Added Digital Fence to MFT

[woodshopdemos]

  I just installed new digital measuring device on my MFT and made a simple but effective "rip" fence for it.  I can now make repetitive width cuts accurately and rapidly.

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Here is story:http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-mft-1.htm

 

[nclemmons]

John -

That s a very inventive solution.  Can you advise the model number of the digital readout you are using?  I can click through to the website from your website, but there are several listed.

Thanks -

Neil

 

[Per Swenson]

Pretty slick Mr. Lucas.

But I think you crashed the server that's hosting the link.

All I get is error messages.

Per

 

[Corwin]

What a nice presentation!  Very clear and yet concise.

This is also a very nice method.  I have setup my shop to do the same type of operation, but am using Incra's Incremental Track.  Currently, I am in the process of scaling the operation up to accommodate full size cuts on sheet goods -- still getting the tables setup.  But on the 1080 scale, this arrangement has worked great.

I expect to receive my metric conversion kits in the mail shortly to better accommodate the near future with the Domino.  This digital unit looks like a great way to instantly convert from Imperial to metric -- sweet!  Didn't look into the price, but this is surely a cheaper method than the path I have chosen.

Again, great job on the demo.  I have liked all the woodshop demos, but this one is especially nice!

Corwin

 

[Corwin]

Oh, and there is another little trick you can do with this setup...

You might consider using a slightly larger plywood (or MDF) square -- one which will be used as a type of sled to hold the material to be cut.  This square will be used as per the demo, but is sized and placed to also extend beyond the cut on the right side.  Instead of indexing off the edge of this square, you will add a fence on the top and in a similar manner as the plywood was zeroed in the demo, this fence can have its working face cut in place after it is installed.  In use, this, well not really a sled at all type thingy, serves double duty as a backup for the cut.  Hmmm, if I haven't lost you yet, you may see that this will allow the one jig to be used with a variety of material thickness -- well at least sizes that are thicker than the installed fence -- in that for rip cuts narrower than the guide rail, you can place a scrap of the workpiece material (or one of thesame thickness) on the left side of the fence to keep the guide rail flat.

Just additional food for thought...

Corwin

Sorry I couldn't do a better job with the above description, but have had a bad weekend with too much time spent at the ER.  But, life goes on.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Corwin,
  I appreciate your input -- I hope the ER visit is past you and you are alright. A lousy way to spend the day. It has to rob from valuable shop time.

 

[Dan Clark]

Corwin,

It sounds like you've had a rough weekend.  I hope all is well.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Corwin]

Thanks guys.  I wish I could write about these kind of things better, but expressing myself completely has never been a skill for me.  I also feel rather unqualified to present some things, in that I certainly do not have the woodworking experience.  But I like jigs and such.  And more of my time with my Festools has been spent on examining and testing ideas like this than working on actual projects, although a couple of little projects did get completed.  I am just more in a setup shop mode for now.  But, it looks like the tide is turning, and I am sure the new Domino will change my direction even further.

The health issue was in regard to my wife.  Problems have kept her from getting a good night's sleep for several nights -- and you know how it goes, if she's not getting any sleep, I'm not going to be getting any either.  Went to hospital for some test and soon after wheeling her off, they reversed course and took her in to ER.  And we were there for the next 6-1/2 hrs.  Long day.  Only problem is, we still need to go back for the original tests.

Thanks,
Corwin

 

[Tinker]

A great idea (demo) John,
I have been attcking the problem from the other direction. I have been using the adjustable stop (MFT-AR) and a couple of blocks cut to dimension.  Make my cut and move ahead by one block.  make second cut and move ahead the second block Make my cut, reposition the stop and proceed as before.  This way I keep pushing the cut pieces out where i can get hold of them to put out of the way, but i have to keep resetting the adjustable stop every second or third cut.  I have not tried a digital system yet, but it is now on my wish list.
Also the table extension, which has been on my list, has been moved up a couple of notches.
Tinker

 

[putttn]

I haven't been able to find the table extension in the catalog, where'd you get yours?  Also, the model # of the digital readout?  Great idea!

 

[Dave Rudy]

Thanks guys.  I wish I could write about these kind of things better, but expressing myself completely has never been a skill for me.  I also feel rather unqualified to present some things, in that I certainly do not have the woodworking experience.

Corwin,  You express yourself better than you think.  I actually look forward to your posts, and have learned quite a bit from them.  But pictures always help, especially when describing various pieces in relation to each other.

Dave

 

[woodshopdemos]

I haven't been able to find the table extension in the catalog, where'd you get yours?  Also, the model # of the digital readout?  Great idea!

The extension:  489575
Here on their website:http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=9&prodid=492651&tab=access

The digital: SHAN 270-BC30 for Biesemeyer BC30 Rip Fence 30" 1" 36 1/2" $179.95

here:http://www.allendesignsllc.com/Shan Digital Scales.htm

 

[Mirko]

With this digital fence, are you able to slide the fence up to your table saw blade, and "zero" it to set it up after a blade change? Or do you have to cut somthing measure then input the change?

Mirko

 

[clintholeman]

Ahh, John.

Another totally awesome idea, well explained - and affordable too!