Festool MFT/3 and Bosch GKT55GCE

[Tomsim]

Hi,
this is my first post on this forum, but i have read it a lot. I found a lot of interesting informations.
I'm a hobby woodworker, and i do it when i have time, or when i need to do someting for me and my family.
I'm considerng buying an MFT/3  together with FS 1080 rail and other stuff that come in the kit. It's not cheap at all, but....  [laughing]

I already have a Bosch GKT55GCE, and 1,6m rail that came with it. Bosch can be used with Festool rail, but I never tried it. I don't even have the ability to try it, so I have to order everything online. So I was wondering... is someone using this combination? MFT/3 and Bosch GKT55GCE (with Festool rail)?

I saw a video where someone uses MFT/3 and Mafell track saw but with Mafell/Bosch rail, and it seems to be workin just fine (with some modifications on the MFT). But i dont want to modify it, just want use the Festool rail that comes in the kit. Bosch rail would be used for bigger pieces outside the MFT.

If I buy it, i plan to make a spare top from waterproof plywood because it will be in the unheated garage. MDF could probbably twist from humidity. I plan to remove the original top and place it over the piece of plywood, and copy the original with the plunge router and 12mm pattern bit. That way i'll have a spare top with ideal spacing of the holes. Will this work, or am i missing something?

I dont have a mitre saw, at least not the good one, so the idea is to get MFT/3. I know that it doesn't replace a mitre saw completely, but i assume it would be a a big step up for mitre and crosscuting. Has anyone retired his mitre saw when he got the MFT?

Thank you

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I had that Bosch saw and it works fine on Festool rails. No problems really. I don't know if the Bosch cuts on the same position on the splinter strip though. Some people don't like the Bosch machine as they claim it flexes a little in the base - which it does - but I have done many very critical cuts in expensive materials and never a problem. But you should be aware of it.

I didn't retire my mitre saw when I got the MFT benches. Small cuts and small stock is so much easier on a mitre saw and less hassle. Some types of cuts will always be awkward with the track/plunge saw. Even for a hobbyist a mitre saw always makes sense.

Good luck with your choices.

/ Henrik

 

[Tomsim]

Thank you for the info. I still havent decided what to do.
Maybe Santa brings me one MFT

 

[smartins]

In same situation here. I'm thinking about putting some clear coat on that MDF top and later make also from plywood copy.

...

If I buy it, i plan to make a spare top from waterproof plywood because it will be in the unheated garage. MDF could probbably twist from humidity. I plan to remove the original top and place it over the piece of plywood, and copy the original with the plunge router and 12mm pattern bit. That way i'll have a spare top with ideal spacing of the holes. Will this work, or am i missing something?
...

 

[Tomsim]

Hi

Is has been some time, but i'm reopening the thread.
At the end, my choice was to buy Parf guide system and make my own cutting top from birch plywood which i put on top of my old Black&decker workmate table. It's super accurate

The downside of my choice is that i still use Bosch GKT55 and Bosch rail. The base of the saw wider than the raeil, so i put the dogs two rows up and two rows down from cutting material, so the base dont inerfere with the dogs when cutting. Also i cant buy Veritas clip for holding the rail flush to the dogs, they dont fit the Bosch rail, only Festool rails. There are also some other accosseries like Narrow rip dogs that i'd maybe like to buy and use it.

That is the reason i'm considering buying Festool rail and use iz with Bosch GKT. There aren't a lot of info online about this combination, but i saw a video on youtube where the autor says that the green glide strips should be repositioned on the rail. If they are left at the factory position, the base of the saw and the rail will not be 100% parallel, and the cut will not be idealy parpendicular. Can someone confirm this? Henrik? Thank you!

I'm even thinking about selling the Bosch amd get the TS75, primary because of a lot of Festool rail accesories available. Extra power and cutting depth would also be nice Extra weigth is not a big deal for me, but fromn the specs TS75 seem much louder than Bosch. I like the Bosch. I noticeed that really iz does flex a bit if its not plunged directly from above, but that is the only downside i noticed. Did someone go this path and switched from Bosch to TS75? Tnx

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=66543]Tomsim[/member]

Well done for getting the Parf Guide System - it really is super accurate.

I understand that you are a hobby woodworker and only need to use your kit when there is a job to do. For that reason, have you considered building a pair of folding trestles?

This is a description of the process and it is very simple. You do not need to use a Domino as butt joints with glue and screws will do.


My pair of trestles can take a full 8x4 sheet although for most of the time I used to keep a 100 cm x 160 cm piece of MDF with 20 mm holes created by the PGS on top of them as my tracksaw cutting station. I can make 90 and 45 degree cuts more accurately than my Kapex and with an Isometric pattern of holes I can do perfect 30 and 60 degree cuts as well.

When not in use the trestles fold away and the top can be stored away easily as well.

Peter

 

[Tomsim]

Hi Peter,

well done for you for inventing the system, it is excellent

Actualy, I just ordered sawhorses from Axminister yesterdayhttps://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-saw-horses-pair-103349

I was considering making my own sawhorses, but this are really mimimum space consuming when folded. I dont have a proper workshop, so space and mobility are important.

I have seen a lot of your videos, suprisingly not this one. They are very informative and inspiring. I almost got myself a cnc [big grin] But dont have the extra money for it right now, and woodworking is a hobby so cannot justify the cost.
Just keep up the good work and thank you for the video!

 

[Tomsim]

I reaserched more, and got the information. If Bosch tracksaw is used with the Festool guide rail, green glide stripes need to be repositioned. Base of the saw is narrower, so it doesnot cover both green glide strips and because of that the saw is not perfectly perpendicular. Probably the Mafell saw has the same situation.
Someone might need this information eventualy, so here it is on this excellent forum.

Regards