Hi all, I’m new to the group and would like some help with a decision with regards to a new plunge saw. I’m in the market for a new plunge saw and the mafell and festool are the two I’m thinking of getting. There’s things I prefer on one and not the other and vice versa. The price on the mafell at the moment is lower than festool, but that’s not a deal breaker for either. So any help in the right direction would be great.
Newbie Decisions
- Thread starter Richie.27
- Start date
Welcome to the forum, can you tell us more about the applications for the saw(s) rails etc and you’ll get some great help .
I have the TS75 and recently the TSC55(only made a few cuts so far). I bought the TS75 for kiln dried lice edge slabs and it works great for that with the various rails.
I don’t have any experience w Mafell
I have the TS75 and recently the TSC55(only made a few cuts so far). I bought the TS75 for kiln dried lice edge slabs and it works great for that with the various rails.
I don’t have any experience w Mafell
MrToolJunkie
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 3,012
They are all great saws and I do not think you can go wrong with any choice. I have them all and use them and it comes down to what is most important to you. First off, I prefer Festool rails to Mafell because of the green anti-glide strips on the rails and they are grippier on the bottom. With the TSO connectors, joining rails is not longer an issue.
For Mafell:
Pros:
In terms of power, blade change and dust collection - Mafell wins hands down. It also works on Festool rails and Bosch/Mafell rails. Has the ability to score cut, which is nice for Melamine and other sheet goods. Standard blade is 162mm, so cuts slightly deeper than Festool. Takes both thin kerf 1.8mm blade and regular 2.2mm kerf blades. If using Mafell guide rails, you can clamp right next to the cut edge - which is nice for thin strips or working with narrower stock. Aligning rails is super easy too.
Cons (which may or may not be a con to each user):
No off cut anti-splinter capability, no riving knife, 45 degree bevel does not line up to FT or Mafell splinter guard; no Plug-it cable. Rail square is not readily available in North America -- some providers in Europe offer them, but not cheap/easy to import them to the US.
Even though only one dealer in North America, Timberwolf Tools is a great company to deal with and no issues whatsoever with anything I have bought. I even had a warranty issue and they just sent me a brand new tool and I shipped the broken one back...no questions and at their cost each way.
Festool:
Pros:
Lots of dealers and after market accessories available - TSO makes great rail squares and other accessories. More readily available to try and use. I find it works great and after sales support is great. Anti-splinter on off cut; riving knife.
Cons:
Does not have as much power as Mafell - which may or may not be an issue - only takes 2.2mm blades with riving knife, but FT options cover all the bases and are high quality. Not as good of DC as Mafell, blade changes not as quick or easy as Mafell, no scoring.
I would also consider the cordless variants of both saws - the TSC is very good and overcomes the power/torque issues the corded version has. I really like mine and 2 sets of batteries can keep you cutting all day long. You can take it anywhere too, which is nice. I do not have the Mafell version, but I understand it is a great saw too and folks enjoy using it.
Hope this helps.
For Mafell:
Pros:
In terms of power, blade change and dust collection - Mafell wins hands down. It also works on Festool rails and Bosch/Mafell rails. Has the ability to score cut, which is nice for Melamine and other sheet goods. Standard blade is 162mm, so cuts slightly deeper than Festool. Takes both thin kerf 1.8mm blade and regular 2.2mm kerf blades. If using Mafell guide rails, you can clamp right next to the cut edge - which is nice for thin strips or working with narrower stock. Aligning rails is super easy too.
Cons (which may or may not be a con to each user):
No off cut anti-splinter capability, no riving knife, 45 degree bevel does not line up to FT or Mafell splinter guard; no Plug-it cable. Rail square is not readily available in North America -- some providers in Europe offer them, but not cheap/easy to import them to the US.
Even though only one dealer in North America, Timberwolf Tools is a great company to deal with and no issues whatsoever with anything I have bought. I even had a warranty issue and they just sent me a brand new tool and I shipped the broken one back...no questions and at their cost each way.
Festool:
Pros:
Lots of dealers and after market accessories available - TSO makes great rail squares and other accessories. More readily available to try and use. I find it works great and after sales support is great. Anti-splinter on off cut; riving knife.
Cons:
Does not have as much power as Mafell - which may or may not be an issue - only takes 2.2mm blades with riving knife, but FT options cover all the bases and are high quality. Not as good of DC as Mafell, blade changes not as quick or easy as Mafell, no scoring.
