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Post by jkuc003 on Jan 6, 2014 5:30:37 GMT -5
Hello all, my name is Jacob and I'm from New Zealand. As the title of this thread suggests I am after a saw, the most universal saw I can get. I am after something relatively manageable in size/weight, most likely up to the KSS400 at max.
This will be the first and only saw I own (for a while at least) so the ideal saw will do 'most' things very well, I've been looking at a lot so far, i.e. MS55, KSS300, KSS400, KSS80 (perhaps too big?), MT55, KSP 40, and KSP 55.
At this stage I will be using it for making bits of furniture etc for around the home however I would like some future proofing (hence why I am set on Mafell to start with) as I would like to build a deck in time and who knows what else. The saw may only get used once a month so this too is a consideration when it comes down to price.
Can anyone suggest what would be the best fit all rounder saw?
Also, being from New Zealand we do not have a dealer down in this far corner of the globe therefore if any issues arise it will be a nightmare to return/get serviced, should this be a concern of mine or are Mafell saws truly life long tools? Also considering the comparatively light use of the saw...
Any insight would be much appreciated,
Cheers, Jacob
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Post by GhostFist on Jan 6, 2014 9:41:21 GMT -5
Mt55 is my pick. And welcome to the forum!
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Post by jalvis on Jan 6, 2014 11:18:52 GMT -5
Welcome!
If you don't already have a track saw get the MT55 with rails, connector, and clamps. To me a Track saw is essential for woodworking. You will think differently and work safer.
As for warranty. I don't know of anyone having a problem that required them to mail back the saw to Mafell. You will really have to consider the risk especially if you have a local Festool rep. Nothings perfect so if you have a problem you might be the one fixing the problem and Mafell mailing parts. Otherwise its getting shipped.
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 6, 2014 12:51:49 GMT -5
Hi Jacob!! I'm in the hunt for a Mafell saw as well. Something to consider, the KSS saws seem to be optimized for cross cutting with the ability to cut panels with the F tracks, whereas the MT-55 seems optimized for panel work with the ability to make short cross cuts with the angle unit.
For myself, I am planning to start with the MT-55 which is very powerful and versatile, then later get a KSS-300 to act as a cross-cutting and trim specialist.
Good luck with your hunt, the members here are very knowledgeable!
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Post by GhostFist on Jan 6, 2014 13:03:29 GMT -5
Tom, I think you made a smart choice there. as for the Mt55's cross cut ability, it's unlimited. The angle fence can attach to any mafell/bosch track and can be extended as you like. The 300 is an excellent compliment to the mt55!
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Post by woodie on Jan 6, 2014 14:01:56 GMT -5
I agree, the MT55 is an awesome saw! If I had one track saw, this would be it.
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Post by jkuc003 on Jan 6, 2014 14:22:24 GMT -5
Excellent, thank you all for your input. From the get go I had wanted the MT55 however I then came across the KSS300 and thought perhaps this is a more versatile saw. It was really down to those two.
I think from here I shall get the MT55 with the F-WA angle fence, to me this seems like it can do most thinks the KSS is designed for.
Does anyone know, if I make an order from a supplier in Germany, if/how I can get the tax back on the purchase as I will have to pay tax as the item enters New Zealand also.
Once again, thank you all for your helpful input.
Cheers, Jacob
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Post by jalvis on Jan 6, 2014 14:47:27 GMT -5
I would contact a Dealer who has shipped to New Zealand already. Might have to do some emailing to find out or contact Mafell Directly for a referral.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 6, 2014 15:24:51 GMT -5
My understanding is that timber wolf tools have the dealer right for rest of the world but I'd you go on the mafell website they should have the info
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Post by GhostFist on Jan 6, 2014 15:52:22 GMT -5
Timberwolf only distributes to north America.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 6, 2014 16:04:20 GMT -5
OK I'll need to look Just had a look must have changed I see for Australia is contact mafell also see they have a dealer in Indonesia. Woodex
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Post by jonathan on Jan 6, 2014 16:18:47 GMT -5
A word of warning though, I've found that you shouldn't expect the F-WA angle fence to be 100% accurate like the KSS saw system. It's OK for shorter lengths of crosscuts but don't expect to do 2500mm long precise rip cuts dead on the mark. You should see the F-WA more as a somewhat precise angle unit that places your cutline maybe 1 to 2mm off the cut mark over a distance of say 1500m, rather than a 100% dead on precision every time.
