harry
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 12:10:56 GMT -5
Hi I'm Harry,
I'm new to the forum, and think it's fantastic!, there is tons of good info on here, so glad I came across it. Well done to the guys who set it up.
Here is my dilemma, I'm planning a change in career, which is building my own motorhome/camper van conversions, I will be using a specific type of material and wanted the best track saw for the job (im trying to eliminate a table saw altogether possible).
The majority of material I'll be using is a:
High glossed,15 MM. ILOMBA (or Formica) Veneered lightweight plywood in 8x4 sheets.
So obviously the immaculate clean cuts are paramount.. Not to mention its too bloody expensive to mess up!.
My gut is telling me to go with the MT55, it just seems "a bit of me" as in the look and apparent build quality, my only reservation is I can hardly find anything out about the bloody thing!!?, I've never physically seen one, and it's internet presence is a bit crap if I'm honest. I think there are only a tiny handful of UK suppliers (although I now see Screwfix are stocking them), which makes me worry about after sales, also being old school I like to be able to go back to a shop if I've got a problem or want accessories.
So my other obvious option is the TS 55, which to me seems inferior to the MT but tops it when it comes to my concerns above.
The advantage I have I suppose is, I'll be building up my kit collection virtually from scratch (It's not going to be overnight, I'm just a working lad, so it's going to be work a bit spend a bit. I'm hoping to be completely set up and ready to go by the end of 2016/ early 17).
I'm also in the market for some routers one table mounted ( I think just a big Trend) and another for free hand, this one WILL be Festool, I think just a OF1400 will suffice, but would like anyone's thoughts on that as well?.
Ultimately it all comes down to what is going to be the best machine(s) for my specific needs?.
If anyone can give me any type of pointers or advise, to say I would appreciate it would be an understatement . Cheers!
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Post by reflector on Aug 2, 2016 12:45:06 GMT -5
On the plywood and being worried about cut quality:
Painters tape (Insurance)
The right blade and geometry (I'm pretty sure the stock blade on the TS55 and MT55 are plenty fine. I went out of my way to figure other options for myself. Between TCG and some of the really exotic shear face geometry blades you've got an entire world of options to explore at this point)
Clamp the rails down at both ends
Cut backwards at 1-2mm for a scoring cut (The MT55cc has the preset adjuster, the TS55 you'd just manually set the height)
Cut forwards with a steady, moderate consistent feed rate afterwards at proper depth of cut
You should have super clean cuts that way, the scoring cut should be enough but you can go with painters tape just as insurance for chipout.
As for the MT55cc: IMO, it seems like it is from another world in terms of quality. Played with some demo TS55REQ before and they don't have that same feeling of build quality in my hand. Regardless I am plenty sure that it will do exactly what you need out of it since a lot of people are happy with their TS55s. Heard a little iffiness happens with the TS55R but there's plenty of users that would say otherwise.
Also if you go with the Mafell rail route, since you're in the UK you should be able to get the Bosch router rail adapter, so you can put the OF1400 onto it.
Best of luck with whatever option you pick.
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Post by GhostFist on Aug 2, 2016 15:04:07 GMT -5
There seems to be more and more mafell uk popping up but that's just from what I gather from internet presence (mafell uk have an instagram thing and they keep posting different store displays). Mind you, I'm in Canada and who knows how much of the internet is just absolute lies? We do have a few forum members from all corners of the United kingdom so I'm certain they can better advise for local availability. I won't knock the festool as loads of people use and love the ts55, but in my case I chose the MT55 despite rarer availability up here in Canada's tropics mainly because of better build quality better functionality (at the time of purchase, the ts55 could not do 48 or -1 degree beveling and had not on the rail/off the rail guage. This has since been updated) the scoring feature I liked and rapid blade change. Some of these features may seem trivial, and I'm sure either saw will perform excellent.
that being said I feel mafell/bosch rails are far superior, it all comes down to personal preference at the end of it ultimately. hopefully the uk lads will chime in and steer yout owards a trust worthy dealer in your hood where you can get some hands on.
Welcome to the forum!
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Post by holmz on Aug 2, 2016 15:34:54 GMT -5
It is all about the rails for me, so the MT55 ot Bosch GKT55. And I had an Mt55 flown in from the old country.
You may still need a tablesaw...
The wok sounds like a stint doing boat fit out could be a useful?
Reminds me a that I went to motor show in LA a few years ago. The supermodels were draped over the hammers and dodges, and were a sight to bewilling to be held.
