Mafell KSS 40 review: the pocket rocket

[@mikespray2002]

Great purchase for me. I found it after disappointment with Festool’s HKC. It rides in my van full time (often don’t bother with a mitersaw). Highly recommend.

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Mike, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I also started out with Festool's HKC but after finding the KSS 40 it has really improved my workflow :)

[@markhagen7777]

Last year I needed to portably locate all the tools I would need to make floating shelves in Portland Oregon flying from Minneapolis. I packed all I thought I would need and then some in a sys 5 For the flight and had a new k SS 40 as you’ve shown it sent to the job site. It worked flawlessly and still does. Just a sublime little tool that punches way past its weight. I was breaking down Maple Veneered plywood which cut with no chip out whatsoever. You get a lot of peace of mind in the bargain when you buy that saw

[@Furnitecture]

Thanks for sharing, Mark! I agree it is the ultimate portable setup especially suited for joiners who work on-site! Cheers, Chris

[@RetrotechCNC]

Great Saw, and great video!

[@shanemcdonald3191]

Nice video. I’ve been considering this setup because of the size of the saw. I also like the Mafell products. I have the Mafell mt55, and also the Mafell kss80. Fine quality saws

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Shane, thanks so much and I agree they really are fine quality saws! Whilst the depth of cut may be a limiting factor for some, as you already have the kss80 I think it'd be a great addition to your collection :)

[@shanemcdonald3191]

I noticed you mentioned the kapex. I’ve always wanted that saw, even though I already have a Makita 10” cordless miter. I just hate dragging it around, which is why I’ve been eyeballing the kss40. How have you liked the kapex so far, and does the kss40 handle most of the cuts that the kapex makes? Thanks, Shane

[@Furnitecture]

@@shanemcdonald3191 Hey Shane! Thanks for your question :) I may open up a can of worms here but In my opinion the Kapex on a UG stand is far superior in terms of portability to any of the other big brand compound mitresaw offering (having said that I haven't been in the market for a compound mitre saw since buying the Kapex so I'm not sure what else is out there now). Before the Kapex I had a Dewalt compound mitre saw on their trestle style stand and the UG stand is a lot quicker to roll to site and setup and also offers more workpiece support and a really intuitive stop system (dead accurate too!). In terms of your question of if the KSS 40 replaces a Kapex: No, it does not as without fence stops you'd have to do something like make a story stick and transfer those marks to each workpiece. In addition trimming short pieces is tricky as you need to bridge the gap between the stops (possible however for example with a scrap piece and your work piece pinned to it with 23-gauge nails) For repetitive and accurate cuts IMO nothing beats the Kapex! Having said all that - I've recently sold that Kapex in the video as I've been downsizing my workshop and business - I'm focusing more on small custom projects so for my needs the KSS40 is actually all I own and use! Time will tell if I'll need a Kapex again but as I design and make all my projects I can keep that in mind when planning projects. I hope that helps?

[@shanemcdonald3191]

I really like the mobile table in the video. Who makes that? Thanks again, and hope all is well!

[@Furnitecture]

@@shanemcdonald3191 Hi Shane, no worries :) the mobile table is the STM 1800 from Festool - I'll be doing a video review on it soon!

[@mrghm]

Nice saw The roll up rail has always amazed me

[@Furnitecture]

Hi mrghm, thanks for subscribing and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it 🙌! The roll up rail is so handy and it beats having to carry an extra guide rail on small jobs :)

[@lincolnbrown1904]

Nice to see another Mafell user in Melbourne!

[@Furnitecture]

@@lincolnbrown1904 Nice one!! Which Mafell tools do you have?

[@lincolnbrown1904]

@@Furnitecture have swapped a lot of my power tools over to Mafell, so have the cordless MT55, KS 40 and KP55, as well as the P1 jigsaw and DDF Doweller. I'm waiting on an order at the moment, which has their mobile workbench/systainer.

[@Furnitecture]

@@lincolnbrown1904 Ha ha it sounds like we've both been bitten by the red bug! I've got the MT55, P1cc and the (older model) DD40 doweller as well. The mobile workbench / systainer sounds interesting, I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on it once you get it and try it out 👍

[@MrLasipa]

You can cut bottoms of the doors as well minimum 13mm with parallel guard adjust deapth, I managed Tu fit 140mm blade depth of cut is now 50mm, best saw for my.

