Crosscutting Solution

[sheperd80]

Hey folks. Looking for a new crosscutting solution, mainly for cabinet components. Obviously the MFT is appealing but i have a few issues. I like the peter parfitt bench dog method, but it seems like id be limited in width because components need to fit between the 2 dogs used to align the TS55 guide rail.

22" is a pretty common width for my box components, and id like the flexability to go even larger, But if im seeing the dimensions right, i would be limited to just under that. I could turn everything 90 degrees for extra width, but i give up the length which causes other problems. I could reduce my component width, but...well... i dont want to... [emoji53]

Dream Table:
-cnc grid of holes for dogs and clamping
-enough room to work with minimum 22" stock between dogs
-holes not aligned under the cut for tearout
-the ability to set a sliding stop for repeat cuts

Am i asking for too much? I feel like one of those mf slabs with a shop built base would be my best bet at this point with some sort of sliding stop. But id much rather just buy something ready to go.

Currently using tso guide rail square on a wanna-be mft style top, and marking lengths with a tape measure. Id say it works pretty good but i wanna speed things up and improve consistency for larger jobs.

Thanks for any help.

Edit to add that i have no interest whatsoever in Festools protactor and fold-up guide rail system for the MFT.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[semenza]

Turn it the long way and use something else for added stock support. Realistically you might need added stock support either way.

Seth

 

[Birdhunter]

I’m. curious as to your edit. I’ve never used my MFT protractor, but I have found the drop down track to be highly useful. Why are you ruling it out?

If I were to start over, I would not have bought two MFTs. I would have bought one MFT and one MFT top, built a base for the second top. The best thing I did was to add an extension on which I mounted a heavy woodworking vise. The extension has heavy steel legs that add stability to the pair of MFTs.

 

[tjbnwi]

We process all our sheet goods using a cut table with foam, GRS/GRS PE and TPG's.

The arm of the TPG can be set to the height or depth you need.

For example we straight line a long edge, using the TPS 30's in pair with the GRS 16 and GRS 16PE we'll rip 2-23-1/2" pieces out of the sheet (the sheets come 49x97).

Once we rip all the sheets in various sizes for the job we move on to cross cutting.

Two common height for us is 30-3/4 and 34-3/4 (most jobs we do the tops are 3cm, ~1-1/4"). One edge of the rip is squared using a GRS, to get the heights we need the TPS 50 is installed on a GRS.

The only issue is the 54" upper sides, this are cut on an MFT 3 that has the fence bolted in place.

Where I have the fence bolted to the MFT, I can get 24" cross cuts.

We'll process 80-100 sheets a week when first staring a build.

You can also use a GRS PE on the MFT (I have a few MFT's......).

Tom

 

[sheperd80]

Turn it the long way and use something else for added stock support. Realistically you might need added stock support either way.

Seth

Yes currently i use my outfeed table for support which is the same height as my wannabe mft table which i cut on. With a GRS16 and a tape measure this is fine. But this wont work with a flag stop for repeat cuts. The table needs to hold the entire width and length of the workpiece for all these gizmos to work right.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[sheperd80]

Quote
"I’m. curious as to your edit. I’ve never used my MFT protractor, but I have found the drop down track to be highly useful. Why are you ruling it out?"

Ruling it out because i find it finnicky. I like the idea of a dog hole setup that never needs adjusting, or disassembly for transport.

Ive used the MFT full setup before and its a great concept, just doesnt fit my usage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[sheperd80]

We process all our sheet goods using a cut table with foam, GRS/GRS PE and TPG's.

The arm of the TPG can be set to the height or depth you need.

For example we straight line a long edge, using the TPS 30's in pair with the GRS 16 and GRS 16PE we'll rip 2-23-1/2" pieces out of the sheet (the sheets come 49x97).

Once we rip all the sheets in various sizes for the job we move on to cross cutting.

Two common height for us is 30-3/4 and 34-3/4 (most jobs we do the tops are 3cm, ~1-1/4"). One edge of the rip is squared using a GRS, to get the heights we need the TPS 50 is installed on a GRS.

The only issue is the 54" upper sides, this are cut on an MFT 3 that has the fence bolted in place.

Where I have the fence bolted to the MFT, I can get 24" cross cuts.

We'll process 80-100 sheets a week when first staring a build.

You can also use a GRS PE on the MFT (I have a few MFT's......).

Tom

Thats an interesting setup. I dont think its quite right for my situation but im looking into those other TSO gizmos.

Ultimately i think i need to have a custom top CNC'd, and build it up the way i want it for my usage and shop space. Ill be sure to share here when i do.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[ChiknNutz]

Hey folks. Looking for a new crosscutting solution, mainly for cabinet components. Obviously the MFT is appealing but i have a few issues. I like the peter parfitt bench dog method, but it seems like id be limited in width because components need to fit between the 2 dogs used to align the TS55 guide rail.

