Like many, I carefully compared this with the competing Festool product, and I have zero regrets on my decision to go with Mafell. It is the center of my shop and workflow. The simple two-knob guide bar adjustment is fantastic. Moreover, the Mafell saw can be instantly converted to Festool tracks if needed, e.g., if you wish to use any of a variety of parallel guide rails.
Review by
Paul
Posted on
Fantastic saw
Overall Rating
100%
I'm building a home and using Richlite (phenolic resin/paper) panels for some cladding and other paneling, and of course they recommend using a track saw. While I had heard of track saws I never really saw a great need for one as I had pretty good assortment of tools already. First time using the MT55 changed my entire outlook on cutting wood. I find I use it for everything now. The cuts are perfect, and no dust. I've used it to rip and cut 8/4 thermally treated ash, 8/4 white oak with no burns, not issues at all. Even tougher, I used it to cut 3/4" Richlite and even three sheets of 5/16" Richlite at the same time and it never bogged down and that stuff is much harder to cut than wood. The cuts are like glass...better than the factory edge.
The track system is fantastic. Fast, perfectly aligned track lengths and the clamps are so easy to use. The track connectors are kind of crazy expensive, but totally worth it....perfectly straight cuts with three sections joined on 12' Richlite panels. I'd like to try the aerofix but really don't have a need to justify another purchase. Bevel cuts work great too. Perfectly straight and correct angle and no guessing at where the cut line will be.
The only downside is that it came in this weird box....Systainer?...so up to that point I had steered clear of pricey tools. Once I learned about Systainers I keep finding new ones I want. The MT55 and Sustainer were a "gateway" tool into what seems to be a very expensive path I'm on. I now own quite a few very expensive tools that came in those very expensive boxes and every time I say, "Why didn't I buy this 10 years ago?"
Review by
Cody
Posted on
Best Track Saw On The Market
Overall Rating
100%
I've tried the Bosch, Kreg, Festool, and Mafell. The Mafell is the best and it's not even close.
Review by
Ben
Posted on
Clean and accurate cuts compared to Festool
Overall Rating
100%
I live in a condo in an urban area, where my only work space is our roof deck (although currently building a house that will have a shop!). Therefore, I’m limited in the tools I can use, all of which need to be portable (combination of hand tools and power tools). My hobby is building furniture, so everything needs to be 100% flat and square. Last year I purchased a Festool TS 55 track saw. The saw would bog down when cutting through 8/4 and even 6/4 lumber, I had difficulty making long straight rip cuts (track connection couldn’t keep the tracks 100% straight), and making narrow rip cuts without a lot of fiddling was painful. So I pulled the trigger and bought the Mafell. What a difference! Consistent, clean, accurate cuts — and even narrow cuts due to two clamp slots in the track. Just finished building three table tops out of 6/4 walnut. Used only hand planes, a portable planer and the Mafell to flat and edge joint the boards. For cross cuts on my portable MFT I use the Mafell on my Festool track. The only issue is that the bench dogs that hold the track in place can interfere with the Mafell saw housing. TSO Products sells stubby bench dogs, which can be used to address the issue. They even sell tight fitting dogs for people (like me) who use the UJK Parf System to build the MFT (19mm holes). (They also sell a great parallel guide system, but it only works with Festool style tracks.). So now I have two saws, but rarely use the Festool. I use the Mafell for rip cuts and cross cuts. My one suggestion if you make rip cuts in hardwood is to buy the rip blade; the fine tooth blade will dull more quickly if you make a lot of rip cuts. The cut won’t be as glue ready, but you can easily put in the fine tooth blade and shave a 64th of an inch off the edge. For even better joints, I place two boards next to each other (with a small gap in between) on a saw horse (using a straight edge to make sure they are dead flat and even) and then do one pass between the boards with the track saw. You can do the same thing with a router, but I find it easier using the track saw. The cut won’t be as clean, but it’s barely noticeable. Considering buying the edge guide.
Review by
Howard
Posted on
I would put 6 stars if allowed!
Overall Rating
100%
This saw is amazing. Gang cut 4 layers of 1/2” Baltic Birch ply for cabinet drawers without missing a beat and cut was smooth and square across all layers. My previous saw always bogged down a bit and often burned (even with new blades) with that kind of cut.
Great saw and outstanding customer service from Timberwolf.
Review by
Dave
Posted on
Love the tool
Overall Rating
100%
Every time I crack open the case of the MT55cc, I get a silly grin on my face. I know it will probably void the warranty, but I’ll probably end up swapping out the power plug for a festool plug connector in the future.
Review by
Houman
Posted on
A joy and very quiet
Overall Rating
100%
I have been very pleased with the Mafell so far. It excels at making long clean rips to precise depths and dimensions and clean cross cuts as well with no tear-out. The thin blade is also very nice To work with. The smooth powerful current regulated motor is a joy and very quiet. The extraction system leaves very little clean up. Thumbs up for this purchase.
Review by
Lance N
Posted on
Completely changed the way I work
Overall Rating
100%
Well, I don't think it's a stretch to say the Mafell has completely changed the way I work. I've been building a miter saw cabinet with storage and the MT55cc has been my go-to for sheet material. The saw itself is fantastic and I'm so impressed with its power, accuracy and German engineering. I haven't even tried a lot of its features - in time!
When I started, I thought it would be used mainly for breakdown of sheets but after I got used to the setup, I now use it for most of my ripping and cross cuts of plywood. I saved a few dollars and bought a Bosch miter jig/rail, which has been a no brainer purchase and is 100% compatible. I still use my table saw for a lot of repetitive ripping of smaller stock but I've been surprised how much less it's needed. I have a few solid wood projects coming up, which will give me a chance to see another dimension of the saw.
I suppose my story is like many others. I think the Mafell still sits under the radar compared to Festool and Makita but I can't imagine those products being stronger.
I think I did read the scoring feature does change the kerf a bit but so far, I haven't had the need to use it.
Review by
Bill
Posted on
Glad I put out the big bucks
Overall Rating
100%
I’ve used it mainly on hardwoods on a Feestool table and track. I chose the Mafell because reviews stated that the festool track saw was not powerful enough for cutting/ripping thick hardwoods. I’ve used it on 6/4 teak with no problems. The cut and accuracy are great. Glad I put out the big bucks for the Mafell.
Review by
Mike Bryman
Posted on
Stoked
Overall Rating
100%
It’s working great. I’m a small home workshop but super stoked to have a better way to break down large sheets.