jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on May 11, 2015 19:30:23 GMT -5
No Jack, it can't. Really sounds like you should get the TS55 - it's still a damn good saw. Not as good as the MT55, but way ahead of the others in my opinion. If you did get a TS55, I'd get some Makita splinter strip and use that instead of the Festool one. Again, nowhere near the F Track, but better than the Festool strip. Thanks Lincoln, I just sent Timberwolf a request for a quote for the MT-55cc and accessories. I need to see what it will cost to have that delivered to my shop in California and I'll compare that to the Festool saw along with the Makita connector rails, etc. I don't mind paying a premium for the top tool but, it has to be within reason before I can justify the cost. I just offered to build my youngest son some kitchen cabinets so I will have to resolve this very soon. Thanks for your input. Jack
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Post by toomanytoys on May 11, 2015 20:46:49 GMT -5
Agreed about wishing they had the same package arrangement as others. I came real close to getting the Bosch setup out of England and saving some money. I think TW is missing a huge oportunity here if they could leverage the current exchange rate with a package deal and get more exposure in the US market for Mafell and themselves.
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jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on May 11, 2015 20:55:36 GMT -5
Agreed about wishing they had the same package arrangement as others. I came real close to getting the Bosch setup out of England and saving some money. I think TW is missing a huge oportunity here if they could leverage the current exchange rate with a package deal and get more exposure in the US market for Mafell and themselves. I agree and with the new cordless Festrool TSC 55 coming out with a onboard duct bag there are more solutions for light duty sheet good breakdown. I already own the Festool T-18 drill so I have the batteries needed for the new cordless saw and that saw is available (without batteries and track) for $465 with free shipping! Since I own the batteries and charger I can get into a cordless and hose free package for less than $700 USD for the saw and tracks. Jack
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jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on May 11, 2015 21:06:23 GMT -5
Agreed about wishing they had the same package arrangement as others. I came real close to getting the Bosch setup out of England and saving some money. I think TW is missing a huge oportunity here if they could leverage the current exchange rate with a package deal and get more exposure in the US market for Mafell and themselves. I agree and with the new cordless Festrool TSC 55 coming out with a onboard duct bag there are more solutions for light duty sheet good breakdown. I already own the Festool T-18 drill so I have the batteries needed for the new cordless saw and that saw is available (without batteries and track) for $465 with free shipping! Since I own the batteries and charger I can get into a cordless and hose free package for less than $969 USD for the saw 106" and 55" tracks and clamps. Jack
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Post by lincoln on May 11, 2015 21:11:19 GMT -5
Jack, do you already have a mobile dust extractor/vacuum? I don't think a dust bag is really going to cut it, in a workshop. I see the TSC55 as a site tool.
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jacko
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jacko on May 11, 2015 21:43:07 GMT -5
Jack, do you already have a mobile dust extractor/vacuum? I don't think a dust bag is really going to cut it, in a workshop. I see the TSC55 as a site tool. I do have the Festool CT22 which along with my Oneida UDD is a very good system. I was just thinking if I had a saw that I didn't have tethered to wires and hoses it might be a lot easier to use. I like the design of the MT-55cc but it is almost twice the cost of the Festool saw and track system due to the "a la carte" pricing at Timberwolf. Jack
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Post by MrToolJunkie on May 11, 2015 23:08:13 GMT -5
Well it really comes down to what you value. Price is just one component of getting one tool over the other. I am intrigued by the new battery 55 and initially thought...meh, not for me. But then I started thinking about how convenient it would be in certain applications and it has me thinking. So, I very well might get one and go that direction instead of the Mafell - cost-wise it is about the same with batteries and I already own a full complement of rails.
Now - in terms of price, you are really only spending a few hundred more for Mafell verses Festool. The question is over the long run is that really going to matter - more than likely not and something you will not even remember in a few years time. The question I try to ask is does this tool provide me with value? Is it safer, faster, easier to use, better quality, better ergonomics, more power, etc...?
Consider the ease of putting rails together, the ability to have a squaring arm for the Mafell (that is not even available on Festool), the anti-splinter guard on the rail being superior to Festool, the accessories you can get for the Mafell that are not even available on Festool like the Aerofix guide rail and position indicator and you can start to see some of the differences. The rails also allow clamping right at the cut edge which really aids certain applications. The the saw itself is more powerful, better motor, scoring functionality and much better dust extraction.
The pluses for Festool are more distributors, 30 day trial, parallel guide options (which are not available for Mafell rails) and slightly lower cost. There are also some other accessories, some gimmicky and others work OK. I have a TS75 and I really like it, but the MT55 is a tool I have wanted to add to my arsenal for some time. The Festool TS55 to me as always seemed under powered and struggles in thicker cuts. Blade selection can help, but it feels like it just needs a little bit more oomph. The TS75 overall works pretty darn well and only occasionally does it feel under powered.
Personally if you are on the fence about a track saw to start I would push you to Festool just so you can take advantage of the 30 day trial and see if it works for you and in your shop. However, my guess is that you will wonder how or why you did things without one and if that is the case, I think that the Mafell is the all around best one on the market today. Buy once and cry once but appreciate the things Mafell brings into the package.
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Post by holmz on May 12, 2015 4:08:45 GMT -5
Jack, do you already have a mobile dust extractor/vacuum? I don't think a dust bag is really going to cut it, in a workshop. I see the TSC55 as a site tool. I do have the Festool CT22 which along with my Oneida UDD is a very good system. I was just thinking if I had a saw that I didn't have tethered to wires and hoses it might be a lot easier to use. I like the design of the MT-55cc but it is almost twice the cost of the Festool saw and track system due to the "a la carte" pricing at Timberwolf. Jack It was easier for me as I did not have anything Festool for their rail system... Just their MFT, CT-26, DX93 and Domino. I got the Bosch rails which should be here this week. 2x1600, 1x1100, 1x angle job, and a bag. Cheaper than the Mafell ones and the same as far as I understand... But I got a Mafell rail connector and some extra red Mafell splinter trim for them to "tart them up". If you wanted 220v then the options are easier as they sell those in Germany, if you want 110v then the you surely use Timberwolf. The prices from Germany may be worth consideration... I do not think that an automatic vacuum works with a transformer plugged into it between the vacuum and the saw. (It did not on my CT-26) with a 110 polisher. I like the idea of 220v. The only thing better would be if it was ~400-Hz. Are the wires an issue? Usually it takes me longer to set up and get ready (measure twice, and still swear)... than it is does to move wire and turn on the vacuum.
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