This is probably a documentation issue, and a lack of diligence on my part, and I don't really know much about the MFT at all, but the answers *I* would need before purchasing one is not *what* it can do, it is how much effort is required to do it; specifically, a task oriented set of instructions/video that is complete.
Right now I have a bunch of veneered panels in my shop. They are in 3 thicknesses. All need to have one straight edge put on them (did that last night with a 1400/2 and 55). Now they all need to be cut to the same width. Clearly I could do that by measuring and cutting 1, then using it to mark the remainder and using the guide to lay up to the pencil line, then cutting, but mistakes are likely and small variances are likely (and will cost more effort down the road). A table saw can do this extremely effectively just setting the fence once, all except for the material handling, which is tough alone and in my small shop. For a table saw, the procedure is:
- Attach rip fence
- Pulling the fence to the rail, adjust it so the indicator is at the width you desire.
- Lock the fence and recheck the width.
- raise blade to maximum thickness + gullet.
This will cut panels all day long, so long as you can deal with them. I'd love to do this kind of thing with the MFT; it is a damn common task. I'm always seeing some whack angle cut, but how about repetitive regular tasks? What is the maximum length panel which can be done this way?
My second task will be to cut one end square to the sides. My tablesaw, with a crosscut sled, will do a very nice job but longer panels can create a significant material handling problem, especially long heavy panels. How do I do repetitive square cross cuts on the MFT, especially with a stop so they are all "automatically" the same length for the final cut-to-length.
I think it is this kind of task oriented stuff I would like to see; it is easy to see a video where a guy zooms through a panel, but without knowing the set-up details I wouldn't invest the money and time (both always at a premium) in the system; I have bought too many things which were too finicky or too painful to set-up to be worth the time or effort.
Short version: What I want is detailed instructions (and possibly video) for common tasks and honest assessments of the pro's and con's of the set-up. Also for set-up and tear down of the table itself (including things like squaring the guide and how often it needs to be done).
I'd bet the MFT does what I want it to, but ...
Right now I have a bunch of veneered panels in my shop. They are in 3 thicknesses. All need to have one straight edge put on them (did that last night with a 1400/2 and 55). Now they all need to be cut to the same width. Clearly I could do that by measuring and cutting 1, then using it to mark the remainder and using the guide to lay up to the pencil line, then cutting, but mistakes are likely and small variances are likely (and will cost more effort down the road). A table saw can do this extremely effectively just setting the fence once, all except for the material handling, which is tough alone and in my small shop. For a table saw, the procedure is:
- Attach rip fence
- Pulling the fence to the rail, adjust it so the indicator is at the width you desire.
- Lock the fence and recheck the width.
- raise blade to maximum thickness + gullet.
This will cut panels all day long, so long as you can deal with them. I'd love to do this kind of thing with the MFT; it is a damn common task. I'm always seeing some whack angle cut, but how about repetitive regular tasks? What is the maximum length panel which can be done this way?
My second task will be to cut one end square to the sides. My tablesaw, with a crosscut sled, will do a very nice job but longer panels can create a significant material handling problem, especially long heavy panels. How do I do repetitive square cross cuts on the MFT, especially with a stop so they are all "automatically" the same length for the final cut-to-length.
I think it is this kind of task oriented stuff I would like to see; it is easy to see a video where a guy zooms through a panel, but without knowing the set-up details I wouldn't invest the money and time (both always at a premium) in the system; I have bought too many things which were too finicky or too painful to set-up to be worth the time or effort.
Short version: What I want is detailed instructions (and possibly video) for common tasks and honest assessments of the pro's and con's of the set-up. Also for set-up and tear down of the table itself (including things like squaring the guide and how often it needs to be done).
I'd bet the MFT does what I want it to, but ...
to pick it up!