I would also consider the cordless variants of both saws - the TSC is very good and overcomes the power/torque issues the corded version has. I really like mine and 2 sets of batteries can keep you cutting all day long. You can take it anywhere too, which is nice. I do not have the Mafell version, but I understand it is a great saw too and folks enjoy using it.
Hope this helps.
Thanks guys. Main uses will be for kitchen, bedroom fitting, so laminate worktops and melamine, and also MDF decorative panelling, which seems to be all the rage in the uk at the moment. The odd solid timber job now and again but very rarely. So power isn’t really an issue. Just want the easiest to pick up and use, in terms of set up and rail use, and also off rail.
mino
Member
If you are a home user, start with choosing the rail system - you want Festool there as it is more universal thanks to the edge rib accessories can attach to. Also it accepts many non-Festool saws as is a de-facto standard.
Next step is to get your self a "holy" rail => FS 1400/2 LR 32.
As for the Track saw.
Again, for a home user, get the Festool TSC 55 REBQ (not the new F model), while it is available.
It has more power that the corded one. Is more universal as is cordless. And the REBQ model still has a riving knife which allows to (ab)use it like a circular saw when the time arises.
The reason you want the Festool here over Maffel or Makita is the cams/sliding solution over the rail. It is way better than Makita and Maffel (on Festool rail) => less skill needed for perfect cuts.
After TSC REBQ, for a hobby user, as next best I would look at the HKC 55. It is a unique jack-of-all-trades-master-of-many tool. Something like the TPC 18 being an incredible investment for a DYI user who wants to have minimum tools for maximum capability.
EDIT: Check this thread for related comments.https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...stool-but-found-its-not-as-easy-as-i-thought/
Next step is to get your self a "holy" rail => FS 1400/2 LR 32.
As for the Track saw.
Again, for a home user, get the Festool TSC 55 REBQ (not the new F model), while it is available.
It has more power that the corded one. Is more universal as is cordless. And the REBQ model still has a riving knife which allows to (ab)use it like a circular saw when the time arises.
The reason you want the Festool here over Maffel or Makita is the cams/sliding solution over the rail. It is way better than Makita and Maffel (on Festool rail) => less skill needed for perfect cuts.
After TSC REBQ, for a hobby user, as next best I would look at the HKC 55. It is a unique jack-of-all-trades-master-of-many tool. Something like the TPC 18 being an incredible investment for a DYI user who wants to have minimum tools for maximum capability.
EDIT: Check this thread for related comments.https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...stool-but-found-its-not-as-easy-as-i-thought/
MrToolJunkie
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 3,012
Agreed..sheet goods get a TS(C).
The TS55c and the blade included with it(48t I think) is great for clean cuts in sheet goods. Don't try using it to rip hardwood, unless you want to go reaaaaaaally slow.
I've had the TS55, TS75 and the TS55c. My favorite was the TS55c - especially using it with the bag. Just takes frequent emptying and it seemed like I was always swapping batteries.
I currently have a Mafell MT55 and appreciate the subtle differences with the saw and the Mafell/Bosch rail system. The Festool saws/rails are great, but it seemed like I had to do a lot more fiddling with saw and rail alignment.
As a system and availability of blades/accessories - the Festool saws win, hands down.
For ease of setup, rail joining, repeatability - the Mafell is a notch ahead.
I've had the TS55, TS75 and the TS55c. My favorite was the TS55c - especially using it with the bag. Just takes frequent emptying and it seemed like I was always swapping batteries.
I currently have a Mafell MT55 and appreciate the subtle differences with the saw and the Mafell/Bosch rail system. The Festool saws/rails are great, but it seemed like I had to do a lot more fiddling with saw and rail alignment.
As a system and availability of blades/accessories - the Festool saws win, hands down.
For ease of setup, rail joining, repeatability - the Mafell is a notch ahead.
So really look at what else you can use the rails for. Has Mafell LR 32 rails?
I use my Festool rails with the Festool track saw (TS), the jigsaw, the router and for making the LR 32 hole pattern. No hair on my head would think about getting just the saw from a different platform. Or having two rail systems.
I use my Festool rails with the Festool track saw (TS), the jigsaw, the router and for making the LR 32 hole pattern. No hair on my head would think about getting just the saw from a different platform. Or having two rail systems.
