. Probably not as big of a deal for many, but that's my opinion anyway.

 

[Doug S]

Had thought for years that my ts55 was great till I tried the mafell last week. As a company Mafell seem to be where festool were about 10 yrs ago (that's a good thing).

 

[Iceclimber]

Yup,

The way things look to be going with Festool Mafell will be the new Festool without question!

Festool has become to popular. Imop thats never a good thing as quality and customer service fall off sooner or later when this happens. Its the nature of business. 

Out with the old in with the new. Same old story.

Had thought for years that my ts55 was great till I tried the mafell last week. As a company Mafell seem to be where festool were about 10 yrs ago (that's a good thing).

 

[Hogarth]

I have The Mt55 and have owned a ts55. The Mafell is better. I love the scoring function and extra power. I would also suggest looking at the kss line of saws. The kss80 is a beast.
Nothing but positive experiences with the NA dealer, Timberwolf, too.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool did have an uncomfortable number of slip-ups the last 4 years. 

 

[thedude306]

Competition is good, it makes everyone better.

I own festool, I LOVE my mafell.  The rails are what sold me on the system but the saws are top notch.  I have the Mt55 and the KSS400. 

 

[GhostFist]

To answer the question, yes the aerofix and mt55 will work just fine with festool vacs (I have both). When using the aerofix though, I like to keep the saw on a separate line so I can start the vac to lock the aerofix in place, then run the saw for my cut

 

[JeromeM]

The point that nobody has made yet is that the Mafell MT55 has a significant safety feature missing compared to Festool TS55 that is no riving knife. Now US users generally don't have that much experience of the added safety that that offers so don't care so much, but since my first circular saw (an Elu) had the feature 45 years ago it's something I want.

 

[sae]

The point that nobody has made yet is that the Mafell MT55 has a significant safety feature missing compared to Festool TS55 that is no riving knife. Now US users generally don't have that much experience of the added safety that that offers so don't care so much, but since my first circular saw (an Elu) had the feature 45 years ago it's something I want.

This is brought up a lot, this is what Mafell has to say about it.

PRESS RELEASE
Safer sawing without a riving knife

MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw with kick-back protection

In its new MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw, MAFELL has combined the benefits of enhanced active safety, improved handling and enhanced cut quality – without a riving knife. According to the manufacturer, active kick-back protection averts the danger of recoil when the blade enters the work more effectively than a riving knife. In addition, design measures introduced alongside standard EN 60745-2-5, which entered force in 2007, have increased the passive safety of saws that dispense with a riving knife.

Especially when entering the workpiece, the blade of conventional plunge-cut saws can easily jam and thus cause a kick-back. The MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw significantly reduces the likelihood of this effect occurring. Thanks to the CUprex Compact motor driving the sawblade at a maximum of 6,200 rpm, the cutting speed is 20 per cent higher than usual. The teeth of the carbide-tipped sawblade thus remove less stock per revolution, which appreciably reduces the risk of jamming.

The probability of a kick-back arising from sawblade jamming is much lower while sawing is in progress as well. The high speed enables the blade to cut itself free more effectively. Additional safety is afforded by the automatic isolation of the power supply to the motor if the blade jams.

"The active kick-back protection provided by the high speed and automatic power supply interruption offers greater safety than a riving knife, which does not protect against the kick-back effect when the blade enters the work and can be a nuisance for the tradesman," comments Ralf Kohler, head of sales and marketing at MAFELL. Josef Riederer, a tradesman of Unterneuhausen, vindicates the manager's claim, "I feel safe when working with the MT 55 cc."

The passive safety of the MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw is also enhanced by the strict provisions of EN 60745-2-5 for saws without a riving knife. In the event of a kick-back, the standard requires that the sawblade fully retracts inside its housing within just 0.3 seconds. In compliance with the standard's provisions, MAFELL tested this safety feature more than 50,000 times.

