Ts55R Circular Saw

[yesson20]

I recently went to festool uk headquarters and was trained on how to use the New Festool TS55R Circular Saw,
I have to say it is a magnificent machine... despite its similarity to the standard TS55.
There are many reasons why i beleive it to be the best saw on the market... here are a few below:
*Revolutionizes the stereotipical use of a circular saw from a violent machine with sparks flying everywhere and a poor finish to a simple user friendly machine capable of use with guide rails and multifunction tables.
*If used with an extractor "clean up time" is literally eliminated.
*manufacturer guarantee (3 years + if machine is stolen replaced for £100 pounds)
*Quality of finish is the best i've seen (and i've been around the block with saws)
*The TS55R has flat blade housing so you can cut right up next to the wall.
*TS55R has a removable panel for easy view of scribe marks.
*Extremely easy adjustment of cutting depth.
The list goes on and on... a truly remarkable piece of equiptment, brought a TS55R recently to add to my collection... it never leaves my sight.
I thought i'd attach a video to this post also to make my post a bit more interesting... enjoy!
TS55R Video

 

[woodguy7]

I gotta say, there has been a lot of good words for the Mafell but when my TS 55 needs replacing I will be getting the TS55R.

 

[Kev]

I gotta say, there has been a lot of good words for the Mafell but when my TS 55 needs replacing I will be getting the TS55R.

I'd buy the Festool if the Mafell cost $1 ... but that's another story  [smile]

 

[yesson20]

Im sorry but mafell just aren't even in the same league as Festool!  ;D

 

[jonathan-m]

Im sorry but mafell just aren't even in the same league as Festool!  ;D

I can see how you'd say that being a Festool dealer and this being a Festool fan forum and all
Sorry to hear about your terrible experience with the Mafell service Kev. I read the post and such things shouldn't happen. I haven't had to contact Mafell, but my experience with their tools is nothing but positive.
*Flame suit on  [tongue]

I wish I could change the logo & color it green instead of red. Ever since I got to try the Mafell MT55cc for a month, my TS55 went out the door without a second thought.
Festool has THE killer range that works beautifully together (for the most part) but honesty compels me to admit Festool saws can't hold a candle to Mafell saws.
Ok that's an exaggeration, but the Mafell saws are definitely just a notch higher on the quality meter and better engineered in my humble opinion.
That includes the Erika contractor saws. Those things are simply ridiculously good.
If Mafell's marketing and communication wasn't so terrible they'd convert a lot of TS55 users.

For my particular setup I moved the green glide strips on my Festool rail so they sit a bit higher to compensate for the thinner Festool rail (the Mafell rail is 6.2mm thick). Out of the box there's a slight offset when cutting a 45° bevel, because the Festool rail is thinner. With this little mod though it integrates perfectly with my Festool system.

I agree Mafell as a brand isn't in the same league as Festool though. Festool have created an almost unbeatable ecosystem, where every tool works well with one another. The Mafell tools are all extremely high quality on their own, but they havent put much thought into making them work together.
Just my take on the matter  [tongue]

Since there's a vid on the TS55R, here's a vid of the Mafell for those that don't know what we're talking about.
Mafell MT55 Demonstration.

 

[joiner1970]

*Revolutionizes the stereotipical use of a circular saw from a violent machine with sparks flying everywhere and a poor finish
TS55R Video

God knows what circular saws you have been using, Ive never seen a violent spark spurting one  [scared]  [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] [laughing] but then I do look after mine.

 

[Captainwrinkles]

I love my Ts55 saw. BUT after watching the Mafell video, i think they might have the upper hand when it comes to features. The scribe cut feature alone would be enough for me to switch saws.

I agree, i wish it were green but i'd settle for red in a far superior saw.

 

[Alan m]

i love the way the whole side opens up to change the blade. i never liked the festool system of having to plundge the saw . the saw cant sit right and you will bang the blade aroung trying to align the blade in there

 

[Kev]

I'm going to go at this from the DIYer / hobby woodworker, so apologies to the professionals that see things slightly differently.

From the introductory conversation to the product explanation, my local (in Australia) Festool dealer treats me with respect and friendliness. He asks me about my needs and desires and gives me helpful advice. I am confident that any query I have or any warranty situation that arises will be dealt with. I even have had personal introductions to the local Festool reps and demonstrators and an email intro to the Australian GM.

The TS55 that I have and no doubt the TS55R that follows it are top line tools. Maybe not the supreme leader in every specific feature, but broadly top shelf, that are being supported by a service and warranty that is ten times better than that of any tool I've previously owned. This makes them my first choice - always.

I'll side with Yesson in terms of Festool over Mafell, but for very different reasons.

1 Respect
2 Honestly
3 Integrity
4 Reliability

If I don't get number 1, I don't bother about 2, 3 and 4. That's why Mafell will never get a look in with me and I'll always choose Festool/Protool over it.

Looking at it another way, would you buy a car if the dealer was rude to you, told you to buy it from the other side of the world and ignores your queries regarding service, support and warranty? ...

A tool is more than the sum of it's engineering, the Festool sales and service network makes the tools so much more and the enthusiastic communities that use Festool double it's value.

Here's an ironic opinion - there's probably more talk of Mafell on this Festool forum than any other forum (probably even those that are Mafell specific).

For those that have invested in Mafell and feel they're getting good value, I am happy for you - don't get me wrong ... this is all my opinion, experience and vote!

 

[jmbfestool]

Not going to say much but like I mentioned in the other topic  About the mafel and festool one. When I was using the mafel I found the major flaw was the mafel guide rail.    I'm yet to get my mate to let me have his mafel saw.  He said I can have it for a weekend but at the moment he's using it weekends.  Once I have I can do a fair comparison in my own time.

