Exact measurement of MFT top for CNC.

[getyourbone]

Sorry if this has been posted numerous times in the past but I did look didn't see this specific information.

I am going to have a MFT top fabricated out of three-quarter MDF.

I have an old MFT 800.  It is my understanding that the MFT/3 has slightly bigger holes? 

What size should I have the fabricator produce the holes in order for the quad/parf dogs to fit properly?  My MFT 800 seems to measure 19.7. To 19.9.   

How far in from the edge should the first role/column of holes be? Does it make a difference?

Anyone have any advice or thoughts on additional holes that would make sense?  And where they should be located?  Is there anything to be said about routing a channel somewhere for some reason?  I guess I could always do that later if I found a need.

And finally, if there is anyone out there in the Phoenix, Arizona area that would like to get a top, let me know.  I think I will pulling the trigger in the next 2 weeks. 

I think I may try to video the CNC process just for the heck of it and post it on YouTube...

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Stoli]

I'm in Tucson, and am in the beginning stages of redoing my shop. I don't have plans or sizes in mind yet, so I'd probably go for either a full 4x8 or a much smaller 2x2 to use as a template to keep my options open, depending on cost.

Have you seen this drawing?  http://www.senecawoodworking.com/blogs/news/5927081-replacement-mft-top-cad-drawings

Check out this post for the hole size: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/custom-size-mft-table/

Best plan would be to source some qwas dogs up front and test the fit.

 

[getyourbone]

That was exactly what I was looking for and even more...fabricator may be able to make use of it!  I assumed there must be something like that out there but I never ran across that. Maybe I was just looking too fast.

Thanks!  Being produced it Tempe.  Let me know if you would like the name.  4x8 - $100.

Thanks again!

Steve.

 

[getyourbone]

After looking at the PDF a bit closer, it is saying 2.2 mm for the holes?  I am concerned that that seems on the large size.  My clamping elements fit perfectly in my mft 800 now and they are 19.87ish. 

I guess 1/4 of a millimeter is imperceptible?...as I think about it that is 1/100 of an inch...probably close enough?

 

[Qwas]

The guy that made the drawing used dimensions from his top, the older MFT-1080 top. It has holes that were 20.2 mm and that's why it's there.

20.05 to 20.1 mm would be an ideal size as it allows a true 20.0 mm diameter object to fit the hole.

19.87 mm is very small for the hole size. To be safe, I would recommend checking your calipers and be sure they are accurate. A simple test is to check the arbor hole on a TS-55 saw blade, they are 20.00 mm.

¼ of a millimeter is very noticeable. With dogs you can feel a difference as small as .01 mm.

 

[getyourbone]

Thanks!...You are correct.  They seem to be off by about .13 mm.  Guess I shouldn't drop them so often.

I have some more figurin' to do.

 

[Claimdude]

Sorry if this has been posted numerous times in the past but I did look didn't see this specific information.

I am going to have a MFT top fabricated out of three-quarter MDF.

I have an old MFT 800.  It is my understanding that the MFT/3 has slightly bigger holes? 

What size should I have the fabricator produce the holes in order for the quad/parf dogs to fit properly?  My MFT 800 seems to measure 19.7. To 19.9.   

How far in from the edge should the first role/column of holes be? Does it make a difference?

Anyone have any advice or thoughts on additional holes that would make sense?  And where they should be located?  Is there anything to be said about routing a channel somewhere for some reason?  I guess I could always do that later if I found a need.

And finally, if there is anyone out there in the Phoenix, Arizona area that would like to get a top, let me know.  I think I will pulling the trigger in the next 2 weeks. 

I think I may try to video the CNC process just for the heck of it and post it on YouTube...

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,

I had a custom MFT table made last year. My CNC guy did an excellent job. I have custom Qwas dogs with powder coating, Park dogs, and another pair of dogs bought off ebay. I think the measurement for them is 19.78mm. All fit the holes like a glove with slight resistance. I tried an original set of Qwas dogs and they were too loose for my tastes. I asked Qwas guy about his powder coated dogs and he asked what size I wanted.... gave him the size and they work perfect. Anyway, I have the drawing my CNC guy made and used for my top. Send me a PM with your email address and I will email it to you if you want? It's a PDF file.

