Did you get a MFT/3 or a Dust Deputy for Christmas?

[peter halle]

Preface:  I have been a mobile contractor all of my construction life.  I have read other's posts here and have always dreamed of one day having a shop roof over my head.  Just before Thanksgiving I found "shop space" that was climate controlled for a price that I thought was more than realistic.  Since then I have been putting my mind towards what I would love to have in a permanent shop, yet fighting with the urge to keep everything mobile.  I hve acquired a few things, created some scrap, and spent some time playing and pondering in a manner that I would have never done before.  The following are some of the things that have come to be.  All portable yet helpful in a shop situation, and are meant to be food for thought.

As a member and a moderator here, I have read the majority of the posts, and I don't think that I am repeating another's idea, but if it turns out that I am, please let me know so that I can set the record straight.  It is totally conceivable that I could have absorbed ideas and didn't realize it.

Peter
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Dust Deputy

I recently bought the deluxe version of the Dust Deputy and can honestly say it was well worth it as many other here have stated.  My issue with it was that the entire thing was tall, top heavy, and it fell over too often.

So I decided to make a bracket to attach it to my CT-22 using plywood scraps and dominos.  Clearly not a work of art, but it reduces the height, eliminates the falling over, and utilizes some of the hardware included.

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MFT/3

I have had a MFT/3 for years and use the heck out of it.  It travels daily with me and supplements the saw horses and outfeed stands that I also carry.  I even use it to hold the Kapex at a higher height than normal with a couple of outfeed stands as material supports.  Certainly not as elegant as a UG stand, but compact and cheap.  But what I didn't like about the MFT/3 setup was the lack of material support particularly on the offcut side of the table.  Now that I have had some time and also more of a need for repetative cuts of flat stock or narrower sheet goods, here are some images of what I cobbled together.

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Typical MFT/3 setup

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I have about 41.5" of fence available for a flagstop

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A few scraps and a toggle clamp allow you to index and attach via the aluminum profiles

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An image from below

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It can be made any size and placed anywhere on the profile

The next few images just show that whether you draw a line or even clamp a square as a stop for repetative cuts, if you remove the extension by releasing the toggle clamp and sliding towards you, when you reinstall it, the stop or line will be indexed in exactly the same place as before.  Please note that this will only occur if you do not move the mounting location of the rail in the interim.  For the sake of these images the piece being cut was clamped down to eliminate movement.

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With my setup I now have almost 7 ft of usable support and story pole space to the left side of the rail, but any length could be used.  When not needed, just pop the clamp loose and store the extension away.  

I took this concept a little further and made a clamping table for pocket screws to the right of the MFT/3.  I haven't installed clamps underneath yet, but it serves its purpose sitting on a fold up outfeed support just fine.

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By removing the metal plate for the Kreg Clamp, you can use the entire surface for an impromptu long cutting table for narrower material.

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And because I use my MFT as a stand for my Kapex, until I build something different, these guys can serve as my outfeed supports.

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Taking the MFT/3 idea further, ever since the beginning of time carpenters have had the need for step stools.  I have had several of these over the years, but threw my last one away years ago.  Here is a different version.

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I sized mine to be able to hold a sortainer and still be able to clamp from underneath while still being useful as a step stool.  And before anyone brings it up, if you are an employer, you should probably not allow your employees to use this design as a step stool for liability reasons.

When I made this I did not have any Qwas dogs or RailDogs, so I wasn't concerned about the perpendicularity of the holes to the top.  But if you drill the holes right, in a pinch you can have a miniture cutting surface.  I used a RailDog in these images because it would help control the rail on one end like a starting pin on a router table.  This would be a good situation for a shorter rail of course,

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and finally, going back to the MFT, I know that everyone but me uses a perfectly sharp blade or bit at all times on/in their Festools.  Often times I have stopped using the MFT with the TS55 during a project and got out the Kapex for a cut that could have been handled on the MFT except for the fact that I would have had tearout at the exit point of the cut.  So, again using scrap and a few minutes, here is an idea.

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The tape measure is used only to illustrate that the resulting kerf in the sacrificial piece can be used to hold the end of your tape for pulling dimensions or setting flagstops.  The sacrificial piece is clamped to the right outside of the image area with two clamps.

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And if you are worried about cutting the piece all the way thru, you can use a plunge stop on your rail to limit your cut.

And as the images also illustrate, sometimes the TS-55 can be used to cut aluminum - even when you don't intend to.

