Precision fence for an old Festool MFT table

[arso_bg]

Hi all

I have a large custom table which is build with the old MFT profiles. I have to say that I am quite happy with it and I don't plan to change it soon with the newer MFT3 table. The only thing that I always wanted to improve is the fence. Recently I had some more time to experiment and now I have a new precision fence installed on my table.

For my new fence I used a Festool "clamping profile" which is 1400 mm long. These profiles are sturdy aluminum extrusions with four "T" tracks and can be obtained in two different lengths - 800 mm and 1400 mm. I think they are not intended to be used as a fence but they have at least several advantages when compared to the original MFT (800/1080) fence:
1. The "clamping profile" is much sturdier
2. The 1400 mm profile is longer which gives you some extra cutting capacity.
3. If you need even a longer fence you can easily attach a second profile exactly as we do it with the guide rails.
4. The "clamping profile" has four "T" tracks
As a Festool product the "clamping profiles" can be combined with the most well known Festool components without any modifications.

 

[arso_bg]

The first step to prepare my new fence was to attach a self-adhesive tape (R to L) to the smooth, narrow side of the profile. Since my guide rail is 185 mm wide I did cut the first 190 mm of the tape. Now I should position the new fence 5 mm apart of the guide rail. Exactly as the original MFT fence you can use the "clamping profile" in two different positions.

First you can lay it down with its wide side on the MFT top. I fastened the profile with the Festool clamps beneath the table. The clamps fit exactly in the "T" tracks. Actually first you have to put the clamps through the holes of the table top and than to slide the profile on the clamps. Fastened well with two clamps to the table top, the "clamping profile" becomes an incredibly rigid fence that will never move or bend (unlike the original one) even if you push hard with big and heavy pieces of material against the fence. The new fence can be used with the original Festool stop without any modifications. The only difference is that the new fence is 7 mm taller (21 mm against 14 mm) which leaves a 7 mm gap below the stop. This is not a problem unless you cut material that is 6 mm (1/4") thick or less. At the other hand this gap is even handy if you would like to put a 6 mm (1/4") thick piece of MDF or plywood beneath the material you are going to cut.

 

[arso_bg]

The second option to use the "clamping profile" as a fence is if you put it down on its narrow side. In this case the fence is 52 mm high (a bit more than 2"). It can be fastened in place with the help of the same components that we use for the original fence. There is no need to make any modifications. The setup you can see on the pictures below.

 

[arso_bg]

The problem with the second setup is that the original Festool stop can't be used. That is why I have prepared an Axminster "Perfect Stop". The stop has to be used with a fence which is at least 2" high and can be micro adjusted. More information about it you can find here. (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21086&name=precision+stop&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44) Similar stops are sold also under other brands.

 

[arso_bg]

In order to be used with my new fence the "Perfect Stop" also needs some modifications.
First the black plastic knob must be removed so that the front and the back parts of the stop can be disassembled. Second I need to drill a 6 mm (1/4") hole as shown on the picture below, so that the stop can be attached to the upper "T" slot of the fence using the ratchet handle shown also on the picture below. The handle has to be 25 mm (1") long. The one shown on the picture I took from the original Festool stop. After all this preparations the "Perfect Stop" is ready to be attached to the upper "T" track of my new fence.

 

[arso_bg]

Well, that's it. After some calibration of the stop I am ready to go.

Some more pictures here:

 

[score0matic]

Very nice write up. 
Craig

 

[jo041326]

Very nice.
Can you, please, write the order number of the profile? I can't find it.
Thank you
Josef

 

[johnsonri]

VERY nice indeed!! Thanks for the write up there. I can't find the profile on the Festool USA site. 

I wonder if this is not available in the US.

Rey

 

[arso_bg]

Hi

I bought my profiles long time ago on the E-bay so I don't have a recent art. No.
But the profiles are mentioned in the Jerry Works MFT manual and he gives the following art. No. for the profiles:

art. No. 490-189 is 800 mm long
art. No. 490-190 is 1400 mm long

I guess these numbers are valid for North America

Regards

 

[johnsonri]

I REALLY like the fact that you have a good amount of infeed and outfeed space with respect to your rail.

Rey

 

[arso_bg]

I searched the net and it seems there are no offers for the longer profile at the moment. Anyway I found two offers for the shorter one. Here are the links if someone is interested.

http://www.lager7.com/lager7/product_info.php?products_id=55356

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/tg/detail/offer-listing/-/B001JBDKQU/new

Regards

 

[sw1211]

I searched the net and it seems there are no offers for the longer profile at the moment. Anyway I found two offers for the shorter one. Here are the links if someone is interested.

Regards

Festool has the longer profiles that can be dropped shipped, contact your dealer.  I'm thinking of getting those, although for the same price I can get a Basic MFT 800 and connect it.  Any thoughts on those two options?

 

[arso_bg]

Festool has the longer profiles that can be dropped shipped, contact your dealer.  I'm thinking of getting those, although for the same price I can get a Basic MFT 800 and connect it.  Any thoughts on those two options?

Hi

If Festool is still selling the profile than everything is OK. I was searching the net just because there were some questions.
But I cannot understand your question. To have a good fence this is one thing and to have an extra table this is something different

Regards

 

[tbellemare]

We still sell the Extra-Long MFT Profiles. They are sold as a pair.

The old profiles, which are the length of the long side of an old MFT 1080, are more rare. We have one set of those left.

Tom

 

[Corwin]

Festool has the longer profiles that can be dropped shipped, contact your dealer.  I'm thinking of getting those, although for the same price I can get a Basic MFT 800 and connect it.  Any thoughts on those two options?

Hi

If Festool is still selling the profile than everything is OK. I was searching the net just because there were some questions.
But I cannot understand your question. To have a good fence this is one thing and to have an extra table this is something different

Regards

It looks to me that there is some confusion about the profiles and people are talking about two separate items.  The clamping profiles are a different animal from the MFT table profiles.