Upgrading from old MFT 1080

[tk21769]

I've been using an MFT 1080 for years and am now considering upgrading to the newer version, the MFT 3.
I'm wondering if I can just buy the "basic" version of the new table and reuse the old guide rail (with existing hinge and support bracket.) Or does the newer bench take a different set of support brackets for the guide rail? I already have the newer style fence.  I wonder if there are any other considerations to keep in mind about upgrading. 

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I was original considering doing what you described, but decided to stick with my MFT 1080 and just raised it up so it has the same 900mm height of the current version. The work surface of the older one is slightly larger, too.

I can't answer if the fence, etc., will work with the new unit, but the hole spacing should be the same I would think.

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

I've been using an MFT 1080 for years and am now considering upgrading to the newer version, the MFT 3.
I'm wondering if I can just buy the "basic" version of the new table and reuse the old guide rail (with existing hinge and support bracket.) Or does the newer bench take a different set of support brackets for the guide rail? I already have the newer style fence.  I wonder if there are any other considerations to keep in mind about upgrading.

Supporting brackets are the same. (Edit: I was wrong, they are different. 1080 brackets have tabs that are longer and also further away from the clamping base) I'll upload pictures.

The only concern is the way fence gets mounted on the MFT table. The table side profile are different, if you have the new style fence with protractor and end support, you should be fine.

I would build a raised height 1080 MFT cart at your proffered level (900mm or higher), and still have options of using 1080 as assembly table due to the lower height, the cart itself can also be used for the same function. MFT/3 is higher and maybe a little lighter (smaller surface), as Jim said, 1080 is fine.

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

I've been using an MFT 1080 for years and am now considering upgrading to the newer version, the MFT 3.
I'm wondering if I can just buy the "basic" version of the new table and reuse the old guide rail (with existing hinge and support bracket.) Or does the newer bench take a different set of support brackets for the guide rail? I already have the newer style fence.  I wonder if there are any other considerations to keep in mind about upgrading.

Supporting brackets are the same. (Edit: I was wrong, they are different. 1080 brackets have tabs that are longer and also further away from the clamping base) I'll upload pictures.

The only concern is the way fence gets mounted on the MFT table. The table side profile are different, if you have the new style fence with protractor and end support, you should be fine.

I would build a raised height 1080 MFT cart at your proffered level (900mm or higher), and still have options of using 1080 as assembly table due to the lower height, the cart itself can also be used for the same function. MFT/3 is higher and maybe a little lighter (smaller surface), as Jim said, 1080 is fine.

Both brackets on 1080, right is MFT3 bracket

View attachment 1

1080 bracket on MFT3

View attachment 2

 

[tk21769]

JZ, thanks ... but I'm not  I understand your post and pictures. Do the 1080 guide support brackets still work on the MFT/3, even though they are different than the newer brackets?  I'm referring to the brackets that support the saw guide/track for crosscuts.  The fence is not an issue for me since I have both the old and new fences.

 

[Bohdan]

The old MFT 1080 brackets will not fit on the new MFT/3 rail. Apart from the height change and the ability to fit some newer accessories to the rail I see little benefit in making the change.

 

[JZ Bowmannz]

JZ, thanks ... but I'm not  I understand your post and pictures. Do the 1080 guide support brackets still work on the MFT/3, even though they are different than the newer brackets?  I'm referring to the brackets that support the saw guide/track for crosscuts.  The fence is not an issue for me since I have both the old and new fences.

The 1080 brackets will not fit on MFT3 rail. If you remove some material from the small tab, I think it will fit, see second image, that's 1080 bracket on MFT3 rail, the tab is too long to slide in.