New Product - Veritas® MFT Clamping Kit

[builderbob]

Even with the Festool knobs?

No, those are a little beefier where they contact the table

 

[Rocky]

I have a set due in this Friday from Lee Valley.

 

[Rob Lee]

Hi -

Just a quick update - our R&D staff have just about completed measurement of the table surface, and are preparing the data for publication - in addition to drawing a number of conclusions.

This should be ready for tomorrow... sorry about taking extra time, I can't push them any harder. Once we publish it - you'll see why it's taken so long... it's very complete!

Cheers -

Rob

 

[ncgarya]

Hello all. Brand new Festool owner (MFT3, DF 500, RO 90 DX, OF 1400, CT 26, TS 55 REQ on order), brand new to FOG, and brand new disappointed Veritas clamping set owner.

I ordered this set expecting great things, based on the Lee Valley / Veritas brand. I was delighted when I opened the UPS box, amazed when I looked at the nicely fitted foam, astounded by the overall look of the kit, but I was dumbfounded by the sloppy fit of the dogs! My MFT3 is brand new and the dogs wiggle around in the table holes like a kid's first baby tooth --- ready to be pulled out for the tooth fairy!!!

The systainer, the foam insert and the clamps are all top notch, but the dogs are pretty wobbly. I'm sure they will work great for planing stops, but I was also hoping for a good enough fit for fence and guide rail alignment. I understand from reading a bit that there have been variations in the MFT holes in the past, but other suppliers of MFT add ons seem to have settled on a diameter that works for proper alignment registration. Hopefully Lee Valley will get this sorted out soon. I'm hoping I don't really have to send this entire kit back and wait for a new version to be cooked because I just LOVE the rest of it!

Gary

 

[Rob Lee]

Hi Gary -

Normally - I'd post a a full answer here... but have been working on a technical analysis of elements of accuracy with respect to the MFT surface. We're about 90% done, and are in the writing stages now... photos, spreadsheets, surface plots, and thousands of comparative measurements. That's due to be published here at any time in the next 24 hours...it's significantly more work than I thought, to put the data in a presentable form.

If you can hang on for a few more hours, there'll be lots to read, consider, and debate.

No worries - we won't leave you hanging - and we will be giving you an option to make a change, as well as complete and detailed information for you to decide if making a change is what you want to do...

Cheers -

Rob

 

[Awall]

Rob,
I got my kit yesterday and everything is gorgeous and well thought out.  I'll hold my judgement on the fit of the dogs until you publish your research, but when testing the Bessey hold down clamps I noticed they lifted up a small lip around the hole they were inserted into on the MFT. 

Is there something I am doing incorrectly? I didn't use the knob under the table, nor did I have the adjustment screw set really tightly -- thinking I would only use that for superfirm grips and was hoping to not have to screw them down every time (takes away from the speed aspect). 

Thanks,
Andy

 

[JonSchuck]

I just got my kit 2 hours ago.  Hadn't read this thread since I ordered them last week.  Opened the package and great looking systainer.  Opened it and everything in it looked super also.  I tried the Bessey clamps with the Lee Valley base and loved them.  But I wish they would have had some explanation of what that little adjustment nut did ( not the one that adjusts the clamping pressure).  Then I mic'ed the dogs and they were very good.  Everything within .002", like the Qwas dogs.  Then I stuck them into my mft3 and it was awful.  They flopped all over the place.  I wouldn't dream of using them as a fence.  The part that went into the table mic'ed .007" smaller than my Qwas dogs.  Then I tried the single surface clamp.  It was easy to use and worked good but it did the same thing as the Bessey clamps but without rubber on the hold down.  I might get to like it.  Then I tried the 2 planing stops.  They worked well and I liked them, but 2 Qwas dogs or 2 Qwas dogs and a straight edge will do the same thing.  If I had to do it over I would order the Bessey clamps only with no systainer.  I'm a hobbiest.  I don't need a systainer.  It is easier for me to grab two Bessey clamps off a shelf than to dig into a systainer half way down the pile. 

 

[Rob Lee]

Darn - this is one long write-up....

At 12 pages and going... am not leaving until it's done!!

Cheers -

Rob
(the two-finger typist)

 

[Frank Pellow]

Darn - this is one long write-up....

At 12 pages and going... am not leaving until it's done!!

Cheers -

Rob
(the two-finger typist)

Twelve pages WOW.  I hope that you will post a summary as well.

 

[RONWEN]

Darn - this is one long write-up....

At 12 pages and going... am not leaving until it's done!!

Cheers -

Rob
(the two-finger typist)

Rob,
Perhaps just attach a PDF file (or other format) instead of re-typing?  Just a thought.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Darn - this is one long write-up....

At 12 pages and going... am not leaving until it's done!!

Cheers -

Rob
(the two-finger typist)

Twelve pages WOW.  I hope that you will post a summary as well.

