Most of my power tools are Festool plus I have the Mafell Push Pull Saw and the Mafell P1cc Jig Saw. I am going to replace my older Festool Track Saw with either the current TS 55 REQ or the Mafell KSS 300 with some new track. Does anyone here have experience with both or thoughts on each of these two fine saws. Thank you.
TS 55 REQ Plunge Cut Track Saw vs. Mafell KSS 300
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GhostFist
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Two very different tools. Yes they're both track saws but each has their own unique capabilities. If you're mainly cutting sheet goods and need a good all arounder, the 300 is unmatched for being compact, lightweight and surprisingly powerful. If you're mainly using in shop and do more high end stuff get the ts, mind you I've made some pretty clean cuts with my 300. The TS has more blade options as well, though there are quite a few available for the 300. I see the KSS 300 as the biggest bang for the buck if you were limited on what you could bring to a jobsite, it's always with me. While my full sized tracksaw spends more time in my shop.
wrightwoodwork
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It really depends on what sort of work you do or materials you work with. If you are mainly working with melamine sheets kitchen worktops or making kitchen cupboards, shop fitting etc working with lots of melamine or veneered shetd the the ts55 or mt55 are the ones to get. Then if you are doing lots of maintence work in flats etc, flooring, internal finishings the likes of facings and skirtings. Let's say you had a to do work in 10th floor flat. Laminate the floor fit the skirting then facings, make up a new set of door standards, and trim a couple of internal doors then the lot could all be done with the kss far easier than either the ts or mt
serlokas
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Ts55 and kss300 is different weight category.
Kss 300 does not fit on festool tracks also it fits only its own flex track which is only 140cm so thats the max lenght cut you can do. It also does not cut thick pieces but its great for 3/4 material. Its small, light and ssaw with track fits neatly into systainer.
Kss 400 does more. Fits long tracks and is more powerfull. Also there is an extra 600 cross-cut track you can buy which is really handy making cabinets. Also has a carrying case.
Kss300 is floor-fitters saw
Kss400 is roofers saw because cuts 2inch rafter.
Kss 300 does not fit on festool tracks also it fits only its own flex track which is only 140cm so thats the max lenght cut you can do. It also does not cut thick pieces but its great for 3/4 material. Its small, light and ssaw with track fits neatly into systainer.
Kss 400 does more. Fits long tracks and is more powerfull. Also there is an extra 600 cross-cut track you can buy which is really handy making cabinets. Also has a carrying case.
Kss300 is floor-fitters saw
Kss400 is roofers saw because cuts 2inch rafter.
Len Coleman
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Jack your question may make for a longer thread [scared]
Mafell certainly has a small following who highly regard their product and consider some of their tools superior to a comparable festool offering. I only have one Mafell product (Erika) and it is one that does not exist in the Festool line (NAINA).
The downside to Mafell is a superior price to go along with the tool and extremely limited distribution and service in the US/Canada.
We all know Festools service is top rate, Mafell's is I think an unknown to some degree.
Mafell certainly has a small following who highly regard their product and consider some of their tools superior to a comparable festool offering. I only have one Mafell product (Erika) and it is one that does not exist in the Festool line (NAINA).
The downside to Mafell is a superior price to go along with the tool and extremely limited distribution and service in the US/Canada.
We all know Festools service is top rate, Mafell's is I think an unknown to some degree.
A lot of Mafell power tools only come in 220 volt. Plus there is a substantial price increase over the already expensive Festool Power Tools. Festool has a broader line with more specialty power tools and accessories. The Mafell Push Pull saw has no peer in the Festool line in the US. It is wonderful. You can clearly see exactly what you are cutting. It is extremely precise. However with accessories you are at $5k. You could buy 2 SawStop table saws for that price. But you don't have the portability or compact collapsed footprint of the Mafell Push Pull Saw. It boils down to your needs and budget. It is a matter of "how good is good enough".
Gentlemen, I appreciate your feedback and I have to wonder if the Mafell KSS 300 is an outstanding saw for cutting sheet goods? I don't have a track saw yet and I'm wondering if I want a saw for cutting sheet goods only which is the best match?
