MFT guide rail pivots on a normal workbench ...

Afro Boy

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Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
3
Hi folks,

I have been using my normal home made workbench to cross-cut pieces. To do this I clamp down the piece and then clamp the guide rail to the table. I'm getting tired of messing around like this and would like something slightly more permanent and easy to set up.

For those who have an MFT, could you explain how the guide rail pivot contraption works and how it connects to the table itself?

I'm wondering if it would be possible to purchase this component separately and attach it to the back of my workbench.

Thoughts, theories, criticisms all welcome.

Thanks,
Af.
 
In the MFT the guide rail bridge components attaches to the table via a t-track.  You can order the components separately (check out Festoolusa.com - support - electronic parts system.  You need to look for the MFT 1080 components not the MFT/3.  The older table uses t-tracks, the newer table uses a v-groove on top and a tapered t-track on the side. A word of caution.  You need to use 5/16-18 t-track not the usual 1/4-20.  The bridge is very convenient as it is butted against a set of stops and it is square to the sides of the table.  All you need to do is swing the guide rail up, position the piece, swing down and cut.  However, you also need some sort of fence.

there are a few threads in the FOG of home made MFTs.  Some of these do not attach the rail to the table.  What they do is they use INCRA's supertrack (?) on each end of the table and butt the back of the guide rail against the end of the track when making a cut.  The track acts as both as a stop for the guide rail and a 90 deg. fence.

Festool also has another system called the parallel guide.  there is a recent thread about this (look for new 2009 festool catalogue thread).  It is essentially a set of story sticks that attach at each end of the rail.  The sticks are set square to the guide rail and have stops/scale to position the material.

The MFT/3 is great if you can justify the expense given that it is much more than a cutting table.  However, as indicated above there are many ways to have a more reliable and expeditious cutting system with the guide rails.
 
I  have a pivot from a 800 that my kapex sits on.  If your interested send me a pm.  Hope your idea works for you it seems to be a good one.
 
Hey A B
You could use the pivot (support unit 48851) for the backside of your workbench, but you would have to attach it to a MFT profile to hold it in place.
You would also need another MFT profile up front to attach the piece that keeps the front end of the guide rail from swaying left or right(support unit 48859).
Both these pieces are designed to be used with the outside MFT profiles. With the 2 MFT profiles attached, you could move the 2 support units all the way left or right of the length of profiles. Festool sells the MFT profiles in different lengths.
You would also need a fence, and a good square to make sure everything lines up.
There are several posts here of some jumbo MFTs that might be of some help.
Also there is a Festool site that shows exploded diagrams here:http://ekat.festool.com/EKAT_USA/js...Typ1=on&filterValues_F_Typ1=US&currencyKey=US

Hope this may help

Greg
 
Hi there

I've looked into doing this myself using the parts Greg in Memphis mentions above (though I think the front support unit is item 488549) but at least here in the UK the cost of the parts didn't make it worthwhile; the two support units, a couple of short profiles and a short rail came to roughly half the cost of a new MFT3, so I decided to put the money towards that instead. Haven't pulled the trigger on it yet, but soon...

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Pete
 
Hi Pete,

I've just checked prices here in Australia and it seems like an economical way to go (for me at least). It falls short of 50% of a new MFT3 so I'm happy with that.

Greg, thanks for the link. I had to work my way back in there from the start of the site but I got the part numbers and have gotten local prices for them. Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Af
 
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