square cuts with MFT

[southern_guy]

Does the MFT enable you to do square cuts out of the box, or is some callibration required using a known square.

After spending the best part of the weekend working on the new bathroom vanity I discovered some of the parts are not exactly square. Further investigation has revealed that my framing square is not square, so I am going to have to get a better square. It would be nice to think I could just buy the MFT, but am I right is saying that without a very accurate square to begin with, the MFT can't be used to its full potential?

 

[Daviddubya]

The MFT fence and guide rail must be set square.  And I recheck mine periodically to be sure it has not been bumped out of square.  There are some other threads here on the FOG regarding methods for squaring the MFT.  I use a large and very accurate steel square.  Some folks use a large piece of MDF that has a known square corner.

A good source of techniques and methods for using the MFT is Jerry Work's manual.  Look here:
http://www.festoolusa.com/woodworking.aspx

and scroll down to "Getting the most from the MFT..."

 

[John Stevens]

When you buy the MFT, it's in pieces, so yes, you do have to make the fence square to the guide rail.  But you can surpass the limits of your square by using the technique explained on this page:
http://www.waterfront-woods.com/Articles/Double-Error-Squaring.html

I use this technique whenever I want my MFT to cut really square...like no detectable error over 19" using a 0.010mm (about 0.008") Starret feeler gauge.

Regards,

John

 

[Qwas]

I thought my framing square was off. I decided that I'm not the first to make a square corner. I had an old cabinet door sitting around that I used as a temporary square. I bought another framing square and tested the cabinet door. Dead on. I like how the cabinet door is thicker than my framing square and fits against the rail better so it has become my new "Rail Squaring Jig".

If you think of all the wood and metal lying around in most shops, surely something has a square corner. Worst case, you can always make an emergency square by cutting an old piece of plywood into a right triangle with sides having an exact length of 3, 4, and 5 (inches, centimeters or whatever).

 

[Corwin]

You can also fashion a square corner or two out of MDF using the 5-cut method.  Mark each side of a somewhat square piece; 1, 2, 3 and 4, then continue with 5 on side 1.  Or not.  Place piece against fence and cut side 1.  Align the fresh cut on side 1 with fence and cut side 2.  Continue until you have cut side 1 (and 5 if you marked as such) again.  The idea here is that you have multiplied any error by a factor of four, or there abouts.  A little trial and error -- then paint the thing so you don't cut it up for something else...

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Or "invest" in one of the 12" or 18" precision triangles that are sold by Woodpeckers. 
http://www.woodpeck.com/speedsquare.html

These are also handy for marking cabinet pieces with 90 degree and 45 degree lines, and for use as a handheld cross-cut saw guide if you are willing to risk some wear.  The flange on one of the sides forming the 90 degree angle makes it near perfect for use in setting up the MFT fence and guide rail for 90 degree cuts.

Dave R.

 

[southern_guy]

would like a woodpeckers speedsquare, but not sure about their availability in New Zealand. Haven't yet fully embraced ordering from overseas.

 

[Dan Clark]

I have  12" Woodpeckers Carpenter's square.  When I got it, I was a bit disappointed in that the flange was slightly out of alignment.    However, it's adjustable and only took a minute to get it nice and flush.  ;D

It's essentially an expensive version of the Swanson Speedsquare.  However the machining is much better and it's much easier see when all is square. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Tinker]

I have just looked @ the woodpeck speed square.  The item i see missing is the scale on the hypoteneuse (long) side for determining angles other than 90?.  Even tho i have, within past ten years gravitated to nearly 100% inside my shop type work, I still end up cutting 2x's and other rough lumber for outside projects not requireing absolute perfect angles.  Even tho i might set up on the MFT 800 outside, it is often handy to use my Swanson's 12" framing square as a quick set up for such operations

I use that square all the time for square setups inside my shop.  I have found that square to be dead on 90?
Tinker

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I have a smaller version of Swanson's Speed Square and use it a lot for the purposes you described.  It fits easily in a flip-top portable tool chest.  Mine seems to be accurately made as well.  I bought the 18 inch carpenter's square primarily for setup of tools, and laying out cross-cut lines on wider pieces used in cabinetry, not for framing.

Dave R.

 

[Dave Rudy]

I have just looked @ the woodpeck speed square.  The item i see missing is the scale on the hypoteneuse (long) side for determining angles other than 90?.  Even tho i have, within past ten years gravitated to nearly 100% inside my shop type work, I still end up cutting 2x's and other rough lumber for outside projects not requireing absolute perfect angles.  Even tho i might set up on the MFT 800 outside, it is often handy to use my Swanson's 12" framing square as a quick set up for such operations

I use that square all the time for square setups inside my shop.  I have found that square to be dead on 90?
Tinker

I took the advice of someone (maybe John Lucas?) from here and brought my Enco square with me to the Despot.  I then bought a new jumbo speed square after testing square against the Enco.  The first was out.  The second was dead on.  I plan to use the speed square to align sheet good cuts on the cutting table (before getting to the MFT).

 

[Tinker]

the flanged edge of the Swanson's speedsquare fits perfectly into the grove on the MFT guide bar (don't know nomenclature right off, its the bar that fits into the protractor head)
No play whatever.
Tinker