mft3 for panels

[bonesbr549]

Boy, I finally got to use the new MFT3 and TS55 and its sweet.  I had to glue up some blanks for raised planels for a wine cabinet.  I ripped them to width on the TS, but did not have a real good means of cross cutting that width.  The MFT3 was dead on square out of the box and I set up the table cross cut them in a jiffy and the cut quality with the stock blade was dead on as well.  Great combo.  I did not expect that good a cut but hoped to get close.  All panels were perfect.   

 

[Les]

Couple of things I see that might be done different. On the MFT 1080 I use the following:

Move the fence to the other side of the MFT so you are pushing the saw into the work piece and you won't need to clamp the work piece to the fence.

Use the outer most holes to mount the fence. Looks like you went in to the second set of holes. This will improve your cut capacity.

Glad you didn't have any setup problems and were getting square cuts.

Have you used or seen the cross cut sled that Norm uses? Works great and very simple to build. I can cross cut pieces over 24" wide.

 

[tbellemare]

Use the outer most holes to mount the fence. Looks like you went in to the second set of holes. This will improve your cut capacity.

It's interesting you mention the holes, Les...

What you say is really significant on the MFT 800 and MFT 1080. Hole choice means a lot relative to the utility gained from the same angle unit/fence combo.

On the MFT/3, the table holes are no longer significant for the fence. The fence and angle unit are attached to, and are oriented relative to, the new v-groove on top of the revised aluminum extrusion that Festool calls a table profile.

They also made the fence/angle unit such that you can protrude the whole unit farther into or outboard of the table without changing set up or angularity. The previous design was similar in orientation but you could only change the outboard/inboard settings discreetly by changing holes in what, 75mm settings? Though it was very useful, the new design has real user benefits.

It's one of the significant enhancements to the table design, I think. The last two parts of this reference article show how to set the table up and since you have the previous style configuration, you will likely appreciate the improvements.

Tom

 

[score0matic]

Have you used or seen the cross cut sled that Norm uses? Works great and very simple to build. I can cross cut pieces over 24" wide.

Do you have a pic?  I am always looking for another way to crosscut with the Fes

Craig

 

[Les]

Tom,

Thanks for pointing out the difference in the fences. I knew about that, but totally forgot.

Charimon,

The sled is for the table saw. The original poster had said he used the TS to make the first cuts. If you still want a pic I'll take one and post.

 

[bonesbr549]

Couple of things I see that might be done different. On the MFT 1080 I use the following:

Move the fence to the other side of the MFT so you are pushing the saw into the work piece and you won't need to clamp the work piece to the fence.

Use the outer most holes to mount the fence. Looks like you went in to the second set of holes. This will improve your cut capacity.

Glad you didn't have any setup problems and were getting square cuts.

Have you used or seen the cross cut sled that Norm uses? Works great and very simple to build. I can cross cut pieces over 24" wide.

Ya know I thought about how far I set it in and could have moved it to the outside more but by then I'd locked it in  and did not want to move.  Just lazyness on my part. The fence mounted to the outside rail so holes don't reall play in this.  I've got a todo list that includes a cross cut sled just have not got around to it but will some day.  Have a good one.

 

[Jerry Work]

Sorry to spend your money, but buy a Domino and use those loose tenons to align the two sides of the panel and never look back.  You will work faster, to a much higher quality standard, and derive greater satisfaction from what you do.  Enjoy!

Jerry

Boy, I finally got to use the new MFT3 and TS55 and its sweet.   I had to glue up some blanks for raised planels for a wine cabinet.   I ripped them to width on the TS, but did not have a real good means of cross cutting that width.  The MFT3 was dead on square out of the box and I set up the table cross cut them in a jiffy and the cut quality with the stock blade was dead on as well.  Great combo.  I did not expect that good a cut but hoped to get close.  All panels were perfect.