securing a workpiece to the side of an MFT

[HowardH]

I have the last model of the MFT 1080.  Other than using a quick clamp, is there any other way of quickly and securely clamping a workpiece to the side of the MFT since it doesn't lend itself to attaching a traditional vise.  I fooled around a bit this evening by just placing a 1 x 6 against the edge but it is a bit awkward trying to hold it and then using the quick clamp.  Suggestions?  Hey! that's idea for Festool!  they could make a 7" vice that slides on and off the side of the MFT like the guiderail brackets.  Send me my 5% royalty please...

 

[tbellemare]

Howard:

What was the third dimension of the work piece and in what configuration were you trying to secure it?

Tom

 

[HowardH]

Tom, it was about 24" long and it was sticking straight up, perpendicular to the top.  Like a fence board.

 

[tbellemare]

Am I missing something or could you hold it in one hand and clamp with the other? It seems that if the Quick Clamp(s) were already loaded in the t-track, that wouldn't be too difficult.

Tom

 

[HowardH]

no, you weren't missing anything.  It would nice if there were some attachment that would give the board you are clamping more support on the vertical axis other than the width of the profile.  I still would like to see a slide on vice clamp. 

 

[mwhafner]

HowardH,

You may want to look at the DeWalt clamps for their track system.  I haven't tried it, but they should fit. 

I have played around with creating a tailstock type vice, but nothing has really worked the way I wanted it to.

 

[nclemmons]

Howard -

You might try one of these clamps -

https://www.adjustableclamp.com/replacementparts/products3.asp?subcatID=248

I have a couple of them that I use on the top of the MFT table, but you could easily use a small bolt to attach them to the side as well.

Here's the thread where I showed how I use them on the top:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=71.msg442#msg442

They have a hole for a cotter pin to capture the bolt, which would let you hold them on the side without them falling off.

neil

 

[Corwin]

Woodpecker's Universal Track Clamps have one screw to tighten the clamp in place along the MFT 1080's T-slots and a separate screw to clamp your work in place.  These will work, but the clamp screw is not as quick in use as Festool's Quick Clamp.

 

[Dan Clark]

Howard,

A couple of years ago, I created this quick and dirty MFT "Bench Vice" with scrap 3/4 ply and two Festool clamps: http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=887.0.  I think it will do what you want.   It clamps a vertical board pretty solidly.   Total time to create this was about 30 minutes.

Regards,

Dan.

p.s., sorry for the delay.   It appears that my FOG personal gallery was deleted at some point in the past.  That broke the links in the post above.  Shane was kind enough to recreate my gallery.   I finally found the original pics, re-uploaded them, and corrected the links.   It took some time do all of this.

 

[HowardH]

Thanks, Dan.  I had even commented on your idea.  As I like to say, my memory is my second shortest asset... ;D

 

[Dan Clark]

Thanks, Dan.  I had even commented on your idea.  As I like to say, my memory is my second shortest asset... ;D

Howard,

That's OK.  I forgot that you commented.    [embarassed]

Dan.