MFT3 For the Finish Carpenter

[ericbuggeln]

Per, you guys need to pitch a show to the History channel.  They seem to be way into reality t.v. right now.

 

[JJ Wavra]

Per,

great review!

I saw the mft3 in the store a couple of times.  I have a question for you, if you will let me indulge.  The fence that goes perpendicular to the rail looks like it will go parallel with the rail is this correct (set to 90 deg.)? Also,  if this is correct how easy would it be to slide back and forth in a parallel motion similar to a fence on a table saw?  Obviously you would be limited in the size of the rip by the size of the guide rail but anything over and you set it up like a fence yes, no?

I hope this clear.

JJ

 

[Michael Kellough]

Per, you guys need to pitch a show to the History channel.  They seem to be way into reality t.v. right now.

Good idea! Ozzy had a show...

 

[Michael Kellough]

Per,

great review!

I saw the mft3 in the store a couple of times.  I have a question for you, if you will let me indulge.  The fence that goes perpendicular to the rail looks like it will go parallel with the rail is this correct (set to 90 deg.)? Also,  if this is correct how easy would it be to slide back and forth in a parallel motion similar to a fence on a table saw?  Obviously you would be limited in the size of the rip by the size of the guide rail but anything over and you set it up like a fence yes, no?

I hope this clear.

JJ

As seen in photo number 3 from the top.

 

[Jerry Work]

Hi Per,

Good review and thanks for the nice plug.  

I have both MFTs and MFT3s active in my studio and find the mix to be very valuable as it allows working at different heights.  One thing to keep in mind is that the difference in height is exactly the deck height on the Kapex so if you have both tables you have instant, fully flexible in-out feed support without having to resort to additional stands or wings.  Your comment about being able to clamp over the edge on the MFT3 is really important.  I use that feature nearly every day now.

Jerry

 

[mhch]

One thing to keep in mind is that the difference in height is exactly the deck height on the Kapex so if you have both tables you have instant, fully flexible in-out feed support without having to resort to additional stands or wings.

That's nice.
I'm surprised Festool didn't put it forward earlier

 

[Dan Clermont]

Nice job Per!! Great review!

Dan Clermont

 

[Daviddubya]

Excellent review, Per.  Makes me want to sell my two 1080's and move up!

 

[monte]

Per......

A question or two,

How is the flippablity option of the MDF top on the MFT/3?

I'd also be referencing those four little screws set in the top corners,

(having not had them on the 1080)

and how they work into the scheme of things on holding down the top.

(How far are the tops of the screws recessed from the working (cutting) surface?)

thanx,

Roger

 

[Per Swenson]

Roger,

This flippin, flippin table better flip, seein as they are designed that way.

Have I done it? Nah. I have faith.

As for the recess insert about 3/16 th's of a inch.

As before, I say about, because I suffer from American Exceptionalism and really

don't own a metric measurer.

But here is a shot from my Chinese Blackberry.

[attachimg=#]

Another thing with the clamps Folks.

There are all sorts of other none festool clamps that fit.

We saw Eiji's modified holes for the kreg bench clamp,

that clamp being a staple in most finish carpenter bag.

But rather then modify the holes, I just added a Fender washer and a longer bolt.

Works for me.
[attachimg=#]

[attachimg=#]

Per

 

[Per Swenson]

DO NOT DO THIS

I in no way shape or form recommend you do this.

But, If you do, make sure your vac is empty and sucking.

Do not try it with out the vac.

Make sure your riving knife is installed if you are using a AT 55 and in good working order.

Make sure you are not ascairt. If you are afraid, that should tell you something.

Now, you can mass produce pieces to the right of the blade using the fence as a stop.

Faster then any table saw, because you are not pulling the sheet back, just sliding it to the right.
Once again, If you think this is a bad Idea, don't do it.

If you have never worked a little outside of convention, don't do it.

But here is what I am talkin about.

[attachimg=#]

Per

 

[Michael Kellough]

DO NOT DO THIS

I in no way shape or form recommend you do this.

