super parf dogs and Mafell rails

[HowardH]

I'm looking into getting an MT55 with the bosch rail and was wondering it the rail clips on the super parf dogs will work on this rail system.  Anyone have any experience with this?  I know I can continue to use the Festool rails by removing the plastic thingy on the bottom of the saw but those bosch /mafell rails are something else. 

 

[Roachmill]

The clips won't have anywhere to slide in to as the Bosch rails don't have the accessory slot the Festool ones do.

 

[Svar]

Use of dogs will also be limited. Saw base is wider than Mafell rails, hence it interferes with bench dogs.

 

[HowardH]

Wow!  That is very interesting.  I spoke to someone at Timberwolf Tools and he told me the Mafell solution, at least on cutting panels, is to use their angle cutting attachment.  Otherwise, just take out the channel filler and use on the Festool track. 

 

[Svar]

Wow!  That is very interesting.  How does one square up a MT55 on a MFT/3?  Use low profile dogs that don't rise up higher than the height of the rail?

Square it with saw off the rail. Place dogs farther apart to give saw enough space to travel.

 

[HowardH]

great idea!  you can also use them as "stops" so the saw doesn't go off the end unexpectantly. 

 

[jarbroen]

I haven't used them yet, but just received some Mafell 'rail dogs' from Benchdogs UK.
They have a bolt head specific to the channels on the Mafell rails.  I also ordered them with dog collars - that way you can set the height of the rail depending on the material thickness.

I'm pairing that with my existing Parf dogs and some Precision dogs to see how that all works together for cross cutting.

There aren't a whole lot of options for rail accessories that are specific to the Mafell rails.  I figured the Benchdog rail dogs were worth a shot.
I've been very happy with the MT55 and Mafell rails.  Solves the frustrations I had using the TS55 and Festool rails.
Definitely glad I made the 'plunge' into Mafell tools.  It's a slippery slop though... I'm considering other tools already.

p.s. I strongly recommend the Mafell rail clamps.  They can slide in a slot near the splinter strip (and a back slot) and the clamps don't have a tendency to pull your rail off the mark when you squeeze.  Definitely worth the bucks.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=65755]jarbroen[/member]  you said

“ p.s. I strongly recommend the Mafell rail clamps.  They can slide in a slot near the splinter strip (and a back slot) and the clamps don't have a tendency to pull your rail off the mark when you squeeze.”

Have you tried the Bosch rail clamps? Are you comparing the Mafell clamps to Bosch or are you generally comparing the Mafell rail/clamp system to Festool rail/clamp system (or other brand)?

By the way, I’ve never noticed the Festool clamp moving the rail, but I only use the screw clamps.

 

[ScotF]

The collar works great. Kreg T-bolts also work with Mafell/Bosch rails.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The collar works great. Kreg T-bolts also work with Mafell/Bosch rails.

[member=6605]ScotF[/member]  what collar?

 

[ScotF]

You can put a stop collar on the rail dogs and set the height of the rail to your material - that way you can cut narrower pieces under the guide rail with ease. It works really well. Bench dogs sell them or you can buy the stop collars to match the diameter of your dogs - I got a pair of them for not that much off of Amazon. Go to BischBaschBosch on YouTube and you can see it in action.

 

[jarbroen]

[member=65755]jarbroen[/member]  you said

“ p.s. I strongly recommend the Mafell rail clamps.  They can slide in a slot near the splinter strip (and a back slot) and the clamps don't have a tendency to pull your rail off the mark when you squeeze.”

Have you tried the Bosch rail clamps? Are you comparing the Mafell clamps to Bosch or are you generally comparing the Mafell rail/clamp system to Festool rail/clamp system (or other brand)?

By the way, I’ve never noticed the Festool clamp moving the rail, but I only use the screw clamps.

I haven't used the Bosch rail clamps.  I did observe the Bosch version is lacking the rail contact pad that the Mafell has.  Not sure if that makes a big difference.

The Festool screw clamps are fine and don't usually induce movement.  They're just tedious to use.  The Mafell squeeze clamp is so quick - one hard squeeze and it's good to go.
The clamps I have problems with shifting are the quick clamps.  Those things drive me nuts.  The head always slides down the clamp and can be a pain to get them just right to ratchet down.  And have a tendency to shift the rail or workpiece that's being clamped.