Options for extending fence across multiple MFT/3 tables?

mschmidt10k

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Long time lurker, 2nd time poster here  :)

In my basement woodshop, I have three MFT/3 tables set up alongside one of the side walls - I've mounted 2 of them on cabinets and have a 3rd that's also attached with the rail connectors, but can fairly easily be removed in case I want to use it elsewhere in the shop. I use the tables primarily for crosscutting and as a general work area for sanding, domino-ing, etc.

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Seeing that Festool often touts the benefits of using multiple MFT/3 tables side-by-side, I find it odd that a fence that can actually span multiple tables isn't available. So I was wondering what those of you in the same situation as me have done to rectify this situation? Are the any drop-in options available for, say, a 6' fence that can still use the festool quick stops and will also go below the guide rail?

Michael
 

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Hi Michael

In my previous shop, I had, at times, three MFT's set up in a row like you have.  I joined the tables with the table connectors and took a bit of time to level/plane up the tops and also to align the profiles on the faces.

For a long fence, I used to clamp down my box screeds that I had for tile work.  I'd push the box screed up against some dogs and use the F-clamps and that made a great fence.

Another thing I did was use some aluminum L-angle profile that was left over from a job.  I bought it at HD (I think) and it was straight and pretty stiff.  I think it was 3" x 3". 
 
mschmidt10k said:
Long time lurker, 2nd time poster here  :)

In my basement woodshop, I have three MFT/3 tables set up alongside one of the side walls - I've mounted 2 of them on cabinets and have a 3rd that's also attached with the rail connectors, but can fairly easily be removed in case I want to use it elsewhere in the shop. I use the tables primarily for crosscutting and as a general work area for sanding, domino-ing, etc.

View attachment 1

I use 80/20 aluminum

Seeing that Festool often touts the benefits of using multiple MFT/3 tables side-by-side, I find it odd that a fence that can actually span multiple tables isn't available. So I was wondering what those of you in the same situation as me have done to rectify this situation? Are the any drop-in options available for, say, a 6' fence that can still use the festool quick stops and will also go below the guide rail?

Michael
 

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80/20 or some form of extrusion located with the dog holes, or DP track from Woodpeckers or the like. There comes a point going any longer is pointless as you can only cross cut a fairly narrow board.
 
Peter_C said:
80/20 or some form of extrusion located with the dog holes, or DP track from Woodpeckers or the like. There comes a point going any longer is pointless as you can only cross cut a fairly narrow board.

This is a good point. A long straight fence is great if you have perfectly straight stock. If it isn’t perfect the long fence will hinder. Imagine cutting miters on expensive pre-finished molding. The stock isn’t going to be perfectly straight so if you have very long straight fence the stock will only contact a small section. I think the standard fence is plenty long enough.

It is nice to have a long fence to set stops for repeat cuts. For that I would use Incra t-track (because of the adjustable rules) set back a little from the “true” fence so it doesn’t interfere with less than perfect stock.
 
I do have multiple tables but I do have an Incra 54" fence mounted to my table with multiple stops.  I made brackets so that my fence sits above the side extrusions.  I can cut off 28" this way.  I also added a 1/4" high extension so that when cutting short pieces past the cut groove they will be supported.
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I have two 8' 8020 1530 fences for my Makita slider.  I also used 8020 45% extrusions with rules applied to set my Kreg flipstops.  Sorry, no pics of this.  In regard to cutting stock that is not straight over the 8', I just put a short, narrow spacer between the stock and the fence, similar, to what you need to do when making dado cuts to ensure full depth in the back.
 
rst, Your setup looks nice! Curious what kind of bracket you made for the long rail? Looks like HDPE or the like for all the fence brackets into the V grove, then on the backside? Are the HDPE brackets screwed up into the Incra pieces?

The low fence under the rail is nice. I have Woodpeckers DP track and have to shim up underneath for stock thinner than 1/2" with a 1/4" masonite board to allow the rail to be level. Since I use the Woodpeckers parallel guide as a fence it does allow for zero adjustment easily (Along with having stops), although I use the first row of dog holes to locate it, loosing table space, and wouldn't mind changing that part up. In unison I can also rip narrow stock with the parallel guide by mounting one to the rail, but that is what tablesaws are for.
 
The MFT/3 fence rail is available as a replacement part from Ekat... http://ekat.festool.de/login/jsp/ma...-Kunde-FT_US&password=Customer&design=festool

I purchased a second one of those for use with some operations on my MFT and CMS tables.  You could just butt it up to the current fence and fashion a connector similar to the rail connectors to extend the current fence.  If you want to 'anchor' that fence on a second table, you can either fashion a dog to drop in a hole with a standoff or also purchase a second rail-attached holder from Festool.

While not one piece, it might be an option.

 
We stock and fabricate plastics of all sorts so I get lots of off cuts to tinker with.  The plastic used is UHMW.  I made the V profile and lower groove piece, then screwed flat pieces onto the sides for the two brackets.  That allowed me to use the slots in the Incra fence. 
 
Thanks for the photos. UHMW is nice to work with and easy to tap. Looks like shimming for a perfect 90* would be a non issue too. I might use Corian to remount my fence, as I have a lot of scraps. Making the fence adjustable will require a little thought, as my fence mounts from the bottom...or maybe I will just keep using it the way I do now *shrugs*
 
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