Metabo 85mm

[robgott1]

Continuing my track saw search for working on slabs. I stumbled upon a Metabo ks85 for about $500. The cutting depth is exactly what I’m looking for but can anyone speak on the cut quality of the tool?

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[Tom the Remodeler]

Continuing my track saw search for working on slabs. I stumbled upon a Metabo ks85 for about $500. The cutting depth is exactly what I’m looking for but can anyone speak on the cut quality of the tool?

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Hi robgott1,

I don't have any experience with the Metabo KS85, but a quick search online indicates it's a 240V tool, not sure if that's an issue for you or not?

For processing thicker stock, I've been looking at the Makita GSH04Z:https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/GSH04Z Festool/Makita guide rail compatible, and a ~100mm depth of cut....

 

[robgott1]

That is really nice? Are they in any corded offerings? I’m not a big battery guy

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[Tom the Remodeler]

That is really nice? Are they in any corded offerings? I’m not a big battery guy

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Hi robgott1,

Regarding corded, Makita does make a few large format, corded saws (notably the 5104), but none of them are track compatible (if that's important to you).

Mafell makes some monster track-compatible saws, but they are only compatible with Mafell tracks (which are very good tracks), and most would be overkill for slab work. Depending on thickness of your slabs, a KSS-80 or MKS-130 would be good options, but are very expensive. The MKS-145 and MKS-185 are only available in 240V.

Back to the Makita GSH04Z, it appears that Makita is focusing on releasing their premier products in the 40V XGT line of tools, and I haven't really seen much movement in their corded line for quite some time. I suspect a major reason is that they can make some money on the batteries, but from what I'm gathering the technology has advanced to the point where they (and other manufacturers) can yield greater performance out of a battery than can be achieved via a 15A 120V outlet.

For what it's worth, I've been really impressed with the Makita XGT tools I've tried thus far, and have no qualms about further investing in the system.

 

[robgott1]

That is really nice? Are they in any corded offerings? I’m not a big battery guy

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi robgott1,

Regarding corded, Makita does make a few large format, corded saws (notably the 5104), but none of them are track compatible (if that's important to you).

Mafell makes some monster track-compatible saws, but they are only compatible with Mafell tracks (which are very good tracks), and most would be overkill for slab work. Depending on thickness of your slabs, a KSS-80 or MKS-130 would be good options, but are very expensive. The MKS-145 and MKS-185 are only available in 240V.

Back to the Makita GSH04Z, it appears that Makita is focusing on releasing their premier products in the 40V XGT line of tools, and I haven't really seen much movement in their corded line for quite some time. I suspect a major reason is that they can make some money on the batteries, but from what I'm gathering the technology has advanced to the point where they (and other manufacturers) can yield greater performance out of a battery than can be achieved via a 15A 120V outlet.

For what it's worth, I've been really impressed with the Makita XGT tools I've tried thus far, and have no qualms about further investing in the system.

Gotcha. That may be worth while looking into I saw the price on the Mafell without track. $1600 dollars

Does the makita work with festool tracks?

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[Tom the Remodeler]

To the best of my knowledge, the Makita "Guide Rail Compatible" saws work just fine on the Festool tracks. That being said, there is often some amount of variation of the exact cut line from saw to saw.

I know some users will go to great lengths to get all of their saws tuned so they cut to the exact same point on a guide rail.

I have opted to go the other direction, where I just dedicate a brace of tracks to a particular saw, marking them with a label-maker or Sharpie.

My reasoning is, my plunge-cutting track saw only ever has a fine-tooth saw blade and is usually a dedicated plywood saw, where I want maximum precision. For my rougher, "carpentry" saws, I tend to use General Purpose or Ripping blades, which, depending on the material being cut, can experience a small amount of blade deflection, which in turn affects the anti-splinter strip. Not a problem for rough cutting, but it becomes a problem if you're relying on that anti-splinter strip for visually lining up a precision cut. Therefore, I segregate the tracks so I'm not second-guessing if the splinter strip is properly representing the cut line.

 

[WastedP]

I have used the Makita guide rail adapter for their plunge router on Festool track.  I regularly use a Festool saw on both Festool and Makita track.  I would say they are pretty much cross-compatible.

 

[Svar]

There is also a corded Bosch GKS 85 G compatible with both Bosch/Mafell and Festool rails.
Not easy to find but here is on on e-bay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/285665135880
It seems that one is 110V, but those UK tools work fine on US 120V mains in my experience. In case of Mafell they are made of the same components, just different stickers.

 

[Cheese]

There is also a corded Bosch GKS 85 G compatible with both Bosch/Mafell and Festool rails.
Not easy to find but here is on on e-bay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/285665135880
It seems that one is 110V, but those UK tools work fine on US 120V mains in my experience. In case of Mafell they are made of the same components, just different stickers.

So Svar...is the Bosch made by Mafell or is the Mafell made by Bosch?