Author Topic: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)  (Read 96320 times)

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Offline JimH2

  • Posts: 1295
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #90 on: July 12, 2019, 01:08 PM »
Can't go wrong with the DuoDoweler. Joinery and way simpler shelf pin holes as an added bonus. Everyone has their favorites and this is mine.

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Offline RustE

  • Posts: 607
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #91 on: July 12, 2019, 01:10 PM »
Can't go wrong with the DuoDoweler. Joinery and way simpler shelf pin holes as an added bonus. Everyone has their favorites and this is mine.

Curious, why the DuoDoweler over the Domino?

Offline JimH2

  • Posts: 1295
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #92 on: July 12, 2019, 01:45 PM »
It's different to use and with the metal spacing track they sell it makes putting dowels anywhere without much thought. It is not better than the Domino, just different. I originally had a Domino and then bought the DuoDoweler for shelf pins. Ended up selling it after using the doweling functionality.

I have a few of the Mafell tools with the Multi-Cutter MF 26 cc being the most unique tool. I bought it for Dadoing.

Offline DeformedTree

  • Posts: 1397
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #93 on: July 12, 2019, 04:43 PM »
I didn't give much of any thought to the dual doweller till a different thread where it was mentioned it has a 32mm spacing and is setup to do 32mm cabinets.  That changed everything for me and why I now intend to get one.  I had planned on a domino, and maybe still will some day.  But the DD being able to do 32mm stuff changed everything.  Why Mafell doesn't make things blatantly clear in their info blows my mind.  If it was called DDF32 then there would at least be a clue.

Offline Jiggy Joiner

  • Posts: 1103
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #94 on: July 12, 2019, 05:08 PM »
The Lamello Zeta P2 is another different way of joining, the price isn’t for the faint hearted though.
They’re all pretty good but, as the Domino is the closest to mortise and tenon joinery, it’s my personal favourite.

Offline MrToolJunkie

  • Posts: 2982
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #95 on: July 12, 2019, 07:05 PM »
I was excited to see the special pricing...the jigsaw is less than what I paid for mine several years ago...the accessories are still normal price, though...

Offline HowardH

  • Posts: 1524
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #96 on: July 12, 2019, 10:30 PM »
This is a special Mafell sale that runs until the end of September.  The DD40F is now in 120v and also on sale.  If you've purchased a tool from them since January it may be worth giving them a call.  It was for me. 

I'll be adding the DD40F soon, and possibly the hole drilling extensions.

aw man... you would have to point that sale out to me.  Oh well, it's only money! 
Howard H
The Dallas Texas Festool Fanatic!

Mark Twain:  "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a letter approving of it." "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."

P1cc, T15, TID-18, RO150FEQ, ETS EC 150, MT55cc, RTS400, CT22, CT36E, 800, 1080, 1400, 1400 holey, 1900 rails, OF1400, OF1010, CSX, C18, LR32, VacSys, Vecturo, Domino, Qwas dogs, Parf Dogs, Zobo's, Syslite Uni, CMS GE, PM 1500, Jet J/P, FS-WA, Shaper Origin. Felder AF-14, TSC 55 KEB, Dash-Board bench system

Offline Euclid

  • Posts: 281
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #97 on: July 13, 2019, 04:58 AM »
I have a few of the Mafell tools with the Multi-Cutter MF 26 cc being the most unique tool. I bought it for Dadoing.

I'd never come across that tool before; what an interesting machine.
Makes me think of all sorts of projects I've never have considered before. The price is a bit high for 'non-trade' use; though if I was doing a complete fit-out or renovation of a propery-and-workshop (which I'd like to do one day) it might make sense.

Offline yetihunter

  • Posts: 786
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #98 on: September 05, 2019, 02:29 PM »
Can't go wrong with the DuoDoweler. Joinery and way simpler shelf pin holes as an added bonus. Everyone has their favorites and this is mine.

Curious, why the DuoDoweler over the Domino?

Not over: along with.  But I too preferred working with the DuoDoweler over the others when I had it.

Offline Sanderxpander

  • Posts: 419
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #99 on: September 09, 2019, 09:35 AM »
With all the gushing over how much stronger a domino is over a regular dowel, what are your experiences?

