An evolved 8x4 MFT and a system to cut panels quickly and accurately

[elliottandnolan]

I restarted my kitchen-making business about a year ago when I decided that retirement was boring. I was faced with a choice of either buying a sliding table saw (I had the Hammer version before) but decided instead that I would make a full size MFT and make a system for utilising the position information contained within the dog hole spacing.

One of the main differences was the 100mm spacing of the dog holes, this makes it easy to work out where to place the stops for any given width of cut required.

I've put links to the plans, assembly instructions and links to the accessories you would need to make one for yourself on my website at elliottandnolan.com/mft.

I've made a video about it too

I'm starting my YouTube channel from nothing so if you watch it I would appreciate it if you left a comment on the YouTube page

If anyone wants an imperial version (complete with 4" spacing for the dog holes) let me know.

 

[elliottandnolan]

In my post above I posted links to the video and to my website from where the plans etc can be downloaded, but they aren't showing for some reason, sorry.

 

[Joelm]

Your url needs a .com
It is currently .co which breaks the link.

 

[Michael Kellough]

How about just posting a couple photos?

 

[elliottandnolan]

Your url needs a .com
It is currently .co which breaks the link.

I've fixed that thanks, video doesn't seem to be showing though, do you know if that is just a matter of waiting, I see the post has a space for the thumbnail?

 

[elliottandnolan]

How about just posting a couple photos?

There's a link to the video on my website
elliottandnolan.com/mft

 

[GoingMyWay]

It looks like the updated link is using the shortened URL: youtube.be.  The forum software seems to require the full youtube.com URL in order to embed properly (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=dVolGahWmSk).

 

[elliottandnolan]

It looks like the updated link is using the shortened URL:

Thanks I appreciate that, I've modified my post accordingly

 

[elliottandnolan]

The plans are in metric (because I'm in the UK) but if anybody wants an imperial version with 4" spacing for the dog holes, let me know.

 

[JayStPeter]

That's a nice way to do it.  It works well with metric, but I think the math for fractions that I use would get ugly and I'd destroy lots of parts.  I have been planning a cutting table and like the idea of the right side being the good cut.  I will probably design mine with a fence with a backward scale on that side.  Thanks for showing me I'm not off base for thinking that way.

 

[elliottandnolan]

That's a nice way to do it.  It works well with metric, but I think the math for fractions that I use would get ugly and I'd destroy lots of parts.  I have been planning a cutting table and like the idea of the right side being the good cut.  I will probably design mine with a fence with a backward scale on that side.  Thanks for showing me I'm not off base for thinking that way.

If you need to use fractions then the way to avoid any ruined parts is to set it up in Sketchup. That way you can be sure of getting the cut you want.  If you are interested then I can post some info here on how to do that. I find it useful for the metric version too.

I'm old enough to have been brought up with the imperial system and fractions, I'm so glad I don't have to do that stuff any more.

 

[rustym]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Rusty

 

[elliottandnolan]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Rusty

I got them from a UK company
https://www.machine-dro.co.uk/1000mm-40-digital-caliper-nib-jaws

I expect they are made in China and that you could get them from a different supplier in the US.

 

[fshanno]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Rusty

It's a fine piece of equipment.  But I better stick to eyeballing a tape for case parts.

 

[richardwilde90]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Rusty

You can get 2m long caliper them here . some cheaper ones and a range of brands.

 

[Cheese]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Starrett produces a 6' long vernier caliper if you can choke down the price. It's accurate to within .0005" per foot.
https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/123Z-72

[attachimg=1]

 

[squall_line]

My question is "where did you get those huge calipers"?

Starrett produces a 6' long vernier caliper if you can choke down the price. It's accurate to within .0005" per foot.
https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/123Z-72

[attachimg=1]

[blink] [eek] [scared]

I'm trying to wrap my head around the type of work being done that places a $15k+ caliper in the "required" tool set.  I know that they're out there, but I can't think of them right now.

That said, I've seen others say the equivalent of 'wait, it's only accurate to within .003" over its full length? That's too far out of spec for me to use to even build my slab dining tables, let alone fine detailed furniture.'