Upgrade your MFT/3 with TSO's "MFT Aligned" Upgrade Kit - Launching 10% OFF

[TSO_Products]

​

[size=16pt]
In the workshop or on the jobsite, it's tough to beat Festool's MFT/3 multifunction table for clamping, sanding, plunge cutting, routing, and many other common woodworking tasks. We're big fans of the MFT/3, but we've also heard a common complaint from the TSO user community: the guide rail supports on the MFT/3 are prone to deflection and, once perfectly squared, can easily move out of square—especially when adjusting vertically to accommodate different workpiece material thickness. The result is frequent and often tedious re-squaring operations or, worse yet, accuracy issues which don't become apparent until glue-up or final assembly.

To achieve accurate and repeatable results on the MFT/3, it's critical to minimize any movement in the bracket assemblies attaching the guide rail support to the table's side extrusion, as well as restrict movement of the guide rail to just the vertical axis. With the plastic components utilized in the original MFT/3 design, this is easier said than done.

TSO's MFT Aligned Upgrade Kit solves this common problem by replacing Festool's stock plastic parts with precision CNC-machined brackets made from 6061-T6 aluminum. These brackets are much more rigid and—because we're able to hold much tighter tolerances in aluminum—they also provide a more precise and uniform fit against Festool's sliding metal bracket used for height adjustment. For additional support and more even clamping pressure, we also added a second comfort grip knob and a series of beveled protrusions effectively wedging the bracket to the table's side extrusion. The result is a much stronger guide rail support less prone to deflection and less likely to move out of square during normal operation.

[size=16pt]
Make your MFT/3 even better with our "MFT Aligned" Upgrade Kit, designed and manufactured with pride in Minnesota and available now with special introductory savings!

Shop "MFT Aligned"

Happy woodworking!

- Hans & the TSO Team

 

[JeffSD]

I've been thinking about upgrading my MFT supports and this looks nice.

I'll be interested to hear from folks who have a chance to compare this upgrade to the (1) Festool original, and (2) the more expensive Dash-Board product.https://dashboardpws.com/products/guide-rail-brackets-bundle

 

[Packard]

I smile when a manufacturer brags about using “6061-T6 aluminum”.

“60-61” is the “plain vanilla” aluminum alloy.  It is the most common alloy out there.  It is common, because it gets the job done.  It is priced competitively because so much of it gets sold.

“T6” represents the hardness of the alloy.  From my observation over the years, T-6 is also the most common. 

I am not criticizing the choice of aluminum.  It is probably the best choice for this. 

But it is not a bragging point. 

On the other hand, the TSO pieces I have work exactly as engineered and I would not hesitate to buy more of their products in the future.

A support foot for their squaring arm would be nice when cutting narrow pieces.  I would not object to 6061-T6 alloy for that.  [big grin]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Looks very interesting! I’ve been happy with the way my old MFT’s work except when I have to change the height which requires re-squaring. It’s especially annoying when working with thick stock that lifts the guide rail beyond the height of any square.

Now there are two options to improve the MFT. Note that this one comes with an aluminum slop stop.

 

[festal]

I smile when a manufacturer brags about using “6061-T6 aluminum”.

“60-61” is the “plain vanilla” aluminum alloy.  It is the most common alloy out there.  It is common, because it gets the job done.  It is priced competitively because so much of it gets sold.

“T6” represents the hardness of the alloy.  From my observation over the years, T-6 is also the most common. 

I am not criticizing the choice of aluminum.  It is probably the best choice for this. 

But it is not a bragging point. 

On the other hand, the TSO pieces I have work exactly as engineered and I would not hesitate to buy more of their products in the future.

A support foot for their squaring arm would be nice when cutting narrow pieces.  I would not object to 6061-T6 alloy for that.  [big grin]

Agreed lol

 

[poto]

Looks very interesting! I’ve been happy with the way my old MFT’s work except when I have to change the height which requires re-squaring. It’s especially annoying when working with thick stock that lifts the guide rail beyond the height of any square.

Now there are two options to improve the MFT. Note that this one comes with an aluminum slop stop.

Hi Michael - do you happen to know whether the guide rail brackets on the MFT-3 are the same as the older MFT 1080 (which I have)? This looks like a great upgrade.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Looks very interesting! I’ve been happy with the way my old MFT’s work except when I have to change the height which requires re-squaring. It’s especially annoying when working with thick stock that lifts the guide rail beyond the height of any square.

Now there are two options to improve the MFT. Note that this one comes with an aluminum slop stop.

Hi Michael - do you happen to know whether the guide rail brackets on the MFT-3 are the same as the older MFT 1080 (which I have)? This looks like a great upgrade.

I too have the older MFT’s but I’m pretty sure the rail hardware is the same since it attaches to the outer faces of the frame.

 

[TSO_Products]

I smile when a manufacturer brags about using “6061-T6 aluminum”.

“60-61” is the “plain vanilla” aluminum alloy.  It is the most common alloy out there.  It is common, because it gets the job done.  It is priced competitively because so much of it gets sold.

“T6” represents the hardness of the alloy.  From my observation over the years, T-6 is also the most common. 

I am not criticizing the choice of aluminum.  It is probably the best choice for this. 

But it is not a bragging point. 

On the other hand, the TSO pieces I have work exactly as engineered and I would not hesitate to buy more of their products in the future.

