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Post by mafelluser on Dec 16, 2017 14:09:33 GMT -5
Interesting design especially in how it can handle a normal 165mm blade and function as a typical track saw. Yeah, but.... only 36mm max depth from a 165mm blade, and no conventional bevel capability, as far as I can see. I also don't like what appears to be a plastic blade door.
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Post by kraftt on Dec 16, 2017 14:24:55 GMT -5
Yeah, having to slide the wood cutting blade under the crossbar struck me as strange compromise but I think that the wood cutting blade option was the afterthought in that after designing an aluminum v cutting saw it's only a matter of slapping in a wood blade to make the saw more appealing. So the hatch was necessary for the larger aluminum blade and the crossbar is needed as a stiffener. I wish they would have made it to take wider standard dado blade, besides 'V', and sold those blade options. Stopped to look at the Makita cordless dual battery track saw on display at a box store. Box stores used to carry the Makita track saws but they didn't move enough and stopped displaying them. Looks like they're going to give it another try with the cordless. It felt kinda cheap. Been a while since I've looked at a Fest/Makita style rail and now after owning Bosch/mafell I couldn't believe how huge the Fest/Makita rails are. It's a very reasonable price for a cordless track saw with two batts but as I've come to understand the versatility of my (mafell) track saw I've also come to appreciate what a deal they are for what they do. I just don't see any reason to compromise. Get a package deal, get all the accessories you can and it's money very well spent.
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Post by mafelluser on Dec 16, 2017 14:59:20 GMT -5
I've come to understand the versatility of my (mafell) track saw I've also come to appreciate what a deal they are for what they do. I just don't see any reason to compromise. Get a package deal, get all the accessories you can and it's money very well spent. I'm not a wealthy man, so it was a stretch for me to buy a Mafell and, aside from the bevel alignment issue, I don't regret paying the premium. The MT55cc earns its keep. On the subject of cost, I completely agree that the way to buy a Mafell is to buy a package deal. Because I struggled to afford my MT55cc, there was a temptation to just buy the saw itself, and then buy one or more rails a month or so later, but, doing some due diligence, searching the internet, I just couldn't hide from the obvious truth that it would have been much more costly to buy the items seperately.
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Post by chippiegary on Dec 16, 2017 16:11:04 GMT -5
I must say a guy working with us has the makita twin plunge saw it seemed a very nice saw I’d certainly go for it over Festool yes it’s not a mafell but it doesn’t seem far behind to me . I agree though I could never go back to the makita /Festool rails . I think it’s great there is now so much choice .
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Post by kraftt on Dec 16, 2017 16:59:06 GMT -5
I'm wondering if it's possible to cut a Bosch/Mafell rail slot into the bottom of the Makita base. Next time I go back to that store I'll take a closer look.
from that photo i guess you get two cases. one for saw and one for charger and batts (?)
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Post by eggwood on Apr 24, 2020 22:00:09 GMT -5
Sorry to jump into this thread, but since there were so many good questions/info on Mafell track saw blade compatibility, well..
My question is, would using the Keys branded 162mm 1.8mm 20mm arbor saw blades for the Mafell work well in the Bosch GKT 55? They share the same kerf of 1.8mm, but are there there considerations ? Anybody tried it.
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Post by aas on Apr 25, 2020 1:23:30 GMT -5
Not tried as I don't have the Bosch, but it will be fine, you just lose 1.5mm of depth of cut. The key blades are not good though - nice when new, wear out too fast - same after resharpening, nice when freshly done, a few cuts later and need to be changed. I won't buy anymore, wouldn't recommend them.
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Post by eggwood on Apr 25, 2020 7:58:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip, I was looking for an alternative to the Bosch blades, since they are not cheap and the Keys brand looked like a good solution. They have a large range and I had heard decent reviews about them, but never tried them myself. What would you recommendation/buy ?
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Post by aas on Apr 25, 2020 10:51:16 GMT -5
For my Mafell tools I buy the Mafell blades, for Festool I buy the Festool blades - and everything else Bosch, with the occasional CMT thrown in there.
You can't really go wrong with Bosch Professional drills bits, screwdriver bits, blades etc.
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Post by hecon5 on May 28, 2020 8:42:00 GMT -5
While I wait for rails, sorely tempted to get the GKT deal off ToolNut, sell the saw, come out ahead with clamps, rails, and bag. Even if don't sell the saw for retail, still ahead.
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Post by kraftt on May 28, 2020 10:01:17 GMT -5
Place an ad for the saw slightly over what you want out of it before you purchase and see how many bites you get first.
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Post by hecon5 on May 28, 2020 10:47:36 GMT -5
Oh, that's a good idea; thanks!
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Post by aas on May 28, 2020 23:41:36 GMT -5
...or just keep the Bosch for rough ripping work - takes standard 165mm blades.
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