cmt
New Member
Posts: 3
|
Post by cmt on Oct 30, 2013 21:19:47 GMT -5
Hello All, I am new to woodworking, but I am a Licensed General contractor so I am familiar with construction. The only problem I have is I specialize in heavy commercial. The last wood I cut was boards for concrete forms when I was just beginning or backer boards in walls. I got bitten by the woodworking bug when I built a lake house for personal use. The trim carpenter was amazing and was only using Festool products (except for lamello joiner he used for biscuits on all miters) on site. Until then I had never heard of festool. Watching him and his crew while constantly asking questions made me want to start building things - not out of concrete and steel. I installed all the 1x5 reclaimed hardwood flooring myself - just to see if I could. He recommended a Festools sander and vac and that is when the spiral started.
My question for you. I want to buy a track saw but I only plan on working on larger items at this time. I have a garage full of 8/8 oak, walnut, and mahagony along with four live edge slabs. First items to build will be a kitchen table with a thick top. I had learned of Mafell during my tool research. I was thinking that I was going to buy a TS75 until I looked at the mafell 55 specs a little closer. With the Mafell it looks like I could use it to cut my bigger boards and still have a saw that wouldn't be a pain in the a*^ if I wanted to cut smaller materials. What are your opinions on which saw would be the better starting point. I understand the importance of good tools and the costs associated with them. Any opinions, whether I like or not will be appericiated. - sorry so long.
|
|
|
Post by 7 on Oct 30, 2013 21:47:15 GMT -5
I highly recommend the Mafell track saw. I know we have other members on the forum who own the TS75 also. I am sure you have already checked all the threads on the MT55 at this point but there is one where Jalvis cuts a parallam beam at full depth with no problem. I have used my MT55 to straight line a bunch of 6/4 walnut before running it through a planer and it has plenty of power.
I think an unexpected positive about the Mafell over the Festool is the rails and splinter guard. The rail connectors are flawless and I have only heard negatives on the Festool connectors. On the other hand you may already own several festool rails which may lean you in the TS75 direction. My guess is if you get into the solid wood/ thick wood it is only a matter of time before you start breaking down sheet goods also which as you mentioned above the TS75 might be a bit clunky for the smaller projects.
Fyi- I am also a lot heavier in the general construction areas than the fine wood working. I do plenty of finish work but also commercial projects and general contracting.
|
|
|
Post by GhostFist on Oct 30, 2013 22:57:41 GMT -5
The thing is, Mafell offers even heavier saws than what festoon would ever offer as the bulk of their equipment caters to the timeframe line of construction, all of which work off of the same excellent tracks.
Festool's positives are that they are more readily available and are backed by their full service 3 year warranty.
Mafell has one north American distributed, they seem a good bunch, but ya, one distributer via mail order. Personally I feel Mafell has a more rugged build quality, and their designs as a whole tend to cut out on the accessory faff festoon likes to tack on. Don't get me wrong I own a lot of festoon stuff but if Mafell has a competing product I feel it outshines them.
|
|
|
Post by GhostFist on Oct 30, 2013 22:58:15 GMT -5
Oh and welcome to the forum of course, feel free to ask any questions!
|
|
okami
New Member
Posts: 27
|
Post by okami on Oct 30, 2013 23:52:11 GMT -5
Mafell has a more solid build quality, a less plastic feel and more power. I own a TS75 by Festool and it's under powered, end of... For those thick oak slabs you've got, my 75 would struggle. The electronics that regulate the speed really struggle on the TS saws when they have some heavy deeps cutting to do. The electronics on my TS saws cannot find the correct speed on this type of cut, and pretty much spends the whole cut switching speeds, stalling and generally making a mess of the cut. I wouldn't recommend a Festool TS saw for work in thick hardwoods. That's just my opinion from experience using a TS55 and 75.
|
|
|
Post by wrightwoodwork on Oct 31, 2013 1:22:38 GMT -5
Yeah go for the mafell far bigger choice of saws. I think festool messed up when they bought out there new 55 by not giving it a larger motor
|
|
|
Post by woodie on Oct 31, 2013 9:35:20 GMT -5
I had a TS75 and just recently sold it. If weight isn't a concern you might consider Mafell's K85Ec. It has gobs more power than the TS75 and more cutting capacity. Breaking down sheet goods isn't that difficult with a larger saw. That said, the MT55cc is a gem of a saw too and quite a bit lighter.
|
|
|
Post by jalvis on Oct 31, 2013 10:24:49 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum! You will find great joy in Woodworking. I am yet to find a craft that satisfies me more.
