Getting ready to buy MFT/3 combo

[stubby]

I'm looking to pick up an MFT/3 Saw combo before the price increase. It will be my first Festool purchase.
What must have accessories should I pick up right away. ( clamps, stops, angle gauge?)
Also I was hoping the Festool system would pretty much replace my SCMS. How does the Festool handle cutting small
stock. Maybe a piece say, 3/4 inch by 2 inch by 6 inch long? Just curious, I havent had the chance to actually play with one.
Thanks
Eric

 

[mwhafner]

I would pick up the clamp combo, if they have it (M0079). 

Cutting small stock is easy, cutting short stock can be problematic.  It really needs to be longer than the guiderail is wide.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Eric,

I just purchased my MFT3 and TS55 about 3 weeks ago so, I am still learning and adjusting to the Festool system approach and doing some changes in thinking as I am used to doing such cutting operations with a more traditional table saw approach.  I have had some other Festool routers and sanders for a while but the MFT3 is a most useful solution for work holding and is very versatile in that role.  I went with the TS55 saw after reading the comments on the FOG and some other reviews that said that it was sufficient for 90-95 % of the common cutting most people do most often.

I am not sure I see the saw and MFT as a replacement for the SCMS.  I think the better way to look at it may be to see it as a replacement for a table saw for making larger cuts.  To me, so far anyway, it seems sort of hard to cut small and narrow pieces with the saw and MFT.  I am still learning and experimenting but I find the small pieces have to be sort of hidden under the track to be cut unless one sets up alternate stops somehow. I also find it kind of hard to get the track flat and parallel to the table top without using a large piece of stock to first set it and then move to the smaller pieces you want to cut.  It still seems to me that I can rip narrow strips or cut small pieces faster and more efficiently with my unisaw.  For crosscutting larger panels or cabinet parts I think the Festool approach of moving the saw over the piece rather than moving the piece over a table saw is an advantage.  It may also come down to what methods you are used to using and what tools you have available to do the work. I have been doing things in a non Festool approach for a long long time and old habits die hard sometimes.

As for accessories I would say the most important thing to get are some clamps to go with the tracks and MFT3.  There are a few choices so you have to look at what you can afford and what type you like.  I would try to get a minimum of 4 that will work with both the track and the table holes.  The table comes with the angle unit so there is no need to get the separate unit unless you are going to be cutting angles on pieces that are wider than what can be cut on the MFT3.  If you do need that other angle unit then it makes sense to set the set with the clamps and the replacement  strips and stops as you basically get a free sustainer to keep it all in and it costs about $170.  Of course I am assuming that you have a vac to use with the saw and a hose to connect it as those are key to getting the dustfree operation.  I use a 27mm hose right now with my sears shop vac with gore-tex filter.  I would perhaps go with the 36mm hose if I was buying again.  It will handle more dust and chips easier.  I didn't get good advise on which hose to buy largely because I didn't ask the right questions.

I hope this helps and you enjoy becoming part of the FOG.  If you have more questions you have come to the right place.  Welcome Eric.

Best,
Todd

 

[stubby]

wow, thanks for the quick and long replies.  I kind of figured short stock would be tough to work under the track but I'm buying it to be able to cut larger stock anyway so no big deal. I was just curious.
Mwhafner, I had'nt noticed that clamp combo, I'll check it out and possibly add it to my list.
Thanks for the tip about the vacuum hose. I have a Ridgid shop vac sucking on a Dust Deputy and that seems to work pretty well so I'll have to get a hose/ adapter combo to suit.
I'm still hemming and hawing over the TS55 or TS75 issue. I know I won't cut much really big stuff but would hate to need the larger capacity and not have it. I'll decide at the last minute as usual I guess.

Thanks again
Eric

 

[johnsonri]

I'd say, unless you have a definite need for that extra capacity of the TS75, then go with the TS55. I have the larger and smaller Festool saws. The larger one, hardly ever gets a work-out.

Once you get the system, you will find out that cutting small and otherwise odd shaped pieces are indeed possible. It just depends on your ingenuity, your willingness to browse forums like this one and your time.

I cut small pieces all the time with my mft/ts55. I believe that the setup can do everything and more that a scms can do. But with that being said, I do have a more than capable green & black scms called Kapex. Before Kapex, I could do all the operations on my mft/ts55 setup, and still do.

