Thanks for this Stew, and sorry to only just getting around to commenting. Great clarification - exactly what we needed, I think. If I didn't make it abundantly clear, the Mafell I used is a demo machine that's on loan to me from a supplier, their rep dropped the saw off to me and ran me through the mechanics, with every expectation that it was a saw that functioned perfectly - as you'd hope for a machine that's used to demonstrate the benefits of the saw! I'm pretty sure that the supplier will be having this unit checked over, and maybe when that's done I can get it back for another look. As always, we can only report on the tools we have, and it looks like this one may not have done itself any favours. 👍👍
Cheers Peter. That's the thing mate. You can only review what you get. If it's off it's off. No bad on your part. I wish we'd got some sort of response from Mafell. Might try and pin Alan down on FB see if he got the saw looked at. I'd be really interested to know if this was something easily fixed with a service. All the best mate.
Would be great to go over this again Peter as was very worrying to see your results on a feature that can't be disabled! might be worth a redo with track clamps in place before the saw gets looked at by the rep?
I wonder how easy it is for sawdust to get between the 2 washers then causing the offset to become bigger than 0.1mm? It may not be an issue with good dust extraction, but a demo unit may have been used without.
@BischBaschBosch Hi, did you ever get clarification on this. I used my new saw for the first time today and results were more like Peter's saw than yours. Didn't have time to mess around too much at work, but seemed like far more than 1/10th of mm. Will investigate further.
Brilliant, thank you. Just used a plunge saw for the first time today and took the plunge and got a mafell straight off the bat. Thanks for the videos I have watched them repeatedly for weeks.
Thank you so much for this video; I had my heart set on a Mafell plunge saw, but after watching Pete Millard's video I was very confused. So I have been looking at the Makita and Festool saw's; but after watching your video I have decided to go with Mafell, thank you.
Thanks mate. In fairness, doubt you'd be disappointed with any of those saws. The mafell is well featured with great build quality though and, like the other 2 you mention, has the option of working with the festool eco system if that's your preference.
Excellent saw, had mine a few years now. Only bit I don't like is that when doing bevel cuts, it doesn't cut on the rubber edge like the Festool does. I put up with that for the amount of bevel cuts I do. For kitchen fits etc you can't beat this saw for cutting melamine, painted and high gloss panels.
I did watch Peters video and was also puzzled by the terrible butt joint he obtained from that saw, as I know Mafell wouldn't have designed such a feature without testing it thoroughly. I have a Bosch GKT55 that doesn't have this feature and to be honest I haven't needed it, as my conti board projects have all come out sound. I'M glad you demonstrated that it was probably a duff saw that caused the issue.
Cheers Jason. The one Peter used was a demo model from a major outlet. Perhaps it had seen some abuse. Still, there are some out there that have reported a similar problem. Hopefully, this vid will get them or anyone else who buys one to send it back if they have the issue. It's not an essential feature. I used to use a bosch a few years ago. Just used to run it backward a couple mm deep for a clean score.
As I mentioned before I run my Bosch backward at 2mm depth when I need to score. I don't do it to get a better cut on the track side as I find even in chip out prone material the cut is great. I do it when I want the off cut side to be flawless too.
I have a recently bought one of these saws and I can't see any shadow gap at all! no splintering even on the cheapest thinnest veneered plys. Excellent saw.
Good to hear mate. The point was really to illustrate that, if you end up with a massive shadow gap as demonstrated by Peter, it ain't right, get it looked at. Too many of us just settle when things aren't quite right I think👍
Hi. The connectors are Neutrik Powercon True 1 Top. I have an old video on them here (links in description etc): ua-cam.com/video/jnQPcGuLKzk/v-deo.html
when you bevel the mafell saw does the line of the cut change? i.e. not the 90 degree line. How do you account for this when lining the saw up if you just have two marks either end of the cut?
