MFT3: Festool Seeking Member Questions
- Thread starter Matthew Schenker
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Corwin
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Since the new tables are a different size, only one side can use a table connector. We will need to make 90 degree connector brackets for the other side -- or modify the size of our existing tables to conform. And then there is the height issue...
Assuming the hole spacing has not changed, & it hasn't. You will need two right angle brackets. To keep the holes aligned they'll need to be positioned with centers aligned. You cannot keep the two tables edges aligned & still have the holes line up. Unless the difference between the tables is exactly the same as the hole spacing. I don't own the MFT 1080 or the 800, so I can't check. I beleive the tables are 3" different in width though.
James Watriss
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I think I'd like to see a few things:
-Someone in here mentioned the "Missing Manual." For the love of God, this would be invaluable. I'd love to collaborate with some people in here on putting together such a thing if Festool won't. (Hopefully with Festool's blessing, but an "unauthorized," volume would probably benefit them as much as it would us, once the unwashed masses were made to understand why the system is so powerful.) Not that I don't get a lot out of coming in here, but I think it's easier sometimes to organize things by chapter, and explain everything concisely, than to have to root through threads that occasionally get sidetracked.
Festool's manuals normally leave a lot to be desired. It took me a LONG time (as you'll read in a minute) to really be able to wrap my head around the MFT.
-----
-A sales manual. I worked for Woodcraft for 2 years, and while I did what I could to be a decent salesman, there were some key concepts that just weren't really covered in the catalog, or other printed material. One or two of our guys got to go to Festool School, but if the Festool instructors have the material to teach, why don't they send out the material in print? I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but it took me coming in here to really understand the versatility of the MFT table. I know it's more than just a "table to work on." And I know that good tools usually sell themselves. But even with 2 MFTs set up in the store or demonstration purposes, it was hard to explain to people what was really going on with this thing.
The Drill, for example, was an easy sell. The chucks all speak for themselves, and it's clear why they're useful, and what they're useful FOR. It's harder to sell something like the MFT, because it both encourages and demands creativity with regard to work practices. Explaining the virtues of such a platform (pun intended?) without being able to show off some of the working methods that have been developed by other people, can be a real challenge.
It's a typical retail experience: "You can really do a lot with this table." "Like what?" And from there, lacking video or photographic references, it's hard to explain to so many customers, in words, what versatility means to them. Some people get it right away. Others come to see the light, gradually. But so many of them see an expensive line of tools, and they aren't willing to wrap their head around why they should buy what they see as a simple folding table from such a company. (Yes, I know, Festool makes wonderful stuff... you don't have to convince me. But it was harder for me as a salesman to convince the uninitiated, without some simple visual aids.)
So many other companies, if they have a really unique feature, or a really clear selling point, will go to extraordinary lengths to tout such a thing. I'm not asking for a multimedia, filmed in HD package sales course. But I think that if Festool is going to branch out to Rockler and Woodcraft, the sales guys would benefit from something that goes a little bit farther than their tool manuals and catalogs normally cover. Even Kreg has a VHS tape on how to use a pocket hole jig, and we'd leave that playing on a TV in the store. Nothing from estool, that I ever saw, on the MFT.
I'm not in the retail game anymore, so this really wouldn't benefit me. But I think it would be wonderful for the benefit of their vendors if Fes would take the time to put together something that will help the sales clerk to better understand all of the virtues and selling points of the tools he sells. I did the best I could to sell what I thought was a great line of tools, but it was clear that the regional sales rep knew a whole lot more. And he only came by every so often.
-----
-Jig development kit. This sounds like a dumb ass idea, I know, because most of us make our own. But after hearing about the SDK for iPhone, I've been pondering something similar for this. But I think a hole spacing drill jig to match the spacing on the surface would be good, to be able to drill properly spaced holes in set up blocks, for dowel placement. Other jigs for critical spacing, like hole spacing from the bottom edge of the rail to the T-slot would be helpful. A setup guide block to match the new V-groove angle setting, so we could make quick rips with the TS to make alignment strips for new homemade jigs might be nice. I'm sure there's more, but those are what come to mind.
-----
-I'm still waiting, like everyone else, to hear how the height issue is actually going to get solved. I can make blocks, obviously, but why have to hassle with those? Even a simple tube and foot with a thumbscrew that slides over the end of each leg and locks into place that way would be better than a block. All my roller stands use them for height adjustment, it could work here. This would also be a great fix for those with really wonky floors.
-----
As with other folks, my MFT buying has now been postponed.
