I have owned a Festool TS55 for almost 10 years. The Bosch looks like a very nice tool. I think your review was quite fair and enlightening about pluses and minuses about both tools. Great job Matt!
Thanks for an excellent review! I changed from the TS55 to this Bosch because of the 1,6m track. But now I have realised that the dust extraction on the Bosch is by far more efficient than on the TS55.
Thank you for your in depth review. I just order my Bosch track saw. Being a professional cabinet maker, installer and furniture maker, I too am a Bosch fan... thousands of USD in tools and have found that Bosch is the best bang for the buck.
HI Matt. As you chose to go with a plunge saw instead of a table saw, it might have been good to also tell us if your expected advantages 6 months ago were (in hind sight) correct and if there were any new thoughts on your advantages over a table saw.
After researching all these plunge saws I was set on the mafell and only now have I noticed the mafell doesn't even have that second handle! How the heck did I miss that?! Lol now I'm questioning whether to get the mafell or go with the bosch
I've had the Bosch for three years, no complaints at all. use to have the festool one, just couldn't cope with any thing but cutting 18mm sheet. underpowered and joining the tracks was a joke. I bought a extra 1600 from f f x for about £45 and cut it at 900 and 700, ideal for doors and cross cuts.
Hi Matt after watching your clip i purchase my Bosch saw today, i went in thinking Makita was my choice but for the same money made in Germany was a no brainer compared to the Mak made in China which i am avoiding after toooo many bad experiences inc Milwaukee.
I have had this saw for over 5 years and love it. I always tape the hose with a bit insulation tape or pvc duct tape. The FSN WA protractor is not worth the money. better off to buy the bench dogs track saw square. Also have the FSN1100 and the FSN800. The 1100 and 1600 is fine for 2440 sheets and shorter tracks I use for various cross cuts. The plus on this track saw is the guide rail system. It is a long way in front of the others.
Very true about the locking system for the rails, I've got a grub-screw system to join my rails and I have acquired the habit of always using a long straight edge to join them.
Nice review. I use an older Festool MFT and suspend the cord and vacuum hose off the ceiling using a bungee cord and a curtain rail. No problem with the riving knife, I just stick an old screwdriver in the slot - did it with some bendy Australian Blackwood, which incidentally, the saw managed to cut through no problem.
at about 10:20 say that Other rail systems join by "grub screws tightening in to the aluminum track" .. for the Makita and Triton this is not the case, the connectors are 2 part, and the grub screws push against a piece of metal that is part of the connector. This would badly scew my opinion away from the other brands. I am sure this was not intentional on your part but it is never good to spread false information like this. the points about keeping alignment are absolutely true though, the triton tracks I use I have to check with a straightedge after connecting them every time.
The track system by Mafell/Bosch is THE key feature of you need to cut down 4x8 sheets; that ability to get solid straight joins in the 2 track parts is with the entire decision. For the Mafell fine adjustment, that is mainly used for the case where one gets a blade resharpened, so you can adjust for the smaller teeth and still have ,say 2mm deep be exactly 2mm deep. . On the kickback risk mentioned in the end @19:00 it’s not that critical because 1) for actual plunge cuts that start by going down into wood , a physical riving knife won’t help as it can’t enter the cut initially ; and Bosch makes a anti kickback block you attach to the track to keep the saw down on the initial plunge, if it’s a concern. 2) for the general cuts coming in from the side , where a riving knife would help, I believe the motor electronics will stop the motor if it senses the blade seize , so the danger is well controlled by that system.
at 6.40 you argue that; " by adding a 200 meters on the (Bosch) rail, it just makes it a lot easier.....". Now my question is; How big is your workshop????
I must say, that felt like a very honest review. Appreciate your opinions on the hi,go and low points, and how to work around them, Here’s a big question, will this tool stay in you shop?
I had one (and a replacement). Both of them were giving a reading of about 46.5 degrees at the 45 degree lock indent. Releasing the lock, which is meant to extend to 47, the reading was off the scale. Otherwise a lovely saw, but I went for the Mafell, which seems to have no such build issues.
Great review mate. I was torn between Bosch,Festool and Makita . They all have pluses and minuses! The rail and router adapter sold me the Bosch until you mentioned the snagging with the bench dogs. This is a deal breaker with me unfortunately. But Bosch should be happy with you pointing it out early or I would of been extremely annoyed if I’d made a mft only to find my saw didn’t work on it. Great video
I have that saw, and I‘m very happy with it. A precision instrument, excellent and very thin (1.8mm) stock blade that leaves an almost polished cut surface, not loud at all, and the rails are excellent as well. Also use the rails with my GOF1250LCE, allows for a very fast workflow.
