MFT 1080 Hardware kit

[to750]

Anyone purchase this kit and make their own table? If so, how do you like the table and any tips before building one. The kit does not include the aluminum edge profiles to attach the guide rail. Rails are a $172 for 2. Any other company that makes rails that the kit could utilize? Thanks for any help.

 

[Steve Jones]

I didn't purchase the kit, but made my own cutting table. Since I cut full sheets of plywood all the time, I needed a table large enough to drop them on without lots of extra supports etc. The top is a full sheet of MDF (which is larger than plywood sheets), I fixed a fence on the working side with a slot (gap in the fence wide enough for the rail) and an adjustable stop on the opposite side for the rail to butt against.

Most of my cutting is right angle cuts, I have the 1080 for assembly and other cuts (the pieces are smaller by the time I need to cut other angles).

The idea of NOT using the MFT rail mounting system is that I'm usually cutting accross a 4' wide sheet, you can't (at least I can't and I'm 6'2" with long arms (my knuckles graze the floor) reach to stand the rail upright accross 4' plus of table.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  I forget who now ???  But somebody on here has a long rail / oversize table set up with a screw eye in the rail end and a little cord and pulley hanging from the ceiling to raise it.

Seth

 

[nickao]

Anyone purchase this kit and make their own table? If so, how do you like the table and any tips before building one. The kit does not include the aluminum edge profiles to attach the guide rail. Rails are a $172 for 2. Any other company that makes rails that the kit could utilize? Thanks for any help.

I love the kit.

One 1080 MFT setup, two tops and the kit will make the table. The two short sides to the 1080 MFT will be extra. You use the long side of the 1080 MFT for the sides and the kit to make to table. You will need different legs or additional legs and some way to support the MDF especially the seams and middle section. One of the MDF sections if you use the 1080 tops  will have to be cut to fit. I  sold the 42" rail that came with the 1080 because it does not reach across the bigger table. You need at least the next bigger guide rail.

Jerry work I believe has instructions for this. Can someone post the link for him I have to run,

Have a happy  Easter guys!

Nickao

 

[nickao]

Now that I re-read your question I see it was more for the hardware kit then the rail kit, sorry but this link should still help.

Isn't the hardware kit for the protractor and  fence and hardware to attach the guide rail to the outer rails?  I did not get the hardware kit as it is included in the 1080 MFT -  if I understand your question correctly now.

Here is a link to get you started, I have more time then I thought to leave:

Getting the most ouyt of MFT

 

[Toller]

I read the guide and see how he used a MFT1080 with the table profiles to make a larger table, but can you use the table profiles without the corner pieces from the MFT1080?

I have in mind making a table; screwing the corner profiles to the 4 sides, laying a piece of mdf on top of the table for the work surface.  Is that doable?

 

[Corwin]

... somebody on here has a long rail / oversize table set up with a screw eye in the rail end and a little cord and pulley hanging from the ceiling to raise it.

I did that when I first hung my 3000mm rail from a few joined tables.  Since then I have found it easier to just keep a board about 1-1/2' to 2' long by about the width of the guide rail nearby (mine is on top of some Systainers w/SysCart under the table near lead end of rail).  Lift the rail up, grab the board and place one end on profile between guide rail bracket and MDF top and lower rail onto other end.  Works great for me.  You could even dress it up a bit...  Maybe some little ears, some padding or even a Festool green paintjob.

I read the guide and see how he used a MFT1080 with the table profiles to make a larger table, but can you use the table profiles without the corner pieces from the MFT1080?

Yes, an angle bracket can be used to make the corner.  I've seen one that 8020 offers that looks as if it might work -- not sure.  When considering your project's dimensions, note that the existing MFT corner pieces wrap the corner somewhat such that the side profiles do not meet at the corner, but rather around 12mm or so back from the corner of the table top.

I have in mind making a table; screwing the corner profiles to the 4 sides, laying a piece of mdf on top of the table for the work surface.  Is that doable?

How 'bout building your own table - corners and all - but plan for some short lengths of the MFT's profile along each side.  You could order two of the shorter profiles and cut them in half, leaving four pieces.  Placed appropriately around your tables edges, you could then use the Guide Rail Brackets and Feather Key Stops.  Edges of your table will look a little odd, but then that would be in keeping with this whole idea. 

My next large table project will most likely be somewhere from 80" to 90" in length so I can swing my FS 2424-LR 32 rail in style.  Hmmm, two of the new MFT3s might work out just right.  There, made quick work out of that project. 

 

[Toller]

Yes, an angle bracket can be used to make the corner.  I've seen one that 8020 offers that looks as if it might work -- not sure. 

What is 8020?

I studied a MFT at Woodcraft today and it appears that I could slip a bolt head in the back of the extrusion and bolt it to a table, but corners might be nice.

 

[nickao]

Yes, an angle bracket can be used to make the corner.  I've seen one that 8020 offers that looks as if it might work -- not sure. 

What is 8020?

I studied a MFT at Woodcraft today and it appears that I could slip a bolt head in the back of the extrusion and bolt it to a table, but corners might be nice.

8020 is a web site store that sells extrusions:

8020

 

[Ned]

Better yet, for most hobbyists, 8020's Garage Sale on eBay.