Have fun!

Peter

 

[rxe]

I got myself an MFT/3.

The whole mobile vs. fixed debate makes ones choice of purchases very polarised.  If you have enough permanent space, it is hard to argue that mobile is better.    If I am in the workshop, I have a table saw set up with an Incra fence, ready to cut wood at a moments notice.  If I want something 1" wide, I simply dial it in and cut.   If I were to do the same with the mobile set up, I'd be faffing around with guide rails, getting the TS 75 out of it's box, clamping things to the work surface etc etc.

Of course, the big saw is utterly useless for mobile working and dealing with large sheets of ply....and that's the trade off.   Clearly both is better....but if I had to choose 1, then it would have to be the Festool as that can do both tasks.

Don't know what the situation is in the US, but big heavy three phase table saws go for peanuts over here.   If you have the space, getting one in the workshop is not a bad idea.   You'll need to box it in to get Festool grade extraction...

I love the step stool.  If you don't mind , I'm going to re use that idea!

 

[peter halle]

Rxe,

I have a portable contractor size table saw for the smaller rips and for those things that a table saw can do better or quicker.  I don't have the space nor the power for a cabinet shop style saw or other equipment.

I just wanted to throw out some ideas for new owners or even those who have to work in their garage and then put everything away so that the car can be parked inside.  Everything shown in that thread as idea stimulators can be gotten out of the way quickly.

Feel free to use any or all ideas!

Peter

 

[Alan m]

great job peter.
i like the dust deputy idea. that should work great, you can easily take it off and it is perfectly soulid back there for pulling the vac around.

 

[jmbfestool]

I like the dust deputy idea!  I havent got one my self but I did always hate the idea of it being ontop like you said top heavy and just looks naff lol  but your idea of having it mounted on the back I like!  If I get one I will steal the idea  [tongue] cheers!

JMB

 

[sancho57]

The outfeed/clamping table is one Great idea. Ive been recently reprganizing my shop clearing up space. That outfeed idea opens up a lot of possibilities for me. Router table, kreg jig clamping table like you use etc.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[ScotF]

Great thread, Peter...good stuff.  [thumbs up] Can you take a picture showing your clamping for the off-cut support on the MFT/3?  I have used scrap before, but always have to mess around with clamping so it does not interfere with the saw or the work piece.  I like your shelf on the bottom of the MFT/3 too -- is it held in place with gravity or do you fasten the cleats to the rails?

Scot

 

[semenza]

Peter,

Your DD caddy  , with a slightly different build,  would make it possible to use the WCR and still have the DD attached on a newer CT.

Very slick.

Seth

 

[RONWEN]

Lots of good thinking & great ideas there Peter!

 

[peter halle]

Great thread, Peter...good stuff.  [thumbs up] Can you take a picture showing your clamping for the off-cut support on the MFT/3?  I have used scrap before, but always have to mess around with clamping so it does not interfere with the saw or the work piece.  I like your shelf on the bottom of the MFT/3 too -- is it held in place with gravity or do you fasten the cleats to the rails?

Scot

Scot,

Thanks.  If you are taking about the "sacrificial piece" that was clamped off camera, let me know and I will snap some images tomorrow.  If you are asking for images on how the outfeed table I have the Kreg clamp in is clamped - it isn't.  That is the real beauty of what the Festool engineers came up with.  The triangular shape of the upper track is the magic.

The shelf on the bottom of the MFT has an outboard cleat on each end.  It just lifts off.  BUT, if you wanted to get fancy and wanted to get extra stability of the MFT/3, you could install cleats tight to the leg spreader on both sides (4 total) and that would eliminate some shifting.

If members are mulling these ideas over in their minds I would suggest that they think about attaching something underneath any outfeed table to minimize sagging.  I will be adding something to mine later.

Scot,

Clarify what you want images of and your wish will be my command.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[ScotF]

Hi Peter,

Thanks -- yes, the sacrificial piece that was clamped off camera -- I am sure it is straightforward looking at it, but I am a visual guy and need to see it sometimes to get it to click -- that would be great.  Also, if it is not too much trouble, a picture of the bottom of the shelf would be great too - I would like to see the cleats you used there -- do you use the cross-members for stability too?

That step-stool is a great idea too.

Thanks again for sharing this and for your willingness to take some more pics.

