Morphing a MFT 1080 into a MFT 3 Hybrid?

[Loren Hedahl]

The last several times I've been to my favorite Festool dealer, I did see an MFT 3 set up, but the table had other tools on it and I was in a hurry to get some supplies, so I didn't take a very close look until yesterday.

For my use, I think I would prefer the lower height of the MFT 1080.  Also quite often I clamp to the side of the MFT 1080, e.g., for frames with mitered corners, after the glue dries, I clamp the frame to the side of the MFT, put a short rail in position to cut a key slot through the miter and make the cut with a TS55.  When all four corners are done this way and keys glued in, the frame is much, much stronger.  I didn't figure this out but got the idea here (I think) from another Festool owner.

But the big advantage of the MFT 3  is the fence (miter gage?) and the way it and the hinge for the cross-cut track attaches to the back side of the MFT.  A hybrid MFT 1080 with a MFT 3 back rail and miter gage looks like something I'd love to have.

Question  --  Does Festool sell a length of the MFT 3 rail stock that could replace the back rail of my MFT 1080 as well as the miter gage and the hinge separately?  In this way perhaps I could have the advantages of both systems.

Or did I miss something and this is either impossible or entirely impractical?

 

[peter halle]

Loren,

I believe that you can buy all the parts separately that you are looking for.  Unfortunately I can't answer what will be the defining question - will the back rail extrusion mate up with the older model extrusions in the corners.  Hopefully one of our dealers or members will know that answer.

Peter

 

[tbellemare]

Loren:

The profiles and corners are too different to "swap out".

You could conceivably take a length of the MFT/3 profile and, using t-bolts, bolt it to the back profile of the MFT 1080 or MFT 800.

Tom

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I didn't think of this until I was on the way home.  I get along just fine with my MFT 1080 and a couple of those Home Depot flip flop stands for long pieces.  It just liked the fence/miter setup on the newer MFT and the way it attached to the side rails.  But for $600 or so, even though it wouldn't break the bank, I think I'll stay with what I have.

Thanks for answering though.