lr32 and making MFT

[firepilot]

Hi All,

Ok I am working on my MFT today. I have played with the LR 32 and have it calibrated. I have some qwas dogs coming in the mail Tue/Wed from Bob.

I want to go ahead and drill the table if possible. I am trying to wrap my head around this and looking for ideas to progress down the table. I have searched and searched and watched several videos. I'm just not sure how to do it. Do people just measure and mark the spacing intervals? Do they use the stop and set them to 96 mm and put them is the previous row of holes? I think there is a really simple way to do this and I am just missing it. Do I make a 96mm block or strip and just alternate it?

Any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks

Phil

 

[epicxt]

Someone posted a really simple way a few months ago using some spacer blocks like you are describing. I'm on my mobile right now so doing extensive searching is too much of a pain but maybe they'll chime in on this.

 

[NERemodeling]

this is the best way i have come across and probably what epicxt was referring to

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/make-a-perfect-%27mft%27-with-qwas-raildogs/

John

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

This is the method I used, only instead of having to cut the table top bigger than you need it and ripping off the edges, you can just cut it to size and leave the 2 offset rows.  They're still parallel to the other rows, and it certainly does to hurt to have them there.

 

[Qwas]

I believe the reason for cutting off those first holes was the assumption that they may not have the correct 96 mm spacing. If you're using the "Holey" rail anyway on those first rows, I see no reason why the spacing would be wrong. Just take your time on those first 2 rows and be sure everything is perfectly aligned before you start boring.

 

[firepilot]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to make a few holes down each side.  I still don't have my Qwas dogs yet. So figuring out plan B. Plan B might be waiting until I get them Tues or Wed.

Tried measuring some stuff around the shop but I have nothing that is 20mm. May have to grab the calipers and go cruise the mop handle section at the HD.

We have a Metal lathe at work but I have not a clue how to use it.

Probably a good idea I haven't made the base for the table as the final dimension may be changing.

Still fun to mess with however.

Phil

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

Make sure you drill those first 2 sets of holes perfectly parallel... Measure off the same edge.  And keep those 2 rows very close to your edges.

 

[firepilot]

Ok Will do. Went around the big box store with a caliper measuring everything I could find round. Finally found a Paper towel holder exactly 20mm. Forgot my wallet so going back in the am to pick it up.

Hopefully that will tide me over until my dogs arrive.

Phil

 

[firepilot]

Hey All,

Well the table is done and it works great. It was pretty slow going and took about 3.5 hrs total. I didn't have any dogs when I did it but forged ahead anyway. It looks to me like the second set of holes along the side would work great if you had a set of dogs to use and figured the offset to put the rail along. That must be why they were offset.

I used the Lr32 to get a good set of holes along the end. I used the stop on the LR Rail each time along the long side each to index it. I have two great scaled 610mm rulers which I used to measure from the edge of each hole to the rail for the next row. 111mm seemed to be the right number. Easy to see if your at the right apex of the hole because it it 20mm across.

The festool 20mm router bit handled the job just fine. The Qwas dogs set I ordered arrived after the job was done and fit perfect. I can take the rail dogs and set them and turn them any which way I need to and they are giving me great angles and fit no problem.

Need to order some more clamps and accessories and such but it is working great.

Phil