According to Mafell, the cut line is supposed to be the same at 90 or 45. Maybe it is on newer saws but my line at 45 is almost exactly 1mm from the 90 line. I just use a couple 1mm packers to offset my rail to the cut line. Don't know If that will help you . I've been meaning to have a play around to see if it can be set right for ages. Years in fact. I'll make a note to remind myself to check it out this weekend and hopefully share any results
They're a power cable connector called Neutrik Powercon True 1 Top. Got a vid on fitting them - links in description n all that - here: ua-cam.com/video/jnQPcGuLKzk/v-deo.html
I mean sure, especially if you're going to be cutting these type of materials and butt jointing them. Just as a note, with this saw in particular, when your saw arrives and you first cut your anti-splinter strip on the guide rail, do so with the score function on. Also, because the 0.1mm offset is an always on function, when you just want a good flat edge cut - on mdf or solid wood say - start the saw and plunge to full cut depth before passing it through the material. Little things like this help get the best from the saw.
Bisch Basch Bosch thanks for this so the first cut for the spiller guard just do a score cut I did you excellent video and it said do a 10mm cut? And just plunge full depth all the time I think
@@keithbucknall yeah, the video on the splinter guard was for circular saws or Bosch plunge saw. The score (and it's offset) is unique to the mt55. Should have included it in my original vid really. Most of my vids are kind of impromptu, so do sometimes miss things. I'm trying to be more thorough...time allowing.😉
@@keithbucknall oh and your second question - plunge full depth before entering the material if you're not scoring and want a clean edge. If you plunge into the material and cut through the whole piece, you'll notice at the start of the cut where you plunged in, you'll have the faint offset mark. Again, something I should have added to the video.
I’ve seen some reviews saying that when doing a bevel cut the blade is slightly out of alignment with the rail edge. Have you found this? I was planning on buying this saw how’re this has worried me and am considering Festool or makita saw instead.
Sorry buddy. For some reason this comment slipped under the radar hence the late reply. The saw is sold as cutting on the same line at 0 and 45 degrees. Mine doesn't. Others with the saw say it does. I do however have a fix for anyone with an MT55 that doesn't cut the same at 0 as at 45. See here - ua-cam.com/video/2Mzkk5O9e58/v-deo.html
Hello! I've bought Mafell Mt 55 as my first saw. Even before trying to saw anything, I have slightly disassembled it and changed those fancy washers to plain ones of the same thickness. Photo here: imgur.com/a/z5gFR0D After that modification plunging became smooth and there will be no gap for sure B-)
That could be a reason. Not sure how much that'd affect the offset though, making it worse. It was a demonstrator from a major outlet so I imagine he assumed it was set up to show it at it's best.
I just looked at both of your videos... I think Peter may have taken a different piece than you. The scoring cut appears to make the hairline gap in the piece to the right of the blade, not on the left underneath the track. Essentially, he was measuring a piece from the right of the blade, whereas you (and myself) will measure from the left. You treated his piece as an offcut, not the actual piece, and thus threw out the piece with the shadowline. Not saying I agree with his cutting method, but I don't think your analysis is the same as his.
Cheers Nick. I just watched Peters video again to double check. He's definitely using the right piece (Same as mine) - that is to say the piece under the rail. Another giveaway is the clean cut on the laminate if his demo piece. The Mafells do give a superb clean line with the score cut under the rail. It does however create a chipped edge on the waste side (right side). This is due to the offset washer effectively cutting the waste side edge twice as the blade is moved 0.1mm to the right at full depth. So yeah, I still think he had a problem saw bud. Thanks though. I would like to determine if there was a user method that might lead to such a gap but I've not found it.
@@BischBaschBosch strange, okay, I think I'm agreement with you. I was under the impression the scoring cut would be bumping the sawblade to the right into the waste side, not left like his. I assume that's what yours does?
@@NickValinski The washer steps the blade right, away from the rail, once past 3mm. The idea being that after scoring, the pristine edge under the rail isn't disturbed by the blade on the full depth pass. This means the stepped cut is on the rail side. You can see it in the piece of mdf I cut in the vid. Likewise, the waste side (right) will have a flush 90 degree edge, no step, but chipped. It's made me think I should do and update on my fitting an anti splinter strip vid as, despite there being 11 or 12 saws my tips apply to, with the mt55 alone, the anti splinter strip must be cut with the score function on. It's a funny old feature. Taken me a while to get my head round it to be honest.
@@BischBaschBosch interesting! So the opposite of what I expected, but makes total sense. Does that mean chipping is worse on non-score cuts after you've done a score cut? And is it possible that the washers wear down over time so that a new machine like Peter's might have a more pronounced gap than a more worn in machine like yours?