-Someone in here mentioned the "Missing Manual." For the love of God, this would be invaluable. I'd love to collaborate with some people in here on putting together such a thing if Festool won't. (Hopefully with Festool's blessing, but an "unauthorized," volume would probably benefit them as much as it would us, once the unwashed masses were made to understand why the system is so powerful.) Not that I don't get a lot out of coming in here, but I think it's easier sometimes to organize things by chapter, and explain everything concisely, than to have to root through threads that occasionally get sidetracked.
Festool's manuals normally leave a lot to be desired. It took me a LONG time (as you'll read in a minute) to really be able to wrap my head around the MFT.
-----
-A sales manual. I worked for Woodcraft for 2 years, and while I did what I could to be a decent salesman, there were some key concepts that just weren't really covered in the catalog, or other printed material. One or two of our guys got to go to Festool School, but if the Festool instructors have the material to teach, why don't they send out the material in print? I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but it took me coming in here to really understand the versatility of the MFT table. I know it's more than just a "table to work on." And I know that good tools usually sell themselves. But even with 2 MFTs set up in the store or demonstration purposes, it was hard to explain to people what was really going on with this thing.
The Drill, for example, was an easy sell. The chucks all speak for themselves, and it's clear why they're useful, and what they're useful FOR. It's harder to sell something like the MFT, because it both encourages and demands creativity with regard to work practices. Explaining the virtues of such a platform (pun intended?) without being able to show off some of the working methods that have been developed by other people, can be a real challenge.
It's a typical retail experience: "You can really do a lot with this table." "Like what?" And from there, lacking video or photographic references, it's hard to explain to so many customers, in words, what versatility means to them. Some people get it right away. Others come to see the light, gradually. But so many of them see an expensive line of tools, and they aren't willing to wrap their head around why they should buy what they see as a simple folding table from such a company. (Yes, I know, Festool makes wonderful stuff... you don't have to convince me. But it was harder for me as a salesman to convince the uninitiated, without some simple visual aids.)
So many other companies, if they have a really unique feature, or a really clear selling point, will go to extraordinary lengths to tout such a thing. I'm not asking for a multimedia, filmed in HD package sales course. But I think that if Festool is going to branch out to Rockler and Woodcraft, the sales guys would benefit from something that goes a little bit farther than their tool manuals and catalogs normally cover. Even Kreg has a VHS tape on how to use a pocket hole jig, and we'd leave that playing on a TV in the store. Nothing from estool, that I ever saw, on the MFT.
I'm not in the retail game anymore, so this really wouldn't benefit me. But I think it would be wonderful for the benefit of their vendors if Fes would take the time to put together something that will help the sales clerk to better understand all of the virtues and selling points of the tools he sells. I did the best I could to sell what I thought was a great line of tools, but it was clear that the regional sales rep knew a whole lot more. And he only came by every so often.
-----
-Jig development kit. This sounds like a dumb ass idea, I know, because most of us make our own. But after hearing about the SDK for iPhone, I've been pondering something similar for this. But I think a hole spacing drill jig to match the spacing on the surface would be good, to be able to drill properly spaced holes in set up blocks, for dowel placement. Other jigs for critical spacing, like hole spacing from the bottom edge of the rail to the T-slot would be helpful. A setup guide block to match the new V-groove angle setting, so we could make quick rips with the TS to make alignment strips for new homemade jigs might be nice. I'm sure there's more, but those are what come to mind.
-----
-I'm still waiting, like everyone else, to hear how the height issue is actually going to get solved. I can make blocks, obviously, but why have to hassle with those? Even a simple tube and foot with a thumbscrew that slides over the end of each leg and locks into place that way would be better than a block. All my roller stands use them for height adjustment, it could work here. This would also be a great fix for those with really wonky floors.
-----
As with other folks, my MFT buying has now been postponed.
LaserGecko
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- Jan 26, 2007
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- 161
Dan,
My main use for those wonderful clamping elements: edgebanding
I use some 3" nailer strips in the cages that I make. They're four or five feet long most of the time. I just clamp them to the table, unroll the FastEdge, stick it down, roll it several times, then zip the edges off with the trim tool. Total time to setup and do the operation is about the time it takes to read this.
I just wish Festool made the MFF - Multi Function Floor. Can you imagine how great that would be?
My main use for those wonderful clamping elements: edgebanding
I use some 3" nailer strips in the cages that I make. They're four or five feet long most of the time. I just clamp them to the table, unroll the FastEdge, stick it down, roll it several times, then zip the edges off with the trim tool. Total time to setup and do the operation is about the time it takes to read this.
I just wish Festool made the MFF - Multi Function Floor. Can you imagine how great that would be?
Matthew Schenker
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- Jan 15, 2007
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Timmy,
Good idea to take those photos. There's a lot of curiosity about the MFT3, so any visuals we can get help.
