MFT/3-VL compatibility with MFT 1080

[jmatz]

I've searched everywhere and haven't found any mention of attaching the MFT/3-VL router table to an older MFT 1080 table.  I assume others have needed to do this, but all the Festool documentation mentions in the installation instructions is attaching it to the MFT/3.

I really hope this is not a problem, since my new MFT/3-VL is unboxed and sitting on the garage floor right now.
the attaching mechanism does not seem to line up to anything on the rail of my old MFT1080 (not THAT old, just 6 or 7 years).

If this is a question that I should direct to Bob Marino, who I bought the table from, please let me know.  But hoping there is an easy solution or that I am just not looking at this right.

John M

 

[nclemmons]

I would reach out to Bob

The MFT/3 and 1080 are not the same height, nor do they have the same side rails, which is how the VL attaches to the V-knotch on the side.  I don't think they are compatible without some retrofitting on your part.

I had a 1080 before selling it and upgrading to the MFT/3 for the advantage of using the new attachments with the side rails.

Good luck.

neil

 

[erock]

Zero compatibility.  Unless you make up some type of bracket.

The aluminum profiles are different on the two tables.   

Eric

 

[jmatz]

WOW !!!  No mention anywhere on the Festool site about this incompatibility !!  Very disgusted with Festool right now.  I have  been using many of their tools for quite a while, and never had this sort of problem.  Really bizarre that this was not addressed with some sort of easy workaround or a Major alert on the product page.

Will contact Bob Marino.

Thanks for the help.

JM

 

[socaljohn]

At the end of the day, you may be better off selling the 1080 here or on craigslist and going with a new MFT3. Like all Festools, the resale value is quite high.

 

[fdeloncker]

At the end of the day, you may be better off selling the 1080 here or on craigslist and going with a new MFT3. Like all Festools, the resale value is quite high.

Im in the Chicago burbs. Let me know if you decide to sell. I might know someone interested.

Frank

 

[erock]

So you bought the MFT 1080 YEARS  ago and you're upset that Festool has tried to improve the table?

Things change man.  It is what it is......Bob Marion will not be able to change the table for you. 

Sell it and/or  upgrade....or......buy the Incra router table      [tongue]    [scared]    [eek]

Eric

 

[jeh]

I've searched everywhere and haven't found any mention of attaching the MFT/3-VL router table to an older MFT 1080 table.  I assume others have needed to do this, but all the Festool documentation mentions in the installation instructions is attaching it to the MFT/3.

I really hope this is not a problem, since my new MFT/3-VL is unboxed and sitting on the garage floor right now.
the attaching mechanism does not seem to line up to anything on the rail of my old MFT1080 (not THAT old, just 6 or 7 years).

If this is a question that I should direct to Bob Marino, who I bought the table from, please let me know.  But hoping there is an easy solution or that I am just not looking at this right.

John M

You can return this as you are within 30 days. I believe Festool accepts returns for all items that are powered. You can try them out and if you don't like them you can return them within 30 days.

Check Bob's return policy on his website as I think it is more flexible in terms of taking back items not covered by Festool's 30 day policy, which does not allow for returns of non-powered items. I do think they need to be unopened unused.

I don't know if all retailers are this flexible.

I'd consider purchases a new MFT to go with your VL. There probably is someone who would be interested in your 1080.

 

[jmatz]

Some of the ideas being tossed around in jnug's thread here:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/mft-dilemma-all-my-own-doing/#top

...have been very helpful.

I am now thinking that if I can replace just one of the lengths of original-style extrusion on the short side of my MFT1080 with a new extrusion, then I will have something to fasten the router table to.  Not sure if the height of the extrusion is different from the original table extrusions - hopefully not.

Or, just fasten the new-style extrusion to some other surface in my shop, even a ledge attached to the wall, setting the extrusion far enough away from the wall to provide clearance for the dust extraction hose.

The reason that I'm not willing to part with my original MFT1080 is that I made it part of a rolling work station, plus the issue that my tracks and fence work with the original MFT but probably wouldn't with the new MFT.

This is the setup that I am hoping to adapt the router table to:

[attachimg=1]

 

[jmatz]

At the end of the day, you may be better off selling the 1080 here or on craigslist and going with a new MFT3. Like all Festools, the resale value is quite high.

