Introductions

Hey guys, my name is Steve and I'm a remodeling contractor in Minnesota.  Kitchen and bath, some cabinets, some decks.  I don't have a track saw and was looking at Festool, the new to us TS55REQ and came across Mafell while doing the research.  Did more reading and said "great", I'm done, lets go with the MT55cc.   Then I started seeing reviews on the KSS 300....

I guess I can see myself with both saws like Matt, but am wondering which saw might be the best "first saw" of the pair to get?  Matt, since you have both I'm hoping you're the best guy to answer that question   Timberwolf Tools is the USA delear, the KSS300 is $925.00 here and the MT55 is $771.00, but you need to purchase the rails with the 55.  I guess I'm a little surprised in that the KSS300 appears a bit more "toy"  like and the MT55 seems more industrial, so I was thinking that the KSS300 would be at a lower price point.  But hey, I haven't seen either saw in person so hopefully you guys can help me with that perception and suggestions on first purchase.

Thanks!
Steve

Thanks Matt, it does help, although it does tell me that it is a close decision between the two I'm reading that the 300 is the quick and easy, almost fun, efficient with quality results. MT55 more features, more capabilities, a little more snort. I'm going to have to go with you on this since you have both, you are the expert!!

Is the angle cut attachment for the MT55 similar to the one on the KSS300, that looked pretty sweet in the video.

Are both of these saws fairly new in their respective life cycle? (or are there significant upgrades due out in the near future that would have me kicking myself and wishing I would have waited...)

Thanks,
Steve

There's often Mafell attention given on the FOG, which I do respect and understand there concerns with linking to this site as FOG is now run by festool itself. I nearly pull my hair out everytime I see a post about Mafell as english language knowledge of these tools is desperately needed. Everyone's participation is what will make this board be useful, so any and all experiences, questions , complaints or compliments are welcome. Adrian, participation of members like yourself is almost vital. Mafell really is few and far between this far over so really we're starving for impressions here. How about that damn jigsaw already? I have a trion, and to be honest I'm perfectly happy with it, but everytime I see mafells offering I start to itch.

Hi I'm Aaron from the uk I have built up a little collection of mafell tools I started by getting the kss400, 2 f16 rails, the angle attachment for the rails. I think its an absolutely brilliant tool on 400 cross cut track the setting are spot on. If cutting a load of studs the same length I will just make a pile just under 400mm, which enables me to cut (5/3x2 or 4/4x2) saving putting each piece on a chopsaw and cutting individual length. On some jobs we get attic trusses that need some cut out for dormers to be fitted instead of having to mark the plum cut for the dormer with a leval then cut with the handsaw. As long as you know the pitch of the roof just set the angle and cut job done. All u have to do is make sure piece you are cutting are not going to fall a couple of 4x2 fixed along is suffeciant to do the job. When doing the sarking on the roof just pile the boards on the scaffold. Then a couple of joiners just go on the roof and shout sizes to cut saves so much time they can just keep nailing with the gun with no stopping to cut with the hand saw. The thing the kss400 is most handy at is doing the compound angle for the valley boards. When I first got the rails I had just 2 1600 rails and the angle attachment which works fine but a bit too big of just doing a 600 cross cut on chipboard flooring. So I went and bought a 1100 track which was a bit better but not as good as using the 400 cross track so I ordered the 770 cross cut track which the saw attaches to huge advantage just mark mark a length , pick up saw with track attached and cut no having to mark a line that gets covered in saw dust you can't see for saw dust no measuring 2 sizes no picking a rail up then the saw. All done in 2 steps measure and cut. For cutting the Osb for the roof just use the 1100 track attached to the angle attachment then when cutting the valley cuts use the 1600 track attached to the angle attachment a bit like an oversize beval a brilliant tool for general joinery work it can do finishings but is slightly to big the kss300 is the one to go for or cutting melamine sheets the Mt55. At times it could do with a more powerful motor for ripping it does do , you just need a decent blade that's sharp I have a ksp85 saw for doing the heavier work like roofs you can gang cut the birds mouth cuts just put all the rafters crown down mark the birds mouth out on the first and last then fix a straight piece of timber parrallel to the birds mouth. Then using the parralel guide to set the distance angle and depth of cut doing the plum cut then change the angle for the seat cut adjust the depth of cut and adjust the parralell guide saw the saw is in the right place and cut birds mouth cuts done saves having mark everyone out. Then using the kss400 to cut the plum cuts to the ridge or use the ksp85 for cutting the compound cuts to the hip or valley. The new kss80 saw looks really good for roof work. I have the p1cc jigsaw which is amazing jigsaws are not meant to be that good. I have the DD40p with the template guide haven't used much, but got instead of the dommino as I felt dowels would be easier to get without having to be locked one company also you get a dowel called a knapp which self tightens in the hole. Then last of all I just purchased an Erika 70 extremely accurate plenty of power is to expand if you set the fence to rip a 100mm you get 100mm no need to check the size none of the normal measure 100 mm tighten the fence and it moves 5 or 6mm then have to move again also if you tilt the blade to any angle the short point or long point dependant on what side you place the fence the size will correspond to what you have set. The Unervisal fence is accurate but the mfa fence you get with the 85 fence is better as the point is a constant distance from the blade and also the wheel kit would be handy just to turn the saw. You don't get the saw dust being spat in your face. It is expensive but you have the accuracy of workshop panel saw which is totally portable

Oh and snap us some pics if you can, tough to get info here so user experience is always best!

Agree 100% such a simple concept and that's what makes it so great. Solid built saw and track system. My favorite tool!