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Post by mafellme on Jul 17, 2020 19:52:49 GMT -5
Does anyone here know for certain if the Bosch parallel rip fence is identical to Mafell's rip fence?
I'm an experienced MT55cc owner, so I know the similarities and differences between the saws, rails, kick stops, etc.
However, I am being cautious about the rip fences - I've avoided buying one for a long time because I think they're disgracefully overpriced, but... I have some retailer credit that I'm thinking of using on a rip fence for my MT55cc. The thing is, I can only use the retailer credit on products they themselves supply, and that means the Bosch fence, not the Mafell (3rd party seller).
At a casual glance, the fences do look identical, but looking more closely at the stock images supplied by Mafell and by Bosch, it seems as though the Bosch fence may have a stepped section where the round bars meet the rectangular fence bar.
Is this a random oddity in the Bosch pic, or is it actually showing a real difference between the Bosch and Mafell rip fences?
Please, I'm not asking for anyone to offer guesses about this - only answer this question if you specifically KNOW the answer.
Thanks!
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Post by kraftt on Jul 17, 2020 20:21:47 GMT -5
I get hung up on stuff like this all the time (visually oriented) and take it literally. I does seem like a badly cropped stock image has proliferated the net and been copied by everyone. To clarify things I would recommend asking seller to send you a photo of the actual item you are buying. ( www.manualslib.com/manual/1752330/Bosch-Gkt13-225.html?page=21#manual )
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Post by aas on Jul 18, 2020 2:10:22 GMT -5
Agreed, it is expensive, but a useful accessory, particularly the marked graduations for cut width. I ended up getting one despite resisting for a long time. Then I got the MT55 18v - and it came with one!... and I've lost track but it fits the MF26cc, and the KSS60 - one or both of which came with one, so I've got a few knocking about. It's very useful for the MF26, you can make up jigs that fix to the two holes, so for example if you want to run a groove down some narrow stock, you make the jig to fit the stock, then can precisely centre it using the metal bars, lock off and you're good to go. I take the view that these accessories pay for themselves and gulp at the cost and click 'Buy now'. Of course, I don't KNOW the answer to your question, but this might help someone in a similar position to go for it.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 18, 2020 7:05:25 GMT -5
To clarify things I would recommend asking seller to send you a photo of the actual item you are buying.
Unfortunately, the seller is that faceless goliath, Amazon, so I can't really request an 'actual photo', as I could if it was an individual on eBay
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Post by mafellme on Jul 18, 2020 10:21:49 GMT -5
Agreed, it is expensive, but a useful accessory, particularly the marked graduations for cut width. I ended up getting one despite resisting for a long time. Then I got the MT55 18v - and it came with one!... and I've lost track but it fits the MF26cc, and the KSS60 - one or both of which came with one, so I've got a few knocking about. It's very useful for the MF26, you can make up jigs that fix to the two holes, so for example if you want to run a groove down some narrow stock, you make the jig to fit the stock, then can precisely centre it using the metal bars, lock off and you're good to go. I take the view that these accessories pay for themselves and gulp at the cost and click 'Buy now'. Of course, I don't KNOW the answer to your question, but this might help someone in a similar position to go for it.
It just occurred to me to ask you if you see a stepped section on the bars of your Mafell fence, where they enter the rectangular bar, as SEEMS to be inidcated (perhaps erroneously) in the stock pic of the Bosch version.
I realise this is a boring topic, but I really am trying to figure out if I can safely buy the Bosch version with my Amazon credit, or if it's going to be a huge waste of time and need returning.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 18, 2020 11:54:07 GMT -5
Not 100% conclusive, yet, but I think I've found out that the Bosch and the Mafell rip fences really are DIFFERENT.
This video seems to show that the Bosch saw has room to accommodate a wider shoulder to the sliding round bars of the Bosch rip fence (i.e. strengthening the junction point between each round bar and it's insertion point into the rectangular fence)
Unless I am misinterpreting my MT55cc, it looks like the sliding red plastic cut-line guide (the one that slides over to the right, in unison, as the saw bevel angle is adjusted) probably won't leave enough room for the seemingly enlarged shoulders of the round bars of the Bosch fence, and this would appear to explain why stock images of the Mafell rip fence do not seem to show any enlarged shoulders at that region of the round bars.
Looks like I won't be getting a rip fence for some time longer, then, as my credit voucher won't work for a 3rd party seller of the Mafell version.
I guess I'll spend it on a spare Bosch 48T blade and a fresh rubber splinter guard, then!
Hopefully, this post may help someone avoid buying a Bosch fence that may not fit their Mafell saw.
As mind-numbingly boring as the topic is, my efforts in researching it were worthwhile to save me disappointment and the hassle returning it.
Cheers, all.
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Post by aas on Jul 18, 2020 12:28:46 GMT -5
Your time is appreciated - it's what makes the MUF have so much good info!
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Post by kraftt on Jul 18, 2020 13:39:37 GMT -5
oh, I thought you were talking about the ’T’ section… If it’s Amazon then just buy it and return it if you don’t like it. Even if the collars hit the red indicator it would be for only the thinnest of sliver cuts. There is some clearance under the indicator, though not to the side. But you could notch some clearance.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 18, 2020 14:19:19 GMT -5
I noticed the 'T' section you mentioned, but I didn't take it seriously, choosing to assume it was just an anomally of the stock pic, considering how very badly some marketing departments hash client product pics with ham-fisted Photoshopping.
