TS 55 or MFT/3
- Thread starter Latimer
- Start date
Sanderxpander
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They're products that work well together but don't really do similar things so I'm not sure I understand the question. Perhaps tell us a little about your upcoming projects? The MFT/3 is a useful workbench in many situations but it doesn't saw by itself.
Mario Turcot
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Welcome to the FOG!
Personally I would start with a combo consisting of a TS 55 and a CT (personally I choose the CT 26). If it is your first experience with a plunge saw, get used of it and see what application you plan to achieve in the near future. The MFT/3 is down my list but not a priority. I plan to get me a Roubo style workbench first and then if accuracy with the TS 55 become a problem or on the top of my priority I will go for the MFT/3.
All the videos I watched with a MFT/3 in it was to be used in conjunction with a plunge saw so it is hard to me to imagine what I could do with a MFT/3 without the TS 55. I am sure there is a ton of use cases and scenarios for a MFT/3 alone like clamping but if this is what you need a simple DIY MFT would be just fine.
My 2 cents [smile]
Mario
Personally I would start with a combo consisting of a TS 55 and a CT (personally I choose the CT 26). If it is your first experience with a plunge saw, get used of it and see what application you plan to achieve in the near future. The MFT/3 is down my list but not a priority. I plan to get me a Roubo style workbench first and then if accuracy with the TS 55 become a problem or on the top of my priority I will go for the MFT/3.
All the videos I watched with a MFT/3 in it was to be used in conjunction with a plunge saw so it is hard to me to imagine what I could do with a MFT/3 without the TS 55. I am sure there is a ton of use cases and scenarios for a MFT/3 alone like clamping but if this is what you need a simple DIY MFT would be just fine.
My 2 cents [smile]
Mario
Thanks everyone for the responses, as for my plans its just like i said a dilemma, i'm just looking for the best place to start in acquiring decent
tools and like i said i have a choice of two options. I could just buy the saw and the track and use it on my workbench i suppose, but i do like
the MFT table in that it has a range of uses which i like also, and for its size its perfect for me.
So i guess i will do a lot more research before deciding which one, please continue to offer the pros and cons of each, its very much appreciated.
Thanks again, Latimer.
tools and like i said i have a choice of two options. I could just buy the saw and the track and use it on my workbench i suppose, but i do like
the MFT table in that it has a range of uses which i like also, and for its size its perfect for me.
So i guess i will do a lot more research before deciding which one, please continue to offer the pros and cons of each, its very much appreciated.
Thanks again, Latimer.
waho6o9
Member
I would suggest the saw, track, and extractor first. If possible ask to get the rail with holes in it
for making adjustable shelves, some dealers do that.
As an alternative you can purchase just the MFT3 top, and or make one, and work off your saw horses.
Welcome to the FOG!
All the Best
Waho.
for making adjustable shelves, some dealers do that.
As an alternative you can purchase just the MFT3 top, and or make one, and work off your saw horses.
Welcome to the FOG!
All the Best
Waho.
sancho57
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- Jan 13, 2011
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- 7,089
First Id like to say Welcome to the FOG
You've already got some good advice so far. But Ill add my take on your question.
Ive said this same thing a lot here.
That is that unlike other tool brands , Festool is a system.
Unfortunately every thing is pretty much sold ala cart.
The basics of the sytem is a TS 55, MFT, CT. Everything else you buy after that is based on what sort of projects you decide to make.
If I had a choice between a MFT and a TS 55 in my very honest opinion, I would save my money and buy both.
Though you can get by by making your own MFT such as the Ron Paulk Work bench. You can buy plans from him go to U tube and do a search. Tim Tool also sells plans for a very nice MFT that he designed to. At the end of the day you'll need a MFT or MFT like work bench.
Festool dealers do sell Packages and give discount something like 10% or so off the purchase of a tool and MFT or Tool and CT.
There are plenty of festool dealers who come here and can help you out. Another thing you can do is sign up for the Festool Recon sale. They put tools up that have been returned for what ever reason repaired them if they needed it and resell at a substantial discount. Keep a eye out and you will see a TS 55 for sale as a recon same with te MFT and CT.
https://www.festoolrecon.com
Sign up for the email notices but check on it as the tools go quick some have complained that by the time they get the email notice the tool has been sold. It takes patience. Eventually you'll see the tools you want pop up.
Oh yea keep a eye on the classifieds on this site you will see them pop up for sale to.
I hope this helps
I just found this, maybe this will work for you
You've already got some good advice so far. But Ill add my take on your question.
Ive said this same thing a lot here.
That is that unlike other tool brands , Festool is a system.
Unfortunately every thing is pretty much sold ala cart.
The basics of the sytem is a TS 55, MFT, CT. Everything else you buy after that is based on what sort of projects you decide to make.
If I had a choice between a MFT and a TS 55 in my very honest opinion, I would save my money and buy both.