Matthew
Good idea to take those photos. There's a lot of curiosity about the MFT3, so any visuals we can get help.
Matthew
just read the comments on the Bosch vs 150 rotax. i have used both the Bosch is a good sander but the dust extraction on the ro150 is better.i bought the festool and my friend bought the Bosch. he likes it a great deal, though i think i find the Bosch a little harsher in long use, not bad but harsher. i find it is always the last little bit of performance always costs a lot more.close is always cheaper.....just matters what your needs and priority are.
Michael Kellough
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- Jan 23, 2007
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nickao said:
Nick, do you know what is improved about it? I have the old version and rarely use it as I find the dust collection merely fair to good, well short of great as in Festool and Bosch. The gasket-like dust collection shroud only envelops the ring of holes through the sanding pad. All the dust from the outer ring of the abrasive (the higher surface ft/min. area) is outside the collection area. That part of the design is apparently the same in the new model. The motor housing is new but what else?
It's also a bit unwieldy and for really flattening surfaces a belt sander with sanding frame works better for me.
TahoeTwoBears
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- Jun 24, 2007
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So I'm studying the various pics of the new MFT3 and a couple of things become apparent:
1. In trying to check the scale of the pics, I'm guessing that the table heights vary. I know that the new old is taller. I'm speaking of the distance from top of table to the extrusion where the table connectors would fit. This would mean that even if you raised the old table up and used the connectors the tops wouldn't match. Anybody that has one should be able to test this pretty quickly. It'd be interesting to know.
2. The new angle gauge turns all the way and goes parallel to the guide rail. Cut some measured scraps to form a spacer and voila! thin strips all day long. Nice...........
Patiently waiting,
Mike
1. In trying to check the scale of the pics, I'm guessing that the table heights vary. I know that the new old is taller. I'm speaking of the distance from top of table to the extrusion where the table connectors would fit. This would mean that even if you raised the old table up and used the connectors the tops wouldn't match. Anybody that has one should be able to test this pretty quickly. It'd be interesting to know.
2. The new angle gauge turns all the way and goes parallel to the guide rail. Cut some measured scraps to form a spacer and voila! thin strips all day long. Nice...........
Patiently waiting,
Mike
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TahoeTwoBears
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Does anyone know:
1. When they will be available
2. Will there be a basic model available anytime soon, so that we can expand these new tables
3. If the fence will be available in a longer version (i.e. so that it might span 2 or 3 tables for longer cuts)
Mike
1. When they will be available
2. Will there be a basic model available anytime soon, so that we can expand these new tables
3. If the fence will be available in a longer version (i.e. so that it might span 2 or 3 tables for longer cuts)
Mike
Seems to me that the fence length shouldn't be an issue, especially since the wood isn't moving. The fence spans the entire length of the table which should offer plenty of support even if your workpiece is longer. Just clamp it down if you want some extra holding power when it's flush againt the fence. Maybe I'm missing something?
TahoeTwoBears
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Hi Steve,
Since the new fence will turn 90 degrees, you can set it parallel to the guide rail. If you had two or more tables with a longer rail you're all set to make nice long (repetitive) rips (assuming that we can get longer fences). Looks pretty cool.
Mike
Since the new fence will turn 90 degrees, you can set it parallel to the guide rail. If you had two or more tables with a longer rail you're all set to make nice long (repetitive) rips (assuming that we can get longer fences). Looks pretty cool.
Mike
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TahoeTwoBears said:
Mike,
The MFT/3, OF 2200 Router and MFK 700 Modular Router will all be available on May 1st. Some dealers are already accepting preorders so I suggest you contact your preferred dealer. There are plans for a 'basic' version of the MFT/3. No word now on when it will be available. I do not know of any plans to offer a longer fence.
TahoeTwoBears
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Thanks Shane,
Now that I think about it, how long is the current fence? Does it just span the length of the table? If so, you could simply line them all up in the manner I mentioned above. Might be more support over the length anyway.
Mike
Now that I think about it, how long is the current fence? Does it just span the length of the table? If so, you could simply line them all up in the manner I mentioned above. Might be more support over the length anyway.
Mike
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TahoeTwoBears said:
Mike, the fence included with the MFT/3 spans approximately from the stock location of the guide rail to the edge of the table. I can go get a measurement if you want an exact length. There is a stop on the V-groove furthest from the guide rail which clamps to the fence preventing movement as seen in Steve's video. Not sure the ripping application you mentioned would work the way I visualize it. The guide rail's clamping mechanism that secures and hinges it to the table would get in the way of laying a long piece of material for ripping.
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