But, If you do, make sure your vac is empty and sucking.

Do not try it with out the vac.

Make sure your riving knife is installed if you are using a AT 55 and in good working order.

Make sure you are not ascairt. If you are afraid, that should tell you something.

Now, you can mass produce pieces to the right of the blade using the fence as a stop.

Faster then any table saw, because you are not pulling the sheet back, just sliding it to the right.
Once again, If you think this is a bad Idea, don't do it.

If you have never worked a little outside of convention, don't do it.

But here is what I am talkin about.

[attachimg=#]

Per

A quick way to make it safer is to sic that Kreg clamp on it,

but the bee's knees would be a vacuum clamp built into the table.

 

[Per Swenson]

Michael,

You very, very smart. ;D

Per

 

[Michael Kellough]

Michael, I have a vac clamp that is connected to the mft. It is attached to the bottom and sucks through one or more holes depending on how big a piece I need to hold,.  I use it for when I pattern route to a template.

I will put up a picture, better yet a video next week some time.

Nick

Wow! Does that work? I thought of that but figure it was too simple and easy to work, so I didn't even try.

Stupid of me too because now I remember the very first time I tried my vacuum clamp. I put the clamp on the table and then put a stack of about 10 raw MDF chunks on top and turned on the pump. To my surprise even the top piece was held firmly enough to route. The bottom piece could not be budged.

 

[monte]

I line  up the gasketed plate under one or more holes from under the mft and it holds really well. The vac pressure will actually hold the piece on top of the table and the gasketed piece on the bottom. If you do not want to permanently attach the gasketed piece on the the bottom it will fall off when the pressure is released. Its all set up with a foot peddle.
Nick

Nick,

If your using the gasketed piece often enough,

Do you think attaching the fabric side of velcro on your four corners  on your gasketed piece (as let's say 6"tabs)

.....and then run lenghts of the hook side using the sticky type back and attach it between the holes as runners,

.....lets say 5 lenghts.

Wouldn't that be variable enough to hold the gasketed piece in any array of positions?

So it wouldn't fall to the floor?

Then again,

You could always disassemble your MFT,

Get a piece of sheet metal the same dimension as the top,

(using heavy duty double stick in the middle in a few spots)

Ream out the holes,

Reassemble the whole shabang.

Then inbed four rare earth magnets in the courners of the gasketed piece.

Then presto!

No more potential dropping.

This would sway the need to permantly attach the suction cup (gasketed piece)
Which probably shouldn't,
because needs (positions) change as projects change.

---------------------

Roger

 

[Woodenfish]

Per, you guys need to pitch a show to the History channel.  They seem to be way into reality t.v. right now.

I found the actual video that Per submitted to the network for review.

I think it's going to be a hit show!

;D ;D ;D

 

[monte]

I just use little metal Z brackets which allows me too slide the unit back and forth across different hole layouts. And prevents it from falling off.

Nick

Maybee, I haven't had enough caffeine today.......but I'm not seeing the Z bracket.

also, what are the dimensions of the gasketed piece?

Roger

 

[monte]

Nick,

So for clarity sake......

When your using the gasketed pieces (whatever one)

& if your using the MFT in between,

You have to be careful the gasket only sits against the MDF part,

avoiding the holes? Right?

In that case,

I'm still not seeing how the "many"  Z brackets are working in conjunction of the bottom of the MFT.

please excuse my "seeing block"

(I have a large vac system at the studio, I just haven't used it under my MFT tables as a clamping device yet.)

Roger

 

[monte]

Nick,

Got it, Crystal clear.

The key word was "The brackets are screwed into the bottom of the MDF"

thank you for having to type all those words.

----------
Roger

 

[Per Swenson]

Wooden,

Go ahead, make fun, laugh even.

But tell me this......

When my new show hits the do yerself network,

who do you think is gonna get more viewers?

Amy Devers...

[attachimg=#]

Or me?

[attachimg=#]

Per