MFT being discontinued

[Bob Marino]

I want to get some more info on the new one and how the older one will do with the "new accessories" and other compatibilities. I would not send mine back to Bob just because of a new model coming out, but it still would have been nice to have had the option to buy now or wait for the new one...

My opinion might change if the MFT3 is better and cheaper...  .. ;D

I am sure more info will be coming from Festool, but my understanding is there is not one MFT3 built yet. I know it can be a bit frustrating buying a tool and getting the news that a newer version is soon coming out. Well, I don't think any dealer knew about this before Wednesday night and the info was then posted here. Festool's history is one of continued improvement  without obsoleting the nolder model tools.

Bob

 

[Repsac]

Serves you right for gloating over that NAINA. Only kidding.

Hey, friend, we got something here that INAID (Is Not Available In Denmark). SUNSHINE Our daughter's Inlaws are here in US for annual winter visit so they can see some.

Welcome aboard

Tinker

Yeah, sunhine is most certainly INAID in Denmark at this time of the year! So very true, Tinker! *LOL*
That's why I had to get a new toy, to help me through the dark period...  ;o)

Casper *

 

[enderw88]

Festool made a very rational business decision.  You don't announce a new model too early, because you get stuck with the old stuff, while people wait for the new thing.  Hurts cash flow seriously.  I just bought an MFT 1080 three weeks ago, and I would have seriously thought about delaying if I had known, but frankly I am so happy with my MFT that I am only mildly curious about the new table...

 

[Ned]

From everything I've heard so far, it would appear that the tooling for one of the components has suffered a failure.

I doubt it. The old MFT used the same profiles as the old Basis system. It was also the same height and you could use the same accessories on it, and even join them together (I use two Basis tables and a MFT predecessor FST660/85 linked together as a workbench).

But the Basis system has been replaced a few years ago by the CMS, which was higher than the Basis and uses different profiles, and thus different accessories. It's only logical that they redesigned the MFT to work with the CMS, as they want their tools to work together as a system. I'm just surprised they took so long.

Frans

I suspect you are both correct.  I didn't think about the CMS (since it's NAINA) but Frans has a good point.  Jonny may also be right.  Imagine that the MFT3 is in the pipeline, on schedule for spring '08, and then the current MFT tooling breaks.  Tough decision for Festool--makes no sense to replace the expensive old tooling for a few months use, can't move the MFT3 out to the customers much faster than already planned, ugly gap in product availability. 

Based on Frans' speculation, I looked at the spare parts diagrams for the CMS, hoping to get some hint of the MFT3.  Nothing obvious to me, but take a look yourself.

Ned

 

[Daviddubya]

Are there any MFT 800's left in stock anywhere?

McFeely's has some MFT 1080's.  Maybe they have some 800's???
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2129.0

 

[woodwrights_corner]

I agree, what Frans says makes good sense.  I believe the design process is further along than we know.  And, since a table does not require Underwriter's Laboratory approval a more accurate projected availability date is certainly a very strong possibility.  It is going to be exciting to see what can be done when the U.L. card cannot be played. 

 

[Kevcoleman]

Will they still make the replacement tables?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Will they still make the replacement tables?

If you are referring to the MDF tops, I'm sure they will, if not you can easily make your own.

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....It's only logical that they redesigned the MFT to work with the CMS, as they want their tools to work together as a system....
Frans

What is the height of the CMS?

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Kev,

This excerpt is from a recent Festool Sysnotes newsletter.  This reinforces Brice's answer.

Which Power Tool Manufacturer Can Repair A Tool They Made In The Year 1951?

There are many reasons why more and more customers would rather invest in a high quality tool than "throw away" models. One of those reasons is directly related to the availability of consumables and spare parts.

Here is a question we often get from customers; "If a tool that I bought a while ago gets discontinued, do I have to worry that I won't be able to buy consumables and spare parts for that tool anymore?" The answer is "no". Festool guarantees the availability of consumables and spare parts for at least 7 years after a tool is discontinued. We say "at least" because for almost every tool we have discontinued in the last 20 years, there are still spare parts and consumables available. Festool tools last very long under normal conditions. Believe it or not, we sometimes get tools back for repair that were sold in the 1950s and have been in use since then! In most cases we still manage to find the right parts for these tools.

