Some improvements to my MFT3 table I wanted to share

[sicd_steve]

Greetings Festoolians,

I wanted to share my custom made MFT3 tables set up and how I have set it up with a few extra tweeks and improvements that work just great. I am frankly surprised that Festool don't sell lengths of the back rail, this profile is used in both the CS70 and CS50 saws and the MFT 3 table I mean it is only a aluminium rail if you had 2 standard MFT 3 tables it would be a great to have an extra length for cutting long sheets by using the flip stop for product runs rather than a token 1000mm rail.....I have gotten over this by getting some rail connectors made for me by a local woodworker suppliers who happens to dabble in milling metal and he made these especially for me. And as I am very fortune to have a CS70 saw of which I use both the mitre unit and ripping rails on my MFT table as they are identical to the ones used for the MFT3 mitre unit. So now my back rail
is double the length.

Rather than ruin my tops I have set the cut to the gap between the 2 tables, now I have no ugly cuts in my table top and works perfect. I have perfect support both sides of the cut .

Another tip is I use a 1/4"thick rubber sheet cut to the MFT3 table top size to throw over when I am doing some assembly this is great to work on as it absorbs the banging around and things don't fall through the holes great for keeping finished items from getting damaged too.

I also use rubber dimple matts all around my workshop floor for acoustics, standing comfort and when something heavy falls to the ground from the table it absorbs the impact and so no damage. I work on my own and it happens at time a heavy table top may slip when trying to get off workbench and the mats really help  when it hit the deck.

So more tips on my workshop coming soon to share

 

[RONWEN]

An issue that I see with your setup is that the work piece isn't supported underneath by something sacrificial.  Depending on what material you are cutting it won't produce as clean an edge. 

 

[sancho57]

Good idea. What size stock did you use for the connector?

Also if you have the old style Kapex extensions they can be used as a MFT fence to.

I think its the left one. I could be wrong ( I usually am)

 

[sicd_steve]

Hey Ron,

Thanks for the comment but I have just cut some laminated board with the correct blade and no chip out at all. I have always experienced the undercut is fine but it is usually the top that tends to splitter and for that I have a splinter guard and I am using the composite
blaade. But I will look at  away of adding a sacrificial cutting insert between the tables which will sort that out, but I don't see any problems in my cuts.

Thanks for your comments

 

[sicd_steve]

Hey Jobsworth,

Thats a good idea worth checking out for those that want a better solution, for me mine seems to work great, if only Festool would make the connectors then anyone could buy the CS70 ripfence componant and add it as I have done, Festool talk about a SYSTEM then they should take this on board
They have connectors for the MFT3 joining tables, they have connectors for joining TS rails and yet not this profile.

Hope Festool are reading some of these blogs

 

[RONWEN]

Hey Ron,

Thanks for the comment but I have just cut some laminated board with the correct blade and no chip out at all. I have always experienced the undercut is fine but it is usually the top that tends to splitter and for that I have a splinter guard and I am using the composite
blaade. But I will look at  away of adding a sacrificial cutting insert between the tables which will sort that out, but I don't see any problems in my cuts.

Thanks for your comments

I certainly don't intend to DIS your good Idea but merely point out that on some materials without the benefit of a sacrificial piece you may get less than desirable results.  Looking closely at you setup there is probably more chance for the off-cut to suffer a bit & the "good" piece under the guide rail to be OK.  The point there is that off-cut quite possibly will be your next "good" piece to cut.  [unsure]

 

[sicd_steve]

Fair enough [sad]......as I mentioned I am going to rig up a "sacrificial" section that will fill the gap and I reckon I could use the MFT3 side rails to do this easy enough and can be retrofitted as needed......OK it's off to the workshop to figure it out...WATCH THIS SPACE !!!!! [big grin]