A Festool MFT/TS55 Retrospective

[johnsonri]

Dave,

Thanks for the info. I was considering something like before. I was eyeing the Incra version of that. I never got to it though, due to the price point there being pretty hefty.

If I had one of those, it would undoubtedly serve that functionality for me on the MFT.

But none-the-less, man is that JoinTech nice!!

 

[BC6738F5BCE98B4]

Thank you for the details on the Festool part and the router bit.  Both answers were so clear that even I couldn't be confused by them. 

With respect to those of us with poor eyes . . . I like both your thoughts and those of Dave Ronyak and I am going to explore both of them in the near future.  On the drive back home today I remembered that Lee Valley sells a magnifying glass that might be of use in this circumstance as well.
See http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=45035&cat=1,43513 . 

I also recalled a piece at http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-mft-1.htm where Mr. Lucas demonstrated a product which might be useful in this context.  He provides a link to the vendor at http://www.allendesignsllc.com/Shan%20Digital%20Scales.htm

My own preference might be to go for one of the "micro-adjusters" mentioned by Dan, but my wallet might dictate the magnifying glass.  The digital device described by Mr. Lucas probably falls between the two.

Since you have actually worked with your idea, I am curious about your thoughts on which of the above is the most "idiot proof" since I find that to be a good test.

 

[BC6738F5BCE98B4]

After spending more time in the shop this morning, I remembered another tool/jig I have seen at one of the woodworking shows that might be useful in this context.  The microfence (at http://microfence.com/edgeguide-c-21.html ) is a "micro adjuster" and is available with parts to connect it to Festool and other track/clamping systems.  http://microfence.com/clamps-interfaces-c-25.html

The objection to its use in this context is the cost.

Nonetheless, it appears to be a candidate for your consideration.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

For workshop magnification you can consider an Optivisor which is available with a few different lense diopters.  I have three different ones set up with different lens for my modeling work.  The can be found fairly reasonably on Ebay.

Best,
Todd

 

[Dave Ronyak]

BC6738....

I'm not certain this will work in your intended setup, but the Kreg Microadjuster
appears to be reasonably priced at ~US$15.

Some of the table saw (and fence scale) manufacturers have a magnifying lens with embedded cursor that I find helpful to old eyes.  I don't own any of these, but wish I did.  I note the Kreg Bandsaw Fence has one.  I do not know if this fence/scale/cursor product is available for separate purchase.  Hopefully, someone does.

Dave R.

 

[RossM]

Hi Rey - great work.

I know this is an older post - but...

I have a question. The techniques you have demonstrated work when the stock & the story board are the same thickness, such as when working with sheet goods. How do you handle shop milled solid timer, when the stock might be at milled to an arbitrary thickness? Does this mean having to make a special story boards each time, or is there something that I have misunderstood? It seems that if the storyboard & stock are not exactly the same then cuts will be slightly out of square.

 

[johnsonri]

I know this is an older post - but...

I have a question. The techniques you have demonstrated work when the stock & the story board are the same thickness, such as when working with sheet goods. How do you handle shop milled solid timer, when the stock might be at milled to an arbitrary thickness?

Hi RossM

Thanks for the comments. As for working with different thicknesses, I do have a few story boards of common thickness. However, when working with uncommon thickness, I will either use a shim, or I will measure off the story board first, then layout the piece to be milled.

I sometimes do jointing on my router table and have several thicknesses of this plastic for the face of the router rable fence. These are good shims to get the story board to match the thickness of the piece being cut.

But, parallax certainly can come into play if the rail has any distance from the story board.

Regards
Rey