clamps fs-hz 160 cannot go throught the MFT holes

[slanckma]

Hi,

I just got my fs-hz 160's and cannot seem to get them to go through the holes of the MFT/3. The only ones where I can get them through is on the ones that are closest to the edge of the MFT. If I go more to the center of the MFT then it doesn't work because the green 'cushion' at the handle hits the table, unless I force it and by consequence damage the hole in table.

Any ideas if this is normal?

Thanks,
Sven.

 

[Per Swenson]

Sven.

Swen here,

Either technique or somehow you have a short clamp.

The short clamp is highly unlikely.

Three pictures might help better then my blathering.

Step 1
[attachimg=#]
step2
[attachimg=#]
Step 3
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And welcome to the FOG

Per

 

[slanckma]

Thanks for the reply. When I try this it gets stuck at step2. 

I'll measure the size of the clamp and the hole and get back to you.

Sven.

 

[ccmviking]

As long as you have the clamp opened all the way up you should retain about a 1/2" (~13mm) clearance between the green clamp pad and the table.  The clamp could be bent or something (that would sure take a lot to do).  Let us know. 

Chris...

 

[Hoover]

Can you force it through?  Also, did the top get wet at all, or is in a high humidity area?  That might cause the holes to close a bit.  I don't own one but isnt' the top mdf?  That really does not like moisture and I think it moves some with high humidity too.

 

[John Stevens]

Hi, Sven, and welcome.

I have the same problem with my MFT 800 and all of my Festool clamps.  In my case, the humidity is to blame.  The clamps did fit through the holes just fine for the first couple of years, but I keep the MFT 800 in my basement workshop where it is very humid year 'round, and at this point the MDF table top has swollen.  Perhaps your problem has the same cause?  Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

 

[Zaphod]

Hi, Sven, and welcome.

I have the same problem with my MFT 800 and all of my Festool clamps.  In my case, the humidity is to blame.  The clamps did fit through the holes just fine for the first couple of years, but I keep the MFT 800 in my basement workshop where it is very humid year 'round, and at this point the MDF table top has swollen.  Perhaps your problem has the same cause?  Hope this helps.

Regards,

John, I don't doubt what you're saying but I can't imagine how high humidity could swell the top and shrink the holes enough so that the clamps don't fit.  I've had an MFT in the basement for a year;  humidity is 50 -80% and haven't experienced that problem.  MDF is weak, ugly, heavy, brittle, but generally dimensionally stable.  I don't have the "quick clamps", but the standard ones fit fine albeit they must be fully retracted to fit correctly.  Clamping Elements fit fine as well.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hi, Sven, and welcome.

I have the same problem with my MFT 800 and all of my Festool clamps.  In my case, the humidity is to blame.  The clamps did fit through the holes just fine for the first couple of years, but I keep the MFT 800 in my basement workshop where it is very humid year 'round, and at this point the MDF table top has swollen.  Perhaps your problem has the same cause?  Hope this helps.

Regards,

John, I don't doubt what you're saying but I can't imagine how high humidity could swell the top and shrink the holes enough so that the clamps don't fit.  I've had an MFT in the basement for a year;  humidity is 50 -80% and haven't experienced that problem.  MDF is weak, ugly, heavy, brittle, but generally dimensionally stable.  I don't have the "quick clamps", but the standard ones fit fine albeit they must be fully retracted to fit correctly.  Clamping Elements fit fine as well.

It really isn't stable but it is so homogenous that that the movement is so uniform that it often isn't noticeable.

 

[slanckma]

It's definitely not a humidity problem as I got the table two days ago.. 

I won't be able to measure it until tonight but I was wondering if somebody could post the measurements of the holes in his MFT (I've got the new MFT/3. maybe this is different from the previous version?) and the exact lengt of the clamp.

Thanks,
Sven.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Sven,
  The holes in the old MFT's are 20mm. I'm guessing the MFT-3 has the same size holes or the old clamps wouldn't fit the new table. Do you have the handle of the clamp all the way forward (the open position) as in picture #1 when you try to insert the clamp? This gives you a little more room. Also, the the sliding part has to be against the stop.

Mike

I'm not sure if the thickness of the table is 3/4" or 20mm. Could you measure the thickness of your top. Perhaps you got a bad run of MDF ???

Do you have a second clamp to test?

 

[Brad Evans]

>>>  It's definitely not a humidity problem as I got the table two days ago.. 

Hmmm...  A couple years ago when I ordered my 2nd MFT, it came delivered with slightly undersized holes - a few thousandths of an inch. 

Clamping elements could no-way be inserted.  After some hassle on the phone, I was finally able to get Festool to send me a new top. Everything was OK with the new top.

I wonder if you might be experiencing undersized holes as well?  Do you have some clamping elements to try? 

 

[CharlesWilson]

Is it possible, (oh, the horror!! ;D) that they used a 3/4 inch drill to make the holes?

 

[slanckma]

Hi,

I measured the holes and there 20mm, so that looks fine. I unfortunately don't have any other model of clamp right now (should have some in about a week or two).

But maybe I'm reacting too much. Here's a picture of the 'damage' I get when I forced it in once. What do you think? Is this acceptable or not?

[attachimg=/Users/slanckma/Desktop/hole.jpg]

 

[CharlesWilson]

I don't think you are over-reacting. Something must be out of tolerance.

 

[Warrior]

If the holes are 20mm then the clamps should fit. If you do not want to wait for a replacement top you can put a light chamfer or roundover to the top and underside of the holes. that should give you enough clearance for the clamps. I prefer to do this anyway so the ends of things dont ever get hung up on the sharp edges of the holes.

I made a top with 1" mdf and did that to be able to use the clamps.

Eiji