Dispensing with a riving knife makes the saw much easier to use. When changing the sawblade, for example, it is no longer necessary to change the riving knife according to the blade thickness and adjust it to suit the blade diameter. This not only accelerates the blade changing operation, but also reduces the workload when working with a variety of materials. Tradesmen are also delighted that the absence of a riving knife protects sensitive surfaces against the risk of scratch marks.
Media contacts:

Volker Simon​Ralf Kohler
Tel.: ​+49 711 248922-169​Tel.: ​+49 7423 812-135
Fax: ​+49 711 342185-32​Fax: ​+49 7423 812-218
E-mail: ​volker.simon@lmpr.de​E-mail: ​ralf.kohler@mafell.de

LässingMüller Public Relations GmbH ​MAFELL AG
Gerokstrasse 8​Beffendorfer Str. 4
70188 Stuttgart​78727 Oberndorf
Germany​Germany
www.lmpr.de​www.mafell.de

 

[JeromeM]

The point that nobody has made yet is that the Mafell MT55 has a significant safety feature missing compared to Festool TS55 that is no riving knife. Now US users generally don't have that much experience of the added safety that that offers so don't care so much, but since my first circular saw (an Elu) had the feature 45 years ago it's something I want.

This is brought up a lot, this is what Mafell has to say about it.

PRESS RELEASE
Safer sawing without a riving knife

MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw with kick-back protection

In its new MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw, MAFELL has combined the benefits of enhanced active safety, improved handling and enhanced cut quality – without a riving knife. According to the manufacturer, active kick-back protection averts the danger of recoil when the blade enters the work more effectively than a riving knife. In addition, design measures introduced alongside standard EN 60745-2-5, which entered force in 2007, have increased the passive safety of saws that dispense with a riving knife.

Especially when entering the workpiece, the blade of conventional plunge-cut saws can easily jam and thus cause a kick-back. The MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw significantly reduces the likelihood of this effect occurring. Thanks to the CUprex Compact motor driving the sawblade at a maximum of 6,200 rpm, the cutting speed is 20 per cent higher than usual. The teeth of the carbide-tipped sawblade thus remove less stock per revolution, which appreciably reduces the risk of jamming.

The probability of a kick-back arising from sawblade jamming is much lower while sawing is in progress as well. The high speed enables the blade to cut itself free more effectively. Additional safety is afforded by the automatic isolation of the power supply to the motor if the blade jams.

"The active kick-back protection provided by the high speed and automatic power supply interruption offers greater safety than a riving knife, which does not protect against the kick-back effect when the blade enters the work and can be a nuisance for the tradesman," comments Ralf Kohler, head of sales and marketing at MAFELL. Josef Riederer, a tradesman of Unterneuhausen, vindicates the manager's claim, "I feel safe when working with the MT 55 cc."

The passive safety of the MAFELL MT 55 cc plunge-cut saw is also enhanced by the strict provisions of EN 60745-2-5 for saws without a riving knife. In the event of a kick-back, the standard requires that the sawblade fully retracts inside its housing within just 0.3 seconds. In compliance with the standard's provisions, MAFELL tested this safety feature more than 50,000 times.

Dispensing with a riving knife makes the saw much easier to use. When changing the sawblade, for example, it is no longer necessary to change the riving knife according to the blade thickness and adjust it to suit the blade diameter. This not only accelerates the blade changing operation, but also reduces the workload when working with a variety of materials. Tradesmen are also delighted that the absence of a riving knife protects sensitive surfaces against the risk of scratch marks.
Media contacts:

Volker Simon​Ralf Kohler
Tel.: ​+49 711 248922-169​Tel.: ​+49 7423 812-135
Fax: ​+49 711 342185-32​Fax: ​+49 7423 812-218
E-mail: ​volker.simon@lmpr.de​E-mail: ​ralf.kohler@mafell.de

LässingMüller Public Relations GmbH ​MAFELL AG
Gerokstrasse 8​Beffendorfer Str. 4
70188 Stuttgart​78727 Oberndorf
Germany​Germany
www.lmpr.de​www.mafell.de

The feature that they stress is kickback on plunge and that is the time when kickback is least likely to happen in my experience. It is more likely to happen when ripping boards and though the Mafell makes the effect of a kickback safer, a riving knife makes the kickback less likely to occur in the first place.
They also say that not having the safety feature makes changing blades faster as you don't need to swap the riving knife, another point that Festool makes unnecessary by having all blades have the same kerf.

It is more likely that there are patients for a retractable riving knife so they had to work round them.

In the case of sheet goods and a track the chances of kickback are vanishingly small unless you plunge into the board so the Mafell isn't usually less safe, but bring in solid wood and the Festool saws are safer.

The statements are typical of wriggling around a point. The claim that because the maximum blade speed is 20% higher than other saws only has an effect if you can run a maximum speed. But if you need to slow the saw down to avoid burning the wood it has no benefit