Hey Matt Concerning the problem with the hight of the benchdogs, wouldn‘t it be a great excuse to use youre fabulous metal lathe and just turn youself custom dogs? Love your channel !
Sweet. I didn't know it would run on the Festool rails (which I already run on).... so I'd definitely consider this if I need to replace my current saw. I've also been waiting for your thaughts on the 12v offset router... Is that coming any time soon Matt?
Benchdogs.co.uk have a "dog collar" that fits their "trackdog". It will solve your problem with the overhang. This versatile device can also be used to support the track when cutting narrow rips on thin material. Bonus - their dogs are less expensive than the Parf/UKJ products.
Hi Guys, obviously Matt is confusing mm with Metres here. No problem. That’s much easier than trying to work out ½, ¼ , 8ths, 16ths or 32nds of an inch if you are wedded to imperial measures.
Ya cant beat a good honest review - respect to ya Matt - regarding the Bosch plunge saw - it looks a good bit of kit, an them rails are pretty awesome - would i change it for my Makita ? erm maybe the price would be a deciding factor - atm i have no idea of price on the Bosch kit. (wrote this while watching vid)
Interesting review and it’s good that you can speak your mind. If I were in the need for a saw like this (I will be in the next 12 months) I think the problems (lack of riving knife, a battery that sticks out, a dust port that’s not in line with the blade, etc), would bug me. Everything else seems great, but it does make me wonder if they intend to listen to you and make the adjustments, because I think it would be worth it.
Thanks for the great review. I have the Mafell MT55, that does not have a riving knife either. It has an electronic anti kickback safety built in. Does this GKT55 not have it too?
Mainly the track is better in particular the joint method. Festool actually recomend having a small gap between rails so you really need to use a straight edge then flip it over to do the other side .
I did the exact same thing to the hose of my little Bosch GAS 18v, inspired by the Festool fabric hose and annoyed by it always catching on the edges and being pulled out mid cut. Works like a charm and cost me less than 5€ 😎 - I didn’t watch it to the end, just saw the hose and jumped for the comment. I’m not familiar with the UK, but the German trade association doesn’t even require a riving knife on hand held saws. I find that a bit odd, since they’re usually pretty anal about everything, but I guess that with blade guards/the plunge mechanism and the fact that the saw only works when one hand is pressing two buttons at once, they consider a kickback „safe“. I have the 18v battery powered Bosch track saw (no plunge) and even with the blade guard popping over the blade quick enough and it shutting off because it slips out of my hand, I still wouldn’t want to have it flying toward me. The Festool plunge saw has a pretty neat mechanism where the riving knife is retractable, so you’re still able to do plunge cuts and always have the riving knife. That’s where the extra money goes though…
Thanks for a very useful and thorough video! I'm going to order this, but I'm wondering if you have tried a couple attachments you didn't mention: the Mitre guide (FSNWAN) and the rip fence ( GKTPA). Are either of these useful and worth the $ or would you say they aren't really unnecessary? Also, I'd like to request that you do your next video in full Jon Snow attire.
Thank you so much for the review. I'm about to buy a new plunge saw and have my eye on this beast. Could I just ask quickly, do you find the track moves when cutting or do you use the clamps that can be bought separately? Can't wait to get one and give it a go
The track holds its place very well indeed. If I am working with some super slick sheets, I find that wiping the bottom of the track and the material between cuts helps - (saw)dust is your enemy here. A cabinet maker friend who has a Festool saw says the Bosch rails hold their place much better, he was astonished that for the most part I do not need to use the clamps. I haven't used his saw, so this is hear-say ;-). I HAVE knocked the track out of place a time or two, particularly as I was getting started with the tool, so having the wee clamps is probably not a really bad idea.
@@peterh1875 Thank you for the reply its appreciated so much. I currently own a cheap track saw and unless you use the clamps it just slides everywhere. Your review and reply has confirmed that actually I will get the Bosch and if money permits, the M class dust extractor to go along with it. It's like Christmas all over again
How accurate is your index indicator? I bought one of these earlier in the week and I've found the clicks are almost at the half way mark between the 1mm indicator marks, which makes it a bit confusing at times to recall what depth you're at.
Hey Matt, great review! I was just wondering if you couldn't turn up those bench dogs you mentioned at 16:20 on your new metal lathe? It would make a cool video for turning Tuesday.
It's not too hard to ensure festool/makita rails are straight when you join them, what you do is lock the saw cams on both tracks, then flip the saw over with the rails and then lock the joining bar.
I need the extra depth of cut that a 55 can't do. The 57mm cut is reduced when you put it on a guiderail. Not sure how thick the Bosch rail is but I'm guessing 5mm. So a net 52mm cut at 90 degrees. a 45 degree cut would be net 37mm which is 1.45 inches and not enough to cut through North American standard 2X stock. My TS 75 has performed flawlessly though a little more power would be nice. It came with a 1900mm guide rail.
