How much functionality am I missing using OF1010/1400 without MFT?

[Kpp80202]

Here’s the backstory: I am a hybrid hobby woodworker working from a relatively stationary garage shop. I have a heavy work bench for planing, pounding, and chopping with chisels; a lighter and higher workbench for lightweight work; and a table saw station with a built in router table that provides about a 30” or work space next to the table saw top. I tried the MFT out but returned it because it took up too much of my limited space to leave set up or to provide reasonable working room around it.

I have, and love, several Festool products, including the new track saw, a sander, vacuum, and jigsaw. I was considering getting an OF1010 or 1400 for 32mm system and other purposes, but wondered if the functionality would be significantly compromised so as to not be worth using them vs. my PC690, DW621, and Milwaukee beast in the Incra table top. My intended use for the OF1010/1400 + tracks would be cutting dados, grooves, and mortises in addition to 32mm boring. It seems like the MFT system would be great for dados and mortises, and I haven’t thought through how much fiddling would be needed for clamping and moving a loose rail on boards. I guess I could rebuild my hand tool bench to have a thick front for pounding, a 3/4” MDF MFT-perforated back, and add some sort of extrusions to the front and back to allow the MFT type fence to work.

Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Actually, you are probably missing out on more functionality of the TS55, without the MFT, than either OF.
If you are not using the MFT for cutting with the track saw, the MFT's main use is as a work holding devise. If you have that handled in some other way, you're good.

 

[sancho57]

the biggest advantage of using the Festool routers is their ability to be used with the guide rails.

They do. have some good features not found on other routers that I know of.

But they arent the game changers like using them with the guide rail is

 

[tsmi243]

Check out the "Allrounder" by Guide Henn, since you mentioned doing a hybrid bench.

Agree with CRG, the TS is where the rail hinge really gets stuff done.  I have used the router on it, but only once or twice.  If your router table uses the tablesaw fence, then really the rail isn't doing anything new for you.

Having a Domino makes you care a lot less about dados anyway, so if that's on your list, I'd put it above an MFT.

For me, routing on a track is mostly LR32, which does NOT need a fence or rail hinge or anything.  Just a way to clamp stuff down, which is fun with an MFT but not necessary.

I think you'll know when it's time for an MFT, if that day ever comes. 

 

[Kpp80202]

Thanks all. Sounds like the MFT isn’t what I need since my TS55 is generally used for breaking down sheet stock, and my 1950s DeWalt RAS is used for all cross cutting that doesn’t happen at the table saw,  and dadoing that doesn’t happen at the table saw or router table. I’ll plan to use the OF1010/1400 with it’s easier to move the tool than the workpiece.

Now that Domino…

 

[Birdhunter]

I second the Domino suggestion. It is really a game changer.

 

[Kpp80202]

Check out the "Allrounder" by Guide Henn, since you mentioned doing a hybrid bench.

Wow, that is an interesting bench.