MFT3: Festool Seeking Member Questions

[Dave Ronyak]

Jerry,

Please post more information on your "height adjustable bridge platform"  I have an MFT 1080 and MFT 800, and have been thinking of making a bridge to facilitate use with my little 10" Hitachi CMS, and buying another MFT.

Dave R.

 

[Dan Clark]

I'd like to second Dave's request and a gentile, subtle reminder: 

(Hint, hint!)

Dan.

 

[poto]

Can someone explain to me why the V-groove profile is a good thing, and what "future accessories" they might be referring to that would fit in the V-groove? Looks like they won't hold my clamps...

 

[clintholeman]

I think there are a number of us with similar concerns.  Looks like we'll just have to wait and see. 

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Can someone explain to me why the V-groove profile is a good thing, and what "future accessories" they might be referring to that would fit in the V-groove? Looks like they won't hold my clamps...

I got a partial explanation today from a Festool rep working a demo at Hartville Tool.  The V-groove that is open to the topside of the side rails of the MFT3 will be used as the reference surface for the new fence/mitre angle mechanism, and the CMS (Compact Module System) which will connect to a new MFT3 with the tops in registration so that long workpieces can be supported.  Although the table top dimensions are slightly smaller, because the new mitre head does not mount through a pair of holes in the top, there is more usable space to support the work piece.  Also, the new mitre head allows angular adjustment in both directions away from zero degree position (used to make a 90 degree cross cut).  The top of the new MFT3 is higher, and there is an optional leg cross brace to stabilize the table against racking loads, such as are generated when using a hand plane.  This representative did not know of any way to join the new MFT3 to old model MFTs.  The new MFT3 is expected to cost ~$500.  This rep also indicated that FestoolUSA's soon coming prices increases were necessitated primarily by adverse movement of the US dollar relative to the Euro.  He also pointed out that buyers in other markets including Europe and Australia pay considerably more than USA customers, even after the 2008 price increases.

I was disappointed to learn that Hartville did not have any more of the old model MFT basic units, as I had gone there in hopes of bringing at least one home.  They did still have a few complete 1080 units.

Dave R.

 

[Ned]

Dave, did the rep say when Hartville would be able to show you an MFT3?

Ned

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Dave, did the rep say when Hartville would be able to show you an MFT3?

Ned

He indicated the new MFT3 is likely to be available ~mid-April. 

Dave R.

 

[John Langevin]

Three questions on the upcoming MFT3:
1. Will the leg braces be compatible with the current MFT1080? If so, will they be available separately?
2: Will the new rails with top V-grooves accomodate slide-in clamps that face in towards the table? I find I seldom use the current top of rail slots for clamping because you can't extend the clamp over the work surface.
3: Does the new angle unit (other than bi-directional travel) offer any advantage over the current angle unit; i.e. does it hold its position any better, is it any easier to calibrate, or offer a vernier scale?

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Three questions on the upcoming MFT3:
1. Will the leg braces be compatible with the current MFT1080? If so, will they be available separately?

I do not know if the leg braces are compatible with MFT 1080.  I have heard they will be sold as an accessory for the MFT3.

Dave R.

 

[Dan Clark]

FYI, I didn't see this before, but the new MFT3 announcement there's a new row - Cross cut capacity:

	MFT/3	MFT 1080	MFT 800
Dimensions	45" x 30"	48" x 31"	31" x 26"
Work Surface	43" x 28"	45" x 28"	28" x 23"
Weight	61 Lbs.	73 Lbs.	44 Lbs.
Cross-Cut Capacity	27"	24"	20"

According the list, the overall dimensions are smaller, but the work surface is the same width as the old surface and the cross-cut capacity is three inches WIDER.  Very odd.

Interesting.

Dan.

 

[Corwin]

As I see it, that would be due to the fore/aft adjustability of the new angle unit -- the new fence can be located back further than the 'stock' position of the current fence/angle-unit.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Having 3" more cross-cutting capacity is nice.  I'm just thinking of how many times I have had to cross-cut a piece that is just a bit more than the capacity of the MFT 1080.  Then again, I've been dreaming up ways to build an MFT with a 48" crosscut capacity.  Maybe this is my chance to up the dream to 54"!
Matt

 

[Dan Clark]

Looking at the new package offerings, the MFK700 and OF2200 have packages with the DCs.  But most of us have DCs.  How about a packages of the MFK700+MFT/3 and OF2200+MFT/3?

Dan.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Go Dan. Only thing stupider than buying one 2200 would be buying an MFK700 + a 2200 + TWO MFT3's, don't you think?

;D

 

[Dan Clark]

Yep!  Maybe a three-fer special?

Dan.

 

[Dave Rudy]

I will join you in the dumb tank, probably.

 

[LaserGecko]

I can't believe that Festool is just completely giving the old MFT the "end of life" treatment.

The MFT3's new features are cool, but it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't connect it to the thousands of existing MFTs without building legs or having to "engineer" some sort of solution. I never thought I'd see the day when Festool purposefully designed something that did not fit with the system.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Laser et al,

I can tell you that your collective voice has been heard regarding a solution for connecting the gen 2 and gen 3 MFTs.  While there is no solution that I can announce, we recognize the concern and it has been conveyed to the engineers.  I think there will be a solution, just not sure what it will be and how soon it will be available.

 

[semenza]

I can't believe that Festool is just completely giving the old MFT the "end of life" treatment.

The MFT3's new features are cool, but it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't connect it to the thousands of existing MFTs without building legs or having to "engineer" some sort of solution. I never thought I'd see the day when Festool purposefully designed something that did not fit with the system.

Hi,

    Though the increased height of the MFT3 seems to take it out of the system. I have read other posts that indicate the new height is the same as other semi stationary Festool equipment that is  not available in North America (yet?). So in reality this may be a move to bring the MFT more into the system than it had been. Just not for us here in NA :-\

Seth

 

[Terp]

Everyone,
As many of you know, Festool will soon be introducing a new version of the Multi-Function Table (MFT).  It is called the "MFT3."

As Festool prepares to release the MFT3, they are interested in gathering questions from members of this forum.  Festool will use your responses to be proactive in addressing customers' interests and concerns.

So please jump in and tell Festool what you want to know about the MFT3!

Thanks,
Matthew

Matthew,
  I had posted this in another thread & thought this might be a good question to put forth in here.

  "I do think the MFT3 shows great improvements.  I may jump on that & I never saw myself with the MFT in my shop before.  That price doesn't freak me out either, though it should  My only concern with it is the point where the aluminum rail makes contact with the steel locking device at the front.  There is a tab to register the rail to the locking device, which settles into the slot in the rail, to align it.  I noticed on a display MFT 1080 that the rail showed damage, fatigue, from the action of these dissimilar metals making contact.  Seems to me like the "tab" should be a replaceable & sacrificial item.  Has anyone noticed this as a problem?  Is it a problem? 
  This display model was probably be used for demos for a while, yet I know I'd certainly put it through the paces just square cutting cabinet parts ripped on my tablesaw.  Any thoughts?"

  Maybe you can help settle my concerns about this.  The metal adjustable locking plate, that attaches to the front rail is what I was refering to.  I don't know if this has been changed, but I really am concerned that this wear point will affect the rail slot in a detrimental fashion.  Couldn't this point be redesigned, or has it?
  PS  I am always very careful & deliberate when sliding the clampheads through this slot for the very same reason.  The steel clamp head can seriously distort the rail if pulled along too fast & twisted. 
  Am I being anal?