Though you can get by by making your own MFT such as the Ron Paulk Work bench. You can buy plans from him go to U tube and do a search. Tim Tool also sells plans for a very nice MFT that he designed to. At the end of the day you'll need a MFT or MFT like work bench.
Festool dealers do sell Packages and give discount something like 10% or so off the purchase of a tool and MFT or Tool and CT.
There are plenty of festool dealers who come here and can help you out. Another thing you can do is sign up for the Festool Recon sale. They put tools up that have been returned for what ever reason repaired them if they needed it and resell at a substantial discount. Keep a eye out and you will see a TS 55 for sale as a recon same with te MFT and CT.
https://www.festoolrecon.com
Sign up for the email notices but check on it as the tools go quick some have complained that by the time they get the email notice the tool has been sold. It takes patience. Eventually you'll see the tools you want pop up.
Oh yea keep a eye on the classifieds on this site you will see them pop up for sale to.
I hope this helps
I just found this, maybe this will work for you
R
Rob Z
Guest
Good morning Latimer,
My opinion is that it would be best to buy the track saw and dust extractor** and make an MFT-style work table if your funds are limited at the moment. FOG member Timothy Wilmots has some great and affordable MFT plans available on his website . And there are plenty of other options out there on the web.
** A friend has the Festool dust bag for his track saw and it works well enough that I think you could even do without the dust extractor at the moment as long as you buy that bag.
My opinion is that it would be best to buy the track saw and dust extractor** and make an MFT-style work table if your funds are limited at the moment. FOG member Timothy Wilmots has some great and affordable MFT plans available on his website . And there are plenty of other options out there on the web.
** A friend has the Festool dust bag for his track saw and it works well enough that I think you could even do without the dust extractor at the moment as long as you buy that bag.
R
Rob Z
Guest
Here is Timothy's youtube channel with a lot of videos to get you started.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ruskijager/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/ruskijager/videos
Latimer said:
Hi,
Welcome to the forum! [smile]
If you are really deciding between the two, then get the saw. You can build your own workbench or cutting table or use foam on the floor, etc. But you can't build the saw (well probably not [wink] ).
Seth
Sanderxpander
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- Sep 19, 2017
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- 419
You still haven't mentioned what you want to do or what other tools you already have. An MFT/3 by itself does nothing. A TS55 at least saws. But if you already own a bunch of other tools and don't need a plunge saw necessarily an MFT/3 is of course useful. So again; what do you already own and what is your first upcoming project?
SS Teach
Member
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- Apr 24, 2012
- Messages
- 286
Welcome to the FOG. As was stated earlier Festool is a system, revolving around a saw with its track, dust extractor, and MFT. The saw, track, and CT you need to buy. I bought a MFT top and built my own. And then comes everything else. As others have also said it depends on what you’re building. Buy as you need. Remember that budget and Festool are two words that really don’t work together very well. We call it the slippery slope for a reason. Good luck and enjoy your new endeavors.
Thanks again for the useful replies, lot of good info too take in, like i said i'm really looking to acquire dependable reliable equipment that has
a good track record and a good warranty, i do have a table saw (dewalt) an Axminster bandsaw and a Bosch chop saw and router, I also have a
bulky Triton dust collector which has see better days.
My work area just dose'nt accommodate these and i'm looking to downsize, Im hoping that the TS saw along with the MFT table would replace my other equipment.
Now i know it won't replace the bandsaw but i have a jigsaw so thats not a problem, again thanks for the replies, Latimer.
a good track record and a good warranty, i do have a table saw (dewalt) an Axminster bandsaw and a Bosch chop saw and router, I also have a
bulky Triton dust collector which has see better days.
My work area just dose'nt accommodate these and i'm looking to downsize, Im hoping that the TS saw along with the MFT table would replace my other equipment.
Now i know it won't replace the bandsaw but i have a jigsaw so thats not a problem, again thanks for the replies, Latimer.
Hey Latimer,
I recently went through this same dilemma and I bit the Bullet and bought both at the same time, except I bought the TS75. If this is not an option for you, I would examine your priorities in projects and maybe wait until you can buy both, or build your own as many others have said. During this time really think about you need and how it will increase your effectiveness as a woodworker. If you need some help, list your next upcoming project so everyone can give you input on which one, if you can afford only one.
From my experience, after minimal use, I have found that the two have synergy when used together, but either are equally good on their own. For me, I like the portability of the track saw, and I find that it is a equal replacement of the circular saw (in-fact that’s what it is but with a special base and plunge mechanism). I still have my DBSC miter saw that I use for angular cuts of smaller stock, but ripping angles on sheet goods has never been easier than with the TS.