Jack

 

[dutchie]

Sorry if this has been posted numerous times in the past but I did look didn't see this specific information.

I am going to have a MFT top fabricated out of three-quarter MDF.

I have an old MFT 800.  It is my understanding that the MFT/3 has slightly bigger holes? 

What size should I have the fabricator produce the holes in order for the quad/parf dogs to fit properly?  My MFT 800 seems to measure 19.7. To 19.9.   

How far in from the edge should the first role/column of holes be? Does it make a difference?

Anyone have any advice or thoughts on additional holes that would make sense?  And where they should be located?  Is there anything to be said about routing a channel somewhere for some reason?  I guess I could always do that later if I found a need.

And finally, if there is anyone out there in the Phoenix, Arizona area that would like to get a top, let me know.  I think I will pulling the trigger in the next 2 weeks. 

I think I may try to video the CNC process just for the heck of it and post it on YouTube...

Thanks,

Steve

You could also consider purchasing a replacement MFT 800 top. I just bought a secondhand MFT 1080 and the holes were also slightly too small for my benchdogs. I called Festool and they told me the holes on the MFT 3/800 and 1080 (replacement)tops are identical.

As of yet I'm waiting on my 1080 replacement top to arrive, so I can't confirm this yet. But I did read in another thread on the forum here (http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/holes-in-mft-1080/) that the hole size was changed 2006/2007 to the size still used today.

Not sure how much getting a top CNC'ed would run, but the MFT 800 replacement top is around € 50-60 here in The Netherlands.

 

[leer]

Steve,

I machined a large MFT-style top on a ShopBot CNC router in October.  I would highly recommend that you take your dogs to the shop, let them measure them, and they may decide to mill a few test holes.  It took me three test millings of holes to dial in the best size to provide the kind of fit I wanted.  I used Qwas dogs as my reference. Since I made the top, I've bought some Parf dogs as well.  Both fit very well.

 

[Oldwood]

I have a CNC router in my shop & have made quite a few tables mostly for my self. I started out interpolating the holes. (.5" router bit plunges in then creates a hole the proper diameter) Then I bought a carbide tipped bit for installing hardware. This is a good quality bit that cuts nice clean holes. This is by far my preferred method all the holes are 20.00mm and my Quas dogs fit perfectly.

This saves router time and is more accurate. I don't remember the cost of the bit but it was about $30.00 Can. I have drilled numerous tables with this bit & also use it for knock down hardware & it is still going strong.

HTH

Gerry

 

[dutchie]

I got my new replacement top for my old MFT 1080 today and now my precision dogs fit perfectly! Haven't measured the holes yet, but I presume they are the same as the MFT 3 now. Since on the old MFT 1080 top they didn't fit.

 

[Dionysus480]

Oh wow - I would love to get a 4 x 8 from the fabricator in Tempe as well.  At that price it solves a lot of problems in trying to make one at home.  I'm in Mesa.  If its still possible to get one please let me know.

 

[getyourbone]

Dionysus480,

Sent ya a PM.

 

[BerrySkies]

Hi, I would also like to get one made in Tempe, can you please send me details...thanks!

 

[getyourbone]

Berryskies,

I don't want to come across wrong to you and everyone else but...

You in Australia? 

Top made in Tempe AZ USA?

Only one post?

Am I being a little suspicious?

Steve

 

[peter halle]

I don't believe that this is a spam situation.  New member - yes.  Australia - yes.  Is there a Tempe, Australia - yes.

Perhaps just an international misunderstanding.

Rock on guys!

Peter

 

[getyourbone]

Sorry, probably should have at least checked the Tempe Australia possibility before being so possibly insulting!

My apologies! [crying] BerrySkies and everyone else!