MFT3 aluminum extrusion question....

[gilbreathprinciple]

Hey Guys, I do not own a MFT3 table, but I'm considering buying some of the table top accessories from Festool's parts department. Particularly the front support unit, and the rear support and hinge unit so I can attach a festool track and be able to lower and raise the track just like how it's used on the MFT3.

Do you think I would need to buy the actual festool mft aluminum profile as well? Or, is there an aftermarket product that can work? I'm wondering the size that festool use, even though the design might be different, but are the t-slot spacing universal?
For example, something similar here: 45-4590.

The reason I ask is because I don't need the rail to run the length of my table. It already has a supporting structure in place made of 2x4s. I would just cut out a small part of the aluminum, basically the width of whatever the support unit hardware needs. I'll probably find a way to route my existing wooden rails and install the aluminum section flush. That's why I want to avoid buying the rails from Festool if possible.

Lastly, I'm not sure how the support unit clamps onto the festool aluminum, I can tell by videos that a part slides in via the bottom t-track, but is there something that grabs onto the upper slots as well? Can I get away with a standard single t-track, something like this from Rockler? Rockler T-Track. Would that work?

Please toss around some ideas. Thank you in advance!

 

[live4ever]

To answer some of your questions out of order:

1) The Festool accessories for the MFT/3 that you are asking about (front and rear support units) use mainly the T-track portion of the MFT/3 profile.  They do have a small hook that engages the V-groove of the profile, but that hook looks easily removable.  However, the T-track portion of the MFT/3 is different (deeper and wider) from the "common" T-tracks out there (e.g. Rockler).  You could probably adapt the support units to fit other T-tracks, but you would have to remove the bar that slides into the Festool T-track and replace with appropriately fitting T-track nuts or bars.  The protractor head (which you didn't ask about) also uses the V-groove at the top of the MFT/3 profile.

2) I'm going to suggest going an alternate route.  Don't use the Festool support units.  They don't keep the rail square.  If you're not using the MFT/3 table it is fairly easy to come up with your own solution and there are many examples on this forum, e.g. using 80/20 profile or even just wood.  There's an excellent solution (I know firsthand) developed in small quantity by a member on this forum ([member=15585]Svar[/member]) that may come to market in the next year.  I'd wait for that or make my own before investing $$ and effort making the Festool parts fit your application.

PS.  Welcome!  [big grin]

 

[live4ever]

Here’s the back of the non-hinged support unit.  You can see the hook...

 

[ben_r_]

2) I'm going to suggest going an alternate route.  Don't use the Festool support units.  They don't keep the rail square.  If you're not using the MFT/3 table it is fairly easy to come up with your own solution and there are many examples on this forum, e.g. using 80/20 profile or even just wood.  There's an excellent solution (I know firsthand) developed in small quantity by a member on this forum ([member=15585]Svar[/member]) that may come to market in the next year.  I'd wait for that or make my own before investing $$ and effort making the Festool parts fit your application.

Yea I would suggest the same. The MFT/3 IMO is not all its cracked up to be. If you absolutely NEED to be mobile I guess its good enough, but if youre going to mainly be in a shop there are MUCH more stable, more reliable and much cheaper options you can build yourself.

 

[gilbreathprinciple]

Okay, thanks guys! I guess I will scratch this idea. The whole point I thought was that those support units keep the track square and it looks ultra convenient. But those parts are pretty expensive, and if I ultimately still have to tinker before cutting, then I guess it's not worth it.

 

[Corwin]

The MFT's guide rail support brackets can be used on a homemade table without using aluminum profiles or T-track as seen in this thread:

My modified Kreg Workbench/MFT

Here the member simply bolted the base of the brackets directly to the bench. Cool!

Many users have had issues with the support brackets while raising and lowering the brackets. The issue is that there is an amount of play between the bracket's black plastic base piece and the metal piece that raises and lowers. This play allow one to tilt the metal piece left or right a little when adjusting the height, thus changing the alignment of the guide rail. If you know about this and are careful when you adjust the height, you can avoid the problem.

 

[gilbreathprinciple]

The MFT's guide rail support brackets can be used on a homemade table without using aluminum profiles or T-track as seen in this thread:

My modified Kreg Workbench/MFT

Here the member simply bolted the base of the brackets directly to the bench. Cool!

Many users have had issues with the support brackets while raising and lowering the brackets. The issue is that there is an amount of play between the bracket's black plastic base piece and the metal piece that raises and lowers. This play allow one to tilt the metal piece left or right a little when adjusting the height, thus changing the alignment of the guide rail. If you know about this and are careful when you adjust the height, you can avoid the problem.

Why didn't I think of that? Just bolt it in! Thanks for the "play" info. Maybe I'm not going to give up on this idea just yet, since I can eliminate the cost of the rails entirely.

 

[gilbreathprinciple]

To answer some of your questions out of order:

1) The Festool accessories for the MFT/3 that you are asking about (front and rear support units) use mainly the T-track portion of the MFT/3 profile.  They do have a small hook that engages the V-groove of the profile, but that hook looks easily removable.  However, the T-track portion of the MFT/3 is different (deeper and wider) from the "common" T-tracks out there (e.g. Rockler).  You could probably adapt the support units to fit other T-tracks, but you would have to remove the bar that slides into the Festool T-track and replace with appropriately fitting T-track nuts or bars.  The protractor head (which you didn't ask about) also uses the V-groove at the top of the MFT/3 profile.

2) I'm going to suggest going an alternate route.  Don't use the Festool support units.  They don't keep the rail square.  If you're not using the MFT/3 table it is fairly easy to come up with your own solution and there are many examples on this forum, e.g. using 80/20 profile or even just wood.  There's an excellent solution (I know firsthand) developed in small quantity by a member on this forum ([member=15585]Svar[/member]) that may come to market in the next year.  I'd wait for that or make my own before investing $$ and effort making the Festool parts fit your application.

PS.  Welcome!  [big grin]

I click on Svar's link, but he has 43 pages worth of posts. Do you have a direct link to his jig you're talking about?

 

[macrutt]

Here’s the link:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...ew-and-improved-guide-rail-support-unit-rsu2/

Take care George