Scot

 

[peter halle]

Scot,

Here are the images you asked for.  Putting a cleat on the other side of the bar does not improve / change stability.  I have never had an issue with stability, but others who use hand planes etc have opined.

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Peter

 

[ScotF]

Thanks for the pics, Peter...this helps.  I was thinking for the splinter-free support of making a bracket and clamping it from the side of the table to keep the top clear, although it looks like you have no interference from the way you have it clamped.

Thanks!

Scot

 

[JeromeM]

As a member and a moderator here, I have read the majority of the posts, and I don't think that I am repeating another's idea, but if it turns out that I am, please let me know so that I can set the record straight.  It is totally conceivable that I could have absorbed ideas and didn't realize it.
Peter

You may have got a little inspiration from my post 20mmx96mm Grid from a couple of years ago.

I've just got some ideas from you and will be making updated versions of my current stools using the MFT grid again

So what goes round comes round and we all benefit 

 

[Tinker]

Back to the first pic >>>
Now that's my kind of toy. :
But where are the levers. [scratch chin]
Tinker

 

[Tinker]

I had been using covers from LV that fit on 5gal buckets.  They also had a tendency for tipping.  i had also thought of getting a DD, but that would have been even tippier.  I found Rocklers Vortex. It is lower, larger capacity than the buckets and a whole LOT CHEAPER than any of the cone types.  also had a 10 gal bucket that is considerably more substantial and should not fold inwards if vac is turned to full under certain conditions.  (some buckets do not stand the vac.  Others are stronger.  depends of the product supplied. )  I bought it.  It is very strong bucket, lower.  It fits perfectly under my MFT/3 and the dust collection is great.  Under $70 for the entire unit with fittings.  I can pull on the hoses (not SOP but for testing purpose) without tipping.  I don't seem to lose any vacuum from the increased size of bucket.  I will know when i hook up my 850 planer.  If it handles that, satisfaction will be 100%
Tinker

 

[Tinker]

Peter, I am in process (veeerrrrrryyyyyyyy slow process) of rearranging my shop.  My two MFT's (1080 and /3) are taking up a lot f space.  Too much space.  I am thinking of moving the 1080 into another area in the cellar the BL has allowed me to set up for assembly purposes.  I had recalled that you did a posting showing your extensions for the MFT/3 and did a search for it.  This time, i looked at the pics with much greater scrutiny than earlier.  I noticed that you had (for marking purposes naturally  [poke]) made a very neat cut into one of your aluminum extrusion fences.  Being of very suspicious nature, i immediately ran down into my cellar shop to investigate that you had never snuck into my shop and helped yourself to one of my same type fences.  i was greatly relieved to know #1 My fence(spare) was still on the rack where I had left it.  #2 I am glad to know that others use the same sort of possitive marking system as I.  :  Very immaginative

I have used your V-block system to hang a parts box and a shelf for my ATF 55 to rest in between cuts.  I had been wondering just how you managed to keep your extensions from drooping. I am not comfortable with drwing bolts tight enough in the T tracks on the sides of the /3 frame and I had missed the part where you have used the clamps underneath.  I will be doing a quick glue-up this morning and while waiting next step, i will try your method for making an extension for the system.
Tinker

 

[nanook]

Hey Peter, thanks with your help on measuring to the right of the kerf on the MFT - really great solution!

I've been lurking here for a bit and have to say your shop (or jobsite kit) looks like one of the very best/most interesting I have seen on the FOG! - do you have a shop tour? 

I'm super impressed by some of your really simple, elegant and really inexpensive solutions to real gaps in the Festool line.  Wondering how your shop is setup, what you find essential, ect?

Anyways, thanks for the post, really impressed - think this one should be made sticky at the top of the thread!

 

[peter halle]

I can do something, but be fore-warned, my "shop" is really just a roof over my head.  Hope you will not be disappointed.

Peter

 

[nanook]

No, not at all - I'm really interested in stuff like grafting inexpensive work-tables onto my MFT that pack down well, curious about your workflow, sanding, ect.

I guess I'm really curious about your setup b/c you are so invested in Festool - yet you seem to find really interesting ways to make do, to make it super transportable, and you seem to find ways of getting a lot of value from the system where it improves your profitability.  
But also you don't seem wedded to having every item in the Festool catalogue - I find that really interesting,

Anyways, I'm probably reading too much into your setup - but there is enough there that I would love to see some pics of how you do things
Maybe I just like *inexpensive* rather then expensive jigs  

Cheers,

Nanook