Offline Michael Kellough

  • Posts: 6375
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #100 on: September 09, 2019, 09:53 AM »
In my estimation, one 6mm Domino is equal in strength to two 8mm dowels when used in hardwood. If used in particleboard the strength of the tenon isn’t the concern. I think the particleboard joint would be more durable with dowels since a pair of dowels have four spaced shoulders.

Offline JimH2

  • Posts: 1295
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #101 on: October 02, 2019, 01:39 PM »
With all the gushing over how much stronger a domino is over a regular dowel, what are your experiences?

I believe someone did a scientific test of biscuits, dowels and Domino's. There is a point at which the strength of the joint does not matter.

Offline eliiesatch

  • Posts: 1
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #102 on: February 01, 2021, 09:58 AM »
this was a great review.  very helpful.  Thanks very much

Offline Cheese

  • Posts: 11050
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #103 on: February 01, 2021, 11:08 AM »
I still much prefer the plastic rail adjusters on the MT 55 over the TS/TSC 55 saw. The Mafell has detented adjusters so it's easier to tweek them. The detents act as a baseline so you can adjust 1 or 2 notches tighter or 1 or 2 notches looser.

With the Festool adjusters it's pretty hit or miss, tighter...looser...tighter...looser...eventually you're forced to go back and forth with the adjuster until you're happy.

Offline HowardH

  • Posts: 1524
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #104 on: February 01, 2021, 11:14 AM »
I have the Mafell/Bosch rail brackets from Rob Schumacher at Dash-Board coming today so I can retrofit my MFT to use those rails.  Best of both worlds. If I ever have the room, I'll take a look at his table as well. 
Howard H
The Dallas Texas Festool Fanatic!

Mark Twain:  "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a letter approving of it." "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."

P1cc, T15, TID-18, RO150FEQ, ETS EC 150, MT55cc, RTS400, CT22, CT36E, 800, 1080, 1400, 1400 holey, 1900 rails, OF1400, OF1010, CSX, C18, LR32, VacSys, Vecturo, Domino, Qwas dogs, Parf Dogs, Zobo's, Syslite Uni, CMS GE, PM 1500, Jet J/P, FS-WA, Shaper Origin. Felder AF-14, TSC 55 KEB, Dash-Board bench system

Offline woodbutcherbower

  • Posts: 792
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #105 on: April 25, 2021, 02:35 PM »
It's always frustrating when an OP never returns especially after writing a post as long as 'The Lord of the Rings'. I replaced my TS55 with the MT55 for one reason only - that I found the TS55 underpowered for certain types of work, especially ripping 40-45mm hardwood. Even with the 12-tooth Panther blade it would still struggle. I also got frustrated with the rail joiners, and had to keep a pack of grubscrews in the van because so many would work loose and fall out in transit (no pun intended). The TS 55 is a truly lovely saw, no question. To me, it was a little like upgrading from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini.

Elsewhere, I never bought into the 'one-brand system' approach. Like many time-served professional joiners, I've settled into buying equipment which to me, represents best-in-class for any given task - and that includes the OF2200, the CT26/CT-VA-20 and the CT-Sys which are all absolutely stellar. Anything involving drilling, grinding, hammering or coring will always see me reaching for something in a red Hilti case. My sanding happens via Mirka. Mitre sawing via DeWalt 305mm and Makita 190mm. Bradding via Paslode. Biscuit jointing and belt sanding via Makita. Plunge and jigsawing via Mafell. Multi-tooling via Fein ..... you get the picture.

What I did do, however, was to invest heavily in Tanos Systainers, simply by virtue of the fact that a lot of kit was supplied in them as standard anyway, and it makes racking out the van a dream. These are 2-year-old photos which still show some pre-upgrade stuff btw.

Kind regards

« Last Edit: April 25, 2021, 02:42 PM by woodbutcherbower »

Offline Lincoln

  • Posts: 382
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #106 on: April 25, 2021, 07:13 PM »
It's always frustrating when an OP never returns especially after writing a post as long as 'The Lord of the Rings'. I replaced my TS55 with the MT55 for one reason only - that I found the TS55 underpowered for certain types of work, especially ripping 40-45mm hardwood. Even with the 12-tooth Panther blade it would still struggle. I also got frustrated with the rail joiners, and had to keep a pack of grubscrews in the van because so many would work loose and fall out in transit (no pun intended). The TS 55 is a truly lovely saw, no question. To me, it was a little like upgrading from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini.

