Makita or Festool Plunge Saw
- Thread starter Petey83
- Start date
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petermillard
Established Member
Can't say for sure (I don't have the parallel guides) but I don't think so - the 'anti-tipping lip' on the Makita rails gets in the way of all the Festool accessories I have.david123":1yxjnm14 said:
HTH Pete
david123
Established Member
Thanks Peter
I have just read a post on another forum saying just that, the guy in there ripped of the locking lip. Don't think I will go along that route.
It was just a thought. Thanks for the imput.
I have just read a post on another forum saying just that, the guy in there ripped of the locking lip. Don't think I will go along that route.
It was just a thought. Thanks for the imput.
To everyone who received mended the festool to me.....I hate you! I am now stairing down the barrel is of financial ruin as all my makita, metabo and bosxh blue kit just does not feel a s right as the festool does.
It really is just the minute details with festool that make the difference.
It really is just the minute details with festool that make the difference.
Must say the domino does look good but not for me right now. May treat myself to a drill driver as I only have the one cordless drill driver and obviously you need to to save time changing from drill to screw bits. 
Also on a different note.... Appealed at my phones auto correct and predictive word performance on my last post! (hammer)
Also on a different note.... Appealed at my phones auto correct and predictive word performance on my last post! (hammer)
It's done it again to you
RogerS
Established Member
Festool without a doubt. I'm off Makita. I have two of their battery drills and the chucks are lousy. No response to my enquiries on how to improve them/make them work better. Just bought a Festool CXS battery drill....superb bit of kit...registered my 3 year warranty online..couple of days later I get my formal certificate by post from Germany.
I had a couple of Makita SCMS..both went back as the sliding rails felt as if they were running on grit.
EDIT: Read to the end of the thread before replying!
Good choice on getting the Festool. Their CXS driver is the best battery drill that I have ever bought. In my time I've been through three green Bosch, a DeWalt angle drill (I can sell that now I have the angle attachment that comes with the CXS), two Makitas (see above) and the CXS is the nicest to use. Really is the DB's and seriously thinking about buying another.
I personally have not felt any need for the clamps. I find the strips under the guide rails grip well. Lastly do not waste your money on the guide rail angle thingie. It is the one thing that Festool have made that is rubbish.
I had a couple of Makita SCMS..both went back as the sliding rails felt as if they were running on grit.
EDIT: Read to the end of the thread before replying!
Good choice on getting the Festool. Their CXS driver is the best battery drill that I have ever bought. In my time I've been through three green Bosch, a DeWalt angle drill (I can sell that now I have the angle attachment that comes with the CXS), two Makitas (see above) and the CXS is the nicest to use. Really is the DB's and seriously thinking about buying another.
I personally have not felt any need for the clamps. I find the strips under the guide rails grip well. Lastly do not waste your money on the guide rail angle thingie. It is the one thing that Festool have made that is rubbish.
david123
Established Member
Perhaps you where unlucky, or I have been lucky, but my makita and rails have performed superbly over the last year or so since I've had them.
I've had the Makita for a good few years now and it has been almost faultless. The only problem i've had was that the rubber "handle" on the depth of cut limiter (which you use for climb cutting) came off - no big deal though, simply epoxied it back in place.
Cheers
Karl
Cheers
Karl
RogerS":3k5371rd said:
You are obviously less ham fisted than me Roger. Most of the time I find the grippy stuff just fine, but if you accidentally knock the rail with your hip, or saw a piece that has a rough surface so that the rail isn't in contact all the way along and across, it is easy to wreck a piece of wood that is worth more than the cost of 2 x makita rail clamps. DAMHIKT
david123
Established Member
Lol I had to glue mine on to Karl
Mark-numbers
Established Member
Festool aren't the quality they used to be, there are better quality tools out there, however ever they still remain at the forefront of new innovations.
The TS55 has a small drop down riving knife, where as the makita doesn't (or didn't the last time i looked) - This i believe makes the festool standout between the 2 saws.
The TS55 has a small drop down riving knife, where as the makita doesn't (or didn't the last time i looked) - This i believe makes the festool standout between the 2 saws.
chippy1970
Established Member
Lol my first purchase was the ts55 back in 2007 I've now got a stack of systainers about 4m high or morePetey83":qlwariok said:
plus kapex and a few other bits and Bob's.Welcome to the green slope :lol:
HOJ
Established Member
As a new member to the forum, apologies if this all seems biased:
But I would like to share my experience of the Festool range; I work principally in Oak Joinery, and generally buy waney edge boards to optimize my yield.
I am fortunate to have good sized and well equipped fixed machine workshop, with investments over the years in some heavy duty equipment.
Several years ago i was bitten by my Sedgwick TA 415 saw, and therefore had a rethink.
I invested initially in the Festool TS55 and guide rail system, (with limitations) and now take the saw to the wood, not the wood to the saw, which has transformed my process, my philosophy is "Work smarter not harder".
I can cut limitless lengths as I have the longest rails Festool supply and connect add on's to these, if needed.
I then bought the TS75 to be able to cut thicker boards,(again with limitations) and in the event I need thicker timber than the depth of cut allows,
I flip the boards over and cut through from the other side, I use a Festool extractor which keeps everything remarkably clean.
I have over the years had all the various alternative makes of tools, and work alongside Carpenters, Joiners and builders who still use them,
with all agreeing the Festool system offers a more comprehensive solution to productivity.
I also have the OF1400 & 2200 routers, Domino XL(my favorite tool), Rotex 90 & 150 sanders,the Kapex KS120 saw, jigsaw, and a comprehensive range of accessories,
the LR32 system, the parallel guides mentioned before by Stu_2, which i also use regularly, as well as Dewalt, Makita and Bosch items.
