Hi again, I watched Peter Millards video from 2020 comparing the Festool and Mafell, there was a bit about the gap on the scoring cut being more than it should although I read the comments I dont know if it was sent back for checking but as someone pointed out just set the depth to 3mm and score backwards, the Mafell kit would be £544 with the two lengths of 1.6m track and carry case once you factor that into the Makita it goes up to near enough £350 (case and 2x1.5m track no discount as Screwfix dont sell track)) and the Festool £582 (case and 2x1.4m track including discount) It starts to look better for the Mafell.
Will I use it after I've done the work in the house, who knows but as pointed out it will hold its value most likely, I also have 4 oak laminate doors to trim before hanging.
The choices are mind numbing.
Jonm, yes I would buy a cheaper blade for that, the electricians just cut across the t&g then ripped the boards up, never bothered with the tongue removal and as such I have some I need to replace along with having to put a block to the side of the joist to give the board something to screw too.
It seems to be the way things are these days poor quality work for large amounts of money.
Mark
To clarify, the Mafell saw I had was a loaner/demo machine from a retailer, and I have no knowledge of how it was treated by previous borrowers; the Festool I’ve owned from new. Yes, a scoring cut is easily achieved by setting it to 2-3mm, but Mafell make a big song & dance about their ‘special 1/10mm offset’ so it was only reasonable to try it out, and I found it wanting. It was returned to the retailer, who returned it to Mafell for checking over, but I received no further feedback on it, despite asking the question several times.
If you’re looking at one of the ‘big six’ saws from Makita / DeWalt, Bosh / Metabo, and Festool / Mafell, then they all have pros and cons but generally speaking the Makita and DeWalt are favoured by guys in the trade as they’re robust, the least costly of the bigger brands, and are readily available. Festool and Mafell are probably the best plungesaws you can buy, with Bosch & Metabo in the middle.
As I’ve said here before, things like dust collection, spare parts, guiderail compatibility, blade size, noise, weight etc… - these are all relatively objective and easy to assess for your use. Much harder are the subjective things like handling, ease of use and finesse eg does that robustness of the Makita translate to crudeness in the hand? It does for me, but I know it doesn’t for others.
So, I’d try and get hands-on with any saw you’re thinking of buying, because only you can decide if it’s right for you.
HTH P
