How many tables do you feel are necessary and why?

[Creativemike]

I bought one MFT3 and one Basic, but for those of you who use it to cut down full sheets, how many tables do you own?  I’m a pro and still use my 52” Powermatic 66, but would like to start using my Festool tracksaw more.

If I use the track saw to rip one clean line, what do you guys use to cross cut the end of a 4x8 and ensure ur starting off with a perfectly square corner?

 

[Birdhunter]

I also have a pair of MFTs, but never use them for breaking down sheet goods.

I put the sheet on two sawhorses each with a sacrificial top. I use a TS55 to do a rough breakdown. All pieces are cut somewhat proud. The pieces then go to my big SawStop for the precision cut. I do use the MFT for precision cuts if that makes more sense than the table saw. I find the MFT with dogs is better than my SawStop for angled cuts.

I do find the TS55 on its rail produces an extremely straight edge. Without my SawStop, I’d use the TS55 on a rail to cut the pieces.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have several MFT 3s, 1080s & 800s. There is not a saw cut on any of them. I sometimes take one or 2 of them to a job site. Mostly they are used in the shop as portable work surfaces for building counter tops & other projects where I need a temp work surface.

For making square cuts on sheet goods on site, I use a TSO rail square. In the shop I have a sliding table on my table saw.

 

[Mario Turcot]

To answer your initial question it all depend of how you like to work. Some will put a styro foam sheet on the floor, others prefer to work at hips level. Personally I don't plan to have an MFT/3 because I find the table not stable enough. Again the MFT/3 is meant for portability on site and I do most of the work in the shop.

To cut a full sheet I always start with the TS55 and make a straight edge. If I need to rip the sheet into pieces smaller then 12" I use the table saw and the sliding table. The sliding table make a full sheet ripping trivial. If I need to cut larger then 12" I will use the TS55. When using the TS55 I lay down the sheet on the L.V. platform saddles

I love those, fast and easy to setup.

 

[Creativemike]

I was taught 25 years ago (first started in this business) to find the square corner of a sheet using a SQUARE framing square. Then, when working off of the square corner, as long as your table saw is square, parallel, etc, the parts will come out square......and they do, but while I know how to cut a straight line along the long edge of a 4x8 sheet, what are you guys using to make the perfect 90 deg cut off of that edge you just cut, so you have a true 90 deg corner on a full 4x8 sheet?

 

[DynaGlide]

TSO guide rail square is what you're after.

 

[Mario Turcot]

I was taught 25 years ago (first started in this business) to find the square corner of a sheet using a SQUARE framing square. Then, when working off of the square corner, as long as your table saw is square, parallel, etc, the parts will come out square......and they do, but while I know how to cut a straight line along the long edge of a 4x8 sheet, what are you guys using to make the perfect 90 deg cut off of that edge you just cut, so you have a true 90 deg corner on a full 4x8 sheet?

Today's trend;

Once you have that first straight edge most people that voice on the FOG use the TSO guide rail square (GRS-16 or GRS-16 PE)  attached to your guide rail.

 

[Creativemike]

Thx everyone!  Anyone know what page it’s on in the 2018 catalog?

 

[tjbnwi]

I have 8 MFT-3's, but don't use them as my first set up to process sheets.

Fabricate a knock down cutting table, cover with a foam sheet, break down sheets on the cutting table.

Tom

 

[SilviaS7]

I'm a sheet-goods only woodworker right now, and space is very limited in my home.  I purchased two of the Kreg work centers and use them in the sawhorse configuration with 2x4s as a sacrificial top, and two 8 ft long 2x4s to connect the two sawhorses.  I can cut the whole sheet from there, but I like to use a cheap 1/2" plywood on top of the sawhorse and then cut my nice plywood on top of that.  I just replace the sacrificial 1/2" plywood sheet as necessary.

I've also used the foam insulation but I don't like the dust that it creates from cutting into it.  I find it to be finer than sawdust and as a result it sticks to everything more and it's harder to vacuum up.

 

[RKA]

Thx everyone!  Anyone know what page it’s on in the 2018 catalog?

