TS 55R (Updated TS55)

I think here Festool are relying on their broad system benefits rather than making the individual tool excellent. If that is the case, it could be a strategic blunder ...

If people start to question their investment in Festool tracks etc ... Oh dear!

 
Richard,

Mafell, defiantly

TS55R pointless face lift, it is still miles behind the Mafell. Get the impression that the TSSR is a kneejerk reaction by Festool to the many new rail saws an the market , that have more features. (these new rail saws are not a patch quality wise to the Festool) But they are making the TS55 look a little dated. So now Festool have a drum to bang about the new improved version. They should have not wasted their time and should have concentrated on producing the next generation of properly re worked and re thought saws. I can think of at least a dozen real world improvements to the Ts saws.

Richard a new base is only about £80
 
So you don't like it then John  [poke]

I too have seen the PDF & I'm afraid John is right, just a face lift.  I can't comment on the Mafell but it certainally gets good write ups.  I think if I was looking for a new track saw then I would have to check it out !
 
Hi Everyone

If one goes for the Mafell saw you need Mafell rails and Mafell clamps and a Mafell router guide to use the rails and....you then have to join the MOG which does not exist as far as I can tell.

One of the things that has attracted me to Festool is that so much of the bits and pieces can be shared across the family of tools. There is no way that I want to go back to the old days of stove-pipe systems which have nothing in common. Also, I have found that the ability to ask for and exchange information with other Festool owners, here on the FOG, is worth loads. I have learnt so much and found many truely great craftmen only too willing to mentor us lesser mortals.

Now if the TS 55 R is just a slightly updated TS 55 so what? Those coming to the market for a new saw will benefit from the minor improvements. Those already owning the TS 55 can continue to enjoy their lovely saws. The TS 55 R will use the same rails that I already own, I can use it with ease on my MFT3 and I know that it will be well served by my CTL 26 extractor - oh, and the spare blades that fit my TS 55 will fit the TS 55 R.

I will try and find out some more as soon as I can and I will let you know what I discover.

Peter
 
Stone Message said:
Hi Everyone

If one goes for the Mafell saw you need Mafell rails and Mafell clamps and a Mafell router guide to use the rails and....you then have to join the MOG which does not exist as far as I can tell. Peter no you do not need anything the mt55cc was designed to run on all the better manufacturers rails

One of the things that has attracted me to Festool is that so much of the bits and pieces can be shared across the family of tools. There is no way that I want to go back to the old days of stove-pipe systems which have nothing in common. Also, I have found that the ability to ask for and exchange information with other Festool owners, here on the FOG, is worth loads. I have learnt so much and found many truely great craftmen only too willing to mentor us lesser mortals.The mafell saw fits seamlesly into the festool system and you can continue to use the fog

Now if the TS 55 R is just a slightly updated TS 55 so what? Those coming to the market for a new saw will benefit from the minor improvements. Those already owning the TS 55 can continue to enjoy their lovely saws. The TS 55 R will use the same rails that I already own, I can use it with ease on my MFT3 and I know that it will be well served by my CTL 26 extractor - oh, and the spare blades that fit my TS 55 will fit the TS 55 R.If the ts55r is just a slightly updated saw then it is not as good as the mafell and many would see this as a missed oportunity

I will try and find out some more as soon as I can and I will let you know what I discover.

Peter
 
I did a You Tube search on Mafell saws.  One of the "movies" showed an extra channel that could be used "with other saws".
I assume that "other saws" meant Festool and all of the saws that have copied Festools track system.  I noticed several other points that were very interesting on the various Mafell saws, and they seem to have a fairly wide choice in models.  I have never seen a Mafell until just now so i have no idea whether they are a better saw or not. 
Tinker
 
waynelang2001 said:
Also what is the cost difference between the mafell and festools saws ???

The Mafell is dearer but it is not much dearer and it is a quality item,I do not care who has their name on the tool its about quality,features, ease of use etc.

I would like to see a higher profile for mafel here in the UK, I guess that could be applied to the rest of the world as it seems they do not have a large presence in the states either.
 
Ya I've no brand loyalty I only want te best my money can buy (or afford). Mafell has next to no presence here in canada beyond timber framers
 
I like mafell too I just find their customer service useless here in the UK its handled by nma. I recently bought a mafell biscuit jointer and had some minor problems on speaking to nma I got someone who didn't give a hoot about the problems I had and advised me to fix a brand new tool myself. Luckily the dealer I got it from was excellent and had it collected from me and replaced with a new one.
 
joiner1970 said:
I like mafell too I just find their customer service useless here in the UK its handled by nma. I recently bought a mafell biscuit jointer and had some minor problems on speaking to nma I got someone who didn't give a hoot about the problems I had and advised me to fix a brand new tool myself. Luckily the dealer I got it from was excellent and had it collected from me and replaced with a new one.

Yes that reinforces my opinion that mafell need to raise their profile here in the UK
 
I think its fine that festool is updating one of their mainstream tools. I actually like the fact that they will use the same blades and such. With festool being a system, I don't want to buy new rails, blades and such with every new saw. I don't what all the fuss is about.
 
ceddy said:
I think its fine that festool is updating one of their mainstream tools. I actually like the fact that they will use the same blades and such. With festool being a system, I don't want to buy new rails, blades and such with every new saw. I don't what all the fuss is about.

Im still using the AFT55 Festool saw from the early 2000's, so even the TS55 would be an upgrade for me. I would really like a scoring function on the TS55R though.
 
Stone Message said:
I'm with you Ceddy. This is the FOG after all!

Peter

I agree with you about the Fog! lol  but I do think festool should of added more features!  Give it something special.  IF it had a few nice new features I would of properly bought one but as it stands I will NOT be buying one.   

A nice new feature to me would be!  A new rail system!  BUT BUT wait!  The TS55R will still be able to run on the old festool guide rails no problem this wouldnt be difficult cus its just a simple groove out in the TS55R base.  I would like the new rail to have a second track  like Maffel near the splinter edge to allow for closer clamping of narrower stock.

A nice new Feature to me would be! A depth gauge which allows for ON or OFF the track depth adjustment.

A nice new Feature to me would be! A depth lock so the saw could be used of the rail safely

A nice new Feature to me would be! A manual Riving knife lift!  ( I have often found the riving knife stoping me plunging into certain cuts and have had to do some dangerous tricks to flick the riving knife up while the blade is spinning a little scary!)

A a nice new Feature to me would be..............  Wait a minute!!  I think im describing the Mafel plunge saw here! 

I think the Mafel saw will be my new TS55 replacement once it breaks seen as TS55R hasnt even come close to any of the nice new features Mafel is currently offering.  Also the Mafel saw will be the saw ill be recommending to people I work with over the TS55!  Oh wait I already have been doing!  My mate bought a Mafel 3 weeks ago!  Thats one TS55 sale lost already.

JMB
 
JMB ,

TS55R has an on and off depth scale but its not adjustable.

If my 55 died tomorrow I would replace with mafell 55, I am not having a downer on festool I just want the best quality and functional tools to earn a living with. The 55R is IMO a waste of time , it has not met the bar let alone raised it [sad]
 
Back
Top