MFT Basic Table or Full Setup

[MahalaHomecraft]

We call those people cat people. [mad]

Steve, I recently finished my Ron Paulk workbench and your rail dogs made drilling up the top an absolute pleasure.  Your bench dogs are dead-on, too.

If I wasn't already a dog person, I sure am now!

 

[Qwas]

There's nothing wrong with cats or cat people, just don't expect the cat to align your workpiece (or hold the guide rail).  [scared]

Glad to hear the dogs worked out good for you. You haven't had them long, just a couple of days. Goes to show there's no learning curve with the dogs.

 

[Harvey]

Well, there you go :0  
That one's new to me. Looks very handy, too

Thanks Steve!

One thing to consider is you’re limited by the width of the dog holes vs width of the side rails. The Festool setup allows cutting of 33 inches and 44 inches, compared to 26 and 36 inches for the dogs. Aside from that, I would go with the dogs, given you have a sliding mitre table saw.

Nonsense  [smile]. First, Festool says the working dimensions are approximately 28 (not 33) and 44 inches. As for the dogs, I've been using Hole Extensions for years now. These allow the Rail Dogs to go beyond the table size. There is nothing to them just any pieces of wood attached to an angle plate, or you can 2x2 or 2x4 lumber to accomplish the same thing. In the second picture I used a 4x4 and carved it down to accomplish what I wanted. I've learned a slot for the Rail Dogs works better than a hole because it allows the guide rail to be lifted on one side only and swung out of the way.

 

[Sparktrician]

I bought the MFT/3 basic first, them when I was certain of its value, I bought the MFT/3 full setup.  Soon there will be a second MFT/3 basic.  They're wonderful work surfaces.  Having both infeed and outfeed support with longer materials makes a huge difference.  I rarely use the table saw any more. 

 

[lhhomes]

I bought the MFT/3 and found that the miter fence and accompanying accessories too cumbersome and took took much space. Removing and replacing fence became a chore and took up too much time. I use Quas Dogs and Incra T-track for material alignment and find it much easier and quicker to setup/use. Buy the Basic and pm me to buy my fence accessories.

 

[Jadama]

My opinion sir is to go with the full setup.

 

[ryan_k]

I just bought my first table on Friday and put it through it's paces this weekend.  I bought the full set from Lee Valley and added in some Parf Dogs and Bessy clamps.  I've hardly used the accessories as I've found the Parf dogs to do everything I need.  I really appreciate the 42" guide rail though and you basically get the rest of the kit free.