Mafell: What We Don't Carry—and Why

A salesperson who tells you what not to buy is either crazy or honest. We believe that a selection is only as good as its limitations. That’s why we’ve listed here in full which Mafell machines we haven’t included in our carpenter’s recommendations, along with the reason for each exclusion. And because “not recommended” doesn’t mean “not available”: We’ll still order any machine on this page for you upon request, at the list price and with the same level of advice.

The S 25 L – the right technology in the wrong dust class

The S 25 L (€631 net) is a reliable vacuum cleaner, yet we still don’t carry it. It is classified as dust class L. Wood dust is considered carcinogenic, and Technical Rule 553 for Hazardous Substances requires class M dust collectors on hand-held woodworking machines. This means the S 25 L would be the wrong choice for a carpenter, no matter how attractive the price may seem.

Upgrading to the S 25 M (€916 net) costs €285—a premium for the M-Class, not a multiple of the base price. Our recommendation remains the S 35 M (€1,056 net) with sensor-controlled filter cleaning, because it runs on the machine all day without you having to tap the filter by hand. Why the M-Class is a must and what that means for your operation is explained in the knowledge article on wood dust extraction.

NFU Groove Cutters – Woodworking Tools

The NFU 50 (€2,359 net) and its cordless counterpart, the NFU 50-18, rout slots, notches, and tenons for timber-frame panels, studs, and beamwork. That’s timber construction, and that’s where they shine. In a carpentry shop, there’s rarely a job for these tasks that would justify the investment. Anyone who needs slots in furniture dimensions can cut them using the LO 65 Ec router on the guide rail—or on the RUWI router table .

We mention one exception in the advisor: Anyone who regularly mills long slots into solid-wood panels or benches will find the model listed there as the NFU 50, with the note that Mafell classifies it as a woodworking machine. It is then considered a custom-order machine, not a machine kept in stock.

The Carpentry Program—a boundary that Mafell sets for itself

Mafell has been building portable carpentry machines since 1926; the chain chisel turns 100 this year. That is the company’s historical core, and to this day, Mafell clearly distinguishes between its product lines for joiners and carpenters. We follow the same approach. Everything on this list is a good tool for another trade—it’s not missing here because it’s poor quality, but because you, as a master joiner, don’t need it.

• MKS 130, 145, 165, and 185 Ec Hand-Held Circular Saws for Carpentry
• ZSX Ec and ZSX TWIN Ec Carpentry Chainsaws, Z 5 Ec Hand-Held Band Saw
• DSS 300 cc Insulation Wire Saw
• ZK 115 Ec Groove Cutter, ZAF 250 Vario Tenon Cutter, KFU 1000 E Joint Cutter, RF 34-18 Gutter Bracket Cutter
• LS 103 Ec Chain Breaker, SG 230, SG 400, and SG 500 Slot Cutters
• Arunda Series B and Series N Milling Templates
• Carpentry Planers ZH 205, ZH 245, and ZH 320 Ec
• ZAS Brick Marking System, Versum Roof Surveying, BionicBack Exo-Stabilizer

One borderline case deserves mention: The K 105-18, with its cutting depth exceeding 100 mm, falls right on this line. We carry it anyway because the window and door manufacturing industry requires this depth. Those buying it for timber framing are better off with the MKS models; those cutting square lumber should come to us.

When Mafell Isn't the Answer

The sections above discuss individual machines. In addition, there are two areas of application where the Mafell product line does not provide the complete solution. This information also belongs on this page; otherwise, the selection would be only half complete.

Grinding: Two Good Machines, No System

Mafell offers two sanders, both of which we carry in our store: the UVA 115 E orbital sander (€615 net) and the EVA 150 E random-orbit sander (€512 net). Both are technically sound. What’s missing is the supporting infrastructure: Mafell offers sanding media for both under its own part numbers, but it’s not a comprehensive sanding system with a full range of grits, intermediate pads, and coordinated dust extraction.

For a single machine, that’s not a valid counterargument. But when you consider your grinding setup as a whole—the machine, the discs, the grit series, and the supplies you’ll need over the years—the Mafell line doesn’t cut it. We’ll be upfront with you about what we recommend during our workshop consultation, even if it’s a different brand.

Wireless: CAS Closes the Gaps, but One Remains Open

Mafell is a founding member of the Cordless Alliance System: 18-volt LiHD batteries, manufactured by Metabo, are mechanically and electrically identical across more than fifty brands. Mafell does not cover every application area with cordless tools—planing, sanding, vacuuming, and router work are all done using plug-in power at Mafell. CAS partners—including Metabo, Lamello, and Starmix—fill most of these gaps with the battery you’re already using, so you don’t need to buy a new one. We’ll discuss which partner machine best fits your workflow.

One gap remains: When it comes to cordless grinders, CAS has no solution. Anyone who does grinding work on the assembly line notices this every day. We’d rather tell you this now than later.

And here’s a point that often gets overlooked during sales pitches: CAS isn’t compatible with Festool, Bosch, Makita, or Hikoki. If you already own one of these systems, every Mafell cordless tool means a second charging system in your van. It might be worth it—but it should be your decision, not a surprise.

Two Neighboring Worlds – Deliberately Not in the Consultant's Report

The BST drilling stations guide a drill press with a 43-mm clamping collar onto the workpiece, making them ideal for batch drilling during assembly; the RUWI drilling table leaving the stationary workstation in the workshop. The FM 800 and FM 1000 milling motors are built-in motors with a 43-mm Euro-shank for CNC machines and fixtures; they RUWI router table they do not fit; that model operates with its own motor unit. What does fit: Shank cutters with 8-mmshank from our product range run in the collet of Mafell router tables—we check the shank tolerance, length, and permissible speed for each tool.