I have quite big troubles with my Makita SP6000 that leaves burn marks on the wood (MDF is fine but with beech plywood it smells like crazy). At 1:59 it looks like your blade is also burned quite alot. Is this a general problem of plunge saws or is it because of the missing riving knife?
Have quite a few dewalt and Bosch professional tools tbh much prefer the Bosch on the majority of them. still can’t decide what plunge saw to buy... does the router adapter for the rails on Bosch hold Bosch palm routers as well?
There are multiple hole patterns, if one doesnt fit your router you can always tap some new ones. It worked with my 1/2" makita and 1/4" dewalt so imagine Bosch would support there own products!
Great review on this saw. Was just about to bite on the Makita, until I read better reviews for this unit. Is there an after market guide rail square available for these tracks, like the GRS-16 for Festool/Makita?
Language question for anyone: I know it's common for metric speakers to abbreviate millimeter ad mil, but is it also common to abbreviate it as meter? Twice, I heard Matt say meter when I think he meant millimeter. Once, he said the track has an extra 200 meters and at the end he mentioned an 800 meter track option. Or is that just Matt being Matt?
I got this saw, it makes good and clear cuts. But I noticed that on the full depth setting, the blade cut additional tiny part of the endge. Now it not flush with the cut. Why such thing can happen?
Great review, thank you. I wonder if that joining strip would fit other guide rails? By the way, we had a lot of mm/mtr confusion there. I would love to see a 1400mtr guide rail and a bag to put it in!
Now that I've had a good look at the Bosch and Makita guide rails I can see that the joining strip wouldn't work on my Makita rails. Oh well, back to the fiddly grub screws.
Hi Matt, Could you do a short review about your little cordless Bosch Router? I have been thinking about getting it but wonder where it's limits are. What would you use it for? And when would you definitely not use it? Thanks
@@MattEstlea thanks, considering I have the 12v impact driver and drill it is a pretty good deal without the battery. Definitely looks easier to handle than my large green Bosch plunge router.
Hi Matt Great video! I own the Festool but this is really making me think Bosch is not bad....mmm. I would like to know what you workbench top is made from. Thanks. Louis
LDB Woodworking He has done a series on both his workbenches. His main bench is solid Ash. However i assume you mean the track saw table which is topped with Valcromat a colourful form of mdf
LDB Woodworking I recommend you watch it all it some of the best woodworking content on youtube and Matt has taught me most of what i know. I find the format and information provided in his hand cut joint videos to be second to none you will be glad to have found his channel I am sure!
hello matt. i just received this saw today and t some ways it seems great but the blade is not 90deg to the base plate when set to 0 , nor is it 45deg when set to 45deg. this renders the machine pretty useless i would say. have you found this issue with yours?
Nice review Matt, love mine, even after years of using the Festool at work, just wasn't keen on their use of 2 bars to connect tracks, the Bosch way is much better! I also have the 800mm track with LR32 spacers, and am trying to work out a way to use it to make an accurate 20mm bench dog work top with router and base. Doing the first row is simple enough, but would be interested to know how you (or anyone else here) would make sure the vertical rows are at a perfect right angle? Would love the Peter Parfitt guide system of course, but I can build my whole bench for the same price and thought I'd have a go with what I have! Thanks in advance! ;)
Hey hey i m not very familiar with this kinda of saws, but o wounder is it possible to Change the Blade (for ex: metal Blade) and use this tool to cut just steel? (Even with rails)
Carbide and ceramic blades cut metal. Ensure that the RPM rating for the saw blades is equal to or greater than the maximum RPM specifications for your choice of circular saw.
I looked at the Boch abd Makita and decided on the Makita because of the Boch overhang on the guidrail, the Festool was a no go in principle(it's over priced ). If there was a rithing knife it would no longer be a plung saw unless it could be retractable for plung cuts.
Could you not machine a washer ring the same thickness as the track to sleeve over the bench dogs? (15:55) This would give equal distance between the track and the dogs along with clearance to the machine, cheap fix 👌
That's a pretty good idea. Should get away with 2 washers of any inner/outer diameter, as long as they're identical. Easy enough to make yourself I imagine, square piece of MDF of the right depth to miss the motor, bore a 20mm hole (probably with the supplied bit in the parf guide system).
@@whirled_peas It is not enough to miss the motor, it should miss the base of the saw too, because it sticks out to the left side of the rail. MDF is not really the best material for this, because that washer should be thinner than the guiderail.
I am definitely not sponsored by Bosch ;-), but I fully agree with Matt's review, both the pros and cons (having built a bunch of furniture with the GKT55 from various kinds of sheet goods).
