Just picked up my MFT/3 today!

[krs2404]

I've always considered instructions to be only the manufacturers' opinion on how they think things should be assembled.

 

[johne]

Now I understand why the Festools are so much cheaper in the US.

You dont get the full colour instuction manuals, the interactive user CD, and the high definition instruction DVD with zillions of uses for the tool like us Europeans do. ;D

Well actually we dont get those either. I have always found that the user manuals are the total opposite of Festools elaborate sales catalogs. I just picked up a 2008 catalog which is about 400 pages.

Fortunately there are people like Rick Christopherson that take the time to come up with some very informative and clear manuals.

 

[honeydoman]

Mitch,

so... how do you like it so far?  have you had a chance to use it?  did you have the 1080 before?  come on we are all waiting.....

 

[johne]

Will this part be available to the US?

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

I ve been using the old "basis" table for many years and never gave the MFT much thought but since this accepts all CMS and most Basis inserts it looks interesting.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Inside info,

Festool usa has a huge instruction program upgrade in the works.

This little problem won't be around too much longer.

Per

That either means Europeans are smarter than Americans and do not require manuals.

Or that Europeans do not read the manuals so Festool doesn't bother with them in Europe  :-\ ;D ???

Or that most Europeans in the target market for Festool products are professionals that are trained through an apprentice system and thus are well familiar with woodworking and many tools, and thus don't need the details many of us in USA seek.

My father was a professional mechanic.  Most of the unusual special purpose tools in his collection did not come with any written or illustrated instructions.  That knowledge was obtained by reading and hands-on training.  Most DIY mechanics wouldn't know how to use a piston ring groove cleaner/cutter without some hand-on instruction, nor how to use a dial gauge to set up proper alignment and clearances between the teeth on the ring gear and the pinion gear of a differential.  (A lot of otherwise skilled mechanics don't know how to do that well, either.)

Dave R.

 

[mrwilby]

Mine is now fully assembled... the MFT3 manual is also not particularly helfpul, with poor pictures and little in the way of explanation.

If you're a seasoned MFT user, then you'll have no trouble assembling an MFT3, but for me, where this is my first MFT, I would've found an improved manual useful.

None the less, after about 1 hour, I got everything where I think it should be - and after just inspecting the MFT3 q&a thread in this forum (I stumbled on Shane's photos) it looks like I "guessed" right

I read that people had problems with the fence in the old MFT. I haven't used mine in anger yet, but I have set it to 90 and it seems pretty solid. I don't think it will move that easily. The key was to cotton on that the loose bolt and knob in the carton was meant to protrude through the fence clamping plate (the bit that goes in the v-groove). After I realised that, I manage to lock it down tight, and all is well.

Overall the construction seems good. Bit disappointed with the stability legs though - the table still wobbles a fair bit. That said, it may be that I need to tweak the cross member anchors a bit (they might not be optimal).

BTW, after my earlier gripes about no allen key, there was one in the MFT3 carton. Unfortunately, I didn't find this out until after I'd fitted the stabilisers

 

[mitch dugo]

Mitch,

so... how do you like it so far?  have you had a chance to use it?  did you have the 1080 before?  come on we are all waiting.....

As a matter of fact, I do like it quite a bit. Took about an hour to stumble through the instructions and get the fence and rail squared up. I'm just amazed at the great cuts I get with it and the 75. All the guys in the shop are very impressed, even the wife!

 

[Bluenose]

Festool clearly skimp on the paperwork to avoid paying translation costs (in Europe). After 5-10 minutes of head scratching, I got them sorted though.

Inside info,

Festool usa has a huge instruction program upgrade in the works.

This little problem won't be around too much longer.

Per

When they update their documentation I would love to see a diagram or picture of what can be stored and where in  the systainer.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

That information is supposed to be coming in the improved documentation, too.

Dave R.