I suspect the problem lies in the fact that once a rail is on the workpiece the anti-slip rubbers on the underside make it hard to correctly align the F-WA. The longer your rail is, the harder this becomes.
To improve accuracy, I made a custom stop by adding a T bolt in the F-WA at dead-on 90°, which improved accuracy at 90° a bit. Another thing I've done is lately I just butt the F-WA to my workpiece, clamp it down and only then extend it's length with a 2nd and/or 3rd track. This modus operandi has also further improved accuracy for me.
Other than that, I like the speed of working the F-WA can sometimes provide me, when I need semi-accurate cuts for which it doesn't matter if I'm potentially 1 or 2mm off. Also, I predominantly use the F-WA with the P1cc jigsaw for quickly cutting out notches, more so than with my saws.
As for which saw to get, I'd agree with the others that for all-round general purpose work the MT55cc is the best choice you can make.
Regarding the warranty and availability of Mafell in your region, yeah, it's a risk you have to be willing to take. Although Festool's offerings aren't of the same quality as Mafell anymore, they do have a corporate presence in your region and they do offer a larger range of products. So you should definitely consider them.
That said, Mafell, in my opinion, produces the absolute best portable woodworking tools your money can buy. I kind of see it as the Rolls-Royce of portable power tools for carpentry. Every brand has some flawed products that slip through quality control, but you'd need to have some bad luck to get a lemon from Mafell.
If there's any brand that deserves to use the moniker of "a life-long tool", it is Mafell. As long as you don't dog the tools day in day out as a professional, you're truly likely to pass them on to the next generation. As a testament to their quality, I've managed to drop my MT55cc from 1m height to the a concrete and stone floor twice now in the past 3 months (yes, Ik know, thank you very much) and although each time was accompanied with a small panic attack, the only damage is a small 5mm piece chipped off the corner of the baseplate. I've checked, tested and measured extensively but the base plate isn't bent at all and the arbor and blade are still dead on aligned. It's like nothing's happened.
They're also a small-ish, rather down-to-earth company that tries to keep production in-country, in-house, as much as they can, rather than outsourcing off-shore for a bigger profit margin. If such things matter to you as an end user of course.
Nope, can't go wrong with Mafell. Whatever your choice ends up being, the best of luck with it.
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Post by jkuc003 on Jan 6, 2014 17:25:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up guys, for those who started MUF, well done, helps people like me who don't have access to a dealer to get sound information, and also user information. I find that there seems to be some discrepancies between what a lot of dealers tell me regarding tool performance and what the likes of you guys know from experience, not just trying to sell me a tool.
Jonathan, thank you for the response, the F-WA would be purely for short cross cuts on the likes of 2x4, so 1mm in 1000mm would be plenty accurate enough for that, I think if I were to be ripping anything near 1000mm I would mark both ends and work with the F rails.
I much prefer the idea of small in-house manufacturers, whether it be tools, watches, or fishing gear I like to by the best I can afford, made by companies where time is spent on producing quality over quantity and profits.
Am waiting on a response from a supplier in Germany so will see how things go.
Thanks again for the info.
Jacob
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 6, 2014 18:10:51 GMT -5
I find when using the F-WA rail for me is best to push the stock against the edge and take the weight off the rail so the anti slip is not working against you I very rarely mark both ends here's a vid showing the rests of a square cuthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8NkQ8q7Jmc
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 6, 2014 18:14:10 GMT -5
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