It's not, it's an aftermarket product. 
GRS can only be used on the near side of the rail, so that would be the edge you straight-lined.
https://tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-guide-rail-square/

The GRS PE version can be placed on the near side or far side of the rail.
https://tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-pe-parallel-edge-guide-rail-square/

And they are in the process of adding an accessory for the GRS that allows you to make repeatable rips or crosscuts.
https://tsoproducts.com/tso-guide-rail-squares/tpg-30-r-parallel-guide/

 

[semenza]

I don't use MFTs for full sheets. I built a cutting table with replaceable top. But I have also used foam board on the floor or on top of saw horses with frame. etc. Lots of similar ideas here on FOG. I am sure others will post in this topic too.

Seth

 

[Dick Mahany]

I have one MFT but don't use it to break down sheets.  For that, I use a pair of folding tables and the Lee Valley saddles. The lower height is more comfortable (for me) to reach across the sheet when cutting.  I just started the build of the MFTC from Timothy Wilmots Benchworks plans.  I had thought about a second MFT3, but by adding Tim's MFTC, I'll have more than enough tables at much less cost and space.

I also have a home made MFT type top nested between my MFT3 and the cart below it.  If I need additional work tops, I simply set up the MFT3 and use riser stands for the auxiliary top to make them at the same height, but I still don't use that configuration for breaking down sheets.

For cutting perfectly square corners, I simply use a rail square after I have established a clean true edge.

[attachimg=1]

 

[sancho57]

I have 3, 4 if you count the MFT for the Kapex

that works out good for me.
but if I had to do it all again I would build a cutting / assembly table set it at a height of 900mm the ieght of a MFT  and have only one or 2 MFT for field and mobile work around the house, friends house etc. 
For the field you could also build a Ron Paulk work bench and have 1 MFT

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you have a flat floor the Centipede is a good thing to use to support a 4x8 foam panel. Otherwise, use whatever you need to support the foam panel.

The foam panel is the key is you value dust collection. If dc is a lower priority then the various stick based supports will do.

As already said TSO’s GRS 16 is a great way to square the end of a panel.

Re-reading you post, you already have 2 MFT’s, so just set them up so a few 2x4’s can span them and put the foam panel on top of the sticks.

 

[Creativemike]

I don't use MFTs for full sheets. I built a cutting table with replaceable top. But I have also used foam board on the floor or on top of saw horses with frame. etc. Lots of similar ideas here on FOG. I am sure others will post in this topic too.

Seth

RKA,

I saw in a pic they’re showing two of them, but I don’t “think” that’s necessary, considering the festool clamp can hold the other end.

It looked as tho the side that has the tool is clamped down to that side of the board, but is there a clamp that comes with it or will the festool one fit?

 

[tjbnwi]

I don't use MFTs for full sheets. I built a cutting table with replaceable top. But I have also used foam board on the floor or on top of saw horses with frame. etc. Lots of similar ideas here on FOG. I am sure others will post in this topic too.

It is designed to accept the Festool clamp.

If you’re using pre-finished use the Gecko.

Two is a great time saver.

Tom

Seth

RKA,

I saw in a pic they’re showing two of them, but I don’t “think” that’s necessary, considering the festool clamp can hold the other end.

It looked as tho the side that has the tool is clamped down to that side of the board, but is there a clamp that comes with it or will the festool one fit?

 

[sancho57]

I got tis idea from watching Brents video on cabinet making, If you watch closely when he broke down full sheet he had 2 MFTs set parallel to each other so i tried it just took some scraps of 3/4 ply cut into 4' strips and laid them om te top of the mfts and it worked great for cutting sheets. I imagine if I were to use some insulation instead of the scrap ply it would be even better.

then when he cut to length he lined them up toe to toe

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I have two MFT/3’s but, when breaking down stock sheet material, I use various size cutting stations made up with the Parf Guide System, including a 3050 x 1525 x 18mm (10′ x 5′) and use the TSO GR-16 and GR-16 PE.

Once the sheets are cut into more managable pieces, I go back to the MFT’s or a similar home made version, and use the TSO’s and Parf Dog with the clips to retain the guide rail to the dogs.
I still often use the protractor for angles too.