MFT/3 rail accuracy

[wm_crash]

Howdy,

Just came from playing with an MFT/3 at Woodcraft -almost bought it, but have a question . I am mostly interested in cutting stuff using the rail and my TS75. My question is regarding the repeatability of rail clamping when changing between different thickness stock. I notice that while unclamped, there is some wiggle room in the gizmo that attaches to the front rail. But when you engage the clamp, is there some sort of registration that makes it clamp consistently in the same spot?

Granted, the amount of slack is small, but just want to know if this is something that can cause issues, or it's only there while clamp is disengaged.

thanks much,
wm_crash, the friendly hooligan

 

[Alli]

I have found the mft to be spot on - on every cut I make. Once the handle/lever is closed all the play is taken out of the locating tab and I have not noticed any discrepancy in accuracy.

I've been surprised how often I use the table, I work from it all the time now. I have a CTL26 underneath it with the TS55 sat on top of the extractor so it is in easy reach. Sander / domino etc. are just a step away and a quick swap of the power cord and hose and away you go. For me it all works really well.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The guide rail on that store display might not be installed correctly.

Since the guide rail is aluminum and the pin that engages the slot is steel there needs to be a little slack in that fit or the aluminum will wear.

The proper way for the rail to be installed is for it to be sprung to the right a bit so that you have to tug left a little while placing it down over the pin. Then there is constant pressure against the pin to keep the rail in position. Installed that way the rail position is reliable repeatably.

 

[panelchat]

i noticed the exact same thing right away- but have found that, ranging from .25" to 1" thicknesses it stays true as you adjust. it doesn't look like it would as the mechanism is formed sheet steel running on injection molded plastic, and that plastic part has some creep/distortion in it and doesn't look like a great registration surface, but it seems to work fine oddly enough.

 

[Sparktrician]

You might consider using a Slop-Stop to tighten up the rail connection to the nib on the front-side adjustable clamping arrangement.  I concur with Michael that the one you played with might not have been set up correctly.  I've seen the same thing in one of the local Woodcraft locations and noticed a couple of critical parts missing. 

 

[barnowl]

I have the full compliment MFT with the rail, fence, etc.

And I have the rail, etc, stored away.

I'll probably never use them again, given my range of options with my Qwas dogs and Parf dogs.

FWIW.

 

[woodie]

+1 on the Slop Stop! It takes all the play out and keeps the steel pin from eating away at your rail. Also seems to hold up to use. I've had mine on for a couple years and there's no sign of wear.