22" is a pretty common width for my box components, and id like the flexability to go even larger, But if im seeing the dimensions right, i would be limited to just under that. I could turn everything 90 degrees for extra width, but i give up the length which causes other problems. I could reduce my component width, but...well... i dont want to... [emoji53]

With the Parfitt system, you can make the table any size you want (bigger or smaller).  I just made a custom MFT cart which is about 3' x 5'.  What lead you to feel the size is limited?

 

[sheperd80]

Hey folks. Looking for a new crosscutting solution, mainly for cabinet components. Obviously the MFT is appealing but i have a few issues. I like the peter parfitt bench dog method, but it seems like id be limited in width because components need to fit between the 2 dogs used to align the TS55 guide rail.

22" is a pretty common width for my box components, and id like the flexability to go even larger, But if im seeing the dimensions right, i would be limited to just under that. I could turn everything 90 degrees for extra width, but i give up the length which causes other problems. I could reduce my component width, but...well... i dont want to... [emoji53]

With the Parfitt system, you can make the table any size you want (bigger or smaller).  I just made a custom MFT cart which is about 3' x 5'.  What lead you to feel the size is limited?

If using parf dogs on an MFT, the size would be limited. Thats why im leaning towards a custom table.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[ChiknNutz]

Got it, thought you meant the Parf system (https://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system-mkii-104779) was limited in size, which it is not.

 

[sheperd80]

Got it, thought you meant the Parf system (https://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system-mkii-104779) was limited in size, which it is not.

That system certainly is appealing. I like that i could continue to make tables of different sizes for different needs. A large shop table, then a smaller jobsite table, etc. But im so slammed lately, it may sit in a box for months before i got around to making a top.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[infer]

Sooner or later you will use it and find that’s it is worth the trouble.
View attachment 1

 

[sancho57]

GRS PE 16 mounted to the hinge on a MFT with the 50" TPG (TSO parallel guide) should give you what you want

 

[sheperd80]

After looking into the TPG a bit more, i just might go that route. For starters id just get the TPG 50, attach it  to my GRS16 and use it with my current homemade cut table, setting the rail aside between cuts.

Then eventually i could add it to an MFT. I like that i dont have to worry about keeping the MFT parts in perfect alignment, because im using the TPG for squaring and repeated length of cut. In this way the rail lift mechanism seems pretty useful without all the fuss ive experienced using the stock mft setup.

A bench dog setup still appeals to me for simplicity, but to get everything i want out of that type of system im looking at a significant time and money investment.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[sheperd80]

We process all our sheet goods using a cut table with foam, GRS/GRS PE and TPG's.

The arm of the TPG can be set to the height or depth you need.

For example we straight line a long edge, using the TPS 30's in pair with the GRS 16 and GRS 16PE we'll rip 2-23-1/2" pieces out of the sheet (the sheets come 49x97).

Once we rip all the sheets in various sizes for the job we move on to cross cutting.

Two common height for us is 30-3/4 and 34-3/4 (most jobs we do the tops are 3cm, ~1-1/4"). One edge of the rip is squared using a GRS, to get the heights we need the TPS 50 is installed on a GRS.

The only issue is the 54" upper sides, this are cut on an MFT 3 that has the fence bolted in place.

Where I have the fence bolted to the MFT, I can get 24" cross cuts.

We'll process 80-100 sheets a week when first staring a build.

You can also use a GRS PE on the MFT (I have a few MFT's......).

Tom

With the TPG and rail lift, whats the max crosscut width u can get on an MFT?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[DynaGlide]

With a little work the MFT/3 table can be setup nicely. I bored some 20mm holes farther back on mine and use a pair of fence dogs attached to my stock fence. 24" crosscut capability and the fence is easily removable and replaceable in the same location with no chance for it to come out of adjustment.

There's times you want the stock fence in place for repeat operations.

 

[tjbnwi]

We process all our sheet goods using a cut table with foam, GRS/GRS PE and TPG's.

The arm of the TPG can be set to the height or depth you need.

For example we straight line a long edge, using the TPS 30's in pair with the GRS 16 and GRS 16PE we'll rip 2-23-1/2" pieces out of the sheet (the sheets come 49x97).

Once we rip all the sheets in various sizes for the job we move on to cross cutting.

Two common height for us is 30-3/4 and 34-3/4 (most jobs we do the tops are 3cm, ~1-1/4"). One edge of the rip is squared using a GRS, to get the heights we need the TPS 50 is installed on a GRS.

The only issue is the 54" upper sides, this are cut on an MFT 3 that has the fence bolted in place.

Where I have the fence bolted to the MFT, I can get 24" cross cuts.

We'll process 80-100 sheets a week when first staring a build.

You can also use a GRS PE on the MFT (I have a few MFT's......).

Tom

With the TPG and rail lift, whats the max crosscut width u can get on an MFT?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Not sure, I'll have to measure it.

My preferred is the MFT next to it with the fence bolted to the table. On that one, slightly over 24" of cross cut capacity. It is dead square across 2'.

Tom