B_Swanson
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Location: Madison, WI Member Since: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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« on: February 27, 2012, 10:29 AM » |
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I recently purchased an MFT-3 to go along with a small (but growing) stable of Festool (TS-55, CT-26, RO-90) in an effort to get the workshop space up and running. One question for you MFT-3 owners, what rule/guide/square do you use to check or adjust the fence and rail for square? The Woodpecker 12" Precision Woodworking square has certainly caught my eye, but its a good amount of coin. Any other suggestions?
Brad
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RL
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Location: Canada Member Since: Feb 2010
Posts: 2154
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« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2012, 10:34 AM » |
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Yes, I use the Woodpecker's 12" square. You need something thick as the fence and guide rail are different heights. There are some useful videos on youtube about the MFT squaring process- they use the same square in these videos.
It's not expensive for what it is.
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I like green.
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woodie
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Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 187
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« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2012, 11:16 AM » |
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I held off on getting the Woodpecker precision square too. I tried different squares for setting up my MFT/3 with little luck on achieving the accuracy I was hoping for. I finally just took the plunge. Boy what a difference it made. Another slightly lower cost option is the Pinnacle Precision Square from Woodcraft. From what I understand it's the same as the Woodpecker square. The only difference being a black anodized finish instead of red. It's $85 instead of $99.
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RL
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Location: Canada Member Since: Feb 2010
Posts: 2154
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« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2012, 11:22 AM » |
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I like green.
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davee
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Location: Central Illinois Member Since: Jan 2010
Posts: 266
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« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2012, 11:54 AM » |
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I now use a woodpecker square, but for years I used a simple speed square purchased from a big box store. It is an inexpensive solution that worked well for me.
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B_Swanson
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Location: Madison, WI Member Since: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2012, 11:59 AM » |
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Thanks for the link Richard. I think I'll take the plunge with the Woodpecker's square.
Brad
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woodie
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Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 187
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« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2012, 12:34 PM » |
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Yeah, I bookmarked that site for future reference. Thanks!
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Brice Burrell
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Member Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 6247
Remodeling Contractor
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« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2012, 01:21 PM » |
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Here's another option, Qwas dogs. That's what I've use. Throw the dogs in the MTF's holes and use the to align the fence and then the rail, done. Plus they are just plain handy to have around. |
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PaulMarcel
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Location: Chandler AZ USA Member Since: Mar 2008
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« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2012, 01:31 PM » |
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Like Brice, I use the Qwas dogs for both the back fence and the guide rail. No eye-ballin' just squeeze against the dog and tighten whatever needs tightening.
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Visit my blog for Festool adventures Shirt size: L  Twitter: @HalfInchShy |
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Frank-Jan
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Location: Belgium Member Since: Sep 2007
Posts: 732
Dutch Canadian living in Belgium
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« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2012, 01:32 PM » |
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If there were a square available with my name on it, I would prefer one of those  http://www.swansontoolco.com/ |
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« Last Edit: February 27, 2012, 01:34 PM by Frank-Jan »
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GPowers
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Location: West Coast, USA Member Since: Mar 2010
Posts: 1694
Metric convert
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« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2012, 02:10 PM » |
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I now use a woodpecker square, but for years I used a simple speed square purchased from a big box store. It is an inexpensive solution that worked well for me.
Same here to start with i also used a speed square. But now I have both the 1281 square (got it when it was on sale) and the one-time-tool Woodpeckers 660 mm Precision Square. Works great. |
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Greg Powers
Size:XL
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wood pulp
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Location: Detroit, Michigan Member Since: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Each another's audience...
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« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2012, 03:54 PM » |
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I use Qwas dogs, then check it with the 1281 Woodpecker Square!  |
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B_Swanson
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Location: Madison, WI Member Since: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2012, 03:54 PM » |
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Brice and Paul,
I'm eagerly awaiting the QWAS dogs to come back into stock at Bob's. That's a great idea.
F-J,
My own personal line of measuring tools. Very cool!
Brad
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b_m_hart
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Location: SF, CA Member Since: May 2008
Posts: 346
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« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2012, 04:43 PM » |
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another +1 for qwas dogs here - takes all of 30 seconds to square things up after moving the table around...
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TS 55 EQ, ETS 150/5, RO 150 FEQ, OF 1010 EQ, DF 500 Q, C12, CT Midi, OF 2200 EB, MFT/3s, DTS 400 EQ, parallel guides, and seemingly growing by the day...
