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Post by aas on Jan 11, 2020 11:57:52 GMT -5
Axminster power tools in the uk now stock Tso products including the rail connectors if that helps 👍 I also have the connectors and they do work very well “ still constantly put a long straight edge to check though Old habits hard to break 😂 I might grab a couple of things before the end of the month and we start having to pay import charges from the UK to Europe!!!
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Post by jimbouk on Jan 13, 2020 4:51:08 GMT -5
I prefer the festool rails to the mafell/bosch usability wise apart from joining, as aas says best solution for joining festool is dont bother, just buy a 3m/10ft for the long cuts, quicker, easier and better
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Post by alvychippy on Jan 19, 2020 12:21:49 GMT -5
strange, to have consensus, as FT rails are better... in my opinion NOT I use FT Rails with all of my plunge saws (recently stopped using other saws, but MT55 and replaced useless FT splinter guard with Makita one- great...ish), but nowhere near as good as when I used Mafell/Bosch rails in a joinery shop, simply that rubber edge is way better in protecting work-piece, than Plastic (FT) or "rubber" Makita splinter guard as it really flexes so is forgiving to micro differential blade movement still holding work-piece surface down. Not that much of a difference cutting wood, but had to trim/fit load of chipboard worktops and geee- amount of small splinters! I blame it squarely on splinter guard. also Mafell/Bosh rails are available in better lengths and are significantly narrower (lighter too), making them possible to use making narrow cuts of pieces required, IE window reveals. my $0.02ct on a subject
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Post by keylow on Jan 19, 2020 21:36:58 GMT -5
KSS40 cannot run on Festool rails as you said - only Mafell/Bosch rails. I use my MT55 almost exclusively on Festool rails, and the MT55 18bl on Mafell rails - apart from the issue of 45's whichhas been fairly well covered, no problems. I think the Festool rails are better than Makita rails... Why? Not being flip, just curious. Also, does the MT55 18bl also cut beyond the splinter guard at 45* like so many of the MT55?
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Post by aas on Jan 20, 2020 3:33:55 GMT -5
Festool rail shave some benefits over Mafell rails : 1) the non slip strips actually work even when quite dusty 2) the edge groove can be used for holding down the rail, adding accessories like the Gecko 3) the rail can be turned around and used as a router guide
The Mafell rails have benefits too : 1) joining rails quicker and accurately 2) splinter strip is better than Festool 3) being able to edge clamp the rails for thin stock
The MT55 stays pretty much in the workshop where the long Festool rails reside - the rail friction adjusters are set for these rails. If I need a longer rail, I pick up a longer rail! I have fitted Makita splinter strips which stay on the rail!.. they are cut for the MT55.
The MT55 18bl stays pretty much in the van; if going into a customers house, it is much easier to bring 2 or 3 rails with joiners - I know the rails will join up well. The non slip strips work after being cleaned with alcohol, they very quickly get dusty and let go at the worst of moments! It is not as easy to hold the rails down as the saw is larger than the rail - so I tend to use clamps. This saw is set for the Mafell rails.
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 20, 2020 16:56:40 GMT -5
Why? Not being flip, just curious. Also, does the MT55 18bl also cut beyond the splinter guard at 45* like so many of the MT55? Some do, some don't. John
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Post by kraftt on Jan 20, 2020 22:47:46 GMT -5
The Mafell rails have benefits too : 1) joining rails quicker and accurately 2) splinter strip is better than Festool 3) being able to edge clamp the rails for thin stock 4) character building exercise of replacing splinter guards
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Post by aas on Jan 21, 2020 6:02:46 GMT -5
The Mafell rails have benefits too : 1) joining rails quicker and accurately 2) splinter strip is better than Festool 3) being able to edge clamp the rails for thin stock 4) character building exercise of replacing splinter guards Ha ha !.. not sure if it's a benefit or not. Once you've done a few it gets easier. I use a tiny bit of washing up liquid, leave it to dry and the splinter strip to settle into place before adding the pins and trimming to length.
The Festool ones are not always easier. Of course, to remove the splinter strip is easy - you simply pick up the rail, the splinter strip will fall on the floor!.. you then have to remove the glue that has a special liking to anodised aluminium. Replacement is simple, you take the new Festool splinter strip you purchased and throw it in the bin, then fit a nice new Makita splinter strip!
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Post by Michael on Apr 8, 2020 14:32:54 GMT -5
Are the Bosch / Mafell rails really better than the Festool type rails or is it just the connector that is better? I have read that the Maffel rails come squared up better on the ends than many of the other rails but this can be easily fixed with a chop saw.
Is there anything besides the connector that is better about a Maffel rail with a Maffel saw on it than a Festool rail with a Festool saw on it?
Just curious!
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Post by kraftt on Apr 8, 2020 20:48:04 GMT -5
You mentioned ‘squared up’ ends. fwiw, I’ve left gaps as wide as 20mm between joined rails to eke out a little length with no issues.
(*Aerofix suction clamping seems more straight forward than accessory clamps for Fest rail.)
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Post by aas on Apr 8, 2020 23:31:07 GMT -5
Are the Bosch / Mafell rails really better than the Festool type rails or is it just the connector that is better? I have read that the Maffel rails come squared up better on the ends than many of the other rails but this can be easily fixed with a chop saw. Is there anything besides the connector that is better about a Maffel rail with a Maffel saw on it than a Festool rail with a Festool saw on it? Just curious! Being able clamp right on the edge on narrow stock is the biggest plus - more important than the joiners!
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