So, get to browsing this great forum....you've got a lot of catching up to do  ;D

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Two things made me go with the 55 over the 75 which was what I was leaning toward initially too.  First, the input of all the threads on the FOG regarding the two saws and the fact that most people overwelmingly seemed to feel the 55 was good for 95% or more of the cutting typically being done.  Second was the fact that you are going to be lifting the saw on and off the track a lot and I just saw no reason to be lifting the extra 3-4 pounds of weight 95% of the time if I didn't need to do it.  Perhaps that is just s sign of me getting older...lol.  Well and third, you have 30 days to try out either saw you pick and change your mind. And I figured even if I changed my mind after that I would have no problem selling the 55 and getting the larger saw.  So far I am happy with my TS55 decision though.

Best,
Todd

 

[BarryL]

I totally agree on the 55 over the 75 for the ease of handling...and becasue of what you said Todd....old like that!  If you worry about cutting heavy boards...check out the cut on this 8 ft long oak

No problem!

Also...I feel you will find these the most valuable to you in work hold down to start with

And the black clamping elements that you can barely see here...these two clamps do it all for me ...the elements allow you to sand 3/4" thick stock as well as they are shallower than 3/4"

Good luck with your purchase and welcome! ..Oh...you will need a second mortgage on 4 each of said clamps.

 

[fshanno]

It's adequate for way more than 99 percent of what I want.  It's more like 99.8%

But can it cut small pieces? Lets see.

Here's a small piece, about 1x2.5x.75.  I've drawn 2 lines just wider than the kerf.  I'll try to split them.

[attachthumb=1]

Here's the setup.  The piece is in the middle so the weight of the saw and force of the plunge will hold it still.  There's a piece the same width on the other side to help keep the small cross cut at 90.

[attachthumb=2]

Here's the result.

[attachthumb=3]

And just for grins let's rip one of the halfs.

[attachthumb=4]

Will a TS55 and an MFT cut small pieces?  You tell me.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Eric,

I concur in others' recommendations of clamps.

All of the Festool hoses come with at least one of their ends equipped with a ~2 1/2 inch fitting that will directly fit into any of a Craftsman, Fein, or Festool vacuum machine.  Of that I am sure because I own one of each.  For use with the TS 55 saw, Festool's 27mm hose will work fine, and you'll need it for use with Festool's sanders, Domino machine, OF 1010 router and some others.  But when using a router, the amount and size of chips generated by the cutter are likely to soon clog the 27mm hose when cutting a full profile.  For this reason I recommend getting a 36mm hose as well as a 27mm hose.  Note that Festool's 36mm AS hose is a direct fit onto the inlet of a Dust Deputy.  For convenience, so I can keep the vacuum machine end fittings supplied with any of the various Festool AS hoses (Item 452896 for 50mm hose, Item 452894 for 36mm hose and Item 452892 for 27mm hose) and switch out hoses quickly, e.g. to sweep the floor without having to use the Boom Arm, I installed a rubber plumbing coupling on my DD and a short braided copper jumper wire to ensure electrical continuity and thus maintain the antistatic capability of Festool's system.  This is very significant when using a belt sander such as my old Bosch 4"x24" which will give you a near steady stream of static discharge  shocks when sanding away an old finish.

Dust Deputy connected to CT 22 using Festool 50mm AS hose (which comes with Boom Arm) and 36mm AS hose. 

Here is a photo of an adapter hose I made which goes from 36mm to 27mm hose.  It is simply a short length of 27mm hose fitted at each end with Festool's Reducing Sleeve Item 487071.  It is a tight friction fit within the machine end nozzle (Reducing Sleeve Item 487721) supplied on Festool's 36mm hose.

Dave R.

 

[stubby]

Thanks for all the replies folks and taking time to post pics. What a great forum.
The general opinion seems to be to get the TS55 over the TS75 and I think I'll take that advice. I figured if I bought the 75 now I'd have it when the need came along but as Notorious T.O.D mentioned the majority of my cutting will be average sized stock and I had not given much thought to the weight of the saw and all the lifting around I would be doing. If something big comes along to be cut I'll worry about it then. It sounds like the money saved would be better spent on clamps anyway. I'll take my Festool catalog to work with me tonight and get a better look at the clamps and the vacuum hoses.
Thanks Dave for the advice on the vacuum hoses and the pic of the DD. Nice to see exactly what I need on what I have.
For now I think I'll just get a 27 mm hose and pick up a 36 mm hose when, and I'm sure I will,  get a Festool router. I see there is a pretty significant price jump between AS and non AS hoses but I guess it would make sense to get the AS hoses in case I ever happen to "need" ;D  a Festool dust extractor.  I have a current sensing relay here somewhere from an old control cabinet that I want to rig up a receptacle with to turn on the Ridgid vac when the TS55 starts just like the CT extractors. Now I need a few seconds of off delay. Hmmm?
And as far as cutting small stuff , I did'nt mean THAT small ;D LOL. But its good to know I can. Thanks for the pics fshanno.
I've been spiffying up the shop (basement corner) to make ready for the MFT and now is a good time to add a couple more shop lights so I'm off to the borg.
Thanks everyone

Eric

 

[nickao]

I returned my TS 55 for the TS75.