Before buying a Festool track for the Bosch track saw, I would recommend watching Andreas Kalts video on that subject ( th-cam.com/video/xPIncODinFM/w-d-xo.html ). For me, fiddling with the glide strips and adjusting the knobs when switching between tracks would be too complicated.
Can't you just get some 3mm thick, "extra penny" spacer washers made by a laser CNC owning company to drop on your dogs? They can be made to have big enough OD to offset the rail, so your saw will pass.
Overhang isn't an issue if you use a guide rail dog that attaches below the rail (which Matt said he had on order). Much better system than than just butting up to dogs.
The "overhang issue" is absolutely no issue whatsoever. You can use guide rial dogs that attach under the rail meaning overhang not an issue. You can use the FSN WAN angle guide rail piece meaning overhang is not an issue. You could use the Festool MFT guide rial bracket meaning overhang isn't an issue. The Bosch and mafell plunge saws are both compatible with Festool style rails which are wider, so overhang isn't an issue. In one, and only one, circumstance is overhang an issue - using a dog to butt up against using Bosch/Mafell rails. Just use the miriad of other options (as demonstrated above) and it's not an issue. smh
Great review, but you used metres a lot when you should have said millimetres. Proof that inches is the most accurate measuring system Edit: this comment hurt to type
That's the beauty of the Bosch and Mafell plunge saws - you get to choose your rail system. Or use both for different things if you've got the money to burn :)
Unfortunately for its feature set, it is overpriced. I can currently get a Makita 40v battery powered saw (including the battery) for the price of this corded one, and it has the scoring system like the Mafell that the Bosch does not. Or I can get a corded Makita with a 55" track for $100 less than the cost of just the Bosch saw. A Kreg kit costs a lot less and comes with a riving knife. I wanted to buy this saw to match the rest of my Bosch lineup but I'm going to have to buy a different brand purely due to price.
*Great saw **MyBest.Tools** and track for the price can't beat it although the blade could be better but easily switched out.*
I have owned a Festool TS55 for almost 10 years. The Bosch looks like a very nice tool. I think your review was quite fair and enlightening about pluses and minuses about both tools. Great job Matt!
Thanks for an excellent review! I changed from the TS55 to this Bosch because of the 1,6m track. But now I have realised that the dust extraction on the Bosch is by far more efficient than on the TS55.
Thank you for your in depth review. I just order my Bosch track saw. Being a professional cabinet maker, installer and furniture maker, I too am a Bosch fan... thousands of USD in tools and have found that Bosch is the best bang for the buck.
HI Matt. As you chose to go with a plunge saw instead of a table saw, it might have been good to also tell us if your expected advantages 6 months ago were (in hind sight) correct and if there were any new thoughts on your advantages over a table saw.
After researching all these plunge saws I was set on the mafell and only now have I noticed the mafell doesn't even have that second handle! How the heck did I miss that?! Lol now I'm questioning whether to get the mafell or go with the bosch
I've had this saw for about 4 years, brilliant bit of kit, I've also got the 18v circular saw that bosch made to fit on the guide rails.
I've had the Bosch for three years, no complaints at all. use to have the festool one, just couldn't cope with any thing but cutting 18mm sheet. underpowered and joining the tracks was a joke.
I bought a extra 1600 from f f x for about £45 and cut it at 900 and 700, ideal for doors and cross cuts.
Hi Matt after watching your clip i purchase my Bosch saw today, i went in thinking Makita was my choice but for the same money made in Germany was a no brainer compared to the Mak made in China which i am avoiding after toooo many bad experiences inc Milwaukee.
Matt Cremona is in the UK. At Piddlehinton near Dorchester. He’s with April Wilkinson. They’re going to make a guitar. 8th and 9th of May.
Kevin Amatt cool.
Wilkerson?
I have been waiting for this!!🙌
Excellent review! In the market for a track saw and will now add this one to my list of potentials!
Thanks and keep up the great videos!
I've got this saw, very good machine, the Bosch cordless saw fits the track too, which is very handy.
I have had this saw for over 5 years and love it. I always tape the hose with a bit insulation tape or pvc duct tape. The FSN WA protractor is not worth the money. better off to buy the bench dogs track
saw square. Also have the FSN1100 and the FSN800. The 1100 and 1600 is fine for 2440 sheets and shorter tracks I use for various cross cuts. The plus on this track saw is the guide rail system. It is a long way in front of the others.
The mafells blade change is for dust extraction. the hole on the bosch for removing the blade is like a hole in your vacuum tube reduces the suction
Just put some tape on it...