Then...
I stumbled around to the Morgan area and this young woman (not in a high skirt) was there and I asked what she knew about the cars.... I got a 1\4 hour abut her starting out doing wooden dash boards and interiors, and electrical, I was impressed.
Anyhow... There is a probably a lot of related work... Boats, planes, cars, trains
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Aug 2, 2016 18:09:59 GMT -5
Hi welcome to the forum where abouts are you based in the uk
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 19:04:19 GMT -5
On the plywood and being worried about cut quality: Painters tape (Insurance) The right blade and geometry (I'm pretty sure the stock blade on the TS55 and MT55 are plenty fine. I went out of my way to figure other options for myself. Between TCG and some of the really exotic shear face geometry blades you've got an entire world of options to explore at this point) Clamp the rails down at both ends Cut backwards at 1-2mm for a scoring cut (The MT55cc has the preset adjuster, the TS55 you'd just manually set the height) Cut forwards with a steady, moderate consistent feed rate afterwards at proper depth of cut You should have super clean cuts that way, the scoring cut should be enough but you can go with painters tape just as insurance for chipout. As for the MT55cc: IMO, it seems like it is from another world in terms of quality. Played with some demo TS55REQ before and they don't have that same feeling of build quality in my hand. Regardless I am plenty sure that it will do exactly what you need out of it since a lot of people are happy with their TS55s. Heard a little iffiness happens with the TS55R but there's plenty of users that would say otherwise. Also if you go with the Mafell rail route, since you're in the UK you should be able to get the Bosch router rail adapter, so you can put the OF1400 onto it. Best of luck with whatever option you pick. |
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 19:17:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. that is some pretty good advise, cheers.
one crucial point i forgot to mention is, the ply is veneered on BOTH sides, so will i get an equally clean cut on the underside?.
Yeah i just get that same opinion of the MT55, it just looks a more quality bit of kit.
That would be perfect, but i have read that the OF1400 is incompatible with the Bosch adapter?, or maybe thats changed now.
Cheers mate
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 19:21:15 GMT -5
There seems to be more and more mafell uk popping up but that's just from what I gather from internet presence (mafell uk have an instagram thing and they keep posting different store displays). Mind you, I'm in Canada and who knows how much of the internet is just absolute lies? We do have a few forum members from all corners of the United kingdom so I'm certain they can better advise for local availability. I won't knock the festool as loads of people use and love the ts55, but in my case I chose the MT55 despite rarer availability up here in Canada's tropics mainly because of better build quality better functionality (at the time of purchase, the ts55 could not do 48 or -1 degree beveling and had not on the rail/off the rail guage. This has since been updated) the scoring feature I liked and rapid blade change. Some of these features may seem trivial, and I'm sure either saw will perform excellent. that being said I feel mafell/bosch rails are far superior, it all comes down to personal preference at the end of it ultimately. hopefully the uk lads will chime in and steer yout owards a trust worthy dealer in your hood where you can get some hands on. Welcome to the forum! |
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 19:54:39 GMT -5
There are a few, just not in my area, but yeah hopefully some members can point me in the best direction.
yeah i'm sure the Festool TS55 is an amazing bit of kit (thousands of people cant be wrong), but for me personally seems to have the edge, apart from all of the elements you have already mentioned, i can just tell the build quality will be superior, and i haven't even held one in my hands yet.. however i think that is due to the kit that i use in my current trade, diamond Stihl saws, various angle grinders,breakers,mini diggers etc.. an MT55 wouldn't look out of place on my job site, but the TS probably would?, with its bright greens knobs etc.
sounds crazy and it is, its totally irrelevent thinking, because neither would be on my current job site at the moment (yes i'm weird! haha).
But i am sure the TS55 would be more than able to cater to my specific needs and more.
But i'm also liking what i have read numerous times about the Mafell guide rails.
