Hand Planing on MFT1080s

[cahudson42]

While a single MFT may not seem rack-resistant enough for hand planing, two of them in-line, connected with the Festool connector bars, do seem to be rigid enough for me.

I use this setup all the time for hand planing, with the 'face vise' of dimensional 2 x 6 for clamping boards vertically and for shorter boards horizontally (with a spacer underneath the clamps).

For longer boards on edge I use two Jorgensen #2 wood vise clamps, held down with Festool F clamps. These clamp the board on edge very well.

Chris - new FOG member

 

[image132]

Any chance you could show us the join of the two mfts?

This is great news. I would have never thought the mfts were plane proof. Thanks for the advice!

 

[cahudson42]

I'll try to get a shot later - but the two short sides are joined by 2 connector bars - very similar to the bars w/setscrews that join TS-55 (and other) aluminum tracks. But they are longer and thicker - 'verbindingers' - or something like that..:>)

You get the tables very close together by raising one set of legs. So in the end the two tables are supported by three pairs of legs - with the two outer legs splayed outward a bit.

Before I got my second MFT, I toyed with the idea of buying the rails, the 'verbindingers' (whatever) and making my own - but then the 1080's went on sale - plus I then could use the addditional rail clamp and end positioner/guide lengthwise as well as crosswise (as I did with the original MFT rail clamp/guide) - for long (almost 8') rips with my TS-55

I got my 'verbindingers'  thru Bob Marino. As usual, they are not cheap. I think about $40 for the pair.

Chris

Added photo of the joined tables. The rectangular joining bar is shown under the MDF.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Welcome to the FOG Chris.  That is one sweet setup.  Its really amazing how many ways there are to trick out an MFT! [cool]