TS and other brands

[Brice Burrell]

....I wish the Festool had some of the other features of the Makita and Mafell. IMHO, Festool beats the Makita overall, and the extra features of the Mafell just isn't worth the $$$$ or the attitude projected by that site. Hopefully, though, Mafell will keep Festool's engineers on their toes.

I think it has, at some point I'm sure we'll see new models of the TS saws.  It will be interesting to see how the prices compare to the old Festool models and to the current Mafell saw.

 

[ajones]

....I wish the Festool had some of the other features of the Makita and Mafell. IMHO, Festool beats the Makita overall, and the extra features of the Mafell just isn't worth the $$$$ or the attitude projected by that site. Hopefully, though, Mafell will keep Festool's engineers on their toes.

I think it has, at some point I'm sure we'll see new models of the TS saws.  It will be interesting to see how the prices compare to the old Festool models and to the current Mafell saw.

I dont think it will be to far away Brice, and it should put it  back at the top of the pile its going to have to be special..

 

[JeromeM]

AFIK all the anti tilt systems require that you use the rail from the original company?

If so while they may cut on Festool rails they would then lack the anti tilt function.

 

[Jason Kehl]

I have the Makita saw, as well as the Festool TS 55. I prefer the Festool for a few reasons. I like the plug-it cord, is is longer than the Makita cord and I keep mine zip tied to the dust collection hose so swapping amongst a variety of Festool tools is very convienient. The shortness of the Makita cord is a pain, I dislike needed to use extension cords for such common tasks. Blade changes are easier and blade selection has more variety with Festool. Festool can be purchased just about enywhere, the Makita is special order where I live.

I can leave the suction of my CT36 on max with the TS55 and never blow a 15a breaker, this is not the case with the Makita.

Overall the Makita saw works fine, but misses out on the Festool system approach to things. The Makita has the score cutting feature, but the score cut and actual through cut do not line up quite perfectly so I find this feature unusable in real use.

Jason.

 

[Sean7a]

I have the Makita saw, as well as the Festool TS 55. I prefer the Festool for a few reasons. I like the plug-it cord, is is longer than the Makita cord and I keep mine zip tied to the dust collection hose so swapping amongst a variety of Festool tools is very convienient. The shortness of the Makita cord is a pain, I dislike needed to use extension cords for such common tasks. Blade changes are easier and blade selection has more variety with Festool. Festool can be purchased just about enywhere, the Makita is special order where I live.

I can leave the suction of my CT36 on max with the TS55 and never blow a 15a breaker, this is not the case with the Makita.

Overall the Makita saw works fine, but misses out on the Festool system approach to things. The Makita has the score cutting feature, but the score cut and actual through cut do not line up quite perfectly so I find this feature unusable in real use.

Jason.

Jason, that's interesting that the score feature and the regular cut "mode" do not line up.  Is this just a defect on your saw or is it simply poor manufacturing?  Have you had a chance to check out another Makita plunge saw and see if the problem persists?

On a side note, do you know you share a name with a very famous rock climber?

 

[Jason Kehl]

Sean;

I found the misalignment of the Makita saw in score mode puzzling too. Really all it is is a depth limiter for the score cut and alignment should not be effected, but it is. I have not had opportunity to look at another saw, and don't know anyone who has the Makita saw to even be able to enquire about it. I ordered it through a company that has no knowledge of the product and it does not bother me enough to go the warranty route, too late for that now anyway. This last issue is one of the reasons I buy my Festool from a brick and mortar dealer, I get good service, reasonable product knowledge and loaner tools as needed.

I have seen some pics of my like-named rock climber online. He looks to be a much more daring fellow than I!

Jason

 

[peter halle]

It sounds to me that the offset scoring cut is meant to imitate that feature which is available on the Mafell plunge cut saw.

Peter

 

[Sean7a]

Sean;

I found the misalignment of the Makita saw in score mode puzzling too. Really all it is is a depth limiter for the score cut and alignment should not be effected, but it is. I have not had opportunity to look at another saw, and don't know anyone who has the Makita saw to even be able to enquire about it. I ordered it through a company that has no knowledge of the product and it does not bother me enough to go the warranty route, too late for that now anyway. This last issue is one of the reasons I buy my Festool from a brick and mortar dealer, I get good service, reasonable product knowledge and loaner tools as needed.

I have seen some pics of my like-named rock climber online. He looks to be a much more daring fellow than I!

Jason

He's certainly a bit of a wild man.  Shame to hear that about the Makita. 

 

[jmbfestool]

I have found all makita tools come with short cords!  and I also found alot of the cords being far stiffer than other brands. 

So ALL my makita tools I own I have replaced the cords with much longer cords and more flexible cords cus simply the cords supplied with makita are amongst the worst in the professional tool range.

JMB

 

[BarBuilder]

I too was a Eurekazone/EZsmart system owner at one time. I'm now a Festool owner, Nuff said.

 

[RussellS]

I have found all makita tools come with short cords!  and I also found alot of the cords being far stiffer than other brands.   

