Mafell Mt55c...oooooh!

[neth27]

I dont know if these ship overseas but are also a very good price http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/bosch-guide-rail-fsn-1600-professional.html

John...

 

[neth27]

Toolstop.co.uk have a crazy good deal going for Bosch FSN rails right now. Identical to Mafell rails in every way, except for the name painted on them). If you're ever going to get some, now would be the time.
They ship to the States, quick and cheap as well apparently.

I see they have the rail adaptor too http://www.toolstop.co.uk/bosch-ofa-fsn-guiderail-adaptor-for-use-with-common-routers-p65952
Also if you add the code GOOG13 you get 5% discount from there store  [big grin]
John...

 

[Hogarth]

Great! Thanks for the tip!

 

[ali]

I have the Bosch FSN system, to go with my GKT55CE and my GOF2000CE router. Very happy with. The guide rail system worked out a lot cheaper for me than going with Festool though I do admire the Festool system a lot and now own a few festool items. Thanks for the link to the router adaptor - I have been waiting months for this to come out.

If precision long cuts really matter than just buy the longest single guide rule you can (though I understand it isn't always practical when traveling on site). Just my 2c.

 

[fidelfs]

I just received the rails from UK.  They are 99% ok.  There is a small dent on the non cutting side, that I don't think it will cause any issue with the cut.
I can live with that dent, it is more cosmetic than anything else.  I got 2 rails, connector  and the bag at good price.  Shipment was fast.

My MT55 was shipped today Friday, I will expect it early next week.

 

[RKA]

Well, thanks to this bunch now I have bosch rails!  Just a word of caution if you order from toolstop, they don't have any padding inside the edges of the box, other than the case which doesnt offer much protection.  My box arrived crushed on one corner from a drop of some sort, which I would consider normal for most shippers.  Thankfully it was fine, but you're rolling the dice with their not quite adequate packing IMHO.

 

[Toolstop]

I am glad to hear that the rails are not damaged but I am sorry that you are not satisfied with the packaging. Hopefully this is an isolated incident as you can see from our Trust Pilot page issues like this do not occur very often (http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.toolstop.co.uk). 

We would like to thank you for the feedback which will allow us to review our packing procedures for these type of products in future and continue to provide our customers with a 5* service.

Thanks,

Lorna Gillies, Toolstop.

 

[fidelfs]

They have been in contact with me all the time.  They have a great customer service, even that I am an overseas client.

I would recommend this company.

 

[Tim Brennan]

How much of an issue is the mt55's lack of a plug it cable connection?

 

[RKA]

Wow, Lorna, thank you for the response!  Glad to hear my experience was an anomaly.  Btw, impressive reviews on that website!  I had not heard of you prior to this purchase, so I was a little skeptical (I don't order from overseas often).  True to your reviews, the package was shipped promptly and arrived in 4 business days (shorter than my orders from our west coast)!  Shipping was a little pricey at $40ish, but considering the size, how fast it got here and from where, not at all unreasonable.  Thanks for the reply!
Raj

 

[fidelfs]

How much of an issue is the mt55's lack of a plug it cable connection?

I have a power strip (multiple outlets) attached on my vacuum, so I can plug it without removing the festool plug it cables.  I only use one tool at the time so I don't create a problem to the vacuum, it is just a easy and convenience.

 

[RKA]

I think the biggest issue might be if you are using a boom arm where the cord and hose are wrapped together.  It become a nuisance if you want to remove the saw and switch to another tool.

 

[fidelfs]

It might, but I don't have that configuration.  I use velcro so even if you have the plug it, you can use the velcro to attach the cable to the boom arm.  I don't see it as a big problem, yes it is more time, but just seconds.

 

[fidelfs]

I am a proud honor of a MT55cc as this moment.  Fedex just left the box.

It looks impressive, just holding it.

 

[fidelfs]

Ok guys, don't kill me. someone asked me to post some videos about the Mafell.

