Festool atf55 replacement

[corset]

I have an old festool atf 55e and it has done stirling service. However it is 10years old ish and is dying. I bought it second hand so I feel it has been great value. It has been used where i work and they have not been kind to it. On the plus side they are happy to help with replacement costs.
I would dearly like to replace it in the next month, However. In the past my choices were largely mafel and Festool. Now however we have a makita imitation and a Dewalt pretender to the throne. Due the the small site i work i like the ideal of a cordless saw but am worried about the power.
So does anyone have any opinions on the makita or the dewalt. I have been very happy with the festool but it is almost 90pounds more expensive. And the makita seems very similar in the photos.
Owen

[dom]

Hi Owen, I think you'll find the vote split on here, posssibly erring towards Mafele, but that may be a price thing.
I have used both and my preference is the Festool only because it feels better, it's that sort of, 'I don't know why but it just feels right'.

Dom

[dirtydeeds]

you wouldnt spend rolls royce money on a ford, so dont buy a dewalt with a festool price tag

ive got the ts55 and ive looked at the makita out of interest, the makita is a good copy for less money than the festool




in my view

if you cant spring for the festool look at the makita

if you can afford the dewalt you can afford the festool, in which case buy the festool

[craigmarshall]

Another thing to bear in mind is that the Makita plunge saw works with the festool tracks. My boss has the TS55 and loves it, he's quite happy to use that for sheet goods and a band saw and chop saw for everything else (i.e. we use it a lot, basically every day). I was thinking of getting a TS55 myself but noticed the Makita. I went into a shop and had a listen and it feels and sounds absolutely great. If and when I get a plunge saw, I'll get the makita, it's basically the same as the festool apart from a few minor refinements (100w more, a more flexible angle setting (-1 - 47 or something instead of 0-45), a device to stop it falling off the track when it's cranked over at 45 degrees, etc. And it's £280-£300 instead of £380+, same kind of systainer box, same tracks, same sized blades too, I think.

I've not seen the dewalt in person though, just seen the video on the website, and it also sounds like a great tool, I'll likely go with the makita anyway though probably just because of a gut feeling. (And I've now got other makita stuff that I quite like)

Craig

Edit: Just to be clear, I haven't actually *used* the makita to saw wood, but I had it plugged in, in the shop and switched it on and it seems to look and feel like it does everything the festool does.

[corset]

I think the makita is the one to go for. I have heard quite a few things about dewalts quality control over the last couple of weeks and it does not fill me with confidence. I have few festool bits and they are the business but I have had no problems with makita.
I will try and write an assesment when i get it. Thanks
Owen