just bought the mft table the 1080; would you buy the little clamps

[harry_]

Brice,

Referring to your picture above.....

Putting tubing on the clamp is a great idea, but I am curious as to why you are working the clamp from the underside. Or is this something that will become quite obvious to me once I go to use it?

I am new to the table,... haven't even put a clamp to it yet.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Oh you gotta get some clamps!!  That MFT will change the way you work!  Most of the furniture I make has curved pieces.  The MFT with all those holes is a fantastic clamping system for curved workpieces.  I agree with the advice above about getting a couple of the quick clamps for getting things stable quickly and then using screw clamps for the rest.  I don't use the clamping elements very often, but there have been a few times when they were dead perfect for what I needed to do.

There are several threads on the board about mft enhancements.  Those extruded aluminum rails are just crying to be jigged.  I made the saw holster and love it.

When you set up the rail for the first time, take your time and get it right.  I was amazed at how square the cuts come out!
And if you are doing flutes, get a pair of end stops for the rail.

Happy Holidays!!

 

[harry_]

Oh for sure! I just got the thing on monday evening about 7:30PM. all my tools were on the job site, so mostly I could only drool.

In a little while I will go play 'Santa's Elf' and make legs for the slot car track table.  [thumbs up]

Maybe, just mayyyyyyyyyyybe I'll let my nephew play with it when he gets home.

Still, all of that does not answer the question of the benefit from working the clamps from the underside. I could see maybe if I was mounting a fixture/jig to simply keep handles out of the way. But for clamping the work piece..........?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice,

Referring to your picture above.....

Putting tubing on the clamp is a great idea, but I am curious as to why you are working the clamp from the underside. Or is this something that will become quite obvious to me once I go to use it?

I am new to the table,... haven't even put a clamp to it yet.

What you can't see in that picture is I have a shelving unit behind my MFT with all my Systainers. The clamps get in the way with the handles up when I need to get another tool off the shelf. Plus the vac hose/cord can get hung up on the handles.

 

[harry_]

gotcha,  [thanks]

 

[mwildt]

Both the ratchet and the screw style are great on the mft table. One thing to have in mind regarding the ratchet kind. They do put a lot of pressure on the wood so if your material is soft be careful. Easy to dent the material due to the cam action, especially if there is a veneer on the material. The screw kind you have a bit more feel with how much pressure is applied.

Three other very useful things for the mft is:

- Small box that hangs on the side of the rail. Great to keep for the clamps and other tools.
  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/more-mft-enhancement-ideas/
- Tool holster. Nice to put the saw down so it is not interfering with the table top.
  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/new-improved-'tool-holster'-for-mft/
- A little hook that can keep the rail up in the upright position that way it will not come crashing down on your hands when moving material around for the next cut.

All three have been posted on the board and the inventors of these sure came out with great ideas that makes the mft even better. Highly recommended.