Well said
Very true about the locking system for the rails, I've got a grub-screw system to join my rails and I have acquired the habit of always using a long straight edge to join them.
Nice review. I use an older Festool MFT and suspend the cord and vacuum hose off the ceiling using a bungee cord and a curtain rail. No problem with the riving knife, I just stick an old screwdriver in the slot - did it with some bendy Australian Blackwood, which incidentally, the saw managed to cut through no problem.
at about 10:20 say that Other rail systems join by "grub screws tightening in to the aluminum track" .. for the Makita and Triton this is not the case, the connectors are 2 part, and the grub screws push against a piece of metal that is part of the connector. This would badly scew my opinion away from the other brands. I am sure this was not intentional on your part but it is never good to spread false information like this. the points about keeping alignment are absolutely true though, the triton tracks I use I have to check with a straightedge after connecting them every time.
The track system by Mafell/Bosch is THE key feature of you need to cut down 4x8 sheets; that ability to get solid straight joins in the 2 track parts is with the entire decision.
For the Mafell fine adjustment, that is mainly used for the case where one gets a blade resharpened, so you can adjust for the smaller teeth and still have ,say 2mm deep be exactly 2mm deep. .
On the kickback risk mentioned in the end @19:00 it’s not that critical because
1) for actual plunge cuts that start by going down into wood , a physical riving knife won’t help as it can’t enter the cut initially ; and Bosch makes a anti kickback block you attach to the track to keep the saw down on the initial plunge, if it’s a concern.
2) for the general cuts coming in from the side , where a riving knife would help, I believe the motor electronics will stop the motor if it senses the blade seize , so the danger is well controlled by that system.
at 6.40 you argue that; " by adding a 200 meters on the (Bosch) rail, it just makes it a lot easier.....". Now my question is; How big is your workshop????
lol
I must say, that felt like a very honest review. Appreciate your opinions on the hi,go and low points, and how to work around them, Here’s a big question, will this tool stay in you shop?
I had one (and a replacement). Both of them were giving a reading of about 46.5 degrees at the 45 degree lock indent. Releasing the lock, which is meant to extend to 47, the reading was off the scale. Otherwise a lovely saw, but I went for the Mafell, which seems to have no such build issues.
Great review mate. I was torn between Bosch,Festool and Makita . They all have pluses and minuses! The rail and router adapter sold me the Bosch until you mentioned the snagging with the bench dogs. This is a deal breaker with me unfortunately. But Bosch should be happy with you pointing it out early or I would of been extremely annoyed if I’d made a mft only to find my saw didn’t work on it. Great video
I have that saw, and I‘m very happy with it. A precision instrument, excellent and very thin (1.8mm) stock blade that leaves an almost polished cut surface, not loud at all, and the rails are excellent as well. Also use the rails with my GOF1250LCE, allows for a very fast workflow.
Hey Matt
Concerning the problem with the hight of the benchdogs, wouldn‘t it be a great excuse to use youre fabulous metal lathe and just turn youself custom dogs? Love your channel !
Get the OFA 32 kit too.. when you make one MFT it has paid for itsself
Sweet. I didn't know it would run on the Festool rails (which I already run on).... so I'd definitely consider this if I need to replace my current saw.
I've also been waiting for your thaughts on the 12v offset router... Is that coming any time soon Matt?
Benchdogs.co.uk have a "dog collar" that fits their "trackdog". It will solve your problem with the overhang. This versatile device can also be used to support the track when cutting narrow rips on thin material. Bonus - their dogs are less expensive than the Parf/UKJ products.
Great, user-friendly review. Thanks, Matt.
5:13 1600 metre rail (and again later) !
Now that is something that I would like to see :-)
There are so many things I'd want to be 1600 metres long, or with a 200 metre overhang... hahaha
Imagine the power cord
Matt always does think big.
@@GeorgeFarren Cordless????
Hi Guys, obviously Matt is confusing mm with Metres here. No problem. That’s much easier than trying to work out ½, ¼ , 8ths, 16ths or 32nds of an inch if you are wedded to imperial measures.
I own the Bosch GKT55 GCE and i can recommend it, its a beast!
This review is so good that I'm subscribing right now...!!! Thank you...
1600m rail?? Bugger me I think that might be a tad too long. Would wear the blade out before completing the cut! Haha
yup my 7 year old noticed that hehe
Ayy Matt you uploaded this at the same time as the SpaceX stream😲
i can't find that router guide anywhere. do you know if they still sell it?
Hi Matt, is it perfectly at 90 degrees at zero settings and is the 45 degrees actually 45 degrees? or are they a little out
Ya cant beat a good honest review - respect to ya Matt - regarding the Bosch plunge saw - it looks a good bit of kit, an them rails are pretty awesome - would i change it for my Makita ? erm maybe the price would be a deciding factor - atm i have no idea of price on the Bosch kit. (wrote this while watching vid)
Thx for another good vid! Really enjoy learning from you
Interesting review and it’s good that you can speak your mind.
