MFT3: Festool Seeking Member Questions
- Thread starter Matthew Schenker
- Start date
Dan, as I told Eli in a PM it was two years ago and luckily it was not a slapshot or I would have been really hurt. As it was I had two blow out fractures of the orbital socket, broke my nose in two places and jammed bone fragments into the maxillary sinus cavity. However, I was back on the ice three weeks later and am fully recovered. In addition I drove myself eight miles to the hospital bleeding like a stuck pig in my hockey gear. They x-rayed me, stitched me up, gave me vicodine and said okay drive yourself home. ;D It was quite an eventful night. At least now I wear a half shield. 
Again as I mentioned to Eli, I just like the picture and since I don't need to impress any woman, I figured what the heck. :
Fred
Again as I mentioned to Eli, I just like the picture and since I don't need to impress any woman, I figured what the heck. : FredRoland Chung
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Matthew,
Like the others, I would love to see and read as much as possible about the MFT3, but I would really like to get this information ASAP. Here's why,
A while back, I thought that I had dialed in my solution for the "large MFT" and picked up enough material to make a large torsion box and two Jmatz inspired mft cabinets. I was going to buy another mft 1080 and end up with a modular and highly flexible bench and assembly table system.
Now I am paralyzed by this new development. Do I try to buy a used 1080 from someone anxious to buy the new mft? What size do I make the Jmatz mft cabinets now? Can I sell my old MFT and for how much? Might there be a size of MFT available that might preclude making my own large mft? Is my collection of accessories compatible with the new mft? Is the mounting system for the guide rail sturdier or the same? Is the fence system sturdier or the same?
These are just a few of the questions that I have for Festool that would be helpful in allowing me to move forward again. All of the materials are sitting in the middle of a 2 car garage space preventing me from parking my wife's car indoors. If I don't start getting some specifics about the mft3 soon, I will stack everything to the side (in everyone's way) and use it eventually, but I would have prefered to have just bought everything later.
There, that is my personal plea (rant). A reminder to Festool that many of their customers have a personal story behind their need for the information. Some might be holding up a business purchase. Some might need to know how much it will cost to change over to the new MFTs. Some might need to know if the new MFT's are really better. And some might just need to park their wife's car in the garage asap.
Like the others, I would love to see and read as much as possible about the MFT3, but I would really like to get this information ASAP. Here's why,
A while back, I thought that I had dialed in my solution for the "large MFT" and picked up enough material to make a large torsion box and two Jmatz inspired mft cabinets. I was going to buy another mft 1080 and end up with a modular and highly flexible bench and assembly table system.
Now I am paralyzed by this new development. Do I try to buy a used 1080 from someone anxious to buy the new mft? What size do I make the Jmatz mft cabinets now? Can I sell my old MFT and for how much? Might there be a size of MFT available that might preclude making my own large mft? Is my collection of accessories compatible with the new mft? Is the mounting system for the guide rail sturdier or the same? Is the fence system sturdier or the same?
These are just a few of the questions that I have for Festool that would be helpful in allowing me to move forward again. All of the materials are sitting in the middle of a 2 car garage space preventing me from parking my wife's car indoors. If I don't start getting some specifics about the mft3 soon, I will stack everything to the side (in everyone's way) and use it eventually, but I would have prefered to have just bought everything later.
There, that is my personal plea (rant). A reminder to Festool that many of their customers have a personal story behind their need for the information. Some might be holding up a business purchase. Some might need to know how much it will cost to change over to the new MFTs. Some might need to know if the new MFT's are really better. And some might just need to park their wife's car in the garage asap.
This is my dilemma. I was going to make my first Festool purchase a TS55 and a MFT 1080. Now I read about a new model but there is no information available yet. Do I wait or go ahead and make a purchase? I see some people have been asking for a lighter more portable table. I want the opposite, enough weight to be steady for hand planes. If the new table is lighter I want the old and vice versa. So I would like to see a list comaring the features of the old vs. new models.
Ken, you won't want to use the old MFT for hand planing. It's just not rigid enough as it comes. Some posters have given suggestions for cross braces to stiffen it. But a big heavy wooden bench will work much better. If the new MFT is less flexible, it might work...
Corwin
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Knowing the size(s) of the new MFT3 would also be helpful for those considering any new Guide Rail purchases... or curious about what you currently own. Will new sizes be available, and/or will the current offerings still be appropriate for single and combined MFT3 use.
Dave Ronyak
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I, too, am somewhat hung up in what to do next in setting up my shop, absent any real, reliable information regarding MFT3. I currently have a MFT 1080 complete and an 800 basic, and have been thinking about adding another of either size. Ideally, for my single car sized garage/shop I would like to have 3 MFTs arranged in a line along a wall with a pair of larger MFTs, one on either side of a smaller MFT. This would be their configuration during storage and when cutting lumber to length with my CMS (and possibly a Kapex if that ever gets to USA). The center MFT would support my CMS and be set up with its top lower than the tops of the other two MFTs whose table tops would act as additional support.