Cheers mate!, good to be here
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 20:18:45 GMT -5
It is all about the rails for me, so the MT55 ot Bosch GKT55. And I had an Mt55 flown in from the old country. You may still need a tablesaw... The wok sounds like a stint doing boat fit out could be a useful? Reminds me a that I went to motor show in LA a few years ago. The supermodels were draped over the hammers and dodges, and were a sight to bewilling to be held. Then... I stumbled around to the Morgan area and this young woman (not in a high skirt) was there and I asked what she knew about the cars.... I got a 1\4 hour abut her starting out doing wooden dash boards and interiors, and electrical, I was impressed. Anyhow... There is a probably a lot of related work... Boats, planes, cars, trains Hi mate. how does the GKT55 stack up to the mafell.. or Festool for that matter, do you know?. i did think about one, but discarded it (for no apparent reason come to think of it). I'm hoping i just might manage without a table saw, almost lost a digit as a stupid teen, never been keen since. although i do work with almost every other potentially dangerous power tools and machinery on a daily basis!. Could be very useful mate, problem is i nothing about boats!, i know Motorhomes pretty well, i've restored plenty of them in the past. but who know where the future might take us! Cheers pal |
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 2, 2016 20:20:32 GMT -5
Hi welcome to the forum where abouts are you based in the uk Cheers pal!. i'm staffordshire |
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Post by holmz on Aug 3, 2016 6:05:25 GMT -5
It is all about the rails for me, so the MT55 ot Bosch GKT55. And I had an Mt55 flown in from the old country. You may still need a tablesaw... The wok sounds like a stint doing boat fit out could be a useful? Reminds me a that I went to motor show in LA a few years ago. The supermodels were draped over the hammers and dodges, and were a sight to bewilling to be held. Then... I stumbled around to the Morgan area and this young woman (not in a high skirt) was there and I asked what she knew about the cars.... I got a 1\4 hour abut her starting out doing wooden dash boards and interiors, and electrical, I was impressed. Anyhow... There is a probably a lot of related work... Boats, planes, cars, trains Hi mate. how does the GKT55 stack up to the mafell.. or Festool for that matter, do you know?. i did think about one, but discarded it (for no apparent reason come to think of it). I'm hoping i just might manage without a table saw, almost lost a digit as a stupid teen, never been keen since. although i do work with almost every other potentially dangerous power tools and machinery on a daily basis!. Could be very useful mate, problem is i nothing about boats!, i know Motorhomes pretty well, i've restored plenty of them in the past. but who know where the future might take us! Cheers pal If you want to use Mafell/Bosch rails then the GTK is second best. But probably more than enough. There are heaps of online reviews and videos. One could say similar about Bosch jigsaws as they may also fit on a Bosch fail, and the Bosch "LR 32" is called and "FSN/OFA" or something like that. So I would suggest a GTK55 over the TS55, based upon no knowledge other than the rails. again with no solid knowledge... It is as good and cheaper than a TS55, and the TS55 is not as good as an MT55 but it is cheaper. I would try to get paws on one, as you are close to civilisation.  |
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harry
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by harry on Aug 3, 2016 6:37:47 GMT -5
You make some very valid points there Holmz.
As much as Bosch and Festool seem as two cracking bits of kit, I can't help but feel that if I chose either one over the MT 55, I would be short changing myself a bit, especially after all of the long term budgeting and sacrifice I've put in, in order to save the pennies!.
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Post by holmz on Aug 3, 2016 7:20:44 GMT -5
Did you suffer through the video? I would try to find if there are any MT55 and GTK55 nearby, and then drag some wood down and give then a whirl. In the centre of down under I just ordered the MT55, but I did not have any easy choices except the TS55. Someone here or on FOG had a GTK and rated it pretty good... Plenty of power, etc. I think the Bosch variant has the motor and electronic made by Mafel, and missing a couple of MT55 features... So you need to figure out whether those specific features ones that you need (or maybe just want)? www.woodworkforums.com/archive/index.php/t-188365.htmlmafell-users-forum.freeforums.net/thread/496/differences-btw-mafell-bosch-gkt |
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Post by erik on Aug 3, 2016 7:22:02 GMT -5
Hey Harry,
Check out ToolStop UK for the Bosch rail kit - They are identical and made by mafell but cost much less with a Bosch sticker on them.
Obviously, must of us arrived at here after migrating up through other brands, to talk about the highest quality tools. They do saws right, MT 55 with scoring function and blade kerf - outstanding for sheet goods.
Trend has limited market exposure in the USA, but I read good things. Triton, out of AU, had the best value router, according to forum chatter six years ago for a big fixed router. Things may have changed but they are worth a look.
Fixed router needs a user friendly lift mechanism, a good table, a great fence and even better dust collection if you're going to using those big bits on compressed sheet goods. Incra, MLCS, Woodpeckers
Freehand router, 1400 is pricey but it can handle a wide range applications and it does have dust collection. Other manufactures are incorporating DC but I have no experience with these newer products.
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