If the MT55 can do what you need then get it. Be sure to match the blade to your work and keep it sharp! My only concern for you with thicker material will be mitering. Make sure you will get the depth of cut you desire for a bevel cut.
If you need a heavier saw with greater depth I would strongly consider the KSS80 as you will find more use from the KSS function.
|
|
|
Post by GhostFist on Oct 31, 2013 12:02:24 GMT -5
Agree on the 80 for curing a lot of thick hardwood. Though it does seem a heavy saw. Perhaps woodie could elaborate.
|
|
cmt
New Member
Posts: 3
|
Post by cmt on Nov 2, 2013 0:29:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input - I guess I was looking for confirmation and also why I asked on this forum instead of a FOG forum. That KSS80 is Sweet though - only about 300 higher for some really great features. Now back to decision time - at least it is better vs better. Thanks again
|
|
|
Post by nyctinyshop on Nov 2, 2013 7:15:39 GMT -5
I, too, have previously owned a TS75 and a TS55REQ (recalled.) The TS75 was a little too heavy, dust control was poor, and the saw was too heavy for the Festool rails. I have never tried to cut 8/8 with my MT55cc, but next week, I have a build using 8/4 (unless she changes her mind today at contract signing.) I really like the MT55cc. It has more power and the dust collection is better than the Festool saws. If you already have Festool tracks, then the Mafell will work with those. I sold all of my Festool tracks two weeks ago. The Mafell tracks are easier to align with their connector and because they are a little thinner in width, are easier to negotiate. (The less expensive Bosch tracks are identical in dimension.)The one accessory that puts the Mafell saw over the top, is the Aerofix. This system makes ripping long pieces very easy and fast. You would also need to get the 3200mm Flex-hose for this...but the Aerofix and the MT55cc is the way to go. Also, be sure to get a rip blade for the track saw. The 24 toothed blade works very well. Others have posted about this. Hope this helps. Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by jalvis on Nov 2, 2013 10:12:52 GMT -5
These decision are tough. Personally I see the MT55 as the go to saw. Safe, easy to handle, accurate, and powerful. I remember when I was first looking at the Festool line up and deciding between the 75 or 55. I really had a hard time not getting the 75 as I didn't want to be limited. Eventually ended up with up to 2 ATF55's and 2 TS55's.
Chances are you will end up with more than one saw. Buy for the the 90% of your work not the 10% and then add tools to fit the void.
|
|
cmt
New Member
Posts: 3
|
Post by cmt on Nov 2, 2013 16:02:06 GMT -5
Really glad I joined up here. Sorry about the 8/8 I meant to type 8/4. Lucky I do not have any festool rails so that isn't a concern - their joining system is why I didn't pull the trigger when I was ready to purchase. With that said I'm leaning towards the kss 80 as, with just about everything, I would rather have too much than not enough. jalvis you are correct; if I like working with wood I am positive I will have more than one saw. Doing this woodworking only for personal enjoyment and satisfaction; I am aware that the wrong tool can make the experience miserable and I would proably be like "it's not worth the effort". NYCtinyshop, yes the Aerofix seems to be a fantastic product that I'm sure I'll add quickly as well as the guide that you showed how to build (great work). Thanks to everyone for giving your input.
|
|
|
Post by woodie on Nov 2, 2013 17:52:30 GMT -5
The KSS80 is definitely an awesome saw! Bevel adjust is easy, smooth, and accurate. It has more power than you could ever need. Dust collection is really good though not as good as the MT55cc. The only thing that might be considered a negative is it's weight. It's a heavy saw, something like 16 lbs just for the saw. My only track saw for the last several years had been a TS75 which is 13.6 lbs so the weight difference didn't feel all that substantial. I picked up an MT55cc a month ago or so and now the KSS doesn't feel quite as light...
|
|