Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)

[Michael Kellough]

In my estimation, one 6mm Domino is equal in strength to two 8mm dowels when used in hardwood. If used in particleboard the strength of the tenon isn’t the concern. I think the particleboard joint would be more durable with dowels since a pair of dowels have four spaced shoulders.

 

[jeh]

With all the gushing over how much stronger a domino is over a regular dowel, what are your experiences?

I believe someone did a scientific test of biscuits, dowels and Domino's. There is a point at which the strength of the joint does not matter.

 

[eliiesatch]

this was a great review.  very helpful.  Thanks very much

 

[Cheese]

I still much prefer the plastic rail adjusters on the MT 55 over the TS/TSC 55 saw. The Mafell has detented adjusters so it's easier to tweek them. The detents act as a baseline so you can adjust 1 or 2 notches tighter or 1 or 2 notches looser.

With the Festool adjusters it's pretty hit or miss, tighter...looser...tighter...looser...eventually you're forced to go back and forth with the adjuster until you're happy.

 

[HowardH]

I have the Mafell/Bosch rail brackets from Rob Schumacher at Dash-Board coming today so I can retrofit my MFT to use those rails.  Best of both worlds. If I ever have the room, I'll take a look at his table as well. 

 

[woodbutcherbower]

It's always frustrating when an OP never returns especially after writing a post as long as 'The Lord of the Rings'. I replaced my TS55 with the MT55 for one reason only - that I found the TS55 underpowered for certain types of work, especially ripping 40-45mm hardwood. Even with the 12-tooth Panther blade it would still struggle. I also got frustrated with the rail joiners, and had to keep a pack of grubscrews in the van because so many would work loose and fall out in transit (no pun intended). The TS 55 is a truly lovely saw, no question. To me, it was a little like upgrading from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini.

Elsewhere, I never bought into the 'one-brand system' approach. Like many time-served professional joiners, I've settled into buying equipment which to me, represents best-in-class for any given task - and that includes the OF2200, the CT26/CT-VA-20 and the CT-Sys which are all absolutely stellar. Anything involving drilling, grinding, hammering or coring will always see me reaching for something in a red Hilti case. My sanding happens via Mirka. Mitre sawing via DeWalt 305mm and Makita 190mm. Bradding via Paslode. Biscuit jointing and belt sanding via Makita. Plunge and jigsawing via Mafell. Multi-tooling via Fein ..... you get the picture.

What I did do, however, was to invest heavily in Tanos Systainers, simply by virtue of the fact that a lot of kit was supplied in them as standard anyway, and it makes racking out the van a dream. These are 2-year-old photos which still show some pre-upgrade stuff btw.

Kind regards

 

[Lincoln]

It's always frustrating when an OP never returns especially after writing a post as long as 'The Lord of the Rings'. I replaced my TS55 with the MT55 for one reason only - that I found the TS55 underpowered for certain types of work, especially ripping 40-45mm hardwood. Even with the 12-tooth Panther blade it would still struggle. I also got frustrated with the rail joiners, and had to keep a pack of grubscrews in the van because so many would work loose and fall out in transit (no pun intended). The TS 55 is a truly lovely saw, no question. To me, it was a little like upgrading from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini.

Elsewhere, I never bought into the 'one-brand system' approach. Like many time-served professional joiners, I've settled into buying equipment which to me, represents best-in-class for any given task - and that includes the OF2200, the CT26/CT-VA-20 and the CT-Sys which are all absolutely stellar. Anything involving drilling, grinding, hammering or coring will always see me reaching for something in a red Hilti case. My sanding happens via Mirka. Mitre sawing via DeWalt 305mm and Makita 190mm. Bradding via Paslode. Biscuit jointing and belt sanding via Makita. Plunge and jigsawing via Mafell. Multi-tooling via Fein ..... you get the picture.

What I did do, however, was to invest heavily in Tanos Systainers, simply by virtue of the fact that a lot of kit was supplied in them as standard anyway, and it makes racking out the van a dream. These are 2-year-old photos which still show some pre-upgrade stuff btw.

Kind regards

Great fitout, love it.
I'm the same, never worried about consolidating brands, even with cordless. Currently running Mafell/Metabo, Fein, Festool and Hikoki batteries. As well as corded Mirka, Lamello, Festool, Mafell etc, etc.

 

[Sailronin]

I recently purchased the MT55 and must say it is as close to a perfect saw as I've seen or used.  Engineering wise, it is precise and very easy to adjust and use.  A week after it's arrival from Timberwolf I sold my cordless Makita plunge saw.  Because I always use dust extraction having a cord along with the Midi hose was not a deal breaker and the more powerful motor is excellent.  Able to gang cut four layers of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch ply for drawers in a single pass without breaking a sweat.  I put a new splinter guard on my Festool rail on the MFT for exact alignment to Mafell blade and there are zero issues with the MT55.  The Bosch tracks are my preference for off the MFT as the joining system is very quick with no play or alignment issues.

I've also had the DDF 40 since January 2021. It's a very fine piece of kit, more precise that the Domino, the fence feels much more solid and the ability to vary cut depth in 1mm increments is handy in odd dimensioned lumber.  The Domino is easier to use with narrow stock like styles and rails on Shaker style doors with the centering adapter where the 32mm spacing of the DDF drills is too wide. 
I may sell the DDF40 because I work mostly with smaller stock and my volume makes the cost of Dominos vs. dowels a non-issue...but the ability to use the DDF 40 to drill 32mm spaced shelf system quickly makes a good argument to keep both tools. Decisions, decisions...

 

[savsuds]

I've also had the DDF 40 since January 2021. It's a very fine piece of kit, more precise that the Domino, the fence feels much more solid and the ability to vary cut depth in 1mm increments is handy in odd dimensioned lumber.  The Domino is easier to use with narrow stock like styles and rails on Shaker style doors with the centering adapter where the 32mm spacing of the DDF drills is too wide.

The adjustments and solid feel out of the box on the DDF 40 is why my Domino sits on a shelf and my Doweller gets constant use. The only thing I wished was different about it was a hard stop for 9mm on the depth turret. Changing between two depth settings is simple to set and use.

System 32 cabinets fit my style and the doweller speeds things up. I use my Schmitt32 for shelf pin holes, but the Mafell guide makes mid panel joinery super simple. Also, eliminates keeping a few story sticks around. (I keep losing them)

 

[Lbob131]

Whats  the difference  between  the  DDF 40  and  the  DD40P?

 

[Frank-Jan]

Whats  the difference  between  the  DDF 40  and  the  DD40P?

I don't have either, but the ddf 40 is the newer version, and the dd40p is the old model, that is still in the catalogue.

The main difference I can spot is that the ddf 40 can register of the flat bottom of the machine, like a domino, and a biscuitjoiner can.

 

[Lincoln]

Also, the 'P' can drill 16mm holes, the DDF 12mm.