MFT 3 or MFT 1080

[honeydoman]

i will probably order one as they are coming out may 1st.  that way I can have one set up at my home show, and one for jobsites.....

 

[bamo@xs4all.nl]

There is a temporary English webpage on WALKO with demo!
http://www.walko.nl/EngTmp.htm

 

[greg mann]

T slots may be ubiquitous (common) but there are some limitations to them that the v groove can overcome. Automatic alignment to the groove is the first that comes to mind. Also, you can remove and replace the fence without disturbing anything else along the rail. I must say I would have liked to see that capability built into the guide rail mounts but I cannot readily see how that could have been done because of space requirements. At any rate, Festool has new items coming and I would guess their approach is to get a number of tables in the market before intoducing a host of new items so that there are ready made platforms to accept them. This has probably as much to do with cost and logistics as anything else. New product rollouts are expensive. When we see what comes down the pike we may change our mind about the Vs.

As far as stability differences between the old and new tables, I think this is a myth. I have both set side by side and there is no discernable difference. Either one can be stiffened dramatically by clamping a 1/4 inch sheet of plywood cut about 12 inches wide to bridge two legs. You need to clamp all 4 corners but it is amazing how much it helps. This can be done in a shop or on a worksite and takes virtually no transport space so the table remains portable.

Making larger more stable tables is a minefield for Festool. Just agreeing on what a portable table should look like is impossible. There are so many variables in workbench design that they would probably please no one with whatever they came up with. 'Why did they make it so tall? Why did the make it so short? I need two inches more width. It's two inches too wide to fit in my workspace......'

 

[Ned]

There is a temporary English webpage on WALKO with demo!
http://www.walko.nl/EngTmp.htm

Thanks for pointing this out.

Ned

 

[Ned]

I have had my MFT1080 up on riser blocks (~75mm, ~3in) almost since the first day I had it.  The work surface is 895mm from the floor.  The MFT3's work surface is 900mm from the floor.

[attachthumb=#]

I am 5'10" (1.8m) tall.  For most operations I find the raised table to be much more comfortable.  Sawing is not so comfortable, because I must stretch across this higher table top.

It is possible to move the fence closer to the user, and I've done that when I've had a lot of narrow stock to cut.  The new fence design of the MFT3 should make moving the fence much easier, something that you'll do in a moment and frequently.  For me, the new fence removes any objection I might have had to the higher MFT3.  Your Mileage May Vary, but then, it could be the same. 

BTW, the locker beneath the MFT is a Bad Idea.  It's sized to fit the VS600, but that's not the problem.  Since the unit is top loading, with a tray-like top, using it for anything but inactive storage is a PITA.  Live and learn.

The rear riser blocks include sockets for plastic pipe columns that each support a 100w worklight.  I have excellent lighting on the work surface, and they are easily removable whenever they're in the way.

Ned

 

[Michael Kellough]

T slots may be ubiquitous (common) but there are some limitations to them that the v groove can overcome. Automatic alignment to the groove is the first that comes to mind. Also, you can remove and replace the fence without disturbing anything else along the rail.

Just agreeing on what a portable table should look like is impossible. There are so many variables in workbench design that they would probably please no one with whatever they came up with. 'Why did they make it so tall? Why did the make it so short? I need two inches more width. It's two inches too wide to fit in my workspace......'

I agree about the V grooves and the impossibility of designing a table that suits everyone. I'm contemplating making a Mini-MFT based on the observation that anything not directly required for supporting the fence and guide rail is just outfeed/stock support and doesn't need to be directly connected to the tool alignment stuff..

 

[Ned]

...I'm contemplating making a Mini-MFT based on the observation that anything not directly required for supporting the fence and guide rail is just outfeed/stock support and doesn't need to be directly connected to the tool alignment stuff..

2 ideas come to mind:

A narrow MFT, where the long dimension is parallel to and beneath the guide rail, and the narrow dimension is just 2 or 3 times the width of the guide rail.

An L-shaped MFT, where the short end of the L is is parallel to and beneath the guide rail, the vertex of the L is nearest the guide rail pivot, and the long end of the L pointing off to the left.  A fence of full length could be supported, and the user could get as close to the work as he wanted.  Strongly orientation toward right-handed users.

Both designs would result in the user working beside the table, not in front of it.

Ned

 

[Michael Kellough]

...I'm contemplating making a Mini-MFT based on the observation that anything not directly required for supporting the fence and guide rail is just outfeed/stock support and doesn't need to be directly connected to the tool alignment stuff..

2 ideas come to mind:

A narrow MFT, where the long dimension is parallel to and beneath the guide rail, and the narrow dimension is just 2 or 3 times the width of the guide rail.

An L-shaped MFT, where the short end of the L is is parallel to and beneath the guide rail, the vertex of the L is nearest the guide rail pivot, and the long end of the L pointing off to the left.  A fence of full length could be supported, and the user could get as close to the work as he wanted.  Strongly orientation toward right-handed users.

Both designs would result in the user working beside the table, not in front of it.

Ned

Thanks for your comments Ned. That's what I was thinking. It comes from putting a longer rail on my MFT 800 (on the long side) and using the extension table, which results in an L shaped configuration. But even this is too bulky to carry sometimes. I'd like to get it down to 1x3 feet by finding a way to pivot the entire fence section to fold in parallel to the guide rail. I'd also want to use a tripod leg system. Haven't put pencil to paper yet.