HowardH
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,572
First off, my disclaimer. I paid full price for this unit and have no dog in the hunt other than being a user. Not to long ago, I switched over to using a Mafell MT55 track saw which meant I couldn't use the MFT for crosscutting anymore if I wanted to use the Mafell/Bosch guiderails. As usual, someone here on the FOG found a hole and decided to fill it. I saw a post back in December for this replacement guiderail bracket system from Dash-Board that not only would work with Festool rails but the Mafell as well, depending on which version you order. I like to support fellow Foggers when I can so I ordered the bracket set along with the squaring dogs and setup rings. The parts just came in yesterday and I had chance to set it up and try it out. I should have taken a picture of the boxed parts, but forgot. Suffice it to say it was cleverly packaged and well protected. Here's the rear and front bracket:
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I was taken initially about just how robust the parts are. No cheap plastic, all the parts are CNC'd, polished and look beautiful. There wasn't any instructions in the package and when I asked Rob, the owner, about it he said he just hasn't the time to do them. No biggie though, it was all very straightforward and everything fit together very nicely. Having used the OEM system for over a decade, this system doesn't have the flimsy feel, especially on the hinge side. Once adjusted, the rail almost snaps onto the pin and there is zero slop. Rock solid.
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It uses a knob system for both setting the bracket position on the MFT and to raise and lower the brackets depending on the thickness of your workpiece. That's not as quick and easy as the lever the OEM system uses but it's easy enough. The support plate that has the pin is quite large and it provides a lot more support than the OEM. The downside is it sticks out a bit from edge of the table so one has to be a bit careful not to bump into it. I'm not worried about it moving but rather potentially causing a bruise! Once the knobs are tightened, it doesn't move and with the set up rings (for Mafell/Bosch) or arrows for the Festool rails, squaring it up to the table only takes a few seconds. I checked with a large Woodpecker square and it appears to be dead on. I'll do a 5 cut test on it this weekend to verify. There is no flex in the hinge when it is raised and lowered, it has just a smooth movement that has a quality feel to it. I think this system is a big improvement over the factory setup. The price is reasonable and fit and finish was exemplary. This really is a better mousetrap.
View attachment 1
View attachment 2
I was taken initially about just how robust the parts are. No cheap plastic, all the parts are CNC'd, polished and look beautiful. There wasn't any instructions in the package and when I asked Rob, the owner, about it he said he just hasn't the time to do them. No biggie though, it was all very straightforward and everything fit together very nicely. Having used the OEM system for over a decade, this system doesn't have the flimsy feel, especially on the hinge side. Once adjusted, the rail almost snaps onto the pin and there is zero slop. Rock solid.
View attachment 3
View attachment 4
View attachment 5
It uses a knob system for both setting the bracket position on the MFT and to raise and lower the brackets depending on the thickness of your workpiece. That's not as quick and easy as the lever the OEM system uses but it's easy enough. The support plate that has the pin is quite large and it provides a lot more support than the OEM. The downside is it sticks out a bit from edge of the table so one has to be a bit careful not to bump into it. I'm not worried about it moving but rather potentially causing a bruise! Once the knobs are tightened, it doesn't move and with the set up rings (for Mafell/Bosch) or arrows for the Festool rails, squaring it up to the table only takes a few seconds. I checked with a large Woodpecker square and it appears to be dead on. I'll do a 5 cut test on it this weekend to verify. There is no flex in the hinge when it is raised and lowered, it has just a smooth movement that has a quality feel to it. I think this system is a big improvement over the factory setup. The price is reasonable and fit and finish was exemplary. This really is a better mousetrap.
