Timberwolf Tools Trends

Taking orders from thousands of customers like you each year puts us in a special position to notice industry trends: woodworking niches that are in high demand, clever ways to save money on tools, best solutions for cutting popular lumber types, and new products being released by manufacturers & third parties. Here’s a handful of recent trends and updates we’re seeing at Timberwolf Tools—with the hope that several will be beneficial to your work!

Cross-Laminated Timbers

We’ve seen a huge increase in customers using Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). These often massive timbers require powerful specialty tools to prepare them for metal plate joinery. For example, customers are using the Mafell LS 103Ec Slot Mortiser and Mafell LO 65Ec Hand Router to conceal Rothoblaas ALUMIDI brackets in CLT and glulam beams. Here's a video demonstrating the concept:

But CLT presents a unique challenge: every cut involves some ripping, which would normally put too much load on a chainsaw or router. With routing tools such as the Mafell NFU 50 Groove Cutter, you can alleviate this issue by doing one pass at half depth, and then following up with a second pass at full depth. For chainsaw ripping, we recommend the Mafell ZSX TWIN Ec Chain Beam Saw which uses two motors to cut the amps drawn in half (this saw requires a shop that can run two 230V tools at the same time).

KSS Cross-Cutting Saws as Fine-Cutting Track Saws

Historically our fine woodworking customers fall into two groups: those who prioritize speed (KSS Saws) and those who demand precision (Plunge Saws). In a perfect world you would have one of each saw, but money does not grow on trees! So to have the best of both worlds, many folks are opting for a fast "KSS" Cross-Cutting Saw paired with the Mafell Guide Rail System and an extra blade of the highest tooth count:

Mafell KSS 80Ec/370 and 56T Blade
Mafell KSS 60cc and 56T Blade
Mafell KSS 50cc and 56T Blade
Mafell KSS 40 18M bl and 40T Blade

Hardwood Blades Better Than Ever

Over time, more and more Mafell Z5Ec 12" Portable Band Saw users prefer using Hardwood-Cutting Blades because of their amazing performance not just in Oak but also in Douglas Fir. You might have heard that these blades were no longer available from Europe starting in 2023, but Timberwolf Tools immediately searched for an alternative here in the States and we happened upon a perfect blade with the exact same measurements and tooth profile. After rigorous testing by Timberwolf Tools and some of our top customers, we reported our positive findings to Mafell and they gave us their blessing to sell these blades for the Z5Ec with a SKU# of 092333-US.

Not only do these new blades perform just as well as the old ones, but we are able to sell them individually (instead of 10-packs) at a slightly lower price because of how we purchase them. They fit easily in small FedEx 2-Day boxes and paks, so we recommend Z5Ec users add a few to their next order and give them a try—they will not disappoint!

Guide Rails and Straightedges

Mafell offers two different guide rail systems for making precise long cuts: one that we sell every day (Guide Rail System F) and one that we import less often (Guide Rail System ZK).

The “ZK” guide rails (named after the Mafell ZK 115Ec Notch Cutter) are only for the largest Mafell saws and groove cutters, using the tool’s rip fence to connect with the rails via Adapters. One advantage is that you don’t lose any cutting depth with the Guide Rail ZK (9.8') whereas you lose ~1/4” of cutting depth when using an F 160 Guide Rail (5.2'). But in all other respects, the newer Guide Rail System F is superior due to its price point, ease of use, anti-splintering, and how it protects your workpiece from damage.

We currently have both guide rail systems in stock. The “F” guide rails are a must-have for making long cuts with the smaller Mafell saws and routers. But with larger Mafell tools, some customers save money by running their rip fence along a straightedge of their own making, as Canadian Timberframes Ltd does with their Mafell MKS 185Ec Circular Saw in the following video:

Dust Collection Innovations

While Mafell continues to innovate and release new products, there are instances where customers like you find clever solutions to common needs such as dust collection. Recently our friends at Visionary Timber Frames LLC in North Carolina developed a prototype adapter for the Mafell LS 103Ec Chain Mortiser that collects 80-90% of dust and never clogs (so long as the vacuum is running). If you are interested in purchasing one of these adapters for your shop, please let us know and we would be happy to connect you with the right person.

Dust collection is important not just for your health, but also for seeing your work as you operate a tool. One of Mafell's goals is to offer adapters so that all of their tools can be used with a vacuum. They most recently released the ZSX-AA for chain beam saws and the ZH-RS for planers, and we’ll keep you posted as more become available!

Two Weeks Until Makita Price Increase

On June 1st, Makita tool prices will increase by an average of 11% and parts/accessories will increase by an average of 8%. Unfortunately this is the third price increase by Makita USA in the last year due to various market factors impacting all aspects of their global supply chain. We hope that notifications like these will happen less and less in the future, but in the meantime the best way to protect yourself against inflation is to stock up at the lower prices now.