Jack
Jack
wrightwoodwork
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If you are mainly cutting sheet goods then the ts is the better choice. If you are laying floors or tasks where you need both a chop saw and the track saw the kss is the better choice. It basically for a lot of jobs saves you having to get out both the track saw and the chop saw I wouldnt worry about price it's soon forgot especially when you buy the tool right for you and needs. If you think of the cost of buying a tack saw plus chop saw the kss be good value. At the moment I'm working on where there is no power I got myself the cordless kss it simply saves having to hump a generator about I can use it as a circular saw and chop saw without the need if the generator I do mostly 1st fix, roofs, floors etc so to me the kss suits my needs better. If I was doing mainly kitchens, fitting out bedrooms with fitted cupboards then the cordless tsc would be the better choicejacko9 said:
serlokas
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GhostFist said:
Sorry. You're right. I always thought it didn't because they weren't on kss 300 accesories list but tried now myself and it does. Just worrying is the precision of cut as kss300 has no plastic wedges to keep tight in the groove and does wiggle in there a bit. Ill try a cut today.
What a great news.
To keep on the topic. Id still get kss400 if I were you its more versatile. Id newer cut a worktop or a door bottom its just too heavy for it. Blade is also expensive and I have not seen any aftermarket ones yet.
wrightwoodwork
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Having no adjustment for the slop isn't really an issue I know people get hung up about this but when you make a cut you don't twist or wiggle your hands about you only ever push the saw straight. Also if you are right handed which I am I find that I naturally keep the saw pushed against the right side of the groove. It's only a problem if you have a blade that is needing sharpened and want to pull to one side. It is still a useful adjustment to have but if you have good technique then you can get away without it in most cases
GhostFist
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wear really isn't an issue and there is next to no slop even without the adjustments. The 300 is designed as a crosscutting saw for sheet goods and is excellent at it. It is not just for flooring. I've done stud work with it right down to trim using the KSS track. It's compact size also makes it good for plunge cuts in tighter spaces. I'f you're going to be cutting down doors and the like, the 300 wont have the depth to do it in a single pass. The 300 isn't meant for hardwoods really beyond flooring. With this in mind, the ts saws will do a pristine job on sheetgoods and laminates, as well as ripping and crosscutting thicker hardwoods with the proper blade. Important to note there is more availabilty for blades on the ts saws and even some really good after market blades out there. In north america you are restricted to a single distributor for mafell products
Bob Gerritsen
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paharding said:
I use both as well as the Mafell MT55 and would recommend all three but each has it's own niche.
Working as a cabinetmaker, the KSS300 is my main on site saw. Reason being it is a jack of all trades. With the flexi rail in the systainer together with the saw and short rail it really is a complete and very handy package that can be used for just about everything. I have a 1600mm rail in the van that I get out for cutting sheets if more than a couple cuts need to be made. I use the KSS300 for trim work, plunge cuts and what ever really. Having all in a small package is key for me as I work solo most of the time and hate dragging toolboxes, I want to keep the setting up and cleaning up to a minimum. Also, I do as little on site as possible. If your style is to arrive with a couple sheets to cut everything to size on site, get one of the bigger boys.
The biggest drawback to the KSS300 is probably the flexi rail, it takes a bit of a gentle touch to use flawlessly. That's because the profile that you follow is rather subtle, lifting the saw slightly can derail the saw. Also, it has no break on the motor, it takes some time to stop spinning. Having said all that, I loooove my KSS300 and would get another in an instant if I'd loose it.
Both the TS55 and the MT55 are great too but much less versatile in my book. You still need a Kapex if you want to install trim, they are haevier and personally I hate lugging rails around on site. Again though: if cutting sheets is your work, get one of these. I favour the Mafell, it is awesome but can totally understand why people stick to the Festool.
Hope this helps, Bob.
tjbnwi said:
You must be getting a lot more use out of your TS-55 than I am mine. I am not a professional so it doesn't get used daily by any means. Never even thought about those things wearing out.
Only think I have replaced is the track strips
