Angle unit, crosscutting

[AHoman]

Hi,
I'm looking at the angle unit and trying to figure out if it would be effective, in tandem with the TS75 and a guide rail, for what I need.  I need to be able to accurately crosscut hardwood boards up to 3" thick.  I'd say that 95% of the time I'd be going for 90 degree cuts in boards from 2"  wide through panels that would be max. 40" wide.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is whether I need the dedicated workspace of the TS75+MFT or can I work simply with the guide rail + simple angle unit.  I read a criticism of the angle unit in a thread below, about it not holding the angle that is set.

Thanks

 

[Daviddubya]

Andrew - I have not used the Angle Unit much, but I do use a two table MFT as the primary work surface in my shop.  The MFT works really well for square crosscuts.  Angles on the MFT are another story.  The angle setting mechanism on the MFT is weak - the stops are not positive - angles must be calibrated.  After the angle is cut, square must be recalibrated.  As a result, I use my SCMS for crosscutting angles.

There is some information on improving the Angle Unit for the guide rails here:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-au-1.htm

 

[JayStPeter]

It depends.  How many are you doing?  I find the angle unit is useful (assuming you modify it a bit), but pretty time consuming to set up each cut accurately.  Repeatability also requires some effort.  I just got an MFT in hopes it will be quicker and easier.  It's first job will be cutting laminate flooring to size.  Not real exciting, but earns its cost if it's quick and easy.  The angle unit will now be only for cuts too wide for the MFT.

 

[Lou Miller]

I make most of my crosscuts using my MFT. However, I use the angle unit for some things when I'm not able to set the MFT up on a site. Its fine for me most of the time, its just a little sensitive in terms of holding the angle. For 90 degree cross cuts, I use a 42" rail and a 12" speed square. That works better than the angle unit, IMO. One of these days I'm going to pick up a 32" rail for crosscuts.

 

[AHoman]

OK, I'm starting to get a better picture of what the components can do.

Let me adjust my question for more specifics.

What Festool components would work best (in tandem with the TS75 or 55) to make easily repeatable crosscuts?

 

[Lou Miller]

OK, I'm starting to get a better picture of what the components can do.

Let me adjust my question for more specifics.

What Festool components would work best (in tandem with the TS75 or 55) to make easily repeatable crosscuts?

The MFT, without a doubt. You just set the stop block and fire away. An MFT has a ton more uses than that, but that's what I use it for most. You won't be sorry that you went with one.

Someone mentioned above that you have to calibrate the angle whenever you change them on the MFT. This is true. What I've done is just make a bunch of set up blocks and keep them with my MFT. I just simply lay them against rail and move the fence until everything is tight and then lock it down. Makes for quick adjustments.

 

[Corwin]

My angle unit will remain in its' Systainer until the day comes when I decide to 'fix' it.  

But my MFTs are great!  I simply place a stop (same as the stops for the guide rail support brackets) in the T-slot behind the clamp at the far left that locks the fence in position.  Works fine to replace the fence to 90.  And one neat thing I have found is that a length of Incra Track will bolt to the top of the fence...  with one of their stops and a sub-fence you can gain the ability for step and repeat operations.  Sweet!

Corwin

 

[Ned]

a length of Incra Track will bolt to the top of the fence...  with one of their stops and a sub-fence you can gain the ability for step and repeat operations.

Got photos?

Ned

 

[Dan Clark]

But my MFTs are great!  I simply place a stop (same as the stops for the guide rail support brackets) in the T-slot behind the clamp at the far left that locks the fence in position.  Works fine to repace the fence to 90.  And one neat thing I have found is that a length of Incra Track will bolt to the top of the fence...  with one of their stops and a sub-fence you can gain the ability for step and repeat operations.  Sweet!

Corwin

I'm interested, but need pics. 

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Corwin]

Took some photos...  Now, let's see if I can get them to show...

I think I did that right.  Anyway, the first photo shows the stop for the fence's locking clamp.  The next one shows the thru-holes in the Incra Track which has been simply bolted to the top of the fence.  But this is only one way in which to mount these track sections.

Corwin

 

[Ned]

Now, let's see if I can get them to show...

Came through loud and clear.  Could we have one of the end of the fence, showing how the Incra connects to the Festool part?

Thanks,
Ned

 

[Corwin]

Hmmm, these pics didn't turn out so good.  But, the slots in the Incra Track allow you to drop a bolt thru and attach a nut.  I did this at three locations and slid the nuts into the T-track of the MFT's fence.  Tighten bolts.  Now, just attach a sub fence to the Incra Track and you're in business.  Again, this is only but one way to attach these incremental track sections.  But, it is quick and easy.  Check out the manuals on these products -- they illustrate several ways to mount these.

Sorry to go on about this non-Festool item, but I find that the two product lines complement each other rather well.  Few other products match the quality, design and versatility of my Festool tools -- I think that the Incra and Woodpecker products are a good match.  I have heard that some of the Incra products were to become available in metric versions (or a conversion kit for the Incra Track) but do not see that info on the web site.

