iban
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Posts: 111
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Post by iban on Aug 16, 2020 11:51:43 GMT -5
Hi everybody I'm new to the forum but I've been some days reading deep in it.
As a hobbyst is time for an upgrade to a tracksaw to improve accuracy and dust extraction.
I come from a cordless Bosch Gks 18v 57g and have a pair of bosch and a conector. Al my tools are bosch battery powered except a rotary hammer and surprisingly I'm looking for a corded tracksaw because first I don't want to change my batery enviroment and second I will be linked to the dust extractor tube so does it care for 1 cable more?
Before I decided to go corded my first option was the new Bosch gkt 18v 52 but reading the german bosch forum it seems Dead On Arrival. So much failures with not a clear solution in a near future.
Having Bosch rails my options are bosch or mafell.
My proyects include the use of melamine sheets, mdf, plywood and solid wood
The scoring function of the Mafell one of the things attract me more. But also the sturdier base, more trustable angle selection and the best dust extraction.
Can get it for 499€ including 1600 rail (wich already have from Bosch)
Concerns:
Again the scoring function and not getting what I'd like after watching videos and reading post where some get shadow gap and others do not.
Price is not an issue if I get a (almost) lifetime good machine.
On the other side is the bosch gkt 55 wich I can get for a little less than 300€ without Lboxx (not worried as it is the cheap option).
Worse in some aspects except price but here my concerns are quite delicate...
The filmsier base which came uneven to some people (like skill bulder guys) and the unsquare 90 degree cuts after you change the cutting angle.
What do you guys think I should go for?
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Post by kraftt on Aug 16, 2020 13:07:48 GMT -5
( Are you near any dealers who will allow you to demo the unit you wish to buy in store? )
Reading between the lines it seems you would be happiest with the mafell - purchase wise. In the long run the extra features are appreciated. If you don't think they will be then I would think the Makita will do the job.
Going with the MT cordless option also seems better suited to you since everything lives in the same case anyways (grab & go). Just can't see someone who is 99% cord free going back to corded - unless the saw will live in the shop. If it goes in the work van just as often then the rationalization of being hooked up to a dust hose anyways won't hold because it will be hooked up to a dust bag a fair amount of time too.
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iban
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Posts: 111
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Post by iban on Aug 16, 2020 15:36:29 GMT -5
( Are you near any dealers who will allow you to demo the unit you wish to buy in store? ) Reading between the lines it seems you would be happiest with the mafell - purchase wise. In the long run the extra features are appreciated. If you don't think they will be then I would think the Makita will do the job. Going with the MT cordless option also seems better suited to you since everything lives in the same case anyways (grab & go). Just can't see someone who is 99% cord free going back to corded - unless the saw will live in the shop. If it goes in the work van just as often then the rationalization of being hooked up to a dust hose anyways won't hold because it will be hooked up to a dust bag a fair amount of time too. Thanks for the answer. I think I could get a demo from a mafell dealer but not the bosch. The other optuon is the Bosch, not makita. The new cordless bosch seems to be dissapointing according to some german users Mafell cordless will make me to change all my battery system (bosch at the moment) to metabo and price tag is quite far than what I want to invest. Maybe I 'm wrong but I think I can live corded in this case |
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Post by huntsgemein on Aug 16, 2020 19:29:30 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with a corded solution. More power, less expense, no chance of having more job than battery power, against being stuck somewhere without a mains outlet.
Either a GKT 55 or MT 55 would be good choices. It's up to you & your budget which one is best.
Given that you've invested so heavily in the Bosch battery platform, it's going to be a VERY expensive exercise to change over to the Cordless Alliance range of tools.
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Post by alvychippy on Aug 16, 2020 22:37:47 GMT -5
Owned gkt55 for the whole two days, returned it, as it has fundamental flaw with its base.
Theres still a rumour, that Bosch is made by Mafell, but... tilt locking with one thumb turn makes load of a difference and be it or transportation issue, my base has been twisted. Later, I've learned that most Bosch'es are like it.
On a positive note for Bosch, loved the front handle (miss it on MT55) and lot cheaper, great 165mm expert blades.
Used/owned many other saws and perhaps due to my personal bad experience with DeWalt I'd never go back to cordless (or) DeWalt again, hence settled with MT55 and it's simply in the league of its own... and begun using 165mm blades, instead of genuine 162 as/ or the only realistic alternative made by KeyBlades.
Hope helps
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Post by alvychippy on Aug 16, 2020 23:37:07 GMT -5
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Aug 16, 2020 23:54:03 GMT -5
I heard on the Bosch that the screws are not tightened correctly at the factory. Loosening them and then tightening them equally has eliminated it from what I have read. I do not have personal experience with that saw, so take it for what it is worth. In the US, the Mafell is only a few dollars more than the Bosch, so it does not make sense to go to the Bosch route anyway.
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Post by aas on Aug 17, 2020 0:36:28 GMT -5
There are a few tools that Mafell make that are ahead of the competition... the MT55 is one of them. If you already have the rails, it's a no brainer.
Regarding the corded/cordless argument - 2x 5,5Ah batts and an ASC145 fast charger will keep up with you, no need to change your other tools as they're not on the same platform. Think of it more as opening a new door for the future - there are a lot of decent tools available on the CAS platform.
I have 3x plunge saws - MT55, MT55 18v, Makita 2x18v - the Mafell cordless is by far the most used, to the point the Makita may go. Even using with a vac with bluetooth switch on the hose cuff, it simplifies the work process not having the cord. If I could have just one, it would be the Mafell cordless.
