TS saw blade depth recommendations on MFT3

[Mauri Motti]

It most have been discussed on the FOG but it's hard to find.
The manual states:

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Cutting with the TS (55 in my case) on the MFT3, what do you prefer? +5mm for the guide rail and then an extra 2 or 3 mm in the MFT top? That is what I got from this thread http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/ts-55-cutting-depth-adjustment/msg74224/#msg74224
I'm about to make my first cut with/ in the MFT and don't want to mess it up!  [embarassed]

Thanks!

 

[peter halle]

An AHA moment tip from someone else.  If you are cutting 3/4" thick material, slide the depth stop on the blade all the way to the bottom.  Then activate the FastFix mechanism and plunge till it locks.  Then you slide the depth stop upwards until it stops.  That is the depth for cutting 3/4" material on a guide rail.

I use it all the time now.

Peter

 

[PeterK]

What a cool idea! Going out to try that.

 

[Laminator]

The max depth I can go on my mft without touching the rails is about 35mm on the saw scale. That is what I usually set it to when cutting melamine (2 sided) when I need the bottom to be chip free also.

 

[mouppe]

I don't rely on any "plus 5mm" calculations or anything like that. I place the material under the guide rail but without it poking out, put the saw unplugged on the rail, plunge until it hits the MFT's surface and raise the depth stop to this point. Then I lower it by 1 or 2mm to give me a clean cut.

By the way, an MFT is like sunglasses. Once you get that first scratch you'll relax a little.

 

[Brice Burrell]

In the beginning I relied on a label I put on my saw.

 

[Mauri Motti]

I guess I'll use Brice's method. (which didnt go unnoticed before I wrote the question here )
Thanks!

 

[Jesse Cloud]

.....

By the way, an MFT is like sunglasses. Once you get that first scratch you'll relax a little.

[laughing] [big grin]
Well put Richard!!

 

[Mavrik]

I'm about to make my first cut with/ in the MFT and don't want to mess it up!  [embarassed]

Don't worry - it's only a piece of MDF.
I messed mine up plenty.
Not only with the depth of cut (I even cut right through once when I forgot to set the stop)
But also from not quite getting the blade square again after doing mitre cuts.
Ended up with a "Grand Canyon" ... about 5mm wide and quite deep.

Then ... after I'd made all these mistakes ... I just flipped the top over for a brand new fresh start.
Now I have a pristine top with a very neat cut that goes about 2mm into the table.
[big grin]

The local Festool guru here also messed up his table.
He then routed out a groove and inserted a new piece of MDF to restore it to its former beauty.