No, if you trim your anti splinter with the score feature on, it'll do it's job every time. It is feasible the washer might wear over time but I've never had a shadow gap with my saw. It's made a fair few kitchens over the years, all gone together nicely. From new, the washer should only move the blade 0.1mm. Peters was more like 1mm. That isn't right.
Maybe Peter should have checked with a feeler gauge to confirm if the gap was 0.1 mm near as damn it four thousandth of one inch. I think that would put me off buying one. I am just a hobbyist and the main reason I would like one is for the dust collection. From what I have seen on other videos it appears that a scoring cut takes care of the splintering any way-not tried it personally myself though.
There was defo something wrong with Peters saw. I think the score + full depth cut I do in this vid on mdf shows how it's supposed to look quite well. You can make it out but barely feel it. That's how it should be. Peters looked more like a 1mm gap! No good. This wasn't to throw shade at Peter btw. He's a mate. He can only review what he was given. It was just to show folk what it should look like and encourage them to return it if it's like Peters. For this kind of money, you should expect it to function perfectly. Working perfectly, I think it's unmatched as a plunge saw. And yeah, the dust extraction is ridiculously good! 👍
Thanks for this Stew, and sorry to only just getting around to commenting. Great clarification - exactly what we needed, I think. If I didn't make it abundantly clear, the Mafell I used is a demo machine that's on loan to me from a supplier, their rep dropped the saw off to me and ran me through the mechanics, with every expectation that it was a saw that functioned perfectly - as you'd hope for a machine that's used to demonstrate the benefits of the saw! I'm pretty sure that the supplier will be having this unit checked over, and maybe when that's done I can get it back for another look. As always, we can only report on the tools we have, and it looks like this one may not have done itself any favours. 👍👍
Cheers Peter. That's the thing mate. You can only review what you get. If it's off it's off. No bad on your part. I wish we'd got some sort of response from Mafell. Might try and pin Alan down on FB see if he got the saw looked at. I'd be really interested to know if this was something easily fixed with a service. All the best mate.
@@BischBaschBosch Cheers Stew. I've still got the saw, so it hasn't been looked at yet, lol! 👍😂
Would be great to go over this again Peter as was very worrying to see your results on a feature that can't be disabled! might be worth a redo with track clamps in place before the saw gets looked at by the rep?
I wonder how easy it is for sawdust to get between the 2 washers then causing the offset to become bigger than 0.1mm? It may not be an issue with good dust extraction, but a demo unit may have been used without.
@BischBaschBosch Hi, did you ever get clarification on this. I used my new saw for the first time today and results were more like Peter's saw than yours. Didn't have time to mess around too much at work, but seemed like far more than 1/10th of mm. Will investigate further.
Brilliant, thank you. Just used a plunge saw for the first time today and took the plunge and got a mafell straight off the bat. Thanks for the videos I have watched them repeatedly for weeks.
Cheers Andy. Hope you get on with the new saw bud.👍
Thank you so much for this video; I had my heart set on a Mafell plunge saw, but after watching Pete Millard's video I was very confused.
So I have been looking at the Makita and Festool saw's; but after watching your video I have decided to go with Mafell, thank you.
Thanks mate. In fairness, doubt you'd be disappointed with any of those saws. The mafell is well featured with great build quality though and, like the other 2 you mention, has the option of working with the festool eco system if that's your preference.
I purchased this exact saw about 1 month ago. Everything about the cut is flawless.
Nice one Shane. Glad you like it. Performed flawlessly for me over the years n'all. Mafell know what they're doing when it comes to saws.
Excellent saw, had mine a few years now. Only bit I don't like is that when doing bevel cuts, it doesn't cut on the rubber edge like the Festool does. I put up with that for the amount of bevel cuts I do. For kitchen fits etc you can't beat this saw for cutting melamine, painted and high gloss panels.
I did watch Peters video and was also puzzled by the terrible butt joint he obtained from that saw, as I know Mafell wouldn't have designed such a feature without testing it thoroughly.
I have a Bosch GKT55 that doesn't have this feature and to be honest I haven't needed it, as my conti board projects have all come out sound.
I'M glad you demonstrated that it was probably a duff saw that caused the issue.
