Router system for MFT . . .

[woodshopdemos]

So much to respond to and I will forget most of it but:

1) thanks for the routing of one of the pages. I did mount that router in a 1080 and have used it very little because it was in back of shop. Now it is officially out and I will set it up for edge jointing, and raised panel work. I think the Festool routers are too precious for that utilization so I will use the Milwaukee/Jessem set up that is there now. I will not add a pricey fence. I have one that I made for edge jointing and a second one for raised panel work.

this page start story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/jes-mtr-1.htm

2) Pinnacle and Woodcraft: Pinnacle products that are red anodized aluminum are made and sold by Woodpeckers; Pinnacle products that are black are made by Woodpecker but sold exclusively thru Woodcraft.

3) the large top and fence that Woodpecker offers for use on the MFT 1080 I have as present router table but mounted on a CMT base...I like the height for it. The table is a good size and had two embedded angle irons in it to combat sag. So far they work just fine. I shot the story months ago but now find that I must not have published it. Bottom line: table is great.

 

[Warrior]

Jerry,

I love the router trick. How about using 1/2" solid surface material for the top vs the baltic birch. The only reason I ask is that my lumber supplier has some small broken pieces for a major discount.

Eiji

 

[Prater]

I have a thread on my MFT/Pinnacle router table.  I really like it and went this route because I can easily fold the table out of the way when not in use.  I also plan on using the MFT top for other projects and can easily switch between the two.  It has no sag because of the added support that comes with the pinnacle table.

 

[Dan Lyke]

Just for completeness, and because I'm an inveterate self-promoter, here's my "clamp to the top and hang off the edge of the MFT" router table. Since I took the pictures I upgraded it to a Jessem Mast-R-Lift and a Porter Cable 7518.

Setup is pretty quick and simple, and it doesn't do any permanent modification to the MFT. The only tough part was getting the spacing for the pins that fit into the MFT holes exactly right.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Dan,

That is one very substantial add-on router table for your MFT!!  I think the US government should hire you to rebuild our bridges and highways to similar standards.  They wouldn't need any repair or maintenance for a very long time!

I'm planning to make an add-on router table for my old style MFTs - to be placed between a pair of MFTs much like Jerry Work described in his manual.  I may also make another add-on for a horizontally mounted router, except that I will design it so I do not have to cut into the top of the side rails.  These may prove to be good uses of older single speed non-Festool routers that I own (7A Craftsman and 10-11A Stanley) and little use.  If fitted with new same brand dovetail bits, they could be used for quick machining of sliding dovetails.  An add-on table designed to be mounted between a pair of MFTs can be provided with dust collection both from above and below the table.  I have found above table dust collection to be more effective with most bits used in edging operations.

Dave R.