MFT /Ts55 kerf too wide..ideas on replacement strips?

Acrobat

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Jun 30, 2008
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Hi guys
After many adjustments to my mft/rail setup to get it as square as possible, and tweaking the rail position across, the cut mft keft is now considerably widened and I see spraying a bit more sawdust as a consequence.
I had thought rather than moving the rail further across, I may route a wider groove and insert and glue a new timber strip in place.
Is this a good idea?

Or do I simply either move the rail over and start afresh or turn the whole table top around and make a new cut into the mft top.
I did have an old triton worktable that had a hard rubber strip that was inserted and gave a zero clearance type kerf so maybe something similar if I can source a nice wide piece that could be replaceable multiple times when required. I'm surprised I haven't seen any discussion or replacement strips available?
 
Fill the old kerf with Bondo or something similar, sand flush with MFT top.  Repeat as needed every few years...
 
RustE said:
Any reason not to use the wood glue and saw dust mix?

Bondo is not water based and will not cause swelling.  I doubt that your idea will cause an issue but it might also be harder to sand.

Peter
 
Duh, I never thought of just using a filler like Bondo. Much simpler I guess.
 
Yea I always keep that minwax around that is wood filler with hardener and its basically Bondo.  The hardener is white so you dont end up with some funky blue tint like you might with autobody stuff.

I can speak from experience and have filled my 1080 table more than once.

It will happy again :)
 
Acrobat said:
...the cut mft keft is now considerably widened and I see spraying a bit more sawdust as a consequence.
...

Bondo, repositioning the guide rail or turning the table top all work.

However, a simple solution to sawdust blowing out from the far end of your material in a preexisting kerf is to just place a piece of tape over the kerf that is not covered by your material. This was suggested by another member here years ago, and I've found it to work nicely.  [smile]
 
Corwin said:
However, a simple solution to sawdust blowing out from the far end of your material in a preexisting kerf is to just place a piece of tape over the kerf that is not covered by your material. This was suggested by another member here years ago, and I've found it to work nicely.  [smile]

Can you explain this a bit more? I do not quite understand what you mean. Thanks!
 
jamiljonna said:
Corwin said:
However, a simple solution to sawdust blowing out from the far end of your material in a preexisting kerf is to just place a piece of tape over the kerf that is not covered by your material. This was suggested by another member here years ago, and I've found it to work nicely.  [smile]

Can you explain this a bit more? I do not quite understand what you mean. Thanks!

Sorry. I'll try again.

Sometimes sawdust will run along the kerf cut in your MFT and escape out the back where the kerf cut extends beyond the rear of your workpiece. Placing some tape over the kerf where it extends beyond the back edge of your workpiece prevents the dust from escaping and allows it to be suctioned up.

Is that any clearer?
 
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