Clamping Elements lifting the wood

[Iwood75]

My Clamping Elements lift the wood and hold it up off of my MFT/3 surface. My guess is that they are too loose in the holes and "lean back" when tightened. And yes, it still happens when the knobs are used under the table. If the clamps worked properly in the older MFTs but don't work properly in the new one, Festool should have redesigned ones specifically for the /3 and made this known at the point of sale. I hope this serves as a word of caution to MFT/3 owners/potential buyers.

I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing this problem. Anyone have any ideas for a fix? Thanks for your assistance.

 

[mouppe]

This is normal if the clamping elements are exerting too much pressure. The faces cannot go down (into the MFT) so they push the timber up.

I suggest you do not tighten the clamping elements all the way, or loosen their maximum pressure setting by rotating the cams inside.

 

[Iwood75]

Thanks for the suggestion Richard. I didn't know they were adjustable. Will try that tomorrow.

 

[tjbnwi]

I believe what Richard is referring to is how close to the material you set the pressure pad on the moveable element and how far you stroke the handle. Both determine the applied pressure of the clamp.

The elements come with knobs to secure them in the MFT. There use will eliminate the problem also.

Tom

 

[mouppe]

I believe what Richard is referring to is how close to the material you set the pressure pad on the moveable element and how far you stroke the handle. Both determine the applied pressure of the clamp.

The elements come with knobs to secure them in the MFT. There use will eliminate the problem also.

Tom

Not just this, although this is an option. See Peter's comment in this thread about adjusting the hex bolt.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/best-way-to-prevent-lifting-with-the-clamping-elements/

 

[tjbnwi]

Richard,

I know about the clutch plate adjustment screw on the clamping elements. It just so happens Peter and I were in the same class.

The clutch adjusting screw does nothing for clamping pressure applied to the pieces being clamped. It only affects the clutch pressure against the arm of the element. When you apply clamping pressure with the lever, the clutch plates prevent the arm for retracting against the pressure. That is why when there are complaints about nicks in the arm, you adjust the screw.

One other thing to help prevent lifting, the shorter the arm is out of the element body, the less lifting there will be.

Tom

 

[mouppe]

I see what you're saying, but also if the clamping elements are allowed to slip a little, it may help in preventing lifting too. Either way, the lifting is caused by the clamps exerting too much pressure.

 

[Fridolin]

I'm annoyed about this thing, every time i have to use it.
It regularly lifts my workpiece up to 1-2 mm  [mad].

It seems to me that it is badly designed, but has a fairly high price [wink].

 

[davee]

I really appreciate the clamping elements and use them routinely. They lift a little so I accommodate it. Ive only used the knobs once. I think the bench dogs result in less lift.

 

[tjbnwi]

This is a situation where less is more.

You only need enough pressure to prevent the piece you're working on from moving, not a death grip. There is that sweet spot, once you find it you'll always go back to it.

Part of the cost of the elements are the retaining knobs. Those few times where I did have to apply a lot of pressure to the work piece with the clamps, the knobs prevented the elements from canting.

The knobs are nice to have and use on fixtures and jigs you make.

Tom

 

[Fridolin]

But why did Festool design it this way?
Many times i need the workpiece flush to my MFT.
I dont' want to be tricky to make the clamps work as they should!

 

[tjbnwi]

But why did Festool design it this way?
Many times i need the workpiece flush to my MFT.
I dont' want to be tricky to make the clamps work as they should!

The engineers designed the clamps to apply pressure. How much pressure is out of their control. That is determined by the user. There are times the user may need more or less pressure, depending on the task at hand. I know I apply more clamping force when I am holding a tall piece vertical than when the same piece is flat on the MFT.

They include the knobs to fight the physics of the clamp cambering. In the clamping elements over all design, the issue is addressed an corrected for, by their suppling the knob. It is up to the end user to use the tool as designed, or not.

Adjust the amount of pressure you apply, as I said, once you get it you got it, or use the knobs.

Tom

 

[Fridolin]

Sorry, but i can't  agree.

With or without the Knob fastened, all my workpieces rise up.
Maybe with lesser pressure they rise up lesser - but they rise up.

I love my Festools and buy more of them than i really need.
But these clamps are misdesigned and crap because they don't work as they should.

 

[fshanno]

The clamping elements are miniature vices.  To eliminate lift the rods would have to be heavy steel and and ride in steel bushings.  And the dogs would have to be a much tighter fit.  And the top would have to be maple or something because MDF wouldn't hold up.  

You're looking for stationary workbench with heavy duty vice performance from a light weight portable unit with a low cost sacrificial work top.  I don't think it's going to happen.

 

[tjbnwi]

Sorry, but i can't  agree.

With or without the Knob fastened, all my workpieces rise up.
Maybe with lesser pressure they rise up lesser - but they rise up.

I love my Festools and buy more of them than i really need.
But these clamps are misdesigned and crap because they don't work as they should.

You most likely do own more Festools than I do. I guess I just got lucky receiving the 14 clamping elements that are not flawed.

Tom

 

[ScotF]

I have found this happens when I really exert a lot of force, but generally it is not an issue.  If I do notice it, then I break out the little knobs...not as convenient if you have to use a couple of different set-ups, but the knobs do help keep everything flat to the table.

Scot

 

[sancho57]

I found this happens when I set the element in the met and ram it up hard against the piece and force the locking lever into place. I back off the element a little and retighten.