Be nice if I can get hold of a TS55R to compare with cus I only have the Ts55 and 75

Jmb

 

[jonathan-m]

Here's an ironic opinion - there's probably more talk of Mafell on this Festool forum than any other forum (probably even those that are Mafell specific).

Mafell is barely known, even in Europe, and even then mostly by professionals. If they improved their reach, communication and marketing, they'd get a heck lot more buisness. I suspect they wouldn't be able to keep up with demand or quality would suffer as their production is seriously impressive.
85% of the components are made at the Mafell factory in Oberndorf, Germany. The production process, production machines and molds for the parts that are licensed out to other companies, are made by Mafell themselves to guarantee quality.
Production happens only in small series to ensure a high quality control. The components for each tool are inspected and assembled by hand!! When a tool is assembled it goes to a test rack where it's run for 20minutes. After which they again measure the tolerances, inspect the brushes and motor. Mafell's cuprex motor generates up to 7000W and is scaled back to the power needed for the specific tool.

Seriously, how many companies can still claim such quality and precision these days?

When I was using the mafel I found the major flaw was the mafel guide rail.

I agree. Joining Mafell's rails are simpler and more accurate to connect and extend but their anti-slip leaves a lot to be desired. It's no luxury to clamp your rail down on slippery surfaces. In this regard the Festool rail is much better! The clamp extrusions on the Mafell rail are very shallow, so you have to use their or Bosch's specific clamps. I hate always having to clamp my rails down so personally I've disgarded them and only use the Festool rails.

 

[woodguy7]

So you work for Mafell then 

 

[jonathan-m]

So you work for Mafell then  

LOL I wish! I got this info from my dealer who got to visit their factory a few days for product training when he started carrying their tools.
When he told me how it's all manufactured I was sold into trying out the MT55 for a month. As you can see, I kept it.

 

[Alan m]

we all knoe that they are both great tools but which is better.
it is like comparing hamilton to button. button(festool) is cool ,calm and colected,percise,accurate,well mannered,very respected.
hamilton(mafel) is the oposite, eratic,hot headed,easily risen,not a people person
but they both get the job done. it is all the little trates that make the person

same with festool v mafel.
you would rather deal with festool than with mafel. you would rather have jenson on your team than lewis

 

[Jaybolishes]

I like how the Mafell splinter guard can be left on the saw while doing angled cuts, +1 Mafell.  The new ts55r still has to have the splinter guard removed.  [mad] Taking this thing on and off is a little annoying.  Still am festool all the way, but after using many Mafell timber framing machines, I have to say Mafells thought, design, quality and products are a+.  Now Mafells customer service is something I have not yet experienced, but if it's bad I understand why people would veer  toward festool.  But a far as a tool making company, Mafell is side by side with festool IMO.  Also the Mafell goes up to 6300 rpm, another +1.  I hate to disappoint everyone giving props to another company other than festool, but credit needs to be given when it's deserved.

 

[Kev]

Here's an ironic opinion - there's probably more talk of Mafell on this Festool forum than any other forum (probably even those that are Mafell specific).

Mafell is barely known, even in Europe, and even then mostly by professionals. If they improved their reach, communication and marketing, they'd get a heck lot more buisness. I suspect they wouldn't be able to keep up with demand or quality would suffer as their production is seriously impressive.
85% of the components are made at the Mafell factory in Oberndorf, Germany. The production process, production machines and molds for the parts that are licensed out to other companies, are made by Mafell themselves to guarantee quality.
Production happens only in small series to ensure a high quality control. The components for each tool are inspected and assembled by hand!! When a tool is assembled it goes to a test rack where it's run for 20minutes. After which they again measure the tolerances, inspect the brushes and motor. Mafell's cuprex motor generates up to 7000W and is scaled back to the power needed for the specific tool.

Seriously, how many companies can still claim such quality and precision these days?

When I was using the mafel I found the major flaw was the mafel guide rail.

I agree. Joining Mafell's rails are simpler and more accurate to connect and extend but their anti-slip leaves a lot to be desired. It's no luxury to clamp your rail down on slippery surfaces. In this regard the Festool rail is much better! The clamp extrusions on the Mafell rail are very shallow, so you have to use their or Bosch's specific clamps. I hate always having to clamp my rails down so personally I've disgarded them and only use the Festool rails.

Sounds like they're enjoying themselves. Maybe if they were a little more intelligent they'd put some engineering effort into improving their public relations.

They have an interesting method for maintaining low demand to maintain quality - worked perfectly to reduce my demand to absolute zero! Complete with multiplier effect - I'll tell anyone I meet to avoid Mafell.

BTW, 85% is not an impressive number unless it comes with a little more detail (by weight, by volume, by cost, by complexity ...) it's just rubbish marketing. I also don't think Mafell invented quality control - but maybe their assembly techniques require more of it !

I think there are plenty of companies that still pride themselves on quality and precision - but also back it up with friendly customer service, a very important part of the total package.

 

[Nigel]

I like how the Mafell splinter guard can be left on the saw while doing angled cuts, +1 Mafell.  The new ts55r still has to have the splinter guard removed.  [mad] Taking this thing on and off is a little annoying.  Still am festool all the way, but after using many Mafell timber framing machines, I have to say Mafells thought, design, quality and products are a+.  Now Mafells customer service is something I have not yet experienced, but if it's bad I understand why people would veer  toward festool.  But a far as a tool making company, Mafell is side by side with festool IMO.   Also the Mafell goes up to 6300 rpm, another +1.  I hate to disappoint everyone giving props to another company other than festool, but credit needs to be given when it's deserved.

I thought the new splinter guard was angled to allow use during bevel cuts?