I reasoned that if it was actually real, I could grind it off.
My main concern was the other aspect of both bars swelling to a larger diameter as they meet the rectangular fence bar.
I know how you love to tweak and adapt your '55 for this and that (and I'm 35% that way inclined with mine, too), but I don't think I can be bothered with spending £50+ on something I already know is going to be only half as suitable as it should be. I'll just spend my credit on other useful things, at this point in time, and eventually, grudgingly, splash the cash on a proper Mafell rip fence, some time in the not too distant future.
However, since you're egging me on to buy a fence, I'm going to egg you on to buy&try one of these :
ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Freud-Lcl6M01064-8025331498328-165-X-1.7-X-20-X-40T-Trim-Saw-Blade ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Freud-Lcl6M01062-8025331498274-165-X-1.7-X-20-X-24T-Trim-Saw-Blade
Unlike the Bosch fence, I can confirm that the above blades work an absolute treat on the MT55, for peanuts, and I know you already use 165mm blades.
P.S. nice MT55 pics, above.
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Post by kraftt on Jul 18, 2020 16:15:58 GMT -5
Actually, now that I look closer, it looks like where the rod gets larger it is also ground (half piped). If so then it wouldn't interfere.
I've looked at those blades, but it's a euro product primarily - so I have to factor in shipping.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 18, 2020 16:38:17 GMT -5
Actually, now that I look closer, it looks like where the rod gets larger it is also ground (half piped). If so then it wouldn't interfere. I've looked at those blades, but it's a euro product primarily - so I have to factor in shipping.
There's a possibility you may be right, but I just can't be bothered with the hassle of it all (potentially) going pear-shaped. Returns are a PITA
...added to which, putting the Bosch fence to one side for a moment, I noticed a further ambiguity in the available options from various online vendors, for Mafell-branded rip fences. It sppears 2 different models are being offered for sale, allegedly both compatible with the MT55cc:
Mafell 201436
and
Mafell 203214
I don't know if 201436 is perhaps a newer version than 203214, what with it being more heavily chamfered.
My god, this whole topic is so mind-numbingly boring, but I'll still need to get to the bottom of it before I eventually buy one.
201436 looks like the most likely candidate for me, and it can wait a couple of months.
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Post by aas on Jul 19, 2020 6:11:46 GMT -5
Actually, now that I look closer, it looks like where the rod gets larger it is also ground (half piped). If so then it wouldn't interfere. I've looked at those blades, but it's a euro product primarily - so I have to factor in shipping.
There's a possibility you may be right, but I just can't be bothered with the hassle of it all (potentially) going pear-shaped. Returns are a PITA
...added to which, putting the Bosch fence to one side for a moment, I noticed a further ambiguity in the available options from various online vendors, for Mafell-branded rip fences. It sppears 2 different models are being offered for sale, allegedly both compatible with the MT55cc:
Mafell 201436
and
Mafell 203214
I don't know if 201436 is perhaps a newer version than 203214, what with it being more heavily chamfered.
My god, this whole topic is so mind-numbingly boring, but I'll still need to get to the bottom of it before I eventually buy one.
201436 looks like the most likely candidate for me, and it can wait a couple of months.
Here is my collection :- i.vgy.me/aQqMFB.jpgAll Mafell, two with graduations, and one with the sleeves... i.vgy.me/Ww6FIX.jpg... if you look closely, they are transparent silicone sleeves that can be removed - no idea why they are there. Interestingly, one of the guides has another number 206438 (MF26CC), and another case has the number 206825 K65/KSS60) - from what I can tell they are the same fit. I've tried it on the MT55 BL18 - no problems at all, the red angle marker that slides out is not an issue, the blade cover hits the parallel guide before the red slider hits the silicone rings.
201436 doesn't come up on the Mafell site; on FFX it has 203214 as the item number then 201436 in the text.
Just be aware that the Bosch may not have the graduation markings.
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Post by kraftt on Jul 19, 2020 11:22:41 GMT -5
Silicone sleeve !
Would you say the graduated markings are worth the added cost ? i.e. are they accurate enough under clamping that it helps blade run more closely parallel ?
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Post by aas on Jul 19, 2020 13:28:30 GMT -5
I'd say it's worth it... sometimes a second cut is needed X mm away, and you have the reference to move back and forth between positions. I've never checked the accuracy off the blade though.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 20, 2020 5:10:36 GMT -5
I'd say it's worth it... sometimes a second cut is needed X mm away, and you have the reference to move back and forth between positions. I've never checked the accuracy off the blade though.
Yes, looking at your pics (thanks for posting those), those were exactly my thoughts - that the deciding factor should be to buy a fence that offers mm markings on it - not for initial setting (I wouldn't trust the numbers, relative to various blades I use), but for ease of making incremental adjustments larger or smaller from the initial setting, mm markings could make life easier than with no markings.
Had to laugh that the enlarged shoulders I thought I was seeing on the Bosch stock pic are just silicone sleeves, after all that!
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