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Linas, thanks for the tips and where did you get the 140mm blade from? 50mm depth of cut would be amazing!

[@thethoughtfulcarpenter]

Its definitely my favorite handheld saw! My only issue has been the blade lock not working so I just hold the blade with my hand so not a big deal. What blade are you using to cut metal with? Great video!

[@Furnitecture]

Nice to hear that! By holding the blade do you mean you hold the depth adjustment plunger? I'm using Trend craft saw blades that are especially made for use with the kss 40. They are TCT blades so have no problem cutting non-ferrous metals like aluminium.

[@thepewplace1370]

These appear to have it all covered, and I'd really like the KSS60 18v to function as both a tracksaw and a standalone 7 1/4 circular saw. The end user orientation of mafell saws really blow the competition out of the water.

[@Furnitecture]

Hiya, thanks for stopping by. Yes Mafell makes great stuff! I'm not familiar with the KSS60 but I thought it can run on Mafell's regular guide rails in addition to the cross-cut rail?

[@thepewplace1370]

@@Furnitecture yep! It appears to come standard with the crosscut guide and accepts the standard F series tracks, it just has a 60mm cut depth and appropriate motor but is otherwise the same as the 40 as far as I can tell.

[@rickyperkins232]

Does this saw have a light on it? Now that you had this saw for a while now would you still recommend it?

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Ricky, thanks for your question - no, the saw does not have a light. Yes 100% recommended, for my needs it has been a game changer as a very capable and portable site saw.

[@rickyperkins232]

​@@Furnitecture will the saw cut 2"×4" lumber? Does it have the power for all day cutting? I am thinking about using it for framing.

[@Furnitecture]

@@rickyperkins232 This saw only has a 40mm depth of cut so for framing I'd suggest looking at the bigger brother, the Mafell KSS50 or even KSS60. As for all day use, with any battery operated power tools it really depends on the battery you use. I tend to use 6ah batteries but Metabo (note: not 'Metabo HPT' but Metabo) sells 8ah and 10ah batteries as well which would last much longer.

[@skuppejou]

Good video! How close to a Wall can you cut with the saw?

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Hort, I believe 13mm or 1/2" hope that helps :)

[@FixthisCD]

FYI Makita and Hikoki both have saws that reverse bevel to 15 degrees for undercutting at wall

[@microdoulo2250]

when u cut the metal what type the blade do u use?

[@Furnitecture]

There are specialist blades for cleaner cuts but when cutting non-ferrous metals (like aluminium), any TCT blade should work fine - hope that helps :)

[@alexandrbeliy8971]

Hello amigo. how long you can work with one battery, I cannot find this information, and honestly, I cannot choose between kss 300 and kss 40. Very nice review

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Alexandr, I'd recommend the KSS40 over the corded KSS300 as the convenience is well worth it! In terms of runtime it really depends on the kind of work you do and the battery that you use. For most of my work I find that a single 6ah battery will get me through a day. The most I've ever used is probably 3 x 5.5ah batteries over the course of a day. You can also get larger capacity 8ah batteries which would give you a longer runtime if you need it. FYI this system runs on CAS batteries so Metabo batteries are compatible. I hope that helps.

[@alexandrbeliy8971]

​@@Furnitecture thanks man

[@alregtx4414]

Do you like your Kemppi MinarcMig Evo?

[@Furnitecture]

hi alre gtx, thanks for your question, Yes it is a great MIG welder but I recently sold it as I've been downsizing.

[@bricemadden397]

I have this and like it where did you get the blade you have?

[@Furnitecture]

Hi Brice, thanks for your question. I believe the blade is the CSB/12024T - Trend craft saw blade 120mm x 24 teeth x 20mm. I think I got them on eBay from a UK seller. Hope that helps!

[@bricemadden397]

Are you in the uk? I’d like to get one of those blades but with more teeth where can I buy in USA How did you buy direct from mafell if your in USA?

[@Furnitecture]

@@bricemadden397 I'm based in Melbourne, Australia :)