My Poorman's SYS-MFT-FX

[Christopher Fitch]

I had some of the parts for the set - I decided to fill out the rest of the parts and make my own.

I think it worked out fine - I may still end up getting a couple of Veritas Surface Dogs.

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[AstroKeith]

Nice. I'm on the same road as you.

I got the Festool lever clamps first, and so then buying the set wasn't a good option. about a week ago I decided to treat myself to the mft-sp work clamps and was really impressed. Although expensive these Festool accessories do work well and save time and hassle allowing me to concentrate on the job.

Now I'm trying to  assemble a set of general purpose dogs and fences, but cant really find much I like. Perhaps being in the UK there is less choice. Benchdogs.co.uk have the best so far, but not a good fence system. The UJK fences out of stock and has been for a while.

When I get them sorted I'll try to cut some foam to house them all in my SYS-MFT systainer.

 

[mrboult]

Cheaper MFT clamps, that I saw a positive review of. . .
https://m.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick-R...lientCountry=GB&p=R9011426175690201811&custlinkid=852971

 

[Mario Turcot]

Cheaper MFT clamps, that I saw a positive review of. . .
https://m.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick-R...lientCountry=GB&p=R9011426175690201811&custlinkid=852971

I'll be carefull with those. Looks like it's only the ratchet part and no bumpers.

 

[Peter_C]

So where does the next set of clamps go? What about the other accessories for the MFT you will be getting? Pretty soon they will be in a full SYS3.

First rule of buying a "tool box" is to always have plenty of extra room for the things you haven't even thought of buying yet. At least that is what my experience has taught me.

 

[Peter_C]

I'll be carefull with those. Looks like it's only the ratchet part and no bumpers.

They look like a viable option to me, and I would buy a couple sets if I didn't already own a couple of the Festool sets. The link posted above is wonky. Try this one. The kit includes everything needed for a 20mm hole pattern.https://usa.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick...dget-Tool-DIY-p-1454253.html?cur_warehouse=CN

 

[Christopher Fitch]

So where does the next set of clamps go? What about the other accessories for the MFT you will be getting? Pretty soon they will be in a full SYS3.

First rule of buying a "tool box" is to always have plenty of extra room for the things you haven't even thought of buying yet. At least that is what my experience has taught me.

I have three empty systainers - I expect I can find some room somewhere [wink]

 

[thender]

I'll be carefull with those. Looks like it's only the ratchet part and no bumpers.

They look like a viable option to me, and I would buy a couple sets if I didn't already own a couple of the Festool sets. The link posted above is wonky. Try this one. The kit includes everything needed for a 20mm hole pattern.https://usa.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick...dget-Tool-DIY-p-1454253.html?cur_warehouse=CN

Look for the Youtube review by "Hooked on Wood" -- he was pretty lukewarm at best.

 

[xedos]

Cheaper MFT clamps, that I saw a positive review of. . .
https://m.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick-R...lientCountry=GB&p=R9011426175690201811&custlinkid=852971

I'll be carefull with those. Looks like it's only the ratchet part and no bumpers.

Well, it looks like a set complete with bumpers/stops, and the under table locks.

Now, the description says 2 x Woodworking Clamp.  Which sounds like just a bad translation given the rest of the copy, but you're right to be skeptical.  Who knows what or even if you'll get something from these guys.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=67935]xedos[/member], the second link (Tom link) seems to be more legit  [big grin] It describe all components. Looking at the Hookedonwood video, I don't like the play with the bumpers/stops  [crying]

 

[slackula@gmail.com]

Pretty soon they will be in a full SYS3.

Funny, I'm in the process of putting all MFT and rail related accessories into a sys 3 with a sys mft lid. Just waiting for my benchdogs fence and dog set in a sys to ship, that's going in the drawer.

Benchdogs.co.uk have the best so far, but not a good fence system.

Oh goddamit! I read it was good.

 

[ben_r_]

I'll be carefull with those. Looks like it's only the ratchet part and no bumpers.

They look like a viable option to me, and I would buy a couple sets if I didn't already own a couple of the Festool sets. The link posted above is wonky. Try this one. The kit includes everything needed for a 20mm hole pattern.
https://usa.banggood.com/2pcs-Quick-Ratchet-Release-Speed-Squeeze-Woodworking-Clamp-Clip-Kit-Spreader-Gadget-Tool-DIY-p-1454253.html?cur_warehouse=CN

Look for the Youtube review by "Hooked on Wood" -- he was pretty lukewarm at best.

Here's the link to that video: LINK
Looks like the guy reviews a lot of chinese knock-off tools. Pretty cool.

 

[AstroKeith]

While I think the Festool clamp is over priced - I wouldn't buy a Chinese knock-off on principle.

 

[Peter_C]

Funny, I'm in the process of putting all MFT and rail related accessories into a sys 3 with a sys mft lid. Just waiting for my benchdogs fence and dog set in a sys to ship, that's going in the drawer.

I am at the point a SYS3 isn't big enough anymore. This is an old picture and now I have the bench cookies stuffed into it too. Thinking I might be moving to a SYS4 which matches up with a TS55 SYS. Easy enough to move the MFT top around. Then building a layered system. Problem is weight as it is already getting heavy and requires two hands to move around.

 

[slackula@gmail.com]

Foolish of me to think I was doing something unique.  [big grin]
Why not a sys combi 3? Get all those small bits in the drawer, throw in a strip of wood and some t-nuts for the knobs and you'll free up a ton of space.

 

[Peter_C]

Foolish of me to think I was doing something unique.  [big grin]
Why not a sys combi 3? Get all those small bits in the drawer, throw in a strip of wood and some t-nuts for the knobs and you'll free up a ton of space.

The Combi Systainer's weren't available when I set mine up originally. At this point I could use a SYS4 anyhow, and will layer it with inserts. Plus I already have a bunch of empty Systainer's, including 2x SYS2, 2x SYS3, 1x SYS4, and 1x SYS5. Already paid for is good. If I am buying more tool boxes they will be Milwaukee Packout's, as I'd like to get rid of all my Ridgid tool boxes.

 

[nicholam77]

To anyone interested in the Bangood knock-off clamps, I have them. They do come with the full set and underneath lockdowns. My biggest gripe is they lift the workpiece way too much when clamped. The hooked on wood review is very accurate as to their performance. I’ve not used the Festool ones but I’m sure they are much better and I wouldn’t expect these in any way to be equivalent. That said, especially when secured from underneath, they aren’t completely worthless either, and hard to complain about for the price.