MFT width wise

linnlp12

Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
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75
Anyone ever set up the MFT width wise with the cutting long table direction instead of standard with the MFT rail support hardware or do you just use rail dogs?  I have several MFT and contemplating setting up one of them this way.  I was gonna use was rail dogs and woodpecker square to set it up since there are no support stops.  I have the target table attached to a second table alone the long direction.
 
Of course we have setup our tables with the Guide Rail spanning the longer dimension. And, while this does not require stops for the Guide Rail Brackets, you can readily purchase additional stops from the Festool Parts Department if you so desire.
 
You can move the existing stops from one rail to another.  All it takes is the appropriate size hex wrench.
 
I did it to make another MFT3 top using a holy rail and LR32 plate instead of the standard MFT rail with a method similar to the one the Toolify demonstrates in his YouTube video.  Moving the brackets from the long sides to the short sides is quick and easy.  I use a home made $10 piece of 18mm MDF for a square and convert directions easily whenever needed.
 
If you do purchase additional stops, you might want to also get an additional hinged guide rail bracket such that you can leave the hinged bracket mounted on your guide rail. Reason being, that if you remove and remount the hinged bracket, the alignment may become off slightly when you remount your rail as there is a little play and you cannot guarantee that you will remount the rail in exactly the same position. At one time I have had three hinged brackets mounted on different sized rails, one for each a FS1080, FS1400 and FS1900 rail.

Also, you may want to consider moving your stops to the other side of the brackets. The MFT comes with the stops mounted to the left (back) side of the rail which requires you to feed the bracket into the side profiles from the further end. These stops will work on either side, so long ago I changed mine to engage the brackets on the right (cut) side of the rail. Much easier to feed the hinged rail with attached guide rail the shorter distance.

Lastly, if you have low ceilings which don't allow you to have your rail tipped in the upright position, you can simply use a board to support the rail when in the upright position. I keep a 24" long piece of scrap on top of a short stack of Systainers beneath my table for just this purpose.
 
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