Elsewhere, I never bought into the 'one-brand system' approach. Like many time-served professional joiners, I've settled into buying equipment which to me, represents best-in-class for any given task - and that includes the OF2200, the CT26/CT-VA-20 and the CT-Sys which are all absolutely stellar. Anything involving drilling, grinding, hammering or coring will always see me reaching for something in a red Hilti case. My sanding happens via Mirka. Mitre sawing via DeWalt 305mm and Makita 190mm. Bradding via Paslode. Biscuit jointing and belt sanding via Makita. Plunge and jigsawing via Mafell. Multi-tooling via Fein ..... you get the picture.

What I did do, however, was to invest heavily in Tanos Systainers, simply by virtue of the fact that a lot of kit was supplied in them as standard anyway, and it makes racking out the van a dream. These are 2-year-old photos which still show some pre-upgrade stuff btw.

Kind regards


Great fitout, love it.
 I'm the same, never worried about consolidating brands, even with cordless. Currently running Mafell/Metabo, Fein, Festool and Hikoki batteries. As well as corded Mirka, Lamello, Festool, Mafell etc, etc.

Offline Sailronin

  • Posts: 10
    • David Reams Photography
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #107 on: July 17, 2021, 10:45 AM »
I recently purchased the MT55 and must say it is as close to a perfect saw as I've seen or used.  Engineering wise, it is precise and very easy to adjust and use.  A week after it's arrival from Timberwolf I sold my cordless Makita plunge saw.  Because I always use dust extraction having a cord along with the Midi hose was not a deal breaker and the more powerful motor is excellent.  Able to gang cut four layers of 1/2 inch Baltic Birch ply for drawers in a single pass without breaking a sweat.  I put a new splinter guard on my Festool rail on the MFT for exact alignment to Mafell blade and there are zero issues with the MT55.  The Bosch tracks are my preference for off the MFT as the joining system is very quick with no play or alignment issues.

I've also had the DDF 40 since January 2021. It's a very fine piece of kit, more precise that the Domino, the fence feels much more solid and the ability to vary cut depth in 1mm increments is handy in odd dimensioned lumber.  The Domino is easier to use with narrow stock like styles and rails on Shaker style doors with the centering adapter where the 32mm spacing of the DDF drills is too wide. 
I may sell the DDF40 because I work mostly with smaller stock and my volume makes the cost of Dominos vs. dowels a non-issue...but the ability to use the DDF 40 to drill 32mm spaced shelf system quickly makes a good argument to keep both tools. Decisions, decisions...
Rookie wood butcher...improving thanks to Festool accuracy.

Offline savsuds

  • Posts: 40
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #108 on: July 19, 2021, 01:21 AM »
I've also had the DDF 40 since January 2021. It's a very fine piece of kit, more precise that the Domino, the fence feels much more solid and the ability to vary cut depth in 1mm increments is handy in odd dimensioned lumber.  The Domino is easier to use with narrow stock like styles and rails on Shaker style doors with the centering adapter where the 32mm spacing of the DDF drills is too wide.
The adjustments and solid feel out of the box on the DDF 40 is why my Domino sits on a shelf and my Doweller gets constant use. The only thing I wished was different about it was a hard stop for 9mm on the depth turret. Changing between two depth settings is simple to set and use.

System 32 cabinets fit my style and the doweller speeds things up. I use my Schmitt32 for shelf pin holes, but the Mafell guide makes mid panel joinery super simple. Also, eliminates keeping a few story sticks around. (I keep losing them)
Hobbyist just trying to have fun and not let my OCD ruin it for me.

Offline Lbob131

  • Posts: 590
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #109 on: August 22, 2021, 11:10 AM »
Whats  the difference  between  the  DDF 40  and  the  DD40P?

Offline Frank-Jan

  • Posts: 1355
  • Dutch Canadian living in Belgium
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #110 on: August 22, 2021, 11:49 AM »
Whats  the difference  between  the  DDF 40  and  the  DD40P?

I don't have either, but the ddf 40 is the newer version, and the dd40p is the old model, that is still in the catalogue.

The main difference I can spot is that the ddf 40 can register of the flat bottom of the machine, like a domino, and a biscuitjoiner can.

Offline Lincoln

  • Posts: 382
Re: Mafelll vs Festool ( and others!)
« Reply #111 on: August 22, 2021, 05:48 PM »
Also, the 'P' can drill 16mm holes, the DDF 12mm.