Cheers Jason. The one Peter used was a demo model from a major outlet. Perhaps it had seen some abuse. Still, there are some out there that have reported a similar problem. Hopefully, this vid will get them or anyone else who buys one to send it back if they have the issue. It's not an essential feature. I used to use a bosch a few years ago. Just used to run it backward a couple mm deep for a clean score.
Thank you for making this video. I was also a bit confused by Peter's findings but you have made it crystal clear here. The Mafell it is for me!
Cheers Kris. I really get on with this saw - and I've tried a fair few over time. Sure you'll get on with it if you get one.👍
As I mentioned before I run my Bosch backward at 2mm depth when I need to score. I don't do it to get a better cut on the track side as I find even in chip out prone material the cut is great. I do it when I want the off cut side to be flawless too.
I have a recently bought one of these saws and I can't see any shadow gap at all! no splintering even on the cheapest thinnest veneered plys. Excellent saw.
Brilliant video. Very professional, well made.
Thank you mate.👍
Thanks Stew.
I have never had a a problem with mine either.
Good to hear mate. The point was really to illustrate that, if you end up with a massive shadow gap as demonstrated by Peter, it ain't right, get it looked at. Too many of us just settle when things aren't quite right I think👍
what kind of power card do you use? I can see from you video the power cable cames trough the dust pipe... could you explain me? Thanks a lot
Hi. The connectors are Neutrik Powercon True 1 Top. I have an old video on them here (links in description etc): ua-cam.com/video/jnQPcGuLKzk/v-deo.html
@@BischBaschBosch thanks a lot for your kindly reply. bye
when you bevel the mafell saw does the line of the cut change? i.e. not the 90 degree line. How do you account for this when lining the saw up if you just have two marks either end of the cut?
According to Mafell, the cut line is supposed to be the same at 90 or 45. Maybe it is on newer saws but my line at 45 is almost exactly 1mm from the 90 line. I just use a couple 1mm packers to offset my rail to the cut line. Don't know If that will help you . I've been meaning to have a play around to see if it can be set right for ages. Years in fact. I'll make a note to remind myself to check it out this weekend and hopefully share any results
Yer, what is that black and yellow thing that you attached to the back at the start?
They're a power cable connector called Neutrik Powercon True 1 Top. Got a vid on fitting them - links in description n all that - here: ua-cam.com/video/jnQPcGuLKzk/v-deo.html
@@BischBaschBosch ah I see. Good idea
My Mafell comes this week would you all say it is worth doing this test and butt jointing as well?
I mean sure, especially if you're going to be cutting these type of materials and butt jointing them. Just as a note, with this saw in particular, when your saw arrives and you first cut your anti-splinter strip on the guide rail, do so with the score function on. Also, because the 0.1mm offset is an always on function, when you just want a good flat edge cut - on mdf or solid wood say - start the saw and plunge to full cut depth before passing it through the material. Little things like this help get the best from the saw.
Bisch Basch Bosch thanks for this so the first cut for the spiller guard just do a score cut I did you excellent video and it said do a 10mm cut? And just plunge full depth all the time I think
@@keithbucknall yeah, the video on the splinter guard was for circular saws or Bosch plunge saw. The score (and it's offset) is unique to the mt55. Should have included it in my original vid really. Most of my vids are kind of impromptu, so do sometimes miss things. I'm trying to be more thorough...time allowing.😉
@@keithbucknall oh and your second question - plunge full depth before entering the material if you're not scoring and want a clean edge. If you plunge into the material and cut through the whole piece, you'll notice at the start of the cut where you plunged in, you'll have the faint offset mark. Again, something I should have added to the video.
I agree. Did not look right on Peter Millards test
True mate. Still, he was leant the saw to demo courtesy of ProTrade. He can only review what he's sent.
I’ve seen some reviews saying that when doing a bevel cut the blade is slightly out of alignment with the rail edge. Have you found this? I was planning on buying this saw how’re this has worried me and am considering Festool or makita saw instead.
Sorry buddy. For some reason this comment slipped under the radar hence the late reply. The saw is sold as cutting on the same line at 0 and 45 degrees. Mine doesn't. Others with the saw say it does. I do however have a fix for anyone with an MT55 that doesn't cut the same at 0 as at 45. See here - ua-cam.com/video/2Mzkk5O9e58/v-deo.html
Hello!
