cutting 48" material on the table - any help?

[ScooterX]

I upgraded from the smaller MFT800 to the full size MFT1080, and I finally figured out that I can now cut 48" wide material. Anybody have a tip on how to make sure it is square? (using the table system, rather than just marking things out with a framing square.)

I've been using 20mm bolts (as bench dogs) in the table top to align everthing else (including the swivel unit clamp things), but I run out of table for 48" material.

Is there some way to align things to the edge of the table? (I only need things accurate to about 1/16" in 48"). I tried using the Combination Angle Unit, but either I'm not using it correctly, or else it has too much wiggle because I was off by about 1/8".

 

[Qwas]

See THIS thread from mhch on using an Incra Track on the edge of the table.

The edge of the MDF top is parallel with the holes so as long as you align to the edge (by using slotted holes in the track mounting) of the MDF you should be fine.

 

[ScooterX]

thanks for the reply. I saw the Incra post and I don't really understand it.  :-\

so, if the edges are parallel to the holes, then i guess i could just screw a piece of aluminum flat bar stock to the edge of the table (the slotted part) using two Festool square nuts. hmmm. i'll try that.

 

[Qwas]

The aluminum profile that the MDF sits on, is not necessarily parallel to the MDF. But it is easy to make it parallel. You can remove the 4 screws holding the MDF n place, clean any sawdust out of the profile, then push the MDF squarely against the profile. Put the 4 screws back in using a new hole to hold the MDF.

You can do this to get the MDF parallel with 2 profiles. I'm thinking of taking the table apart, checking and recutting the profiles to exact lengths and the re-assembling. It might be a lot of work for nothing or I might end up with all 4 profiles parallel to the holes and the top.

 

[ScooterX]

Thanks Steve,
That all makes sense. as long as my toprail is parallel, then my guiderail will be at 90 degrees, and that's the only place it will matter (to me).

I personally wouldn't bother to square up the whole table unless I had some particular use in mind where I knew that I'd need that to be the case.

 

[Corwin]

If you wish to align to an outside edge of the MFT's top, why are you worried if the profile is parallel or not?  Just butt against the MDF top.  Besides, the gap between top and profiles is most likely for expansion and not expected to remain constant.  The only problem I've encountered mounting anything to the profiles is that none of mine sit plumb with the MFT's top -- all profiles lean inward leaving anything mounted directly to a profile at the same angle to the top as the profile.  The MFT fence is the same way -- not square to the top surface.  Are the profiles on your MFT square and plumb with the top?

 

[nickao]

Corwin, I never noticed if they are out of plumb. I will check and let you know.

Nickao

 

[mhch]

The problem with the misaligned side extrusions and the MFT top is really when connecting MFTs
because the connecting device is inserted in the side t-track of the extrusion, and as a result
the two MFT tops are no longer aligned. I'm precisely working on this now I bought a demo
MFT to extend my 1080, before this old MFT species is extinct 

The basic idea is to use a long MDF piece 100mm by 2000mm
with 96mm spaces holes in it, all copied from the MFT top. This allows to allgn the two tops
using PVC dowels in each MFT tops.

Then a home made spacer is installed in between the two MFTs, basically a home made MDF top
with 96mm spaced holes, and a 13mm rebate on each side of it. plus a rectangle of 1 x 2
wood rails glued under it

This spacer sits on the side extrusions in between the two MFTs, and the wood rails
  allow it to be bolted to the sidet- track of the extrusions in between the two MFTs

 

[nickao]

I see.

I would never have that  problem as I have the long 72" extrusions and the 3 tops sit perfectly flush(little less than 3).
The other day I actually wished the table was one more unit long. Maybe I will just add one with the connector for big projects, than I can pull it when I do not need it.

I never thought of that until just now.

Thanks Corwin and mhch for the thought.

Nickao

 

[mhch]

I see.

I would never have that  problem as I have the long 72" extrusions and the 3 tops sit perfectly flush(little less than 3).
The other day I actually wished the table was one more unit long. Maybe I will just add one with the connector for big projects, than I can pull it when I do not need it.
I never thought of that until just now.
Thanks Corwin and mhch for the thought.

Thanks for the thanks.
I wish I had enough space for such a long bench being permanently installed !!

 

[nickao]

I am lucky.

I actually have two of these 79" tables set up. I have one in front of me and one behind when I work. I also have tools to the left and right and a boom arm over each table. The bigger power tools, table saw, etc are on the other side of the space. I wish I had more space, but I am grateful for what I have. 24' x 36' is the total space.

It works out really nice for woodworking except we can never park in the garage, which is fine by me. Not so great for the wife in the winter.

Nickao

 

[ScooterX]

all very interesting, but i'm not sure how the Incra would assist me in aligning a 48" wide panal with my 1080 guiderail. it seems the Incra would just squeeze into the space and not allow a 48" piece. (by my measuring, there is about 48-1/2" of clearance under the swivel unit/guiderail on the table.)

 

[joraft]

I would never have that  problem as I have the long 72" extrusions and the 3 tops sit perfectly flush(little less than 3).

Nick:

Do you mean the 79" (2000 mm) extrusions? Those are the only ones I've ever seen (of course I've only been a Festoolian for about seven months).

According to my calculations, the 79" inch profiles would allow two MDF tops placed side to side plus a third with about 6" cut off, leaving a total table surface length of just under 80".  Is this what you have?

John

 

[nickao]

Yes, it was a typo, 79" is correct. Actually, they are exactly 2000 mm - about 78 3/4"

Nick

 

[joraft]

Yes. a typo 79" is correct. Actually they are  exactly 2000 mm - about 78 3/4"

With the corners adding another 3/4".

The reason I'm being so exacting about this is I spent days working out all the different configurations before buying my MFTs. I wanted a setup mostly for cutting 48" x 96" panels. I finally decided on four MFTs and three table extensions. Placed side by side, this gives a table surface length of 122" and the extensions give an effective working width of 72". The length is perfect for my 118" guide rail, and the width is more than enough for esay ripping and cross cutting of 48" panels.

Another deciding factor was that the four tables would give me the versatility of many different configurations.

This thread has given me some good ideas for making some fixtures to quickly align the table tops, no matter what the configuration.

John