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sancho57
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Location: So Cal USA Member Since: Jan 2011
Posts: 1173
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« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2012, 04:47 PM » |
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I use the Pinnacle from Woodcraft.
Its the same exact square as the 12" Woodpeckers square, different color and name..
Thats the square that Steve taught us to square the MFT with in the cab class.
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Shhhhhh Dont tell the wife butttttt I bought another…….
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Bainiet
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Location: NO Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 16
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« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2012, 05:04 PM » |
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Hi Brad, You probably got some idea what will work for you by now but Hey let's get the SYSTEM working for you I use the mfs-700 not the cheapest solution but it's there on the shelf  How about some math? A square + B square = C square Just use a long enough ruler and you get the precision you need. |
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Why does the stockpile of white+green boxes grow? It started with just 1, now it's over 12...
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Bruce
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Location: UNITED STATES (US) Member Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
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« Reply #16 on: February 27, 2012, 06:01 PM » |
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I used to set it up with the Qwas dogs and then check with an engineering square. Now I just use the Qwas dogs and be done with it. As long as those holes in the table don't move, I have full confidence in it . |
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Peter Halle
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Location: Powhatan, Virginia USA Member Since: Jul 2007
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« Reply #17 on: February 27, 2012, 06:49 PM » |
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I concur with the Qwas Dogs. Take those dogs for a walk.
Peter
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The tools in my truck were talking the other day. The Dewalts, PC's, Boschs, Makitas were not happy. They also were in the minority. Their complaint: They felt unused and unappreciated since the Festools moved in. I guess the truth hurts.
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williaty
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Location: USA Member Since: Dec 2011
Posts: 80
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« Reply #18 on: February 27, 2012, 08:48 PM » |
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I use the Qwas dogs to align the guide rail parallel to one column of holes. The I use Qwas dogs to align the fence to one row of holes. By definition, the fence and the rail are now square to each other. In practice, this gets it closer to square then you can extract precision from the rail. It you've never done it, pick the rail up and put it back down 10 times, using feeler gauges to determine exactly how out of square the rail is. Then do this same test with the rail flat on the table, with the rail at the height for 3/4 sheet goods, at the height for 4/4 lumber, and at the height for 8/4 lumber. You'll be surprised how much scatter there is at any one given height and the amount that it can change with height is quite an eye opener.
The precision and accuracy of the MFT rail and fence is very good for a quite easily portable worksite tool. However, to get that last gasp of precision and accuracy, it's not as much of a no-brainer as a crosscut sled.
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billg71
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Location: lost in the NW Atlanta 'burbs Member Since: Nov 2010
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« Reply #19 on: February 27, 2012, 10:07 PM » |
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I used to set it up with the Qwas dogs and then check with an engineering square. Now I just use the Qwas dogs and be done with it. As long as those holes in the table don't move, I have full confidence in it . Me too(or three or four or five). Or you could use one of these. A bit pricey for a framing square but at least it won't rust. I like mine! Bill |
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"Born to fish, forced to work..."
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whitesys
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Location: Noblesville, IN Member Since: Jan 2010
Posts: 78
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« Reply #20 on: February 27, 2012, 10:12 PM » |
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I picked up on of these while they were available. http://www.woodpeck.com/2616squarewp.htmlIt is great for squaring the MFT rail Dave |
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jtwood
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Location: Joshua Tree, CA Member Since: Apr 2011
Posts: 90
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« Reply #21 on: February 28, 2012, 12:41 AM » |
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Another Qwas Dogs fan here. Very, very easy once you set up the table. I seem to remember Paul-Marcel showed how in a video review.
Steve
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waho6o9
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Location: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles California Member Since: Dec 2009
Posts: 474
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« Reply #22 on: February 28, 2012, 12:45 AM » |
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Tool_Fool
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Location: Marietta GA USA Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 38
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« Reply #23 on: February 28, 2012, 01:02 AM » |
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Woody really likes his stuff. I found a large and inexpensive lexan drafting triangle at an art supply store. Reposition the fence left and lower the guide rail down to the table and into the same plane as the triangle.
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tf
eternally frustrated novice WWer
accomplished collector of WW stuff
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Ujipster
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Location: Huntington Beach, Ca USA Member Since: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
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« Reply #24 on: February 28, 2012, 10:51 AM » |
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This may be overkill for your question but...this is a fine paper by Jerry Work related to this topic. Check out page 18, but read it all if you can make the time. http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/getting_the_most_from_the_mft_multifunction_table.pdfT |
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TS55, OF1400, ETS125, MFT/3, CT36, PS 300, LR32, Sysport, CXS
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