- Mafell and Bosh guides are identicals:
   

- Bosh GKT 55GCE is identical to Festool TS55 EQ and uses the same guides as the Mafell:
   

- How to connect 2 rails (Mafell way)
   

-  Mafell MT55cc
   

- Mafell KSS300 120mm Blade Cross-Cutting System
    KSS300 120mm Blade Cross-Cutting System

- Mafell Aero Fix Demonstration
 

-  Jigsaw P1cc
   

 

[Tim Brennan]

It might, but I don't have that configuration. I use velcro so even if you have the plug it, you can use the velcro to attach the cable to the boom arm. I don't see it as a big problem, yes it is more time, but just seconds.

The boom arm is said to be one of those things you don't really appreciate until you have used it for a while and then it's an essential.

Realistically, when might festool conceivably update the ts55 to match (or preferably leapfrog) the features of the mt55?

I would imagine that Festool are not able to refresh their products too often because of the economics. An upgrade to the ts55 would mean some expensive changes to the manufacturing.

Hasn't the ts55 been around since 2004? And Festool have been aware of the mt55 since it came out, I think around mid 2011. How often do Festool refresh their products typically?

 

[fidelfs]

I don't want to sound harsh or anything, it is not my intention.  This  is my thinking, if I wait until a company (festool in this case) do what other company does to match a product, I might miss some important features that the other company has developed, and the company might never match those features.

I am an IT guy and I see products getting  obsolete the next day. I evaluate what the software does and if it fits my needs, I go for it.  I rather use Mac computers because it is less of a hassle to do things.  I had an iphone several versions, then I realize the iphone has become stale, just new models doing the same thing, so I moved to android.

In other words, I let my walled talked to Apple and I let them know, I was not happy and I moved on.  Several apple fans have done it and eventually they (Apple) will wake up or not.

Same with the TS.  I had some issues with the old TS having not enough power (I use the correct blade, new one) and it looks under power.  I had to move to my Table saw to do the task.  I discovered the Mafell MT55, power close to the TS75, new features.  I can use it with my current rails, vacuum, etc. I let my wallet talked to Festool and bought the MT55, not the TS75.  I am a Mafell lover "No", I see their tools have more features that are more appealing to me.

i.e.  I have the LR32 and both dominos.  The LR32 is slow, acurate if you take your time.  The domino is great (DF500), but If I have the doweller DD40 I can have the same functionality as the Domino plus the LR32 and I am saving money.  You can buy 5 mm cutters and you will cut 2 holes at once, the same guide for the DD40 works as guide for the shelves 32mm system.  So, my DF500 will be on sale soon, with the LR32 rails and attachments for the router. 

I want to downsize and sell my Delta 52"" Unisaw and replace it for a smaller table saw, Festool table saw is NAINA, so I will buy the Mafell Erika which is good as or even better than the festool.

Will I get rid of all my festool tools, no of course not.  Am I loyal to a brand, no I am not.  I just buy what It makes sense to me and I don't wait until "if they decide to move in the direction I want to go".

Every one is different and they make their own decision.  There is not right or wrong, it depends what it makes sense to you.

 

[Paul G]

fidelfs, I'd probably buy some Mafell if not for their poor north America distribution. That's the thing they need to resolve and catch up to their competitors.

 

[fidelfs]

I agree, but for my needs that is not important.  I can wait if something doesn't work.

It is the same with the TS55 recall, even it is a big dealer all over US and Canada.  the problem still there for weeks in other words it has not helped having a bunch of places if the company cannot find a solution.

I rather and I did get the MT55 from Timberwolf tools and not wait to see if what it might happen with the TS REQ.

It is all about what makes sense personally.

 

[Paul G]

I agree, but for my needs that is not important.  I can wait if something doesn't work.

It is the same with the TS55 recall, even it is a big dealer all over US and Canada.  the problem still there for weeks in other words it has not helped having a bunch of places if the company cannot find a solution.

I rather and I did get the MT55 from Timberwolf tools and not wait to see if what it might happen with the TS REQ.

It is all about what makes sense personally.

My ts55 was resolved in a few days when the ts75 arrived and I've put it to good use since. More than that is the ability to drive a few miles to Woodcraft and get needed accessories ASAP and check out in person other tools of interest. Maybe someday Mafell will do something about that if they want to grow. I completely agree that its all about what makes sense personally, I'm thankful for the abundance of options we have to choose from.