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iban
Full Member
Posts: 111
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Post by iban on Aug 17, 2020 4:12:43 GMT -5
Used/owned many other saws and perhaps due to my personal bad experience with DeWalt I'd never go back to cordless (or) DeWalt again, hence settled with MT55 and it's simply in the league of its own... and begun using 165mm blades, instead of genuine 162 as/ or the only realistic alternative made by KeyBlades. Hope helps I have a bunch of 165mm blades from the gks 55 18v g. Have you done any adjustment on the Mafell to use 165 instead of 162? isn´t it risky? There is also the possibility of buying a Bosch, trying it deep and look for twisted base or wrong cut angles and return it if it´s a faulty unit Have any of you heard something about the cordless Bosch gkt? |
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Post by holmz on Aug 17, 2020 6:35:39 GMT -5
If one was in the U.K. & heavily stocked with Bosch batteries then it might make some sense to go for the Bosch.
Most of the sheet work I do is near an outlet, and a Bosch was be as hard to get as an Mt55 in Au.
but I got the Bosch braced do rails, so maybe the Bosch was available in country... it must have been.
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Post by alvychippy on Aug 17, 2020 6:49:28 GMT -5
Using 165 instead of 162 will cause superficial "damage" inside the saw. Changing of a blade is bit "messy" as door needs to be held half adjar... And mm readings become slightly inaccurate. You welcome to try, I personally wouldn't as per previously mentioned reasons, it is flawed in its design and actual base being different... New cordless had so far mixed reviews, critically all are saying cut finish being inferior to Mafell ... Have a look at this Even though everyone is adamant Mafell cordless is adequate, I will not believe it to be the case, I'm preferring "chained up" saws if not for prolonged reliable power delivery, then for additional weight of battery... |
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Post by aas on Aug 17, 2020 6:58:32 GMT -5
Even though everyone is adamant Mafell cordless is adequate, I will not believe it to be the case, I'm preferring "chained up" saws if not for prolonged reliable power delivery, then for additional weight of battery... I suppose it depends what you're cutting. I've read posts of a different colour tracksaw with users being unhappy it won't power through 55mm thick timber like their old sidewinder!.. and other users saying how powerful it is to cut 3/4" ply... I must admit I sold mine as it was underpowered in day to day use.
Your comment made me think - if you're sizing up sheet goods - they are rarely more than 22mm, and the cordless gives freedom and plenty of power. If I have to straight-line some timber (38mm for example) I would use the corded. My main use for the corded is for solid surface work - only 12mm but very tough... maybe I'd keep the corded after all!
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iban
Full Member
Posts: 111
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Post by iban on Aug 17, 2020 9:47:32 GMT -5
If one was in the U.K. & heavily stocked with Bosch batteries then it might make some sense to go for the Bosch. Most of the sheet work I do is near an outlet, and a Bosch was be as hard to get as an Mt55 in Au. but I got the Bosch braced do rails, so maybe the Bosch was available in country... it must have been. I´m in Spain. No problem in getting both. I already saw the video wich is nice but the Bosch isn´t tested with the apropiate battery. A procore 8ah would be a better option as the saw is supposed to work better with procore technology. in this video the guy test the saw with different batteries where the performance difference can be seen. |
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Post by alvychippy on Aug 18, 2020 11:13:24 GMT -5
Even though everyone is adamant Mafell cordless is adequate, I will not believe it to be the case, I'm preferring "chained up" saws if not for prolonged reliable power delivery, then for additional weight of battery... I suppose it depends what you're cutting. I've read posts of a different colour tracksaw with users being unhappy it won't power through 55mm thick timber like their old sidewinder!.. and other users saying how powerful it is to cut 3/4" ply... I must admit I sold mine as it was underpowered in day to day use.
Your comment made me think - if you're sizing up sheet goods - they are rarely more than 22mm, and the cordless gives freedom and plenty of power. If I have to straight-line some timber (38mm for example) I would use the corded. My main use for the corded is for solid surface work - only 12mm but very tough... maybe I'd keep the corded after all!
Rarely I am allowed or want to be cutting with a Bag, so once hose is connected- very little difference if its just a hose or hose and a cable. My dust extractors are all with auto-power take off. and believe you me I'm learning hard lesson "macho" about dust WILL get to you sooner or later. Most of my work has been custom joinery in certain closed environments and right now waiting for doctors appointments...(2 month wait time for lung scan alone) etc etc... Yes I still own that DewAlt battery one, still carry it about... the only good use for it for these days is for the edge trimming (15mm inside of the blade to the outside of the guard). Anything like 18mm marine ply it doesn't cut more than 10m of linear cut and end up up with a stop line, were I needed to change battery- freedom it is not In general, drills, drivers apart, I go by a rule "cordless tools is a DIY solution to industrial power supply problem" |
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Post by alvychippy on Aug 18, 2020 11:41:58 GMT -5
My main use for the corded is for solid surface work - only 12mm but very tough... maybe I'd keep the corded after all!
irrelevant , but TIP: I've had bit of a Trespa(minerva) nightmare of a job in 16mm... lots (has been) gone wrong. 1-Got to use absolute minimal speeds! (max torque tools needed) the thickness already had already been different, but rounding edges with router, that's what I've learned. Heating Minerva up- it expands in to inside. 2- next job in 20mm proven to be way easier to work with and blades (triple chip) are only as good as cheap flat tip 0* rake configuration ( "for aluminium"), speed 2 (slowly) and cuts were way better, than x3 cost triple chip blade cuts. (Alternative teeth configuration blades aren't suitable at all on solid surface tops) |
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