Im in the Chicago burbs. Let me know if you decide to sell. I might know someone interested.

Frank

Thanks Frank.  I will certainly let you know if selling it ends up being the best solution.

 

[peter halle]

If I am not mistaken the VL table (and the MFT/3) are taller than the 1080.  Just mentioning this so that if you do talk to Bob you can ask him.  All my literature is too new to have any 1080 information.

Peter

 

[fshanno]

I like the idea of getting that extrusion you mention and attach the VL using that.  Then figure out a way to get wheels under the VL so that the whole thing becomes more or less a permanent extension to your MFT work center.  That would add some real estate for work support with the router fence removed.  You could store the fence below. 

I use my router table often.  It's just not a tool that's going to be "put away" between uses.  And since it's always there I can't afford not to have storage below.  That added to the sad reality that Festool is not likely to ever offer the rest of the CMS system in the US pretty much rules it out for me.  But if I had a new VL sitting in my garage I'd find a way to keep it, that's for sure

 

[jmatz]

So you bought the MFT 1080 YEARS  ago and you're upset that Festool has tried to improve the table?

Things change man.  It is what it is......Bob Marion will not be able to change the table for you. 

Sell it and/or  upgrade....or......buy the Incra router table      [tongue]    [scared]    [eek]

Eric

No, not upset that they are always looking to improve their product.  Just that there was no mention that the router table is not compatible with the old MFT1080.

But thanks for trying to be helpful.

 

[GarryMartin]

If I am not mistaken the VL table (and the MFT/3) are taller than the 1080.  Just mentioning this so that if you do talk to Bob you can ask him.  All my literature is too new to have any 1080 information.

Yes, the 1080 is 820mm high, whereas the VL and MFT/3 are 900mm high.

MFT 800 and MFT 1080 US manual if useful is here http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/TM_466552_MFT.pdf

 

[jmatz]

If I am not mistaken the VL table (and the MFT/3) are taller than the 1080.  Just mentioning this so that if you do talk to Bob you can ask him.  All my literature is too new to have any 1080 information.

Yes, the 1080 is 820mm high, whereas the VL and MFT/3 are 900mm high.

MFT 800 and MFT 1080 US manual if useful is here http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/TM_466552_MFT.pdf

Thanks for the information!  I just measured my custom MFT 1080 height and it is 945mm to top of work surface.  But I think the solution that I am working out will be adaptable to that height.  Will post photos when I have it worked out.  Thanks everyone for the various suggestions.

JM

 

[jeh]

You could always cut the legs shorter....

 

[Vondawg]

Sheez....glad that's over and settled [eek]

 

[nclemmons]

Before you purchase the side rails to adapt, you could also make a piece of wood with a V-groove in it and attach that and perhaps make it work.  I have the free-standing CMS so am not sure how the VL attaches.

You still might have an issue with the height, but you could easily raise your existing table on the base you have using some blocks and get around the height difference.

Let us know what you end up doing.

 

[jmatz]

Here's the solution I worked out.

Bought a 472862 Short Profile (normally for the MFT/3) directly from Festool.

Attached the profile to the MFT/3VL router table.

Leaned the assembly against my MFT1080 and leveled everything to see if any slots in the two types of rails would line up.

It looked like the best bet was to drill the new short profile where it lines up with the slot in the MFT1080 and insert a hex head bolt through the new profile and into a hex nut.  The hext nut fits perfectly into the slot in the MFT1080.
[attachimg=2]

To keep my existing customized MFT1080 table still mobile, I decided to attach the legs at an angle to the base rather than having them just rest on the ground.  This also solved the height difference between the router table and the MFT.  The legs are still adjustable - the feet fit perfectly into two pieces of PVC which I cut at an angle and bolted into my MFT base.
[attachimg=1]

The whole thing moves as a unit nicely, still rock-solid.  The CT33 dust extractor fits in the cabinet below, and hose attachments are still easily accessible.
[attachimg=4]

I'm sure there's an MFT/3 in my future, but only when I have more room in a shop rather than a 2-car garage.

 

[Fury5]

Excellent solution!  And I thought I was the only Neanderthal still using an MFT 1080.