MFT/3 must haves

[charley1968]

I'd get a pair of Parf dogs and a pair of bench dogs. I think grdmds idea of waiting and purchasing when you see need, has merits.

 

[bertv]

I am surprised there is only one mention of the Slop Stop. I think it is biggest bang for the buck for MFT.

Bill

The rail becoming sloppy is caused by wear of the tongue of the slider in the groove of the rail, which is easily remedied by shifting the rail a bit on the pivot.

 

[Coen]

Hi Coen,

Our own Dutch woodworker shop Baptist sells these Lee Valley mounting plates.

You're awesome! Baptist is even 'in range' of some of my regular travels. Do you happen to know if the Hex screws are metric? 

 

[neeleman]

There's no information on Lee Valley's web-site about the thread of the 4 screws.
But they don't look like metric screws to me.
But why do you want to know, want to change anything about the set-up?
You can find out when you visit Baptist.
Or otherwise you can tap them larger to M8 or M10.

 

[Birdhunter]

I noticed a big improvement in my rail stability with the Slopstop when my MFT was nearly new. I doubt I had any wear on any of the parts. For $25, I think it is a smart buy.

 

[Coen]

There's no information on Lee Valley's web-site about the thread of the 4 screws.
But they don't look like metric screws to me.
But why do you want to know, want to change anything about the set-up?
You can find out when you visit Baptist.
Or otherwise you can tap them larger to M8 or M10.

I guess it's not really needed to know, but having it metric is just so much easier in case I loose one. Everything around here is metric, I don't even have imperial hex bits for example.
EDIT: I do have them.

 

[grbmds]

I noticed a big improvement in my rail stability with the Slopstop when my MFT was nearly new. I doubt I had any wear on any of the parts. For $25, I think it is a smart buy.

Despite my previous post which recommended waiting till you see what you need after using the MFT for awhile, I agree the Slop Stop is a good investment regardless. This makes squaring the guide rail to the fence much more accurate. With the Slop Stop, there is just no side-to-side play in the guide rail because it makes it fit tightly on the support bracket tab.

 

[Coen]

How much play is there anyway between your rail and support bracket? With mine, it's pretty much zero already anyway.

 

[Birdhunter]

Never measured the movement. Was enough to feel the rail rock. It's zero with the he Slopstop.

 

[Holmz]

I use dogs a lot.
Some linseed oil or Tung oil on the bench makes it a bit water and glue resistant.

A roll of cling wrap or waxed paper also is great for glue ups.

 

[ART at WORK]

I agree with buy it as you need it. Dont think about the price. The pleasure of using it or being able to do jobs you couldn't do before outweigh the monatary aspect.
When I bought my MFT I found I needed to move it about in my small workshop depending on the size of the piece I was working on.
So every time I had to first move all the systainers under the MFT before I could move it 30 cm to the left or right.
I suggest you have a look a the great collection of MFT wheeled constructions (best with Systainer storage built in) that are here on the FOG.

the MFT has made my life so much easier. My wheeled beast looks like this.http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...mft-support-system-17352/msg182282/#msg182282

Good Luck

 

[bigarm]

I agree with buy it as you need it. Dont think about the price. The pleasure of using it or being able to do jobs you couldn't do before outweigh the monatary aspect.
When I bought my MFT I found I needed to move it about in my small workshop depending on the size of the piece I was working on.
So every time I had to first move all the systainers under the MFT before I could move it 30 cm to the left or right.
I suggest you have a look a the great collection of MFT wheeled constructions (best with Systainer storage built in) that are here on the FOG.

the MFT has made my life so much easier. My wheeled beast looks like this.http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...mft-support-system-17352/msg182282/#msg182282

Good Luck

That is very nice!  I will need to move mine also.  Maybe I should try something like that.

 

[bigarm]

I use dogs a lot.
Some linseed oil or Tung oil on the bench makes it a bit water and glue resistant.

A roll of cling wrap or waxed paper also is great for glue ups.

I have some Danish Oil.  I assume that will work also.

 

[Holmz]

...
I have some Danish Oil.  I assume that will work also.

Ja Ja.

 

[grbmds]

How much play is there anyway between your rail and support bracket? With mine, it's pretty much zero already anyway.

Mine had enough to make a difference. Given what others have said, I think it's common to have a noticeable amount of play. In fact, I believe there are videos and/or posts on the web recommending that you put slight tension on the guide rail against the tab when squaring it so that the tension keeps it in place. Anyway, I noticed a difference immediately after I installed the Slop Stop; probably the best $15 I've spent on an accessory.

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

I love my rail dogs

In case you are still looking for the Anderson MFT square, here is the link:

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:
http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/