Corwin

Note:  The first photo shows the Incra Track laying on its' side so you can see the bolts with the nuts loosely attached.  In the second photo, the Incra Track is being slid into position -- just a little further to go before I tighten the bolts.

 

[Daviddubya]

OK, I'm starting to get a better picture of what the components can do.

Let me adjust my question for more specifics.

What Festool components would work best (in tandem with the TS75 or 55) to make easily repeatable crosscuts?

Here's the way I have my MFT's set up.  I use this only for square cuts, although it will work for angled cuts by moving the guide rail and fence to the left.

 

[Corwin]

Next you'll want a 1900/2 guide rail to go the other way!  I just got a second MFT and this 75" guide rail and love the increased capacity -- lots of room for cutting 4' (or 49" MDF) with the 'standard' fence configuration.  And when I get a piece of Baltic Birch ply (read 5'x5') I will be able to affix a different fence atop the rear profile such that the working face butts against the back edge of the MFT's perforated tabletop... and to gain another 3/4" I can attach the two MFTs together with the table connectors and add scrap 3/4" plywood spacers to separate the two tables -- this will provide just over 60" (from front edge of one MFT table-top to back edge of the other top) of cutting capacity.

Wow!  These MFT tables are so versatile.  I just cannot wait for Festool to offer some of their other products to us here...  like those bigger side extensions for the MFT.

Corwin

 

[Tinker]

OK, I'm starting to get a better picture of what the components can do.

Let me adjust my question for more specifics.

What Festool components would work best (in tandem with the TS75 or 55) to make easily repeatable crosscuts?

Here's the way I have my MFT's set up.  I use this only for square cuts, although it will work for angled cuts by moving the guide rail and fence to the left.

Oh how I hate you guys with all of that floorspace.  I am trying to work out a more efficient layout for my own shop to make better use of my MFT's (800 & 1080) but so far use the smaller one only when i move outdoors or to support my planer in the Boss's laundry room.
Tinker

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Corwin,
Thanks for your messages on the combination of an Incra fence with the MFT.  Along with Festool, Incra products are among my favorites.  I've bought several Incra items from Woodpeckers, including their LS Positioner router table fence system, a router gage, and a few various parts that I have used to make my own jigs.

Combining an Incra fence with the MFT makes perfect sense to me!  I'm going to look into doing this with my system.

Thanks again,
Matthew

 

[Corwin]

The Incra Track is a product that may be largely overlooked, yet it is so versatile.  It would also work great for a miter or radial arm saw.  As for us Festool users, the MFT fence is an obvious application.  A couple lengths of Track could also be used as story sticks for setting the guide rail parallel to the edge of a workpiece.  And if one were really ambitious they might wrap the Track around a jumbo-sized MFT to allow the guide rail to be located in the correct position over the material for the cut, as opposed to the more typical method of positioning the material to be cut in the correct position under the guide rail.

Just a little food for thought!

Corwin

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Corwin,
You and I seem to be thinking along the same lines!  For the past two years, I've been tossing around a design for a table where a guide is set into rails and sort of floats over the top, then drops down in the position you need it, anywhere on the table top.

The Incra products inspire all sorts of possibilities, and possibilities are exactly what I love most about working with the Festool system.

I've also wondered about using Incra track to build a repeater for the guide rails.

Lots of ideas!

Matthew

 

[Corwin]

Hey Matthew,

Sorry if my posts have distracted from the original topic of this thread...  I probably should have started a separate thread on the marriage of Festool and Incra/Woodpecker products.  But I hadn't since these are not Festool products --- on the other hand, these are products we could all benefit from.  Having said that...

In addition to using the Incra Track and/or LS Positioner in conjunction with your MFT, these products can also be used directly on top of your material to position the guide rail when cutting full-sized sheet goods on foam or a cutting table.  For instance, consider an LS Positioner mounted on a piece of plywood with a 'fence' running perpendicular (but parallel with the LS fence) on the underside...  with the 'fence' indexed off one edge of the material, the guide rail can be placed against the face of the LS Positioner's fence to make parallel cuts.  Here, one could go a step further and make a sub-fence for the LS and attach the guide rail with hinges (know of any high-tolerance hinges?). 

This is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, in how these products can be used in conjunction with our Festool tools.  Maybe I can provide pictures of some of the possible option in the future...

But, that's all for now,
Corwin

 

[Ned]

Matthew, Corwin,

I'd like to see the Incra Fence thread in Jigs, Inventions, and Tool Enhancements.  My Cam Clamps belong there, too, and I'll move them as soon as I get a better photo.

BTW, when you're looking at a list of threads, you can sort them alphabetically by clicking on the Subject header.  That's why I start all my threads with, for instance, "MFT:".  If everyone does this, it'll be easier to find threads for a particular tool.  As the forum content grows this'll be more important.

Ned
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