Quickly Squaring an MFT using Workmate Bench Dogs

[Frank Pellow]

I have read about several different techniques for squaring the rail on a Festool Multi-Function Table (MFT).  Here is a method that I use particularly when I am off-site and need to quickly saw or route some wood.  

These pictures were taken in my shop but I don't often use this technique there because my MFT 1080 is set up and ready for work about 90 percent of the time using the "standard" fence and mitre gauge.  Off-site, I usually utilize a MFT 800 and the fence and mitre gauge are sometimes not with me and even when they are with me the task does not require their use.

I have two old, made in Canada about 30 years ago, Black and Decker workmates , and they have 20 mm holes and each came with 4 bench dogs to fill the holes.  Actually according to my micrometer the holes are 19.9 milimetres in diameter ?exactly the same as the holes in my MFTs.

Following is an illustration of the steps I take to get my folded up MFT ready to crosscut a board at a 90 degree angle:

1) Unfold the MFT and set it on it?s legs.

2) Place three Workmate Bench Dogs in appropriate holes in the MFT then set a straight edge and a good carpenter?s square against them.
[attachimg=#1]  [attachimg=#2]

The straight edge that I use is most often a Veritas, made in Canada, 38 inch aluminium one (Lee Valley: 05N63.03) and the square is a Shinwa, made in Japan, stainless steel one (Lee Valley: 60N48.01).

3) Line up the rail with the square then set the support mechanism on the front edge of the MFT.  
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Note that I quite often (about 75% of the time) find that no adjustment is needed because things have remained square from the previous use.

4) Set the wood to be cross cut against the bench dogs and hold it in place with a couple of Festool Clamping Element clamps (Festool: 488030).  Lower the guide rail and place the saw upon it.
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Then saw.

I just tried the above set of steps in my shop starting with a folded MFT and the saw and other tools in their boxes and it took my less than two minutes before I was able to make the cut.

 

[Frank Pellow]

One thing that I missed with the above set up was the stop that is attached to the fence.  I use it when doing repeat cuts and, of course, I often want to do repeat cuts when working off site.  My solution to this was a Veritas Wonder Dog (Lee Valley: 05G10.01) .  Here it is in use:

[attachimg=#1]

And here is the set-up that I used last week in order to route some rabbets:

[attachimg=#2]

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Very nice tips, Frank!!

I have one question, though.  Why not use the holes in the MFT top for the right angle, too?  If you did not have the carpenter's square, couldn't you line up the guide rail with either its back edge or its [trimmed] rubber strip in contact with a line at 90 degrees to the "fence line" by inserting a couple more of those plastic dogs in a pair of holes in the MFT top?  That should define a true right angle, too, assuming the grid of holes of the MFT top is truly accurate.

Dave R.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Good idea Dave!   I don't know why I did not think of it.  I will try it and report back.

 

[alanz]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to comment on how nicely the Black and Decker Workmate Swivel Grip pegs (dogs) fit into my MFT/3 table.

I just received two new packages of 4 today (orange plastic dogs) and the only thing I'm considering is whether to cut off the little tabs at the bottom of each dog.  The fit is snug enough that they are not likey to drop out even if the table is inverted.

I paid about $8 for each set of 4 from Amazon.

 

[Rob Z]

Alan, thanks for the heads-up on locating the B&D Workmate bench dogs.  My old Workmate was made in Canada, probably is just like Frank's...but I have long since lost the accessories.

 

[joraft]

Talk about perfect timing. I was cleaning out my garage yesterday and found a box of the old black dogs from my Workmate from twenty years ago. Those tables are long gone, so I tossed them out.

It never even occurred to me that they might fit my MFTs. Now I have to go dig them out of the trash. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks Alan.  It's good to know that these are still available and that the ones that are being made now still fit.

 

[alanz]

Hmm,

One of you ha a workmate with no accessories.  The other has the accessories but no workmate.

I see a marriage of convenience in your future

My old workmate still has one of the original 4 dogs, so now I have enough for both tables.

I was going to turn some aluminum dogs on one of my lathes to fit, but to be honest, I'm not seeing any particular advantage over the workmate dogs.

Anyone have ideas why one of the other dog options may be better (and worth the money) over the workmate versions?

 

[Frank Pellow]

The photos that I had placed into  this thread were missing.  [sad]  I have now restored them all from my computer backup disks.  [smile]

 

[Alan m]

i have the b+d dogs and the qwas dogs. i use both but diferently. i use the b_d ones for rough workand freehand sawing etc. the qwas 1s i use with the guide rail. 1 advantage of the qwas 1s is that they are round and you dont have to keep the flat face of the b+d 1s flat to the work piece.  also the qwas ones are lower

 

[Theshipstore]

well this made me think and go look, not only do I have the original black dogs, I also have a set of the orange replacement dogs.
Well just added them to my MFT/3 Tool Box . What great find for me...between Qwas Dogs, Walko Dogs and now Black and Decker dogs
I am a proud Dog owner for sure  [smile]