Here's what else I would like to see in a redesigned MFT:
1) Less weight. I'm 5'8", 155 lb and 61 years old. I can move an MFT 1080, but it's not easy, and if I injure my back, I won't be buying more Festools. Weight could be reduced by making the top of two layers. The lower layer could be made of a light weight honeycomb (torsion) box laminate material, and could be "permanently" fastened to the frame, independent of the upper layer. The upper layer could then be a sheet of ~1/4 (6mm) thick MDF. Both layers would have the traditional Festool holes pattern. Only the thin, upper layer would need to be periodically replaced after it became worn through use (saw cuts).
2) Mobility. Retractable casters?
3) Adjustable height. People and projects come in different heights, and some tasks are easier if the height of the support on which the workpiece rests can be adjusted.
4) Ability to clamp a the end of a workpiece that is hanging off the table with a clamp inserted into the top slot of a side rail (without having to insert a supporting shim.
5) Ability to use Kreg style clamps mounted to the top slot of a side rail. (And/or for Festool to make their FZ style clamps with a swivel joint so the clamp can engage the top slot of a side rail while the clamp head can be rotated to engage a workpiece on the MFT top.
6) An improved leg design with bracing to make the MFT sufficently stable for use with hand planes.
7) An improved fence/mitre gauge head. The approach taken by Incra in its V27 design which has very positive stops in 5 degree increments as well as at 22 1/2 degrees cannot be very expensive to produce. I have one: it has no adjustability except the width of the mitre bar to eliminate side slop, yet it appears to be dead on at 90 degrees (as measured with a large Woodpeckers precision square).
8) Clamps that can be inserted, positioned and actually clamped using only one hand.
9) Larger, more economically priced extensions.
10) Larger size for use in cross cutting 4'x8' sheet goods.
11) Accessories system/adapter to facilitate cutting of 4'x8' sheet goods. Think about what a small person working alone needs to do this safely without injuring his back. I avoid 4'x8' sheets of 3/4" melamine and MDF due to the risk of back injury due to their weight and the awkwardness, but even plywood of the same dimension is fairly heavy.
12) Periodic "gaps" in the channels in the bottom and inside surfaces of the side rails so clamps, square, hex and slotted nuts and bolts can be inserted into/removed from those channels without having to disassemble the side rails from the end pieces. This would facilitate additional setups, e.g. to attach anti-racking braces or a (horizontal) router station and addition of fixtures, e.g. a hanging drawer/tray for storage.
I also agree with Dan C's questions, especially compatibility with "old" MFT accessories, especially clamps.
Dave R.
Here's what else I would like to see in a redesigned MFT:
1) Less weight. I'm 5'8", 155 lb and 61 years old. I can move an MFT 1080, but it's not easy, and if I injure my back, I won't be buying more Festools. Weight could be reduced by making the top of two layers. The lower layer could be made of a light weight honeycomb (torsion) box laminate material, and could be "permanently" fastened to the frame, independent of the upper layer. The upper layer could then be a sheet of ~1/4 (6mm) thick MDF. Both layers would have the traditional Festool holes pattern. Only the thin, upper layer would need to be periodically replaced after it became worn through use (saw cuts).
2) Mobility. Retractable casters?
3) Adjustable height. People and projects come in different heights, and some tasks are easier if the height of the support on which the workpiece rests can be adjusted.
4) Ability to clamp a the end of a workpiece that is hanging off the table with a clamp inserted into the top slot of a side rail (without having to insert a supporting shim.
5) Ability to use Kreg style clamps mounted to the top slot of a side rail. (And/or for Festool to make their FZ style clamps with a swivel joint so the clamp can engage the top slot of a side rail while the clamp head can be rotated to engage a workpiece on the MFT top.
6) An improved leg design with bracing to make the MFT sufficently stable for use with hand planes.
7) An improved fence/mitre gauge head. The approach taken by Incra in its V27 design which has very positive stops in 5 degree increments as well as at 22 1/2 degrees cannot be very expensive to produce. I have one: it has no adjustability except the width of the mitre bar to eliminate side slop, yet it appears to be dead on at 90 degrees (as measured with a large Woodpeckers precision square).
8) Clamps that can be inserted, positioned and actually clamped using only one hand.
9) Larger, more economically priced extensions.
10) Larger size for use in cross cutting 4'x8' sheet goods.