So the next time you make a tool purchase, choose to invest in a Festool product that is designed for durability and for which consumables and spare parts will be available for decades to come.

Now that's...

Faster. Easier. Smarter.

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Brice,
The height of the MFT tables is 820mm or 32.29".  The height of the CMS 900mm or 35.44".

 

[Michael Kellough]

From the perspective of someone who doesn't yet have an MFT, this is great news. I have been meaning to get one for ages, and so far the fact that I can't really afford one just yet has prevented me from overloading the credit card. I now have a reason to delay the purchase until I can afford one, and I will hopefully get a much better product as a result

I think you can expect the new MFT3 to cost more.

 

[Michael Kellough]

From everything I've heard so far, it would appear that the tooling for one of the components has suffered a failure.

I doubt it. The old MFT used the same profiles as the old Basis system. It was also the same height and you could use the same accessories on it, and even join them together (I use two Basis tables and a MFT predecessor FST660/85 linked together as a workbench).

But the Basis system has been replaced a few years ago by the CMS, which was higher than the Basis and uses different profiles, and thus different accessories. It's only logical that they redesigned the MFT to work with the CMS, as they want their tools to work together as a system. I'm just surprised they took so long.

Frans

My guess is that the extrusion dies for the aluminum profiles are too worn. The old style guide rails had become too big )some of the guide spines exceeded 16mm) and Festool redesigned the die to produce the current FS2.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Kev,

This excerpt is from a recent Festool Sysnotes newsletter.  This reinforces Brice's answer.

..."If a tool that I bought a while ago gets discontinued, do I have to worry that I won't be able to buy consumables and spare parts for that tool anymore?" The answer is "no". Festool guarantees the availability of consumables and spare parts for at least 7 years after a tool is discontinued. We say "at least" because for almost every tool we have discontinued in the last 20 years, there are still spare parts and consumables available...."

Strictly speaking this is not exactly true, but don't worry. An example is the ES 125. Festool changed the pad to the style used on the RO 125 which has a different (improved) exhaust hole pattern and the original style pad was no longer available. My pad died and I would have been stuck with a bunch of useless abrasives but Festool very fairly exchanged my old abrasives for the new improved style.

 

[enderw88]

My guess is that the extrusion dies for the aluminum profiles are too worn. The old style guide rails had become too big )some of the guide spines exceeded 16mm) and Festool redesigned the die to produce the current FS2.

Which would be a good indication of what parts will not be available in the near term.  If it is not economically expedient to rework the tooling that failed, then they will no longer be able to make spares.  It would be interesting to hear the company explain what happened (not because they somehow owe the explanation) so that intelligent decisions can be made about purchases.

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Michael,

You make (3) good points.  I forgot about those pads.  Secondly, they did make good on it .  And thirdly, I'm not going to worry.  However, Craig does raise another good question. 

I took a look at the CMS table on the UK site.  To change the size (length and width) of the CMS table top only (5) different parts would need to be changed.  Six (6) if you change the size of the top.  According to the parts schematic, the (2) end portal pieces would need to be widened, the (2) side extrusions would have to lengthened, (1) sticker, (1) end screen, and (1) strip would each have to be lengthened.  I don't have any idea about assembly equipment or packaging though.  

I hope this is the approach they are taking.

 

[mastercabman]

do you think they will have different size table?(like the 1080/800)

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Regarding my recent post on changes that would need to be made to CMS: 

If the CMS table was extended beyond the 400mm (15.75") width, the leg braces would also need to be widened.  (Note: insert standard limitation of liability clause covering stupid mistakes HERE)

 

[Eli]

Regarding my recent post on changes that would need to be made to CMS: 

If the CMS table was extended beyond the 400mm (15.75") width, the leg braces would also need to be widened.  (Note: insert standard limitation of liability clause covering stupid mistakes HERE)

I doubt the CMS would change so soon, it just replaced the BASIS. Are you talking about the MFT?

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Eli,

My thinking was from a MFT point of view.  But you're right, the changes could result in something one might call a model of the CMS.  Same style, same height, same style side extrusions and end portals only with a larger than existing CMS top that is wood and drilled like the mft.

What do you think?