So ALL my makita tools I own I have replaced the cords with much longer cords and more flexible cords cus simply the cords supplied with makita are amongst the worst in the professional tool range.

Doubt this adds much to the topic being discussed here.  But the above is false.  I have the belt sander below.  Or the former 9401 model.  It has a 16 foot, 10 inch long 18 gauge electrical cord.  Its plenty flexible.  Can't imagine any cord being better.  And for length, I bet its the longest electrical cord ever supplied on a power tool in the history of the world.  If power cord length is a big deal to you, this is the king of tools.  Festool would have to hide its head in shame for putting such short cords on its tools.  16 feet, 10 inches of cord on this belt sander.  I have a Makita 4.5" angle grinder with 8 feet of 18 gauge cord.  Plenty long.
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=346

 

[Laminator]

My makita 9920 belt sanders had the same long cord also, which I in turn replaced with an even longer cord.  I so wish festool would offer a 25' cord. 

 

[jmbfestool]

I have found all makita tools come with short cords!  and I also found alot of the cords being far stiffer than other brands.  

So ALL my makita tools I own I have replaced the cords with much longer cords and more flexible cords cus simply the cords supplied with makita are amongst the worst in the professional tool range.

Doubt this adds much to the topic being discussed here.  But the above is false.  I have the belt sander below.  Or the former 9401 model.  It has a 16 foot, 10 inch long 18 gauge electrical cord.  Its plenty flexible.  Can't imagine any cord being better.  And for length, I bet its the longest electrical cord ever supplied on a power tool in the history of the world.  If power cord length is a big deal to you, this is the king of tools.  Festool would have to hide its head in shame for putting such short cords on its tools.  16 feet, 10 inches of cord on this belt sander.  I have a Makita 4.5" angle grinder with 8 feet of 18 gauge cord.  Plenty long.
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=346

You can not say my statement is false as you do no live in the uk and so you don't know what makita are like Here in the uk.   I can tell you my statement is correct in the uk.  Off all my tools I have only replaced the cords on makita and makita only!  with thicker and longer and different plugs to the standard factory.

That includes:

Makita Belt sander
Makita chopsaw
Makita trimmer
Makita circular saw
Makita router.

All 240v

I think i can say from 5 makita tools bought and using many other makita tools on jobs from other trades men that makita tools come with CRAP cords in the uk!   This might of changed now with their new tools! I have not bought any new ones recently!

Jmb

 

[Christian A.]

Hello everybody,

advantages of the mafell
the best blade change/locking system
dual depth stop for on off track use
riving knife
pre score option for laminated board
more powerful cuprix motor

The MT 55 has a riving knife? Really?

Any hints to where I could find data on the Mafell rail-systems 'superior' features?

Due to their second groove for clamps close to the cutting edge, the Mafell rails can be used to cut really small stock.
Have a look at this picture and these photos.
The self-aligning guide rail connector was already mentioned.
While the splinter guard doesn't accidentally come off the Mafell rails, replacing it is cumbersome. The Mafell clamps get lots of criticism - too small and sometimes they seem to get loose under the vibration that is caused by the saw and the cut. I was told that Mafell is aware of this problem and should come out with new clamps.

Hope this helps,

Christian

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good to hear from you again Christian!

I didn't realize the Mafell rail had a T-slot there. A very good feature.
The Festool rail isn't suitable for working directly with narrow stock.

It isn't difficult to make a shallow scoring cut with the Festool saws without changing the depth of cut. Just find the right way to hold the saw so you can limit the depth for the first pass.

 

[RC]

Is the Mafell clamp groove by any chance compatible with the Festool clamps?

 

[GhostFist]

Mafell mafell mafell, festool is lucky there's next to no mafell dealers here because i've been salivating over a few of their tools.

 

[ajones]

Good find christian

reiska the internal measurement of the t slot is only 2mm high making that part of the clamp v,thin

that is one of the things  I love about the mafell tracks, is the very low profile

 

[JeromeM]

Hello everybody,

advantages of the mafell
the best blade change/locking system
dual depth stop for on off track use
riving knife
pre score option for laminated board
more powerful cuprix motor

The MT 55 has a riving knife? Really?

Any hints to where I could find data on the Mafell rail-systems 'superior' features?

Due to their second groove for clamps close to the cutting edge, the Mafell rails can be used to cut really small stock.
Have a look at this picture and these photos.
The self-aligning guide rail connector was already mentioned.
While the splinter guard doesn't accidentally come off the Mafell rails, replacing it is cumbersome. The Mafell clamps get lots of criticism - too small and sometimes they seem to get loose under the vibration that is caused by the saw and the cut. I was told that Mafell is aware of this problem and should come out with new clamps.

Hope this helps,

Christian

The MT55 does not have a riving the Mafell KSP55F Plunge Saw has a riving knife

 

[jmbfestool]

I didn't know tha Maffel guide rail could do that!  Pretty cool feature!

Jmb