Got the MFT/3 Basic by mistake, what do I do?

[Stone Message]

I bought the full MFT3 kit but only use the main table.

I use my own Parf Dogs but there are plenty of others available including qwas of course. The option of being able to cut at any angle with the full kit is something that is such a marginal advantage that it is just not a USP for me.

With the money saved there are loads of things you can do and, in my mind, they all mean buying other Festool kit so the dealers giving advice should not be worried !

Peter

 

[Peter_C]

Dogs are definitely good. But have limitations. Angle cuts are limited. Without the MFT fence, repeatable width cuts cannot be done easily. And, in my opinion, it's just as easy to strike a line with a square and throw the guide rail down on it without the dogs.

I'm sure they work well for some folks.

Love my MFT dogs for other things though.

Everyone can probably agree a set of at least 4 shouldered dogs are good to have around.

I'll agree on the angle cuts being not only limited but impossible with dogs other than a 45*. The MFT fence definitely has it's place, and if I owned an MFT like the OP, I would be looking for an MFT fence too, and a few have been offered up in this thread.

There are other options for fences though that will allow repeatable width cuts with an accurate scale. Most any t-track can handle stops so with that and rail dogs, repeatable cuts are pretty easy. Plus since my fence is setup for ripping narrow stock it can do something the MFT stops can't! It also fits in a Systainer. Heck a board could be clamped down for an end stop, using dogs as a fence. One of the other nice things for me is the fence can be brought to the front of the table when cutting narrow stock, which I believe the original MFT fence could do, since it used the holes for locating it, not the outside rails.

 

[weekendwarrior]

I'd buy the MFT/3 set and keep the Basic!  In all honesty, while you can live without an additional table, you're gonna want that second table!  At least this way you only paid for one!

When you purchase the second have a Festool dealer swap out the standard 1400 for a holey rail, too.

 

[Patrick Cox]

...Plus since my fence is setup for ripping narrow stock it can do something the MFT stops can't!...

Hi [member=50292]Peter_C[/member] , can you elaborate on your setup for ripping narrow stock?

Thanks.

 

[Peter_C]

...Plus since my fence is setup for ripping narrow stock it can do something the MFT stops can't!...

Hi [member=50292]Peter_C[/member] , can you elaborate on your setup for ripping narrow stock?

Thanks.

The rail and stops are from the Woodpeckers parallel guide kit. The way the Woodpeckers kit works also allows it to rip narrow stock. I also have a plain Woodpeckers rail to use as a single piece rail. I have 6 rail dogs, and 4 regular dogs.

Most any parallel guide set can do narrow rips. Here is one brand Seneca. The rail will need a bottom slot for the rail dogs to attach to.http://www.senecawoodworking.com/products/parallel-guide-system-for-incra-t-track-plus

No matter what a table saw is still needed for cutting long lengths and long narrow strips. Plus for cutting small stuff a table saw with a sled is needed.