A support foot for their squaring arm would be nice when cutting narrow pieces.  I would not object to 6061-T6 alloy for that.  [big grin]

[member=74278]Packard[/member] - can you email me and describe exactly what you mean by a "support for their squaring arm" and what problem it would solve?

info@tsoproducts.com 
Attention Hans

 

[ChuckM]

The release of this accessory (subject to field tests and verifications for its performance) and many others by various merchants reaffirms two things that I've long observed:

1) Festool should use more metal than plastic as the materials for its components and accessories. An example is the DF500/700 plastic base bracket and trim stop. I'd be willing to pay more to get the metal version if available when I bought the machine.

2) Despite all the promo and demos that may suggest the opposite, the MFT/track saw system does need a lot of third-party products to make it work if one does precision work. Anyone, esp. long-time table saw users, who mulls relying on an MFT set-up to fulfill all their sawing needs should be aware of this. Time and time again, I see many MFT users end up complementing their MFTs with a table saw of some sort if they did ditch their table saws in the first place.

 

[sancho57]

Ill start with this,

Allan K No longer works for Festool. He has moved near me. We have became very good friends and he has helped me alot with nuances they really dont explain about FT.

I had a discussion with him about this very subject. He showed me a proved it to me, that all ya got to do is push the bracket against the stops while tightening it keep pushing until the knob it tight and the lever is pushed into the locking position.

I posted about this before a while ago.

That solves the problem.

Its not bc of plastic or poor design, its because of slop in the hinge thats innate in the design.

No biggie really doesnt take anymore time or effort

Just wish FT in their training on FT live would show some of these nuances.

It would save a lot of these discussions.

However TSO's new upgrade will solve this issue.

 

[TinyShop]

And this new product does nothing to address the slop in the hinge, am I correct? It's hard to tell from the video and photos but it appears that this accessory focuses only on the front bracket while leaving the back hinge bracket untouched. Or do I have this wrong?

 

[ChuckM]

"[po] pre-owned  [n] new  [nos] new old stock  [h] heirloom  (XX) country of origin"

Now, if I'm not wrong, that must be a first among all the signature lines! [wink]

Any chance you were an archivist or a chronicler in your previous life? [tongue]

 

[TinyShop]

"[po] pre-owned  [n] new  [nos] new old stock  [h] heirloom  (XX) country of origin"

Now, if I'm not wrong, that must be a first among all the signature lines! [wink]

Any chance you were an archivist or a chronicler in your previous life? [tongue]

Language and info are powerful things, no?

 

[JeffSD]

And this new product does nothing to address the slop in the hinge, am I correct? It's hard to tell from the video and photos but it appears that this accessory focuses only on the front bracket while leaving the back hinge bracket untouched. Or do I have this wrong?

From TSO's assembly pdf it appears that front and back support brackets are included.
https://tsoproducts.com/content/696-083.Rev.A.pdf

This looks like a nice improvement, but I'll be interested to see a comparison with the Dash-Board product that replaces the brackets plus the uprights, plus the hinge and plates that the guide rail sits on (at a much higher price).

 

[ChuckM]

I've come across in my whole woodworking life only one or two instructions for upgrade kits, and I must say TSO's use of color codes in the exploded diagrams is refreshing and instructive.

[attachimg=1]

Has that approach been used in other upgrade products by other makers? I don't know, but that is the benchmark other merchants who care about the clarity of instructions in their user manuals should strive for.

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member]  - on behalf of the entire development and marketing team at TSO - THANK YOU for the fedback on the User Guide depiction of the MFT ALIGNED changeover.

We truly fuss and agonize over instructions between users who don't read them and users who are discouraged by "too much" information. However, we never stop trying to do better. It is so important to overall satisfaction for our customers.

We have gone out of our way to make User Guide information available online, including on Smart Phone and other moboile devices. Look for the MFT ALIGNED User Guide online next week: www.TSOproducts.com/Support

Thank you again for the comment!

Hans

 

[TinyShop]

[member=71275]JeffSD[/member] - how do you figure? When I look at the instructions, I only see the front support bracket mentioned. Perhaps [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] could clear up the confusion?

 

[TinyShop]

Ah, I get it. Since the installation is the same for the front and rear they only bother to show the process for the front bracket. [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] you might want to somehow modify your marketing to make it abundantly clear that both the front and the rear brackets receive an upgrade with your new kit. Makes the price more digestable knowing this. I've looked over all the photos and re-watched your product video and I honestly can't see where the rear bracket is ever shown/depicted. Very confusing/not at all obvious.

 

[TinyShop]

Ah, I get it. Since the installation is the same for the front and rear they only bother to show the process for the front bracket. [member=59331]TSO Products[/member] you might want to somehow modify your marketing to make it abundantly clear that both the front and the rear brackets receive an upgrade with your new kit. Makes the price more digestable knowing this. I've looked over all the photos and re-watched your product video and I honestly can't see where the rear bracket is ever referenced/shown/depicted. Very confusing/not at all obvious.

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=64030]TinyShop[/member] and [member=71275]JeffSD[/member] -
puzzle about what is included . . . if you looked up the link in this FOG post announcement you would see a complete description.
This FOG post was announcing the introduction. We had not expected it to be a complete detailed description - except for a link containing just about everything a propsective purchaser may want to know.

I see we have to account what happens when we provide too much detail in the body of the announcement which leadss to readers bypassing the complete description on a linked and very complete product page. [unsure]

Hans