In my limited use of the MFT/3, it works amazing for holding items in place during sanding, staining, or cutting. Also, for doing angular cuts on large sheet stock or marking out angles for then use with the track saw on the ground/ assembly table. Like many others have said, you can make your own 20mm holes since you have a router, and make it to the dimension of your needs.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I recently went through this same dilemma and I bit the Bullet and bought both at the same time, except I bought the TS75. If this is not an option for you, I would examine your priorities in projects and maybe wait until you can buy both, or build your own as many others have said. During this time really think about you need and how it will increase your effectiveness as a woodworker. If you need some help, list your next upcoming project so everyone can give you input on which one, if you can afford only one.
From my experience, after minimal use, I have found that the two have synergy when used together, but either are equally good on their own. For me, I like the portability of the track saw, and I find that it is a equal replacement of the circular saw (in-fact that’s what it is but with a special base and plunge mechanism). I still have my DBSC miter saw that I use for angular cuts of smaller stock, but ripping angles on sheet goods has never been easier than with the TS.
In my limited use of the MFT/3, it works amazing for holding items in place during sanding, staining, or cutting. Also, for doing angular cuts on large sheet stock or marking out angles for then use with the track saw on the ground/ assembly table. Like many others have said, you can make your own 20mm holes since you have a router, and make it to the dimension of your needs.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lwoirhaye
Member
MFT is an interesting tool if you have the money and space for it. It's limited in the crosscuts it can do so you'll still be breaking up full sheets using spacers on the floor or on sawhorses. It holds stuff for routing or sanding? ok. A rubber pad does that too. For carving it's cool. It will shimmy unpleasantly under the lateral force of hand planing. It can't hold a board on edge or vertically without elaborate jigging. A workbench is more useful, imo.
Like most combination tools the MFT can do many things but few of them especially well. A lot depends on variable factors like space available, tolerances you're working to, and style of work.
Money being a concern I'd stick with the saw and get a TSO square. I actually sold my first MFT and later picked up another used on a lark. They have their uses but man do they cost a lot of money for something that is so tricky to dial in perfectly for crosscutting. Accessory braces may have improved the reliability of the MFT as a crosscut jig but I'm not buying them. I had enough experiences of the thing going out of square every time it was moved to be skittish.
Like most combination tools the MFT can do many things but few of them especially well. A lot depends on variable factors like space available, tolerances you're working to, and style of work.
Money being a concern I'd stick with the saw and get a TSO square. I actually sold my first MFT and later picked up another used on a lark. They have their uses but man do they cost a lot of money for something that is so tricky to dial in perfectly for crosscutting. Accessory braces may have improved the reliability of the MFT as a crosscut jig but I'm not buying them. I had enough experiences of the thing going out of square every time it was moved to be skittish.
Turnamere
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Messages
- 8
Space was a big constraint for me but I needed accuracy for building cabinets for various projects around the house, so, after plenty of research I bought the TS55. I then used the TS55 to build myself a variant of the Ron Paulk MK I Workbench(check YouTube). This gave me accurate straight cuts, a multitude of work holding options, weighty enough to use for most woodworking tasks yet still relatively portable, and since I made my bench short enough to stand on end in my garage I have a dead flat 6Ft x 4Ft workbench (with 2Ft extension to take it to the full 8Ft) that only takes up 2 SqFt of floor space.
Since then Axminster and Peter Parfitt developed the Parf Guide system for laying out and making your own MFT style tops, any size. If I ever get around to building a new bench I'll use the Parf Guide system to lay out the new top but for now I have a separate top which I pop onto my bench for super accurate and repeatable cross cuts. I have also added an after-market parrallell guide system.
Over time I have also added CTL26 dust extractor and OF1400 router and have sleeved the hoses and integrated the pluggit cables. The ability to disconnect power and vacuum at the tool end is such a time saving convenience that I have adapted my bosch sander and cheapo electric plane with pluggit adapters until such time as I can afford the Festool replacement.
Since then Axminster and Peter Parfitt developed the Parf Guide system for laying out and making your own MFT style tops, any size. If I ever get around to building a new bench I'll use the Parf Guide system to lay out the new top but for now I have a separate top which I pop onto my bench for super accurate and repeatable cross cuts. I have also added an after-market parrallell guide system.
Over time I have also added CTL26 dust extractor and OF1400 router and have sleeved the hoses and integrated the pluggit cables. The ability to disconnect power and vacuum at the tool end is such a time saving convenience that I have adapted my bosch sander and cheapo electric plane with pluggit adapters until such time as I can afford the Festool replacement.
Sanderxpander
Member
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- Sep 19, 2017
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- 419
Ok that makes it a lot easier to give advice. Buy the TS55, use it (and/or your table saw) and your router to do your own MFT style worktop. Then get rid of whatever you want to get rid of. Even if you acquire a "true" MFT/3 later on I understand budget is a concern and this will get you 90 percent of the way there for now. That's what I would say based on not knowing what your project is of course.
