Post by mafellme on Jul 22, 2020 7:54:50 GMT -5
Hi
- I have both of them , both bags don’t have inner straps or dividers ,
the Bosch feels more padded but the mafell is stiffer fabric so I think
mafell would protect it better “ my opinion only “ both have a single
pocket on the outside the Bosch having the larger pocket , mafell pocket
is still large enough for me to fit clamps , rail square etc . Here in
the uk “ not sure where you are based “ Bosch bag is considerably
cheaper than the mafell , my preference is still the mafell bag but only
because it’s mafell 😂 , I think either bags are very good 👍oh one
more thing I’ve just noticed Bosch main zip opens on three edges so bag
can be opened out flat “ if that makes sense ?” Where as mafell is just
one long zip “rails have to be placed inside the bag , both bags have
double zips “ so can be opened from either end . Good luck with your
choice regards. Gary
- I have both of them , both bags don’t have inner straps or dividers ,
the Bosch feels more padded but the mafell is stiffer fabric so I think
mafell would protect it better “ my opinion only “ both have a single
pocket on the outside the Bosch having the larger pocket , mafell pocket
is still large enough for me to fit clamps , rail square etc . Here in
the uk “ not sure where you are based “ Bosch bag is considerably
cheaper than the mafell , my preference is still the mafell bag but only
because it’s mafell 😂 , I think either bags are very good 👍oh one
more thing I’ve just noticed Bosch main zip opens on three edges so bag
can be opened out flat “ if that makes sense ?” Where as mafell is just
one long zip “rails have to be placed inside the bag , both bags have
double zips “ so can be opened from either end . Good luck with your
choice regards. Gary
I have both of them, too. I only have both because I got the Mafell bag & 2x 1600 rails with the saw, and then bought a couple of spare rails when I saw an irresistable deal (£120) on a 2x 1600 Bosch set (inc. bag and joiner-plate). It pisses me off how much hard-working tradesmen get ripped-off for individual rails and individual joiner-plates - consequently, buying a complete set when on offer is definitely the way to go, even if you only want a shorter rail, given that these long aluminium rails can be sawn to any desired length with a chop saw or whatever (provided an appropriate blade type, with very minimal, or negative, hook angle, is used, for the task). I may try using my 160mm Freud Ultimate blade in my MT55cc, if I can bring myself to cut one of my 1600 rails shorter - it just seems so wrong! 
ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Freud-Lp91M-001-8025331516893-160-X-2.0-X-20-X-30T-Ultimate-Blade
The truth is, I've never yet used the Bosch rails or the Bosch bag, but they're there for when I need them on a big project or (heaven forbid) if I should ever lose my Mafell rails on-site.
All I can say with regards to the Bosch bag vs the Mafell bag is that both are nicely made, and the Bosch bag is more padded but less robust than the Mafell bag. IMO not worth paying double for the Mafell bag, but, if money were no option, I'd take the Mafell bag without hesitation. Both will do what you need them to do, and unless you abuse your rails and bag, the Bosch will serve you well. If you DO abuse your rails and bag, then it's only a matter of time before the rails get damaged, regardless of which bag you own.
For anyone using the Bosch bag who feels concerned that it doesn't protect the ENDS of the rails as well as the Mafell bag, you could try slipping a few inches of plumbers foam pipe insulation on each end, before inserting the rails into the bag. If you tape-shut the cut ends of the pipe insulation, they won't fall off the rail ends too easily. I haven't actually tested this idea with my bosch bag, but I think there's a good chance the bag will allow the increased width of the foam insulation to slip inside each end of the bag. Alternatively, you could do the same thing using a section of cardboard, creased to sit half on the top of the end of a rail, and half on the underside of the end of the rail (i.e. the crease itself will sit against the sharp edge of the end of the rail). Some liberally-applied parcel tape or duct tape will turn the folded carboard 'end-cap' into a sort of 'pocket' for each end of the rail. Crude but effective way to increase the protection offered by the bag.
I'm quite happy with the amount of protection offered, as-standard, by the Mafell bag.
It’s
funny, mafell sews in a semi rigid plastic sheet between the fabric the
length of bag but only on one side. This plastic sheet then bends
around each end but stops short on the other side after about 100mm. So
at both ends this plastic fold over makes for one rigid pointy corner
(bottom of bag) and one tight radius rigid rounded corner (to
accommodate zipper). The bag is strictly a pocket, it can not butterfly
open like the Bosch.
I almost never lay the bag down onsite
because of this (unless I need all three rails). Leaving the carry
straps/handle velcro’ed together and in the way I always lean it
upright, unzip three quarters down, and pull up & out on the rail(s)
I’m after. I assume they may have intended the bag be used in vertical
access by how the storage pocket unzips. Fully unzipped (only opens half
the pocket space) it still functions as a pouch so items don’t fall
out.
funny, mafell sews in a semi rigid plastic sheet between the fabric the
length of bag but only on one side. This plastic sheet then bends
around each end but stops short on the other side after about 100mm. So
at both ends this plastic fold over makes for one rigid pointy corner
(bottom of bag) and one tight radius rigid rounded corner (to
accommodate zipper). The bag is strictly a pocket, it can not butterfly
open like the Bosch.
I almost never lay the bag down onsite
because of this (unless I need all three rails). Leaving the carry
straps/handle velcro’ed together and in the way I always lean it
upright, unzip three quarters down, and pull up & out on the rail(s)
I’m after. I assume they may have intended the bag be used in vertical
access by how the storage pocket unzips. Fully unzipped (only opens half
the pocket space) it still functions as a pouch so items don’t fall
out.
You've given your Mafell bag much more thought than I have!
I think your logic about the bag probably having been designed to be used in a near-upright position sounds... logical, and I concur.