If I were in the need for a saw like this (I will be in the next 12 months) I think the problems (lack of riving knife, a battery that sticks out, a dust port that’s not in line with the blade, etc), would bug me. Everything else seems great, but it does make me wonder if they intend to listen to you and make the adjustments, because I think it would be worth it.
It's the motor that sticks out, not the battery.
Boschs battery track saw is out later this year, I think.
James Bailand. Thanks, but the motor is what I meant.
Thanks for the great review. I have the Mafell MT55, that does not have a riving knife either. It has an electronic anti kickback safety built in. Does this GKT55 not have it too?
I really wish I had go for this instead of my festool
Mainly the track is better in particular the joint method. Festool actually recomend having a small gap between rails so you really need to use a straight edge then flip it over to do the other side .
I did the exact same thing to the hose of my little Bosch GAS 18v, inspired by the Festool fabric hose and annoyed by it always catching on the edges and being pulled out mid cut. Works like a charm and cost me less than 5€ 😎
- I didn’t watch it to the end, just saw the hose and jumped for the comment. I’m not familiar with the UK, but the German trade association doesn’t even require a riving knife on hand held saws. I find that a bit odd, since they’re usually pretty anal about everything, but I guess that with blade guards/the plunge mechanism and the fact that the saw only works when one hand is pressing two buttons at once, they consider a kickback „safe“. I have the 18v battery powered Bosch track saw (no plunge) and even with the blade guard popping over the blade quick enough and it shutting off because it slips out of my hand, I still wouldn’t want to have it flying toward me. The Festool plunge saw has a pretty neat mechanism where the riving knife is retractable, so you’re still able to do plunge cuts and always have the riving knife. That’s where the extra money goes though…
Wow love that work bench. Did you build? Have plans?
Thanks for a very useful and thorough video! I'm going to order this, but I'm wondering if you have tried a couple attachments you didn't mention: the Mitre guide (FSNWAN) and the rip fence (
GKTPA). Are either of these useful and worth the $ or would you say they aren't really unnecessary? Also, I'd like to request that you do your next video in full Jon Snow attire.
Blimey, that looks like a short 800m rail! Or you’ve suddenly grown?
With the new Bosch battery portable plunge saw is it better? I do note it does not cut as deep. Do you have any suggestion? Thank you.
Thank you so much for the review. I'm about to buy a new plunge saw and have my eye on this beast.
Could I just ask quickly, do you find the track moves when cutting or do you use the clamps that can be bought separately?
Can't wait to get one and give it a go
The track holds its place very well indeed. If I am working with some super slick sheets, I find that wiping the bottom of the track and the material between cuts helps - (saw)dust is your enemy here. A cabinet maker friend who has a Festool saw says the Bosch rails hold their place much better, he was astonished that for the most part I do not need to use the clamps.
I haven't used his saw, so this is hear-say ;-). I HAVE knocked the track out of place a time or two, particularly as I was getting started with the tool, so having the wee clamps is probably not a really bad idea.
@@peterh1875 Thank you for the reply its appreciated so much. I currently own a cheap track saw and unless you use the clamps it just slides everywhere.
Your review and reply has confirmed that actually I will get the Bosch and if money permits, the M class dust extractor to go along with it.
It's like Christmas all over again
How accurate is your index indicator? I bought one of these earlier in the week and I've found the clicks are almost at the half way mark between the 1mm indicator marks, which makes it a bit confusing at times to recall what depth you're at.
Hey Matt, great review! I was just wondering if you couldn't turn up those bench dogs you mentioned at 16:20 on your new metal lathe? It would make a cool video for turning Tuesday.
It's not too hard to ensure festool/makita rails are straight when you join them, what you do is lock the saw cams on both tracks, then flip the saw over with the rails and then lock the joining bar.
I need the extra depth of cut that a 55 can't do. The 57mm cut is reduced when you put it on a guiderail. Not sure how thick the Bosch rail is but I'm guessing 5mm. So a net 52mm cut at 90 degrees. a 45 degree cut would be net 37mm which is 1.45 inches and not enough to cut through North American standard 2X stock.
My TS 75 has performed flawlessly though a little more power would be nice.
It came with a 1900mm guide rail.
I have quite big troubles with my Makita SP6000 that leaves burn marks on the wood (MDF is fine but with beech plywood it smells like crazy). At 1:59 it looks like your blade is also burned quite alot. Is this a general problem of plunge saws or is it because of the missing riving knife?