Get the 55 its nice!

But is is NOT a general opinion, it just happens that the guys that answered this thread may lean that way.

I find the TS 75 still much lighter than my SKill 77 and the way it is used on the rail I never did get how the weight could be an issue, I just hate the limited depth the TS55 has and the lack of power.

Save the 120.00 now or when it comes time and you find it will not cut it(no pun intended) another 575.00 then, I guess you can sell the TS 55 though.

There that's my 2 cents.

 

[mwhafner]

I now own both the TS55 and the TS75, but made it for almost three years with just the TS55.  If I had to pick just one, it would be the 55. 

I only bought the 75 for a specific job, cutting off several doors that were 2 1/4" to 2 3/8' thick.  I cut the first couple with the TS55, and just cut from both sides.  It worked fine, and the results were great.  It was just a  good excuse to spend a little more green on green.

Now that I have both, I generally use the TS55 for breaking down sheet good, and the TS75 on the MFT or heavier applications. 

 

[nickao]

Yes I think I would like both too. 

 

[tbellemare]

There are currently some promotional packages...

There is an MFT Clamp Set that saves $14.50 over buying them separately. It can also be combined with the MFT/3 until the end of the month for a total savings of $44.50.

There are also blade packages:
The Blade Assortment & Accessory Pack for TS 55 saves you $18.50 over buying them separately. If you buy it with the saw, you can save an extra $25.00 so both together and you save $38.50. The saw with blade package deal expires at the end of the month.
The Blade Assortment & Accessory Pack for TS 75 saves you $26.00 over buying them separately. If you buy it with the saw, you can save an extra $35.00 so both together and you save $53.50. This saw with blade package deal expires at the end of the month also.

If you buy the TS55 EQ Circular Saw + MFT/3 Multifunction Table Pkg. you save $57.50.
Or if you buy the TS75 EQ Circular Saw + MFT/3 Multifunction Table Pkg. you also save $57.50.

You can see that if you get things together, there are some savings to be gained.

Tom

 

[stubby]

Does the MFT/3 + TS 55 combo include an extra guide rail besides the one for the table, such as the 1400mm one that comes with the saw alone? Whatever the case may be, what size ( or sizes )should I get for ripping 4x8 sheet goods? And also do two guide rails joined together really join up straight and true along the full length or do they possibly skew one way or the other because of the splice? I would assume they run true otherwise Festool would not have the reputation they have but I didnt know if the experienced folks might recommend a full length guide versus two spliced together.

TIA
Eric

 

[mwhafner]

I bought mine as a TS55 MFT1080 combo, but it did include the the 1080 and 1400 rails.  If you buy the TS55, I like my 2700 rail for ripping 8' lengths.  If you buy the TS75, go to the next size up.

Some here have experienced problems, but I have not had any issues joining rails. 

 

[tbellemare]

Eric:

You get the 1080 guide rail with the MFT/3. You also get a guide rail with the saw.

For the TS 55, the standard guide rail is a 1400. For the TS 75, the standard is the 1900. You can switch the guide rail for whatever length you prefer by paying (or collecting)  the difference in price between the guide rails. Paying if you choose longer and collecting if shorter.

The rails can be joined straight and the saw will run straight if you join them correctly.

Tom

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Tom,

Is that your policy as a dealer WRT allowing the changing of tracks that one gets with the TS55 or is that Festool policy.  When I got my saw a few weeks ago I asked that question and was told by my dealer that it was a "package" and you got the 55" track with the TS55 and the 75" track with the TS75. It didn't seem to me that it should matter as long as the difference was paid.  I was looking at a longer track as I had the short rail for the 32mm hole system and the track that comes with the MFT/3. So, something longer than a 55 was what I was looking to get, yet I didn't need the TS75 saw.  I took my 55 track out of the box to check it but have never used it yet.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[mark90]

does anybody know when the price increase is gonna take affect?

 

[nickao]

February 1st