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Post by GhostFist on Jun 17, 2014 15:16:12 GMT -5
I'm not an elitist, I don't "poo poo" things that don't have a fancy sticker on them or don't cost a small fortune. But i have to vent a few frustrations with using Makita's tracksaw. I had to use one on this job I'm currently doing for hundreds of crosscuts and rips on some half inch crezon ply, 3/4 "D" grade ply, and 3/4 poplar ply. To start, this saw is under powered, even with a fresh out of the package makita blade I felt like I had to push too hard through the crezon. This problem was magnified when it came to ripping the poplar the blade would deflect away from my cutline creating a slight bevel. There is no speed control but it certainly wouldn't want any less. My little kss 300 laughs at jobs like this. Hell my P1cc could make flawless rips of this material and then some.
Second gripe, the cable. They have it angled away from the saw which at first seems like a good idea but I found it to be a nuisance more often than not, plus the bloody thing is barely 4' long! Who makes a saw like that?
This saw retails for $499 CAD with a 55" track and no case. Comparatively, the festool TS55 retails for $744 CAD with a 55" rail and a systainer. Makita's version of a systainer can be bought separately for 109$, so for $144 bucks more you would get a much better saw with the festool.
In short, I cannot recommend this product
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Post by fuzzylogic on Jun 17, 2014 16:07:56 GMT -5
Lol. Not a happy bunny then; but thanks for info.' Just curious - how come you had to use the Makita stuff? (hope things improve  ) Richard. |
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Post by 7 on Jun 18, 2014 23:43:52 GMT -5
I have a healthy amount of resentment for tools, or products in general, that don't function ideally. I can relate to your frustration, especially after being a bit spoiled with nice tools lately. I am also curious about how you got stuck with the makita, especially for so many cuts.
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Post by fuzzylogic on Jun 19, 2014 1:59:38 GMT -5
Very true 7. Isn't a laughing matter really. Sort of thing do over a pint, while someone still steaming over whatever.
(Apologies GhostFist.)
Reminds me of the odd occasion where, because you're being held up, you say 'let me do it.'
Then they look amazed at how quickly and easily you're done something - their head knows it, but still reluctant to believe it.
That's a hell of a lot of cuts to make with a tool you're know isn't the best for the job.
Richard.
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Post by mick on Jun 19, 2014 3:56:50 GMT -5
That is a shame it dose sound pretty bad I have quite a few makita tools 5 circular saws only one I don't like very under powdered saying that since I got the 400 they don't see the light of day only if I need the bigger saw or on some jobs where every one seems to think it is a free for all
Anyway it is a shame makita seem to have made a bad job of this saw and you will have a big smile when you are using your 300 next
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Post by GhostFist on Jun 19, 2014 4:43:01 GMT -5
I'm probably making it all sound worse than it is, because like a lot of you I've been spoiling myself with the good stuff. The blade deflection thing is the worst, I've never seen that before. Job done, about 700 sheets. I still pushed through them rather quickly, I just get frustrated with being slowed down even a fraction of a second by some finicky stupidity on the tool. The saw was good enough for our application. I even dummied some real simple jigs for repeat cuts just by screwing a couple of stops to our work benches to butt the rails up to
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Post by mick on Jun 19, 2014 5:00:14 GMT -5
Wow 700 sheets last time I even came close to cutting that many sheets at a time was with a cnc fork lift a bail on sit back fork lift them off no wonder you where frustrated hope you can manage to get a photo of the job
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Post by GhostFist on Jun 19, 2014 5:28:53 GMT -5
Again, it's a film in production so I'm under contract not to post photos of it. Maybe after it's released I can post a clip.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jun 19, 2014 11:06:10 GMT -5
Just curious after the film is done, does any of the stuff get reused or is it all chucked in the skip
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Post by GhostFist on Jun 19, 2014 11:26:47 GMT -5
Crew will pilfer what we can.the d grade which I cross cut the lot to 89 25/32" is reusable the poplar is getting coated with mastic and getting a layer of linoleum so that's poached. But ya a lot goes in the bin. Very wasteful. At the same time, guys are building their homes with what's good.
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dutch
New Member
Posts: 15 
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Post by dutch on Jun 30, 2014 12:26:20 GMT -5
Ive used the Makita and owned 2 festool ts55 and now have the mt55. My festools had a lot of use and one of the worst features was the rails. The green anti friction strips would wear groves into the saws base and then the saw didn't sit at 90 degrees on the rail. With the Makita the rail wasn't long enough to cut a 1200mm wide sheet properly. It didn't have enough overhang to engage the adjustment gibs before starting the cut. No problems so far with the mafell but only had it a couple of months.
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Post by GhostFist on Jun 30, 2014 12:59:10 GMT -5
Wow, first I've heard of wear on the base with the festool saws. One of the main reasons i went with mafell over festool was the tracks and how they joined. After using mine for a while I've had no complaints thus far. Mind you it hasn't been used as extensively as my other saws.
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Post by jalvis on Jul 1, 2014 23:03:10 GMT -5
The Festool track saw is a great value but the Mafell is the best track saw. You pick whats important. It really comes down to the details and overall use.
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Post by myupholsterer on Jul 17, 2014 20:19:33 GMT -5
I'm one of those guys that buys things and usually has buyers remorse because I later find something better on the market. However these $1200 + dollars have been a pleasure to spend. I can truly say that I finally have in my shop a Machine that none other can top. I find my self trying to sell to my clients more and more furniture where I can use my MT55CC but it's only a trickle. So I have no other choice but to schedule a couple of weeks of my time and build new kitchen cabinets for my wife. she's going to go crazy thinking that I love her and all, not knowing that I'm doing that just so I can put some good long hours using my baby (MT55CC)LOL. Absolutely no regrets here.
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