Have quite a few dewalt and Bosch professional tools tbh much prefer the Bosch on the majority of them. still can’t decide what plunge saw to buy... does the router adapter for the rails on Bosch hold Bosch palm routers as well?
There are multiple hole patterns, if one doesnt fit your router you can always tap some new ones. It worked with my 1/2" makita and 1/4" dewalt so imagine Bosch would support there own products!
Great saw that Bosch!
I’m sure you adressed it in a video somewhere but why is it you don’t have a table saw?
What is the reference of the adaptator kit (rail+stop+router adaptator+jig saw adaptator)? Thanks!
Great review on this saw. Was just about to bite on the Makita, until I read better reviews for this unit. Is there an after market guide rail square available for these tracks, like the GRS-16 for Festool/Makita?
FSN WAN is what it is called
Very useful! Thanks!
Language question for anyone: I know it's common for metric speakers to abbreviate millimeter ad mil, but is it also common to abbreviate it as meter? Twice, I heard Matt say meter when I think he meant millimeter. Once, he said the track has an extra 200 meters and at the end he mentioned an 800 meter track option.
Or is that just Matt being Matt?
Timothy Ball we don’t. Pretty sure he made a mistake with that 😂
Lol, it’s Matt being Matt
@@MattEstlea Use Imperial, problem solved;~)
Where did you get the hose sleeve from?
Great review!!
I bought Festool tracks and they didn’t fit, even with the black strip removed. They’ll be on EBay soon!!
I got this saw, it makes good and clear cuts. But I noticed that on the full depth setting, the blade cut additional tiny part of the endge. Now it not flush with the cut. Why such thing can happen?
Great review, thank you. I wonder if that joining strip would fit other guide rails? By the way, we had a lot of mm/mtr confusion there. I would love to see a 1400mtr guide rail and a bag to put it in!
Now that I've had a good look at the Bosch and Makita guide rails I can see that the joining strip wouldn't work on my Makita rails. Oh well, back to the fiddly grub screws.
Hi Matt, Could you do a short review about your little cordless Bosch Router? I have been thinking about getting it but wonder where it's limits are. What would you use it for? And when would you definitely not use it? Thanks
I love it! It’s not made for cutting grooves or deep rebates or anything. But if you want to do flush trimming or small edge profiles it’s ideal!
@@MattEstlea thanks, considering I have the 12v impact driver and drill it is a pretty good deal without the battery. Definitely looks easier to handle than my large green Bosch plunge router.
Hi Matt
Great video! I own the Festool but this is really making me think Bosch is not bad....mmm. I would like to know what you workbench top is made from. Thanks. Louis
LDB Woodworking He has done a series on both his workbenches. His main bench is solid Ash. However i assume you mean the track saw table which is topped with Valcromat a colourful form of mdf
@@mylesjohnston8759 Thanks! I am new to his channel and haven't watched all the content. I will have a look
LDB Woodworking I recommend you watch it all it some of the best woodworking content on youtube and Matt has taught me most of what i know. I find the format and information provided in his hand cut joint videos to be second to none you will be glad to have found his channel I am sure!
@@mylesjohnston8759 Ironic you should say...I am busy watching his planing video as you sent this 😉
Great review, but is this a UK product only? Can't seem to find it here in the U.S. unless I'm not looking in the right places.
They have a different/similar model for the US: the GKT13-255L
www.amazon.com/Bosch-Tools-Track-Saw-GKT13-225L/dp/B07P5VQKLD
hello matt. i just received this saw today and t some ways it seems great but the blade is not 90deg to the base plate when set to 0 , nor is it 45deg when set to 45deg. this renders the machine pretty useless i would say. have you found this issue with yours?
Not at all mate, it’s bang on. Get hold of Bosch directly at they’ll sort it for you!
Did you give the price and comparison on that?
Nice review Matt, love mine, even after years of using the Festool at work, just wasn't keen on their use of 2 bars to connect tracks, the Bosch way is much better!
I also have the 800mm track with LR32 spacers, and am trying to work out a way to use it to make an accurate 20mm bench dog work top with router and base. Doing the first row is simple enough, but would be interested to know how you (or anyone else here) would make sure the vertical rows are at a perfect right angle?
Would love the Peter Parfitt guide system of course, but I can build my whole bench for the same price and thought I'd have a go with what I have! Thanks in advance! ;)
I make my MFT like this but before I start I add the horizontal lines as a spacing.
Then I move the rail to this line and do the plunges and repeat.
@@thulegezelschap5884 Have you found that accurate enough to then use the grid of holes for cutting with dogs, etc?
Excellent review thorough and to the point
Is it good for tiles?