I have thought about the MFT3, but decided it was not robust enough for my needs, instead I have made the Ron Paulk bench and Kapex saw table, which are simple and very effective.
Another huge benefit i have found since adopting this system is the convenience and efficiency when operating on site, with the plug and play of the power leads, dust extraction, storage and mobility.
One other factor in all this, was the option of a 15 day try before you buy, which Festool, through my supplier, Norfolk Saw Services, offer.
I am open minded with regards the choice of tools, and I am no way connected with Festool, just a hard working, simple joiner.
Best regards
Paul
But I would like to share my experience of the Festool range; I work principally in Oak Joinery, and generally buy waney edge boards to optimize my yield.
I am fortunate to have good sized and well equipped fixed machine workshop, with investments over the years in some heavy duty equipment.
Several years ago i was bitten by my Sedgwick TA 415 saw, and therefore had a rethink.
I invested initially in the Festool TS55 and guide rail system, (with limitations) and now take the saw to the wood, not the wood to the saw, which has transformed my process, my philosophy is "Work smarter not harder".
I can cut limitless lengths as I have the longest rails Festool supply and connect add on's to these, if needed.
I then bought the TS75 to be able to cut thicker boards,(again with limitations) and in the event I need thicker timber than the depth of cut allows,
I flip the boards over and cut through from the other side, I use a Festool extractor which keeps everything remarkably clean.
I have over the years had all the various alternative makes of tools, and work alongside Carpenters, Joiners and builders who still use them,
with all agreeing the Festool system offers a more comprehensive solution to productivity.
I also have the OF1400 & 2200 routers, Domino XL(my favorite tool), Rotex 90 & 150 sanders,the Kapex KS120 saw, jigsaw, and a comprehensive range of accessories,
the LR32 system, the parallel guides mentioned before by Stu_2, which i also use regularly, as well as Dewalt, Makita and Bosch items.
I have thought about the MFT3, but decided it was not robust enough for my needs, instead I have made the Ron Paulk bench and Kapex saw table, which are simple and very effective.
Another huge benefit i have found since adopting this system is the convenience and efficiency when operating on site, with the plug and play of the power leads, dust extraction, storage and mobility.
One other factor in all this, was the option of a 15 day try before you buy, which Festool, through my supplier, Norfolk Saw Services, offer.
I am open minded with regards the choice of tools, and I am no way connected with Festool, just a hard working, simple joiner.
Best regards
Paul
Mark-numbers
Established Member
Festool isn't that good! I have all of the above and then some - the service is good for service so down time isn't that bad
petermillard
Established Member
OK, I'll bite, since it's the second time you've mentioned it and all; what specifically, do you feel is objectively 'better' than the Festool equivalent? I'm always on the lookout for tools that are better than the ones I haveMark-numbers":3jya5wmi said:
Cheers, Pete
P.S. And welcome to Paul / HOJ!
Zeddedhed
Established Member
My two cents worth......
the work I do is increasingly consisting of what i call panel joinery - making built ins, kitchen carcasses etc, mostly using veneered or plain MDF/Plywood.
I, like many others caught the Festal bug with an initial purchase of a TS55 complete with CTL Midi extractor, two rails, a bag and some clamps. It paid for itself on the first job I used it on. I was making some cabinets for a client to match some existing kitchen units and the job had to be done on site. If nothing else the performance of the dust extractor when used with the TS55 is worth it alone.
I then "accidentally" bought a Domino XL700, a CXS drill, a Domino 500, the MFT 3, an assortment of guide rails, parallel guides, an RO 90 DX, an EHL Planer and two SYS Rolls. I've also bought a stack of Tanos Sustainers (Black ones) for the remainder of my (non Festool) kit.
There is absolutely no doubt that if you accept that it is a SYSTEM and use it as such it will save you time and therefore money. Making cabinets on site is now as easy as making them in the workshop. Clients are always impressed both by the speed and quality of construction and also how professional all the kit looks.
I save at least half an hour a day on loading/unloading the van (SYS Rolls are the pups nuts!!)
To sum up, Festool gear is undoubtedly very good quality (although there may be better) and has been extremely well thought through from a design point of view. Someone who does the kind of work I do would definitely find that their productivity increased with Festool gear. Add to that the pleasure of using well made good quality tools and you're well on the way to becoming an addict. Next for me is a Conturo edge bander and a CMS table saw module for the MFT.
the work I do is increasingly consisting of what i call panel joinery - making built ins, kitchen carcasses etc, mostly using veneered or plain MDF/Plywood.
I, like many others caught the Festal bug with an initial purchase of a TS55 complete with CTL Midi extractor, two rails, a bag and some clamps. It paid for itself on the first job I used it on. I was making some cabinets for a client to match some existing kitchen units and the job had to be done on site. If nothing else the performance of the dust extractor when used with the TS55 is worth it alone.
I then "accidentally" bought a Domino XL700, a CXS drill, a Domino 500, the MFT 3, an assortment of guide rails, parallel guides, an RO 90 DX, an EHL Planer and two SYS Rolls. I've also bought a stack of Tanos Sustainers (Black ones) for the remainder of my (non Festool) kit.
There is absolutely no doubt that if you accept that it is a SYSTEM and use it as such it will save you time and therefore money. Making cabinets on site is now as easy as making them in the workshop. Clients are always impressed both by the speed and quality of construction and also how professional all the kit looks.
I save at least half an hour a day on loading/unloading the van (SYS Rolls are the pups nuts!!)
To sum up, Festool gear is undoubtedly very good quality (although there may be better) and has been extremely well thought through from a design point of view. Someone who does the kind of work I do would definitely find that their productivity increased with Festool gear. Add to that the pleasure of using well made good quality tools and you're well on the way to becoming an addict. Next for me is a Conturo edge bander and a CMS table saw module for the MFT.