Frank, I have no real idea what the finding are, but I'm guessing the summary would go something like this: The dogs are fine, put your stupid calipers away and actually use your set. [popcorn] [big grin]

 

[Rob Lee]

As promised, here is the response we have generated to the questions and comments in this lengthy thread. It’s long, detailed, and somewhat complex – but should be of interest to anyone who owns an MFT, is considering buying an MFT, or is considering making their own table. While we do draw conclusions in this report, we also provide the raw data for you to be able to draw your own conclusions – you don’t have to agree at all with what they are. We use data and testing like this to support decision making all of the time, and the scope will be limited to the decisions we are trying to make, or to review.

I also want to state up front that we have tried to keep away from any sort of marketing slant, and nor do we take issue with individual preferences, practices, or opinions. We’ve gone quite a bit further in disclosing some of the things we normally don’t publish, in the interest of transparency.

As there is a significant volume of data, diagrams, photo’s and text – I have implemented many of the documents as external links (don’t want to blow anyone’s data plan…).

So – grab a coffee, put on some music (a German composer may be appropriate) and dig in.

For those that don’t want to read – make some popcorn, and pull up a chair … there’s bound to be a wee bit of discussion.
It all starts HERE ---- > Test Report  .

Cheers –

Rob Lee

 

[dicktill]

Hi Rob,

WOW, quite a series of documents, and quite a lot of work. As the guy who started this "witch hunt", by saying that the fit was too loose, my apologizes!

Thanks for pointing out that the flats should not be used for registration; I would have used them.

Yes, I am interested in buying the two halves of the MFT/3 top you sacrificed to the gods (if you don't mind shipping it across the border; if you have a Canadian customer who wants it too, and that's easier, okay).

I will keep the kit, but I probably will take you up on the offer for some tighter large dogs some day when you have them.

Again my thanks and apologizes, Dick

P.S.: You run a class act!  [thumbs up]

 

[ridgenj]

Rob,

Many thanks for taking our concerns very serious and for the satisfactory response.

As you might know, I bought the product the first day it was available and I am still a happy camper. Trying not to be off topic but...

I am very surprised about the accuracy being demanded from woodworking products.

As a brain surgeon, the tolerance we accept for our instruments is way more generous and probably I am more accurate during my hobby time than at work. TG my patients are all doing well.

I learned something new from this discussion and as a consequence you have me measuring every piece of furniture in the house. BTW I am shocked to see that almost every expensive piece we got from Germany has MDF as a core.

I think the product in discussion is very useful to me despite possible flaws and as people say here in the US, this is a free country.
I will buy it any time again.

Cheers
Luis

 

[skids]

As promised, here is the response we have generated to the questions and comments in this lengthy thread. It’s long, detailed, and somewhat complex – but should be of interest to anyone who owns an MFT, is considering buying an MFT, or is considering making their own table. While we do draw conclusions in this report, we also provide the raw data for you to be able to draw your own conclusions – you don’t have to agree at all with what they are. We use data and testing like this to support decision making all of the time, and the scope will be limited to the decisions we are trying to make, or to review.

I also want to state up front that we have tried to keep away from any sort of marketing slant, and nor do we take issue with individual preferences, practices, or opinions. We’ve gone quite a bit further in disclosing some of the things we normally don’t publish, in the interest of transparency.

As there is a significant volume of data, diagrams, photo’s and text – I have implemented many of the documents as external links (don’t want to blow anyone’s data plan…).

So – grab a coffee, put on some music (a German composer may be appropriate) and dig in.

For those that don’t want to read – make some popcorn, and pull up a chair … there’s bound to be a wee bit of discussion.
It all starts HERE ---- > Test Report  .

Cheers –

Rob Lee

Excellent service and response, a business model Woodcrap here in the US should adopt.

I am now looking for things to buy from you folks.

 

[mouppe]

Rob,

Your fast detailed response to your customers' concerns has once again demonstrated why your company continues to be in the top division for customer service.

I'll be ordering one or two of the components when they go on sale individually. Are the dogs in the work stops adjustable as they are in the planing stops?

Richard.

 

[peter halle]

Rob,  Great JOB!  I cheated and skipped to the summary at the end.  Just one comment - change the document type to a PDF and have the hyperlinks inside that.  I firmly believe that an editable document should never be out in public on the internet.

I realize that it might have been done just to get this out as soon as possible.

Not being snarky.

Peter

 

[johninthecamper]

no matter what the outcome of this situation, lee valley has proved themselves to be all that a customer should expect

 

[Wooden Skye]

Rob,

I havent bought this set yet, but am planning on it soon.  I really have to commend you on your responsiveness and your ability to take criticism and work for a solution.  This really shows how much you value your customers.  Everything I have bought from you has met or exceeded my expectations.

Thank you and keep up the good work!!

 

[rrmccabe]

Thanks Rob, that is nothing short of impressive.

Regardless if the outcome I still desire tight fitting dogs.  I understand not being able to do this for the masses because of the varying sizes of table (as I mentioned above).

Thanks again.

Rich