Per Swenson
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 875
The Festool MFT grows up.
By Per Swenson
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The new Festool MFT/3 addresses all the issues we have as commercial carpenters. In our business you don't make money when set up of tools is repetitive or time consuming.
Precision out of the box
The new MFT/3 is square out of the box and stays that way. This is due in part to the fence being attached to the outside rail, but also thanks to threaded inserts that keep the top square to the extrusions. Removing and reattaching the fence for set-ups, and different functions such as sanding, routing or lunch is fast, painless and foolproof.
No engineering degree needed here.
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Enhanced fence system
A little more about the improved fence system.
The 1080 had a 90-degree arc of movement and was found to be wanting in a number of instances.
The new fence swings 180 degrees with positive stops and 1/4 degree readability in between the lines. Also, I am now able to attach the fence on any of the 4 sides. The new fence sets up right to the edge of the table, increasing the available work area.
The fence can be used flat or vertically, leaving you with options too numerous to count.
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Portability is a must
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Although the MFT/3?s 15% weight reduction over the 1080 is a plus, portability is still defined by being able to move this table from room to room and job to job and by being able to instantly set up to square.
Festool lives up to its faster motto here.
Improved work height
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The uncomfortable carpenter is a cranky carpenter. Cranky carpenters spend more time moaning then actually working. I know.
All of the high end cabinet maker?s benches, Sjobergs, Lie Nielson, even Frank Klausz's bench, are 35 ?? to 36? in height. The MFT/3 = 35 1/2?. Everyone calls this the ideal height. Ergonomically, I suppose it is for the individual who is 5?8? to 6?2?. That includes us, but it is also the same height, give or take a half an inch, of every kitchen counter top in America. Consider that for logistics and set-up.
Should you find it necessary, the table works with the legs folded, giving you a height of 7? ??, which is perfect for flooring installs. I cannot comment with experience on this height since any position besides standing on your feet, we consider slacking.
A note to Festool engineers, my back and my family's ears thank you.
Clampman?s dream
As for clamping, those familiar with the 1080 know these tables are a clampman?s dream. Those not familiar with the system, it's like this; you can clamp anything, anywhere. Clamp it down, clamp it together, only your imagination is a barrier here.
The MFT/3 does have one little improvement in the clamping department. The extrusions are wider at the base to allow secure edge clamping. You couldn't do this on the earlier model MFT 1080.
[attachimg=#]
We also find that this Festool quick clamp lives up to its name.
Often on the job, we are forced to use any surface available for clamping tasks, or we find ourselves a clamp short and resort to screwing parts to a makeshift plywood bench. All of this is overcome when you take advantage of the 3 different types of Festool clamps and the clamping elements. Festool designed clamps specifically for the MFT/3 and they all function as part of the overall system.
Here we are able to easily clamp a scribed panel vertical to sand for fit against a wall.
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Please take notice of the stabilizer arms in the shot above. When considering this table, I had no intention to add these. As far as I was concerned the MFT/3 was stable enough. That was until my father and partner, Bob exclaimed, ?What?s wrong with you? Just get them.? So we did and no regrets, rock solid when horizontal force is applied.
Here is Bob again with a milled piece for another kitchen, with both the clamping elements and large Festool screw clamps in use. In this instance, where precision really counts, a baluster is held securely for mortising by both the clamping elements and the Festool quick clamp.
By Per Swenson
[attachimg=#]
The new Festool MFT/3 addresses all the issues we have as commercial carpenters. In our business you don't make money when set up of tools is repetitive or time consuming.
Precision out of the box
The new MFT/3 is square out of the box and stays that way. This is due in part to the fence being attached to the outside rail, but also thanks to threaded inserts that keep the top square to the extrusions. Removing and reattaching the fence for set-ups, and different functions such as sanding, routing or lunch is fast, painless and foolproof.
No engineering degree needed here.
[attachimg=#]
Enhanced fence system
A little more about the improved fence system.
The 1080 had a 90-degree arc of movement and was found to be wanting in a number of instances.
The new fence swings 180 degrees with positive stops and 1/4 degree readability in between the lines. Also, I am now able to attach the fence on any of the 4 sides. The new fence sets up right to the edge of the table, increasing the available work area.
The fence can be used flat or vertically, leaving you with options too numerous to count.
[attachimg=#]
Portability is a must
[attachimg=#]
Although the MFT/3?s 15% weight reduction over the 1080 is a plus, portability is still defined by being able to move this table from room to room and job to job and by being able to instantly set up to square.
Festool lives up to its faster motto here.
Improved work height
[attachimg=#]
The uncomfortable carpenter is a cranky carpenter. Cranky carpenters spend more time moaning then actually working. I know.
All of the high end cabinet maker?s benches, Sjobergs, Lie Nielson, even Frank Klausz's bench, are 35 ?? to 36? in height. The MFT/3 = 35 1/2?. Everyone calls this the ideal height. Ergonomically, I suppose it is for the individual who is 5?8? to 6?2?. That includes us, but it is also the same height, give or take a half an inch, of every kitchen counter top in America. Consider that for logistics and set-up.
Should you find it necessary, the table works with the legs folded, giving you a height of 7? ??, which is perfect for flooring installs. I cannot comment with experience on this height since any position besides standing on your feet, we consider slacking.
A note to Festool engineers, my back and my family's ears thank you.
Clampman?s dream
As for clamping, those familiar with the 1080 know these tables are a clampman?s dream. Those not familiar with the system, it's like this; you can clamp anything, anywhere. Clamp it down, clamp it together, only your imagination is a barrier here.
The MFT/3 does have one little improvement in the clamping department. The extrusions are wider at the base to allow secure edge clamping. You couldn't do this on the earlier model MFT 1080.
[attachimg=#]
We also find that this Festool quick clamp lives up to its name.
Often on the job, we are forced to use any surface available for clamping tasks, or we find ourselves a clamp short and resort to screwing parts to a makeshift plywood bench. All of this is overcome when you take advantage of the 3 different types of Festool clamps and the clamping elements. Festool designed clamps specifically for the MFT/3 and they all function as part of the overall system.
Here we are able to easily clamp a scribed panel vertical to sand for fit against a wall.
[attachimg=#]
Please take notice of the stabilizer arms in the shot above. When considering this table, I had no intention to add these. As far as I was concerned the MFT/3 was stable enough. That was until my father and partner, Bob exclaimed, ?What?s wrong with you? Just get them.? So we did and no regrets, rock solid when horizontal force is applied.
Here is Bob again with a milled piece for another kitchen, with both the clamping elements and large Festool screw clamps in use. In this instance, where precision really counts, a baluster is held securely for mortising by both the clamping elements and the Festool quick clamp.
Fred
Adding the photos at least for me is the finishing touch. I love reading about a lot of these things but sometimes cannot quite pick it up until I get a visual so thank you very much. Fred
