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Post by kraftt on Feb 8, 2021 12:01:54 GMT -5
Thanks to all for your input. I agree, the Festool rails are grippier. Not a big deal to me, if I'm making a critical cut I clamp the rail regardless of the brand. Having said that, I too would like to hear more about fitting the FT strips on Mafell rails. Not concerned about about abrasion to the bottom of the saw. Even with a few years of regular use mine show limited wear. In agreement that the Makita rail strip are better. I'm frequently working on site. Would rather not transport the long rail. Have not tried the TSO connecters, anyone here have any firsthand experience? Do wish there were more accessories for Mafell rails. Never tried cutting a 45* bevel with my Mafell saws on a FT rails. Annoyingly all four of my Mafell saws miss the rail by apx 2mm in this configuration. Fortunately I seldom need to do bevel cuts. I like the Mafell rails. They take up less space, the option to clamp near the cut is a big plus, joining them is painless. Having said that, based on peoples replies I may get the TSO connecters and give my Festool rails a go with my Mafell saws. Thanks, John Agree with clamping. Even when it’s not critical I sometimes clamp just so I can rough handle the cut or if scoring & then making a second pass etc. Otherwise the grip on maf/bosch rails seems fine during cut because of downward pressure. Hard to beat the simplicity of AeroFix too when circumstances have you cutting on the floor. |
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Post by alvychippy on Feb 8, 2021 13:16:46 GMT -5
I aught to come clean or to clarify my preference to use Mafell rails, if I wouldn't have had FesT ones already. Unclamped deflection doing a cut increases from potentially- to scoring or doing finishing cut absolute must. However, the saw feels more stable on a narrower Mafell track (less vibration on a bid load) during the cut and having good /perfect connection system - I would prefer Mafell (Bosch) system overall, whereas 1.6m and 0.8m rails are just enough for a 2.4m (8ft) sheets... Or I'd get another 1.6m Bosch rail and cut it to a 1.0m and 600mm to have every single length combination catered for. Back to TSO connectors, I swear to have read something like reasonable praise connecting FesT rails, still not as good as Mafell (Bosch) connection to have it done once and safe every single time without phaffing about. tsoproducts.com/accessories/grc-12-self-aligning-guide-rail-connectors/Unfortunately this board search function fails to be of any help to find it, hence gingerly I would suggest googling up "Festool forum TSO connector"- it's been discussed and ... slightly biased praise expressed there for them... However, if one decides to go from Mafell/Bosch rails as in to new FesT rail system, I'd recommend (never would've imagined possible) Makita rails for the lesser cost of initial purchase +TSO connectors, as FesT® connectors are poor, Makita ones aweful and rails in between are different by ever so minor parameters in-between - most notably guide channel ~0.75mm narrower and glide surface is 0.5mm lower... Using singles of each make- fine! Connecting in-between those two makes - no! If changing "from fresh" in to FesT style rails there were identical some German maker, who's rails are 100% identical to FesT® - ProTool® (defunct brand) and YouTool® (old Festo® style) available at SouterShop.com Lastly about accessories for both FesT and Mafell guide rails as squares, parrallel (repetitive) cutting MFT (table systems) and many other, there are couple of great "cottage industry type" manufacturers in UK fctools.co.uk/benchdogs.co.uk/ |
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Post by aas on Feb 8, 2021 13:18:40 GMT -5
Great idea. Does it change rail height? Do you take advantage of the single shallow channel and install just one strip or pull the maf/Bosch grip ribs out and abridge their slots? No change to rail height. There is a recess under the Mafell rail which is almost the right size, the Festool foam needs to be slightly stretched as it is stuck down and it goes in a treat.
I agree about clamping for important cuts; but I do a lot of quick cuts with a modified rail square and the grippier Festool strip works really well with this.
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Post by kraftt on Feb 8, 2021 17:06:50 GMT -5
Again, great idea. I'm guessing you keep the mafell/bosch grip ribs in place and they all play nice?  For clarification ... the Fest grip is better than Makita (?) / but the Makita splinter is better than the Fest (?) |
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Post by kraftt on Feb 8, 2021 17:35:19 GMT -5
Because the F-AFD plate is flexible one side can be lifted, when plate is engaged, and slid into place. I might experiment with cutting the Fest grip into short strips at one section of the rail, evenly spaced, to allow AeroFix (F-AFO) to be used and still benefit from Fest grip when Aero is not in use on rail. (AeroFest)  * for use with F-AFO on standard rails |
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iban
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Post by iban on Feb 8, 2021 18:11:25 GMT -5
I´ll share what I think but remember I´m not a pro nor very experienced.
I tried the Festool rail which came with the MFT in the Mt55 and where Festool track saws leans on both glide strips, the Mafell only leans on one.That made me think that the blade could be tilted and cuts would not be 90 degrees. One guy on YT changed the position of one of the strips to let the saw base make contact with both.
I simply sold the festool rail.
About sliding. Have you tried the dry lubricant Silbergleit? My rails weren´t specially dirty but I applied a bit of Silbergleit with a paper towel and man...! The cutting speed improved a lot... It looked like before applying that thing I was cutting with a teethless blade.