Hey hey i m not very familiar with this kinda of saws, but o wounder is it possible to Change the Blade (for ex: metal Blade) and use this tool to cut just steel? (Even with rails)
Carbide and ceramic blades cut metal. Ensure that the RPM rating for the saw blades is equal to or greater than the maximum RPM specifications for your choice of circular saw.
Where did you get the T track dogs from?
Does it have a raving knife, please?
I looked at the Boch abd Makita and decided on the Makita because of the Boch overhang on the guidrail, the Festool was a no go in principle(it's over priced ). If there was a rithing knife it would no longer be a plung saw unless it could be retractable for plung cuts.
Roland Keys the festool is really not that expensive anymore. The Mafell is the best and that’s crazy money, but you get what you pay for.
The riving knife drops and retracts with the blade.
maffel same track saw with Makita and bosch ?
20:01 that's a pretty long rail :D
Could you not machine a washer ring the same thickness as the track to sleeve over the bench dogs? (15:55)
This would give equal distance between the track and the dogs along with clearance to the machine, cheap fix 👌
That's a pretty good idea. Should get away with 2 washers of any inner/outer diameter, as long as they're identical. Easy enough to make yourself I imagine, square piece of MDF of the right depth to miss the motor, bore a 20mm hole (probably with the supplied bit in the parf guide system).
@@whirled_peas It is not enough to miss the motor, it should miss the base of the saw too, because it sticks out to the left side of the rail. MDF is not really the best material for this, because that washer should be thinner than the guiderail.
Well done.
nice review...
I am definitely not sponsored by Bosch ;-), but I fully agree with Matt's review, both the pros and cons (having built a bunch of furniture with the GKT55 from various kinds of sheet goods).
Thanks.
15 year hand cutter machine working good machine🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
I am carpenter good cutter machine Bosch💖💖💖💖🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
Hi there, trade it in for a Mafell plunge saw
5:14 7:28 a 1600 meter rail how do you even use and transport that lol.
Before buying a Festool track for the Bosch track saw, I would recommend watching Andreas Kalts video on that subject ( th-cam.com/video/xPIncODinFM/w-d-xo.html ). For me, fiddling with the glide strips and adjusting the knobs when switching between tracks would be too complicated.
Why not have a 7 1/4" blade? That would come in handy with bevel rips on thick material.
1600m rail...you can cross cut the world with that thing!
It's a small word
I so want one
Can't you just get some 3mm thick, "extra penny" spacer washers made by a laser CNC owning company to drop on your dogs? They can be made to have big enough OD to offset the rail, so your saw will pass.
Allowed to...
200 metres ? I think you meant millimetres or I need a hearing test 🤣🤣
"better to have too much than too little at the end of the day isn't it?" That's what she said!
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it
Rather than buying dogs that go under the track it might be easier to just buy a Festool track and run the Bosch saw on that.
Does the mafell have same guide rail overhang issues
Yes, but you can use them with the Festool guide rail, which is deeper.
Overhang isn't an issue if you use a guide rail dog that attaches below the rail (which Matt said he had on order). Much better system than than just butting up to dogs.
@@GPG7754 Dogs as in bench dogs. They're called exactly the same thing in the US as here in the UK.
The "overhang issue" is absolutely no issue whatsoever. You can use guide rial dogs that attach under the rail meaning overhang not an issue. You can use the FSN WAN angle guide rail piece meaning overhang is not an issue. You could use the Festool MFT guide rial bracket meaning overhang isn't an issue. The Bosch and mafell plunge saws are both compatible with Festool style rails which are wider, so overhang isn't an issue. In one, and only one, circumstance is overhang an issue - using a dog to butt up against using Bosch/Mafell rails. Just use the miriad of other options (as demonstrated above) and it's not an issue. smh
Great review, but you used metres a lot when you should have said millimetres. Proof that inches is the most accurate measuring system
Edit: this comment hurt to type
Yea I know 😂 Pillock
@@MattEstlea I can just hear the music...
Love the saw but I'd personally use the Makita rail.
That's the beauty of the Bosch and Mafell plunge saws - you get to choose your rail system. Or use both for different things if you've got the money to burn :)
If you have to link rails you will switch after using this :)
Unfortunately for its feature set, it is overpriced. I can currently get a Makita 40v battery powered saw (including the battery) for the price of this corded one, and it has the scoring system like the Mafell that the Bosch does not. Or I can get a corded Makita with a 55" track for $100 less than the cost of just the Bosch saw. A Kreg kit costs a lot less and comes with a riving knife. I wanted to buy this saw to match the rest of my Bosch lineup but I'm going to have to buy a different brand purely due to price.
200 meter overhang! nothing says impressive like a fifth of a kilometer overhang for a plunge saw. Bosch, German over engineering at its best!
"bosch helps me out a bit" eyes roll...