MFT3 and a half! Connecting MFT/3 to 1080

[webfarmer]

I was quite disappointed when Festool did not consider backward compatibility among the MFT's.  Good grief, even evil Microsoft thinks about compatibility.

I took a crack at a rough draft of an MFT table, to bring my 1080 table to the same level as the MFT/3.  The challenge was always---- can they be attached some way?

After leveling the two tops I noticed that the t-track in the profiles resulted in the MFT connectors being directly stacked on one another [attachthumb=1]

This made try my on-the-farm machinist skills.  First, I found compatible allen-head screws to fit the thread pattern of the set screws in the connectors [attachthumb=2]

Then I machined a plate to attach to connectors together in the stacked position [attachthumb=3].

Put together, the assembly looks like this: [attachthumb=5].

The 1080 is a touch wider that the MFT/3, so for this prototype I am trying a simple t-track block out of MDF with a 5/8 inch spacer to allow for the different table width [attachthumb=4]

The whole package then looks like this:
[attachimg=6]

Ready for some rip cuts for my next project.

If anyone has a better scheme for the second bracket, please share.  I am sure we can come up with something.

So there we have it.  An MFT and a half.

Regards,

Brett

 

[Dan Clermont]

Very nice Brett

For a long time everyone complained about the low height of the MFT 1080 and Festool made the new version taller. When at Festool school a couple of months ago we were told their was a reason why the new table was the height it was and we'll just have to wait and see what Festool has coming down the pipe.

Dan Clermont

 

[Benjamin Miner]

So...those of us who own 1080s are about to become doubly shafted?
Oh well...maybe the MFT3 will serve as an outfeed table for their forthcoming benchtop tablesaw with integrated sawstop technology! Hmm...maybe pitch that to Christian...

- B

 

[greg mann]

So...those of us who own 1080s are about to become doubly shafted?
Oh well...maybe the MFT3 will serve as an outfeed table for their forthcoming benchtop tablesaw with integrated sawstop technology! Hmm...maybe pitch that to Christian...

- B

Harness up your workhorses, B. That way you can keep from buying the latest model tractor. You know, the one that uses a different hitch technology, but also goes down the row guided by GPS while you drink your morning coffee. I wonder if there is a John Deere equivalent to FOG out there where the guys are complaining about the latest $220,000 tractor that won't work with the plow they bought back in '85. 

 

[webfarmer]

A good point Gregor.    As reference, my combine is an '82, my tractor is a '79, my truck- a '68.  But my Festools, I'm a bit of an easy mark.  I upgraded to the MFT/3 because of the sales pitch regarding the potential of the v-groove in the future. 

I was simply trying to find a good way to join them together - especially when someone tells me that it can't be done.  I'll keep working on it.  I think it will take four connectors instead of two, but should be a nice table when I'm done.

Warm regards,

Brett

 

[greg mann]

A good point Gregor.     As reference, my combine is an '82, my tractor is a '79, my truck- a '68.  But my Festools, I'm a bit of an easy mark.  I upgraded to the MFT/3 because of the sales pitch regarding the potential of the v-groove in the future. 

I was simply trying to find a good way to join them together - especially when someone tells me that it can't be done.   I'll keep working on it.  I think it will take four connectors instead of two, but should be a nice table when I'm done.

Warm regards,

Brett

A'79 tractor,eh? My last one was a '56 AC. Had it from '76 to '92. My BIL, who was a real farmer thought that, for what I was using it for, it was virtually a new tractor. The guy who bought my home in the sticks still has it and he thinks it's pretty new too. It predated universal acceptance of the 3 point hitch but I had mostly original AC implements so I did not care. If my Festools can perform for 52 years that will be cool, but I am pretty sure someone else will be using them, not me. I will be 112 by that time and me and Bob Swenson are going to be chasing old ladies around the pool in our retirement digs. That lock on my Kapex will probably be worn right thru the miter plate by then, ya think? :