My rail/tab slop fix

[atomicmike]

My Slop-stop showed up this afternoon! Certainly quicker than I was expecting, since I just paid on Thursday! It only took me a few minutes to get downstairs and install it on my MFT/3 rail. The fit was a lot tighter than I was expecting, but not so much that it was difficult to install. It's just a snug, secure fit. In fact, it's almost tight enough that I could get away with not tightening the set screws.

To get it set up, I just slid it into position, so that the widest part was at the wear marks on my rail. Then I lowered the rail onto the tab, and used the hex key to pull the Slop-stop forward as much as I could, thus snugging it up to the tab. I double-checked that there was no more slop in the rail, and tightened it down.

No pics or it didn't happen, so they're attached.  [smile]

Thanks, John, for putting these together and making them available! What an awesome, simple fix.

- Mike

 

[John2532]

Thanks for the feedback Mike!

I was shooting for a nice slip-fit but I imagine there will be slight size variations between the rails. Hopefully it will not become an issue, if so we'll work it out.

Anyone else receive their's yet?

John

 

[GPowers]

Thanks for the feedback Mike!

I was shooting for a nice slip-fit but I imagine there will be slight size variations between the rails. Hopefully it will not become an issue, if so we'll work it out.

Anyone else receive their's yet?

John

Yep just got back from a day with the grandkids and it was in the mail box. Will install in the AM. Thanks John!

 

[Theshipstore]

John  got mine today , installed in a flash can't wait to use the guide rail and find out how good it has gotten
Thanks
Sal

 

[haasjetik]

Arrived in Amsterdam, the Netherlands! Next week the MFT/3

 

[JGVilla]

Mine arrived also today in The Netherlands  [tongue].
Took about 6 days in the mail (including Easter Weekend).

Just gave my guide rail a nice overhaul after three years of intensive use:
new rubbers underneath, new splinter strip and of course the newly arrived rail/tab slop fix.
Rail/tab slop fix smoothly slid into the rail and after final adjustment against the rail tab: tight setup. no more slop.
Everything functions as new  [big grin].

Good enhancement. Can fully recommend it.

Jan

 

[John2532]

I appreciate the feedback guys.

I've been getting quite a few requests for these so I will machine a good supply and should have enough for anyone else interested.

Thanks,

John

 

[tms0425]

Mine arrived in a couple of days, installed in a minute or two, and the rail drops down nice and tight now. Great solution and so very simple. Thanks John!  Tom

 

[atomicmike]

I figured it was time to post a follow-up, now that I've actually had a chance to use it for some cuts. When I checked the rail before making that cut, I was a bit disappointed to find that it was now out of square. Then I remembered that I'd originally had problems squaring the fence and rail when I first got the table, and had moved the front rail support away from the factory stop in order to hold it square. I loosened it up, slid it back tight against the factory stop, and my rail is now perfectly square, with absolutely no fidgeting! This means that I can now easily take the rail supports on and off the MFT when I need to, and not have to worry about spending a bunch of time getting it squared again.

It's nice to have something so simple that can make tasks that much easier.

Thanks again, Jon!

- Mike

 

[cerv]

Thanks, I just got mine.  [smile]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

PM sent for one.

 

[rmwarren]

John, great solution, mine installed in about 2.3 seconds and all is now square and tight. Thanks.

When I realized how small the part was I got curious as to your milling set up. I have a small mill and a couple little lathes, all manual, but not a lot of experience in using them. I also have a somewhat cobbled together prototype of a manual router mill for routing small parts. In particular I am wondering how you clamp small parts for repetitive milling, hoping it is something I could adapt to the router mill?

Any photos you can share or other advice?

Thanks.

RMW

 

[John2532]

John, great solution, mine installed in about 2.3 seconds and all is now square and tight. Thanks.

When I realized how small the part was I got curious as to your milling set up. I have a small mill and a couple little lathes, all manual, but not a lot of experience in using them. I also have a somewhat cobbled together prototype of a manual router mill for routing small parts. In particular I am wondering how you clamp small parts for repetitive milling, hoping it is something I could adapt to the router mill?

Any photos you can share or other advice?

Thanks.

RMW

I don't have any pics handy but I think it is pretty easily explained. I first drill and tap the holes in the delrin blank. Then I use bolts through the threaded holes to mount the blank onto a jig which is held with my milling vise. Then I can mill the profiles. 

I agree with you that holding the work can be challenging. Clamps are either too big/small and all almost always in the way. While it wouldn't work wih this project, I've been wanting to build a vacuum plate to hold small pieces on the mill. Depending on your job, that might be something to consider.

John

 

[ctfeet]

Put mine in yesterday and even though there was very little slop before, now there is none.  This is a perfect fit. 

Thanks John

 

[tiralie]

I'm going to make a batch of these (tentatively named Slop-stop) so if anyone is interested please let me know. The price is $15 shipped in the U.S. and will include the shim and proper hex key. You can P.M. me here or at: toolimprovements@comcast.net

John:
Do you still have these (Slop-stop) in stock.
I sent a P.M. but I thought I would give you a bump here as well.
Tim

 

[whitesys]

He has them listed on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tune-your-Festool-MFT-rail-Slop-Stop-/270854912166?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1035f8a6

 

[John2532]

Tim,

Thanks for the bump and you should have an email waiting for you.

For anyone else interested, I have a fair amount of slop-stops on hand.

toolimprovements@comcast.net

If not, just email me and I will send a invoice that can be paid with a credit card (or we will work something else out).

Thanks,

John

Edit:  Moderators, My apologies if this needs moved to the dealers section, thanks.

 

[RONWEN]

John does a great job on this slick accessory!  They are made on a very slight taper so you can adjust to exactly the fit you prefer.