Is the MB 40-set coming to US???

[anthonymall]

Front page of Festoolusa.com @2:35a. Clicking it leads to the new etsc 2 sanders etc….

 

[Cheese]

Ya, I noticed that headline and the product placement this last Monday on the Festool website. That's a good thing, however I already have the Woodpeckers version and it's real slick.

 

[anthonymall]

Ya, I noticed that headline and the product placement this last Monday on the Festool website. That's a good thing, however I already have the Woodpeckers version and it's real slick.

I have one I brought over but I haven’t really sat down and really figured out all the features. I just sent out the 3D print file extras to a professional company bc they are going to do it in polymer like an 80/20 piece I’m thinking. Printing abs is waaay less sound in every way compared to injection mold. But you already know all this

 

[anthonymall]

Ya, I noticed that headline and the product placement this last Monday on the Festool website. That's a good thing, however I already have the Woodpeckers version and it's real slick.

I’m wondering what the tariff/trade deal is with China now. That’s the reason those EZ clamps weren’t able to come here for a long time. They say “Made in China” right on the back. MB 40-set has “Made in Taiwan” on it. I’ve been eyeing up the stand by the other red M company….very pricey though at €800.

 

[WillettBarrel]

Ya, I noticed that headline and the product placement this last Monday on the Festool website. That's a good thing, however I already have the Woodpeckers version and it's real slick.

I have both the MB and AutoLine. I like the MB 40 slightly better.

The AutoLine is a bit quicker to switch from one configuration to the other. The MB takes multiple tools to configure for larger bits. And the Auto Line is has a bit more mass to it, which makes it feel like a higher quality product, but also can make it more difficult to manage when the base needs to be vertical.

The MB has a few additional features I really appreciate. Dust collection being a key one. Sadly, the dust collection must be removed for larger bits. The depth stop is much more sturdy then the Auto Line. My Auto Line depth stop slips a bit; no such issue on the MB. Centrotec compatibility is great to have, particularly when two chucks are involved. And the 32 mm reference spacing is handy. I wouldn't completely replace LR 32, but if you just need a quick addition to a cabinet or built in, its very handy.

I think a lot of people are pretty happy with their Auto Line for good reason. But I also see there being a few people switching over to the MB when it arrives.

 

[Cheese]

@WillettBarrel thanks for the review. Thanks for pointing out the depth stop slippage on the AutoLine, I noticed that on mine also.
I was interested in the MB 40 because of the method they use to attach the drill to the tool. In using the AutoLine with a cordless drill attached, it becomes very top heavy when moving it to place it precisely where you need it. With the MB 40 it's just a quick 1/4 turn to remove the drill, place and clamp (if needed) the drill stand and then reattach the drill.

How does the plunge action compare between the 2 drill stands?

 

[WillettBarrel]

@Cheese Great point. If you're already running festool drills, the quarter turn interface is another great perk of MB.

Though the spring on the MB looks a little loose, it's a purely aesthetic difference. The plunge action on both, MB and AutoLine, is silky smooth. I think the AutoLine might require slightly more pressure, but not in a way that makes a performance difference, I don't think. From the perspective of meeting the primary function of a drill guide, I don't think there's going to be any disappointed users on either platform.

 

[Cheese]

@Cheese Great point. If you're already running festool drills, the quarter turn interface is another great perk of MB.

Though the spring on the MB looks a little loose, it's a purely aesthetic difference. The plunge action on both, MB and AutoLine, is silky smooth. I think the AutoLine might require slightly more pressure, but not in a way that makes a performance difference, I don't think. From the perspective of meeting the primary function of a drill guide, I don't think there's going to be any disappointed users on either platform.

That's the first thing I noticed about the AutoLine, the return spring is firm. Not overly so but it can be annoying at times. I actually went to the effort to find a spring with a slightly lower force rate from McMaster Carr but I haven't purchased it yet. For drilling a ton of holes I think that would be very welcome. I was hoping Woodpeckers would offer such an item.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Just skimming it doesn’t seem like the question was answered, YES the MB-40 SET is now available for pre-order in the States with delivery around the end of September.

Even though I too have the Woodpecker AutoLine this Festool version is very tempting. The feature that would boost me into ordering is if the base is held down (partially secured) by some of the suction from the dust extractor. Does anyone know if that is indeed a feature or a miss on Festool’s part?

 

[onocoffee]

Does anyone know if the MB-40 can be used in conjunction with either the LR-32 set or the LR-32 rail? I understand it has the ability to drill at 32mm intervals?

 

[rmhinden]

Does anyone know if the MB-40 can be used in conjunction with either the LR-32 set or the LR-32 rail? I understand it has the ability to drill at 32mm intervals?

The MB-40 includes its own pin system for making holes at 32mm intervals. While it has a rail attachment adapter, it's not related to the LR-32 set or rail. Also, from what I have read, while it is fine over a short distance, it's not as reliable as the LR-32 systems. From the manual:

8.5 Drilling rows of holes [9]

The mobile hole drilling attachment enables the production of short groups of hole series with
grid dimensions of 32 mm (1-1/4") at the original centre of the starting hole.
For longer hole series, there may be imprecisions due to the tolerance.

Bob

 

[fritter63]

Just skimming it doesn’t seem like the question was answered, YES the MB-40 SET is now available for pre-order in the States with delivery around the end of September.

Even though I too have the Woodpecker AutoLine this Festool version is very tempting. The feature that would boost me into ordering is if the base is held down (partially secured) by some of the suction from the dust extractor. Does anyone know if that is indeed a feature or a miss on Festool’s part?

Yeah! Got the email today. Just pre-ordered from Hartville Hardware.