I've bought Mafell Mt 55 as my first saw. Even before trying to saw anything, I have slightly disassembled it and changed those fancy washers to plain ones of the same thickness. Photo here: imgur.com/a/z5gFR0D
After that modification plunging became smooth and there will be no gap for sure B-)
Interesting. Thank you.👍
Thank you for the tip. I'll try that. Happy new 2022!
Please ask if you will have troubles doing so, I am glad to help
best plunge saw.. I agree
Chances are Peter didn’t zero the blade.
That could be a reason. Not sure how much that'd affect the offset though, making it worse. It was a demonstrator from a major outlet so I imagine he assumed it was set up to show it at it's best.
I just looked at both of your videos... I think Peter may have taken a different piece than you. The scoring cut appears to make the hairline gap in the piece to the right of the blade, not on the left underneath the track. Essentially, he was measuring a piece from the right of the blade, whereas you (and myself) will measure from the left. You treated his piece as an offcut, not the actual piece, and thus threw out the piece with the shadowline. Not saying I agree with his cutting method, but I don't think your analysis is the same as his.
Cheers Nick. I just watched Peters video again to double check. He's definitely using the right piece (Same as mine) - that is to say the piece under the rail. Another giveaway is the clean cut on the laminate if his demo piece. The Mafells do give a superb clean line with the score cut under the rail. It does however create a chipped edge on the waste side (right side). This is due to the offset washer effectively cutting the waste side edge twice as the blade is moved 0.1mm to the right at full depth. So yeah, I still think he had a problem saw bud. Thanks though. I would like to determine if there was a user method that might lead to such a gap but I've not found it.
@@BischBaschBosch strange, okay, I think I'm agreement with you. I was under the impression the scoring cut would be bumping the sawblade to the right into the waste side, not left like his. I assume that's what yours does?
@@NickValinski The washer steps the blade right, away from the rail, once past 3mm. The idea being that after scoring, the pristine edge under the rail isn't disturbed by the blade on the full depth pass. This means the stepped cut is on the rail side. You can see it in the piece of mdf I cut in the vid. Likewise, the waste side (right) will have a flush 90 degree edge, no step, but chipped. It's made me think I should do and update on my fitting an anti splinter strip vid as, despite there being 11 or 12 saws my tips apply to, with the mt55 alone, the anti splinter strip must be cut with the score function on. It's a funny old feature. Taken me a while to get my head round it to be honest.
@@BischBaschBosch interesting! So the opposite of what I expected, but makes total sense. Does that mean chipping is worse on non-score cuts after you've done a score cut? And is it possible that the washers wear down over time so that a new machine like Peter's might have a more pronounced gap than a more worn in machine like yours?
No, if you trim your anti splinter with the score feature on, it'll do it's job every time. It is feasible the washer might wear over time but I've never had a shadow gap with my saw. It's made a fair few kitchens over the years, all gone together nicely. From new, the washer should only move the blade 0.1mm. Peters was more like 1mm. That isn't right.
Maybe Peter should have checked with a feeler gauge to confirm if the gap was 0.1 mm near as damn it four thousandth of one inch.
I think that would put me off buying one.
I am just a hobbyist and the main reason I would like one is for the dust collection.
From what I have seen on other videos it appears that a scoring cut takes care of the splintering any way-not tried it personally myself though.
There was defo something wrong with Peters saw. I think the score + full depth cut I do in this vid on mdf shows how it's supposed to look quite well. You can make it out but barely feel it. That's how it should be. Peters looked more like a 1mm gap! No good. This wasn't to throw shade at Peter btw. He's a mate. He can only review what he was given. It was just to show folk what it should look like and encourage them to return it if it's like Peters. For this kind of money, you should expect it to function perfectly. Working perfectly, I think it's unmatched as a plunge saw. And yeah, the dust extraction is ridiculously good! 👍
👍👍👍👍🤗🇨🇭
Hello I’m a friend of jack bailey / DgNeox
Hello mate. Jack showed me your channel the other day. Good work.
Bisch Basch Bosch thanks so much you ain’t doing bad
Yo it is me
Hi
Hey buddy.👍
Jack
DgNeox hi
@@2smokeHennerz he is very busy so he didn't post a video