Since when did track saw rail clamps become the defacto MFT clamp?

[Crazyraceguy]

The first "dogs" I ever had were the Festool "Clamping Elements", which are not quite the same thing?
The first actual metal ones came from TSO, when I built my first cross-cut station for a track saw.

 

[Spandex]

Sure, but that doesn't mean the MFT was designed for those rail clamps to be used through the holes in the top. I think that was just a happy discovery as people started using the things.

What do you think the holes in the top were for then? Ventilation? Weight reduction? Peep holes? When the MFT came out, I’m pretty sure the only accessory Festool made that fitted in those holes was the rail clamp.

 

[smorgasbord]

Sorry but you are stretching this too far. ... I am not sure you realise it, but in pushing your narrative you are now openly insulting the engineers which created the "Festo/Festool system" in the first place.

You're taking it too far, not me: I'm not insulting anybody. OTOH, you're now insulting me:

It was obvious to anyone who was not an idiot that you use the only clamp Festool offers, THE Festool clamp with the new table that is obviously designed to use it with.

Which apart from being factually wrong (the FSK wasn't the "only clamp" Festool offered, they offered the appropriately named "MFT-SP" clamp at the same time as the MFT, and included its use in the MFT manual) is insulting to me, as it's NOT obvious to me that a clamp designed for use with an extruded aluminum rail slot and shown for use with an aluminum extruded top rail slot would also be useful in a non-aluminum non-slot hole in an MDF top.

Or for a dealer to create a for-then long video showing all the uses, but not that one, 17 years ago. I guess us idiots are numerous.

I have mentioned this already above why there is no ad materials on how to use the MFT with rail clamps. I lived the time.
THERE WAS NO TV ADVERTISEMENT of the MFT. NO VIDEO. NO PICTURES. NO POSTERS IN SHOPS. NO ILLUSTRATED BOOKLETS. NADA.

But, you're actually wrong here, too. There are Festool materials, such as a User Manual, showing its use.

Only a moron would waste expensive catalog space for showing the obvious usage when you have the budget for just 2-3 pictures to show the advanced uses on one page.

Well, I guess you just insulted the Festool group as well. Because they do describe and show its use in the clamping section.

So yeah, here's an undated MFT1080 manual I found online:https://festool.manymanuals.com/power-saws/mft-1080/user-manual-37713/2

For clamping, it first covers the MFT-SP set, which by its very name is obviously designed for use with the MFT as I mentioned above.

It then does discuss use of the FSK clamp:

Workpieces can be clamped vertically on the working table with the FSZ screw clamps. Insert the clamping bow of the screw clamp into a hole in the perforated plate from above and clamp the workpiece from above with the pressure pad.

And then I found another undated MFT 800/1080 manual online, which from its part number appears to be a later version of the manual:https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2170230/Festool-Mft-800.html

It has the same FSK clamping text, but adds a picture of the FSK clamp in use:
[attachimg=1]

The picture appears to be wrong, with the clamp inverted/inserted from below. Must have been confusing to some users, eh?

 

[smorgasbord]

What do you think the holes in the top were for then? Ventilation? Weight reduction? Peep holes? When the MFT came out, I’m pretty sure the only accessory Festool made that fitted in those holes was the rail clamp.

The holes were set-up for use with the fence (with stop) and track saw guide rail attachments shown in almost all pictures of the MFT 800/1080 at the time:
[attachimg=1]

There was also a Kapex clamping system to attach the miter saw to the MFT top. And, the MFT-SP clamps appear to come out if not at the same time, very close to that time, for clamping horizontally, like traditional bench dogs.

 

[Spandex]

But the holes cover the entire top, including places where you would never mount a fence.

 

[squall_line]

Even today, the page for the FSZ 120 clamps:https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...all-kinds-of-clamps/489570---fsz-120#Overview
does not show them being used through the holes in an MFT top.

Clamp to side rails, yes.
Clamp tracks to workpieces, yes.
Clamp stock to top through holes, not shown. Even today on that page.

From that exact page:

Traditional screw clamp design with specialized head made to fit the holes and channels of the MFT and Guide Rail systems.

Just because they didn't take a picture of it doesn't mean it's not intended for that use.