11) Accessories system/adapter to facilitate cutting of 4'x8' sheet goods. Think about what a small person working alone needs to do this safely without injuring his back. I avoid 4'x8' sheets of 3/4" melamine and MDF due to the risk of back injury due to their weight and the awkwardness, but even plywood of the same dimension is fairly heavy.
12) Periodic "gaps" in the channels in the bottom and inside surfaces of the side rails so clamps, square, hex and slotted nuts and bolts can be inserted into/removed from those channels without having to disassemble the side rails from the end pieces. This would facilitate additional setups, e.g. to attach anti-racking braces or a (horizontal) router station and addition of fixtures, e.g. a hanging drawer/tray for storage.
I also agree with Dan C's questions, especially compatibility with "old" MFT accessories, especially clamps.
Dave R.
I would like the new MFT3 to have some improvements as well. I've enclosed my short list.
1) Hover capability. Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
2) A way to keep beer cold. Maybe a liquor style well on the side for sandwich condiments.
3) Detachable digital voice recorder, for remembering measurements, and so that my wife and I can communicate every so often. She pretty much always says the same thing, so maybe I can just send Festool a recording of her saying "You lazy bastard, get in here and help me with the kids!", and make it a button. Better yet, maybe it could be incorporated in to one of those Homer Simpson style talking bottle openers. Should easily integrate with feature #2 (see above)
4) I'd like the table to be incredibly heavy when feature #1 is not activated, so I can hand plane. But not so heavy I have to reinforce the floor joists or add another set of springs on the van.
5) Not too crazy on the heavy. I don't want the hover mechanism to pull too much power. If the hover mechanism could work off the exhaust of a CT22, that would be great.
6) wifi and a bluetooth printer, for making up invoices.
7} I'd like the legs to be adjustable from four inches to seven feet, so the table can be stowed under a bed, but so that I can also use it as drywall scaffold.
1) Hover capability. Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
2) A way to keep beer cold. Maybe a liquor style well on the side for sandwich condiments.
3) Detachable digital voice recorder, for remembering measurements, and so that my wife and I can communicate every so often. She pretty much always says the same thing, so maybe I can just send Festool a recording of her saying "You lazy bastard, get in here and help me with the kids!", and make it a button. Better yet, maybe it could be incorporated in to one of those Homer Simpson style talking bottle openers. Should easily integrate with feature #2 (see above)
4) I'd like the table to be incredibly heavy when feature #1 is not activated, so I can hand plane. But not so heavy I have to reinforce the floor joists or add another set of springs on the van.
5) Not too crazy on the heavy. I don't want the hover mechanism to pull too much power. If the hover mechanism could work off the exhaust of a CT22, that would be great.
6) wifi and a bluetooth printer, for making up invoices.
7} I'd like the legs to be adjustable from four inches to seven feet, so the table can be stowed under a bed, but so that I can also use it as drywall scaffold.
jonny round boy
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- Jul 21, 2007
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PMSL - Eli, you really crack me up!!!
Geez, I almost forgot my most important wish.
8 ) I often use the top of my MFT to assemble IKEA furniture, and they usually have lots of little pieces that drop through the holes. So could you make the new top reversible, one side with holes and one side without?
8 ) I often use the top of my MFT to assemble IKEA furniture, and they usually have lots of little pieces that drop through the holes. So could you make the new top reversible, one side with holes and one side without?
Lancashire Fusilier
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When could we see some info on the website for what it is worth. When will it be out in Australia?
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Fred/All,
I know that you guys are anxious to learn more about the new MFT3. I had enlisted Matthew's help to poll the group for a concise list of questions so that I can make sure that we address as many of them as possible when the information about the MFT3 available. I will be including answers to your questions as well as product photos in an upcoming edition of the SysNotes email newsletter. Here are some of the basics about what changes are taking place:
That is all of the information I have to release at this time. I assure you that I will get you more information including photographs as soon as possible.
Shane
I know that you guys are anxious to learn more about the new MFT3. I had enlisted Matthew's help to poll the group for a concise list of questions so that I can make sure that we address as many of them as possible when the information about the MFT3 available. I will be including answers to your questions as well as product photos in an upcoming edition of the SysNotes email newsletter. Here are some of the basics about what changes are taking place:
- New height - 900mm
- Weighs less - at 61lbs it will be 11lbs less than the 1080
- The bore size and offset on the perforated top will not change so your existing MFT accessories will work
- New V-Groove profile for adapting future accessories
- Optional support cross members will be available for additional stability
That is all of the information I have to release at this time. I assure you that I will get you more information including photographs as soon as possible.
Shane
Hi,
Here is a question based on the info from Shane. Will that new V Groove be the same as the V Groove in the MFS Template?
Seth
Here is a question based on the info from Shane. Will that new V Groove be the same as the V Groove in the MFS Template?
Seth
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