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Post by christoph on Oct 16, 2013 14:39:10 GMT -5
In my opinion Mafell is a very small yet innovative company (280 employees, festool e.g. have more then 700 which makes a large difference when it comes to things like marketing etc). They realy had and still have problems to find enough qualified dealers outside europe i think (one dealer in the US is ridiculous). A reason for that may also be, that they havent been very attractive for non carpenters bevor they started producing smaller machines like the plunge-saw or the smaller router, duo-dowler etc. a few years ago. Even in Germany not many people know Mafell. Many know the Erika-Saw, but they know it just as "the Erika", not as the Mafell-Erika ;-)
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Post by GhostFist on Oct 16, 2013 15:12:13 GMT -5
No military service for me just visiting. Germany is definitely on my list of places to go back to. I really enjoyed it there. Will look you up if I do return!
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Post by jalvis on Oct 16, 2013 16:13:38 GMT -5
Welcome Christoph!
Its great to have a member so close to Mafell. You sound very enthusiastic about German products. I too am falling more and more for there Engineering.
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okami
New Member
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Post by okami on Oct 16, 2013 19:16:24 GMT -5
Wow, welcome aboard Christoph!
You lucky man, being so close to all those tool manufactures!
You mentioned Festool makes tools in Czech Republic. I know some of festools branded "Protool" is made there. Now Protool has merged with Festool to carry the Festool logo, do you know whether they will continue to make those rebranded tools in Czech Republic?
Again, nice to see you here!
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Post by christoph on Oct 17, 2013 1:49:41 GMT -5
As far as i know they dont change much with their production after they call "protool" "festool" again  And some festool machines have been produced in czech republic since years, not only the protool ones Dont get me wrong, producing in czech republic isnt wrong and they shure have fantastic workers there. And engeneering was always done here in germany. What i like with mafell and fein is, that they keep all work here, not wanting to reduce the costs by firing their higher paid employees in germany. For me thats their corporate social responsibility, and it works! festool is part of tts which also have kränzle (vakuum cleaners, also the festool ones) and schneider (air compressors). see also this map where tts is located (sorry there seems to be no english version): www.tooltechnicsystems.com/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=1527&CFID=2486149&CFTOKEN=77972742&jsessionid=8630d682eb9b6b113257TR&&url_hk=Also interesting: the corporation between mafell and festool isnt that tight as a few years ago. I know 2 reasons (there may be more): -they have become stronger competitors since mafell also produces smaler machines like plunge saws, jigsaws that are attractive for carpenters, no longer only for timber-work (is there an english word like timberer, i mean a person that built heavy wood constructions like wooden houses etc. Craftsmen building furniture etc are called carpenters, am i wrong?) -they had a longer lawsuit concerning some mafell inventions that festool copied and used in their machines without permission... But there still is and i think there will always be kind of corporation between them like all the other corporations between bosch an mafell, mafell and fein, hilti, flex, starmix (vacuum cleaners for mafell, metabo, bosch) etc |
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Post by jalvis on Oct 17, 2013 7:21:55 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing those details. I also prefer smaller companies who value quality in the product and the person.
In the USA a "Carpenter" is usally referred to as someone who does rough building tasks with wood like framing.
Someone who builds furniture is usually just a "furniture maker" or often referred to as a "Professional woodworker."
There are also "timberers" but they are called "Timber Framers." There isnt a high demand for there labor since the work is expensive and not required for building codes.
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robuk
New Member
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Post by robuk on Dec 28, 2013 15:22:15 GMT -5
Hi all
I'm Rob, run a carpentry business in the UK.
I've owned several Mafell tools over the years. I had a
KSP55f, Mafell jigsaw,router and circular saw stolen a few years ago. Now the only mafell tool I have is a KSP55f, it's brilliant and the quality of Mafell tools is second to none.
Over the next few months I'll be buying a MT55 and possibly an extractor, anyone had any experience of Mafell extractors?
Thanks, great forum by the way!
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 28, 2013 20:45:58 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear some tea leaf stole the tools. I have the mafell vac perfectly good vac my only complaint is they don't sell long life bags, but as jalvis suggests cut the bag after first use then staple back up and my other complaint is when using the 35mm hose it twists off too easily if change direction. The mafell vacs are made by star mix and they have a new impulse model I have a sneaky feeling they might be getting introduced next year but I haven't heard anything official. It's just that other manufacturers that star mix provide vacs for are going to the new system. I've got it a lot if my vid on youtube
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Post by jalvis on Dec 28, 2013 21:38:59 GMT -5
Welcome Rob. Be sure to post some projects you've complete on the forum. I would like to see some of your work.
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Post by GhostFist on Dec 29, 2013 10:57:26 GMT -5
Welcome Rob, tool thieves are the scum of the bloody earth. I hope they lose some digits in repayment
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robuk
New Member
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Post by robuk on Dec 29, 2013 15:18:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the replys!
Thing that really did me in when the tools were stolen was that they left the tracks for the saw !
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Dec 31, 2013 20:03:23 GMT -5
Hi Gang! I'm Tom, live in Minnesota USA and have been remodeling homes since 2001. I primarily work on residential remodeling projects in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. I am looking at purchasing some Mafell tools soon, and look forward to hearing your opinions on which Mafell saws will be suit my needs!
Thanks!
Tom
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Post by 7 on Dec 31, 2013 20:20:42 GMT -5
Unofficial welcome Tom (I am just another member not a moderator etc) I just happen to be on right now.
Do you do general remodel or any specific trades more than others. Would help to know specifics to give any recommendations. I have the KSS300, P1CC Jigsaw, and MT55 track/plunge saw. I could give specific info on those three and the different track lengths. From owning the KSS300 I have a good idea of what the 400 and 80 would function like.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 31, 2013 20:50:42 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum this is my own personal opinion on the saws and which one to get ;
The MT55 if cutting predominantly sheets good W it has the scoring function
Kss400 for general carpentry and is the one I have excellent saw
Kss300 if moving constantly and doing finishings and you need a small handy package
Kss80 if you're doing roofs and cutting hips and jack rafters and cripple rafters with compound bevels as it tilts to 60degrees I have a ksp 85 but the new k85 is vastly improved as you can flick the guard up making it easier for do compound cuts where on my ksp85 it's a little harder to get the guard out of the way, but is still an excellent saw and loads of power then you're getting into the big boy toys with mks saws but only worth of that's your living like if you're doing heavy glulam that are just too heavy to flip or cross laminated timber building. But if only doing that sort of work occasionally then the either the kss80 or the ksp85
Then you have the Erika which I person think are the best portable site table cross cut saws but are expensive bit I don't regret buying mine for a second to get something better you are looking at shop table saws likes of felder or scm all are excellent and the rail system is the best
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Dec 31, 2013 21:27:37 GMT -5
Hi fellas, thanks for the quick responses!! I started another thread specifically about my wants/needs and work requirements, please feel free to continue giving me your input, it's very much appreciated!!
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And some festool machines have been produced in czech republic since years, not only the protool ones
