MFT Question

T

tvgordon

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Jan 25, 2007
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There have been many times when I wished I would have had a MFT. The problem is that I don't have enough space in my shop to leave it set up all the time.

So I wanted to know if it would hold its settings if I were to fold it and store it on its side after I use it?  In other words, if I had everything squared up before I stored it, would it still be squared up and ready to use when I set it back up to use?

I don't really want to readjust the guide rail every time I go to use it.

Also, what are the necessary accessories to buy with the table?

Thanks,
Tom
 
Once squared you can make it so that your setting stick. I do that with two of mine. Not a problem.
 
It's doable, but there are a couple of things you need to be careful of when storing it.

First I would always check the squareness in case you have knocked it at all when folding or opening it. My MFT stays open all the time and I still check it for square regularly. You'd be surprised how often it needs recalibrating. Second, you would need to use a cable tie or something similar to tie the guide rail down when putting the MFT on its side. You could only store it on the short side nearest the guide rail because of the various fences and guide rail attachments, and the guide rail will stick out quite a few inches.

In your situation I would consider getting an older MFT 800 or MFT 1080 as their smaller footprint may be more suitable for you. Festool still make the tops too. The MFT/3 is certainly portable but it is big and I am not sure I would like to be constantly packing and unfolding it. I have 2 MFT 800s and they are a breeze to store and unfold.

The clamping elements are well worth getting as are the screw clamps. I have the long and short ones- all are useful.
 
I have two MFT's and I completely remove the hardware when I fold them up against the wall to save space in the garage.  You could probably put it away without banging the fence and rail if you're careful, but you can also trust the stops.  Get the QWAS dogs and you can re-assemble and  re-square the whole thing in no time.  I think the QWAS dogs are the best accessory for the MFT, period.  I really like the quick clamps as an accessory but at least one pair of Festool clamps, perhaps two pairs of the screw-type depending on your budget.  I'm looking at the Jorgensen hold down clamps as a nice accessory.
 
Get the MFT then get a good square for setting the up the guide rail.

It only takes about 3-4 min to set it up. Its no biggie really.
 
waho6o9 said:
Get the QWAS rail dogs and you're done.  It squares, 45's easy peasy.
The QWAS dog combo kit is the best.
HTH
Click to expand...
This and an accurate square allows you to square up your fence to your rail quickly no matter where you have your fence situated.
 
+1 on the advice about QWAS dogs.  The holes in the MFT are CNC made and are dead square.  The fence installs with two posts that go through holes.  Place a QWAS dog (or two if you are anal) in holes near where the guide rail will go.  The dogs will be dead square to the fence, so snug up the guide rail to the QWAS dogs, tighten everything up and you are golden, maybe 30 seconds tops. 

The only necessary accessories are the fence and the guide rail.  I like the festool clamps and the clamping elements.

Also, search this site for MFT improvements to see the dozens of ways folks have tricked out their MFTs at little or no cost. 

I have two MFTs and I dissemble them often.  No need to leave the fence and rail attached.
 
dmc123 said:
I have two MFT's and I completely remove the hardware when I fold them up against the wall to save space in the garage.  You could probably put it away without banging the fence and rail if you're careful, but you can also trust the stops.  Get the QWAS dogs and you can re-assemble and  re-square the whole thing in no time.  I think the QWAS dogs are the best accessory for the MFT, period.  I really like the quick clamps as an accessory but at least one pair of Festool clamps, perhaps two pairs of the screw-type depending on your budget.  I'm looking at the Jorgensen hold down clamps as a nice accessory.
Click to expand...

That is my story verbatim -- I setup/tear down my two almost daily, usually only one with the fence hardware.  It would be very easy to bump & damage assembled so I remove everything each time.  After doing it a few times & checking with my Woodpecker 26" square it rarely needs tweaked.  QWAS dogs are the way to go.

I stuck a couple of oversize polyurethane bumpers on the sides that I set the MFT's on which helps keep them from sliding around.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?cat=3,40993,41285&p=62155
 
It is not a big deal to set it up and knock it down for storage and it is not a big deal to recalibrate the fence.  As others have said, it only takes a couple of minutes of time to do it and after you have done it a few times, it goes even faster.  I regularly take my fence and rail off and on the MFT to convert it to sanding or some other task that does not need the guide rail.  In the folded position it is only 6-8 inches wide so it can store very flat when not in use.  The clamps (both types), calmping elements and the QWAS dogs are all great accessories.

Scot
 
I have to pack my MFT/3 away every day after use and I just remove the fence and leave the guiderail in place lowered down to table level. It stays nicely put while lifting it around so I don't see a need to tie it down in any sense as long as you just move it gently around and don't bang it into anything. Everything has stayed nicely square even though I have double checked the first cut of the day just to be on the safe side. Haven't needed any recalibration after initial setup.
 
So it can be done.  It seems most of you guys agree the best way is to remove all the stuff off the top before its folded and stored.

I'll have to go look at the table again and see if I have a place to put everything once I take it all apart.

Thanks for all the help,
Tim
 
Another vote for the QWAS dogs. They are dead nuts accurate as are the MFT holes. With the QWAS dogs, I don't need the fence.

For me, the MFT is too big and heavy to be considered truly portable. I bought the leg braces. They really stabilize the table.
 
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