Speaking of TSO products. Have you tried the benchdogs.co.uk rail square? I do not use it a lot because with the MFT and some dogs you manage allright but that thin works well for large cuts and also for speed short cuts. With a very short rail and the rail square the mt55 could be some king of KSS300
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iban
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Post by iban on Feb 8, 2021 18:15:54 GMT -5
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Post by alvychippy on Feb 8, 2021 18:23:44 GMT -5
Again, great idea. Fest grip is better than Makita (?) / but the Makita splinter is better than the Fest (?) Strips: Glide strips - FesT seems, feels better quality, but about the double the price of Makita. Some Teflon/plastic/PU whatever both. Splinter guard - Makita is better, but will not last as long as FesT + sticking them on straight and to stay is bit challenging, ~1/3'rd cheaper. "Rubber" instead of "plastic" Grip strips - FesT, as they are little "firmer", will outlast Makita (again), but equally as grippy, 1/3'rd more expensive. "Foamy rubber" of FesT® is kinda denser, but equally soft... As it comes to strips, labour it takes to change them- the extra cost shouldn't be worth stressing over, except FesT splinter guard, that is about £18 ~$23US for 1.4m length and is easy to ruin changing it over or to have it peeling off in a month or so in very cold or hot environment. |
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Post by alvychippy on Feb 8, 2021 18:43:58 GMT -5
Need be registered to view story 🙄 |
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Post by kraftt on Feb 8, 2021 22:59:32 GMT -5
... About sliding. Have you tried the dry lubricant Silbergleit? My rails weren´t specially dirty but I applied a bit of Silbergleit with a paper towel and man...! The cutting speed improved a lot... It looked like before applying that thing I was cutting with a teethless blade ... Everything I've tried has had a very temporary effect, even lubricants not compatible for finishing. Cleaning the rails, high spots on saw base, and nylon adjustable shims seems to provide the best result for me. I would love it if something like Silbergleit works half as well as you say. I've heard that GlideCoat is also effective. |
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Post by kraftt on Feb 8, 2021 23:30:50 GMT -5
MSDS for - GildeCoat MSDS for S&D Silbergleit ---------------- While looking for drilling paste a few months back (as opposed to cutting oils that run) I came across: Wonder Slick Stick
The same search terms later pulled this up: Luster’s Slick Stick - for hair. It looks like ‘Wonders’ above just has this stuff tinted to another color and packaged in a white tube. Both MSDS’s were similar.
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Post by aas on Feb 9, 2021 0:28:22 GMT -5
Again, great idea. I'm guessing you keep the mafell/bosch grip ribs in place and they all play nice? For clarification ... the Fest grip is better than Makita (?) / but the Makita splinter is better than the Fest (?) Yes that's the one.
For the Mafell rails, I've not tried the Makita foam, the Festool works well and the idea was to improve the Mafell rails, so it was a no brainer to buy the Festool foam.
On the Festool rails, I find the Makita rubber outlasts the clear Festool strips, and of course we all know the well documented life of the glue Festool use.
I wait until sales come up and buy up 3 or 4 boxes of 3m for the Makita splinter strip and Festool foam strip.
I have thought about adding the Festool green strip on top, never got round to buying and trying, does anyone make one id red? :-)
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Post by holmz on Feb 9, 2021 3:58:49 GMT -5
Having heard about the great Betterly connects and the nice long 3m festool rails, etc...
I concluded that it mostly bullshit and sales pitches.
Hence I got some Bosch rails and Mafell connectors, clamps, and a rail bag.
I am bewildered as to how someone would intentionally choose a festool rail for a Mafell saw?
I could see trying a Mafell MT55 on a festool rail and either selling the MT55, or the Festool TS-55 or the Festool TS-75 (which was needed because their 55 wasn't powerful enough).
However I suppose if I was in a large shop then some 3M festool rail would seem to be handy.
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Post by aas on Feb 9, 2021 6:18:54 GMT -5
I am bewildered as to how someone would intentionally choose a festool rail for a Mafell saw? I get your point, but it depends on what you're doing. The extra width on the Festool rails is a very handy hold on - not needed all the time, but sometimes yes!.. it also takes accessories, like the very useful Gecko suction aids... I have two, on on a long and crucial cut, I have been known to clamp bith ends and put both Gecko's on the rail - and then use the MT55.
Of course, we're not all using the the same tools for the same jobs. RIpping down some ply or OSB flooring is not the same deal as trimming a panel or worktop that cost several thousand and a lot of time to make, or even worse 8 weeks delivery!...
I have rails from Mafell, Bosch, Festool, Virutex and use them all - and some Metabo junk rails that are hardly worth mentioning, except I used one yesterday to screw to a feature wall to trim out some wood for a repair. |
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Feb 9, 2021 9:36:03 GMT -5
aas: Thanks, that's a great idea. I'll be adding a strip to the rail I use with a rail square.
Kraft: Good points regarding AeroFix. I don't own one but its good to think ahead.
My sudden interest in using Mafell saws on Festool rails stems from the fact that: One, I own a lot of Festo & Festool rails. A lot. They sit forlornly, with pealing splinter guards. Two, I occasionally miss Parallel Guides.
It's good to have options. If the TSO connectors work well I may change the splinter guards and actually use my FT rails.
Thanks,
John
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