CNC or CAD file for an MFT top

[tonycartercraig]

I've seen it on the FOG forum before and now that I need it I can't find it. I need a CAD or CNC file for the hole layout on an MFT top. If you know which thread its in then I would greatly appreciate your help. I've tried using the search feature but still coming up empty handed.

 

[Alan m]

i remember seeing it but i think there was no file available.
anyone with a cnc will draw that up in a minute or two, its only a basic repitition
personnaly i would get the cnc compaany /etc to do it as if anything is wrong they will blame the file

 

[tonycartercraig]

Alan-
Thanks for the input. What I really need is the file. I'm well aware that it doesn't take much to draw up a file but when the guy operating the machine says he'll do the work for free if I can get him a file then I'll try to get a file. If anyone can help with the actual file I would really appreciate it.

 

[jonny round boy]

Alan-
Thanks for the input. What I really need is the file. I'm well aware that it doesn't take much to draw up a file but when the guy operating the machine says he'll do the work for free if I can get him a file then I'll try to get a file. If anyone can help with the actual file I would really appreciate it.

What file format does he want it in?

 

[tonycartercraig]

.dxf or .dwg autocad file

 

[Bdougla2]

.dxf or .dwg autocad file

If you'll send me your regular e-mail address I'll make up an MFT table drawing tomorrow & send it to you.

Mine is  RONWENNER@GMAIL.COM  As far as I know files can't be attached the the FOG PM's so regular e-mail will be best.

(I'll send a .dxf file unless for some reason you prefer the AutoCad file).

If I shoot you an e.mail, can I get that file from you as well? I have a guy who will make me a top as well.

Thanks.

 

[RONWEN]

Ryan posted the drawing for the MFT table top in DXF format over on the website for those that want to use it to generate a toolpath for a CNC router to make a replacement top.  If you don't own a CNC router or (even better) have a friend that has one, the Festool replacement tops aren't very expensive.

SENECAWOODWORKING.COM

 

[RONWEN]

Somebody had a problem finding the requested drawing.  It's at  http://www.senecawoodworking.com/blogs/news

 

[Vindingo]

Ryan posted the drawing for the MFT table top in DXF format over on the website for those that want to use it to generate a toolpath for a CNC router to make a replacement top.  If you don't own a CNC router or (even better) have a friend that has one, the Festool replacement tops aren't very expensive.

SENECAWOODWORKING.COM

Thank you.

I just shelled out the $$$ for a new one, and it was a hard pill to swallow considering what it is.

I think I will try to have them made from now on.   

 

[rmwarren]

Ron and Ryan, thanks for making this available. I do have 2 questions:

1.  I see you note the MFT holes as being 20.2mm, mine caliper out smaller and (as I believe you know) I made the rip dogs 19.9mm which fit great in my MFT. I believe they fit your MFT also, so can you help me understand the discrepancy? Has Festool changes the size of the holes for new MFT's?

2.  What software do you use for the drawings? I am in the market for a CAD program but some of the prices are staggering. I don't have a lot of experience with CAD and am looking for something capable of doing fairly simple stuff like dogs, etc.

Would appreciate any feedback you can provide.

RMW

 

[RONWEN]

Ron and Ryan, thanks for making this available. I do have 2 questions:

1.  I see you note the MFT holes as being 20.2mm, mine caliper out smaller and (as I believe you know) I made the rip dogs 19.9mm which fit great in my MFT. I believe they fit your MFT also, so can you help me understand the discrepancy? Has Festool changes the size of the holes for new MFT's?

2.  What software do you use for the drawings? I am in the market for a CAD program but some of the prices are staggering. I don't have a lot of experience with CAD and am looking for something capable of doing fairly simple stuff like dogs, etc.

Would appreciate any feedback you can provide.

RMW

I just called for 20.2mm because that was mine averaged. Some slightly smaller & some slightly larger.  That geometry will be what your CNC guy can use to generate the toolpaths for your top -- simply tell him what size you would like yours to be and he can adjust accordingly.  For your rip dogs you will want (ideally) the holes to have ~.005" clearance.  The rip dogs are slightly on the loose side in my MFT/3 but certainly acceptable.
Steve Adams (QWAS) may have an actual "target" hole size that Festool shoots for on the MFT's.

The software I used is very expensive and not practical for a casual user -- I hear lots of good about Google's SketchUp software and the price is right.  http://sketchup.google.com/download/

 

[rmwarren]

Ron and Ryan, thanks for making this available. I do have 2 questions:

1.  I see you note the MFT holes as being 20.2mm, mine caliper out smaller and (as I believe you know) I made the rip dogs 19.9mm which fit great in my MFT. I believe they fit your MFT also, so can you help me understand the discrepancy? Has Festool changes the size of the holes for new MFT's?

2.  What software do you use for the drawings? I am in the market for a CAD program but some of the prices are staggering. I don't have a lot of experience with CAD and am looking for something capable of doing fairly simple stuff like dogs, etc.

Would appreciate any feedback you can provide.

RMW

I just called for 20.2mm because that was mine averaged. Some slightly smaller & some slightly larger.  That geometry will be what your CNC guy can use to generate the toolpaths for your top -- simply tell him what size you would like yours to be and he can adjust accordingly.  For your rip dogs you will want (ideally) the holes to have ~.005" clearance.  The rip dogs are slightly on the loose side in my MFT/3 but certainly acceptable.
Steve Adams (QWAS) may have an actual "target" hole size that Festool shoots for on the MFT's.

The software I used is very expensive and not practical for a casual user -- I hear lots of good about Google's SketchUp software and the price is right.  http://sketchup.google.com/download/

Thanks Ron, I use Sketchup for modeling but you have to go through contortions to get a usable CAD file exported out, .stl is not too hard but not ideal. Also, unless you pay for their Pro version there is no means of creating dimensioned drawings with multiple views, title block, etc.

I am working on building a small CNC router mill to speed up prototyping various gizmos and need to graduate to a mid-level CAD program.

RMW

 

[Alan m]

PM dovtail 65. he built his own cnc so might know of affordable software

 

[BUTTER]

Personally, I find that Sketchup's "ease of use" also hamstrings control.

You can get Draftsight (from the makers of Solidworks) for free.

Also, AutoCAD WS is now free as well.

 

[RONWEN]

Personally, I find that Sketchup's "ease of use" also hamstrings control.

You can get Draftsight (from the makers of Solidworks) for free.

Also, AutoCAD WS is now free as well.

If Draftsight is anywhere close to as good as Solidworks (which I use) it is great.

 

[rmwarren]

Personally, I find that Sketchup's "ease of use" also hamstrings control.

You can get Draftsight (from the makers of Solidworks) for free.

Also, AutoCAD WS is now free as well.

Downloading Draftsight now, fingers crossed. I have been drooling over Solidworks for a long while but it is out of my reach (need versus $$) at round $4K a seat.

Generally when a product is not priced on the internet (i.e. Solidworks...) it means it is not priced for casual use.

Thanks for the tip.

RMW