What square to buy for MFT/3 squaring?

[sancho57]

theres a cheap festool item?????

 

[shaun.mcc]

I think that is a great idea (the plywood unit...though I've needed some phenolic resin board before and it was $$$)...

update on my technique is: I do use the Parf dog...and then use my Woodpeckers MFT square to verify everything is perfect.

The plywood is great...keep in mind that Woodpeckers precision and use of CMM (computerized measurement machines) to ensure their precision is part of what you are paying for...I believe they use a OGP Flash unit (in one of their videos). I was looking at one for my business...in measuring parts we deal with...and our unit will be about $100k...and it's just for measuring.

Obviously...though in my woodworking...thus far I don't need that uber level of precision...not yet.

 

[Svar]

A year or so ago I was wondering just how accurate those holes in the mft/3s  were.  I took two Qwas dogs, stuck them in adjacent holes and measured them with my digital caliper, outside to outside.  I wrote that number on the mft3 right between the holes.  I did that with about half the holes in one mft/3 and about one fourth the holes on my other one, in both the x and y axis.  I was looking for variation.
I just went out and looked at my tables.  Most of the holes were within three thousandths of 4.585 inches.  However, the smallest was 4.575" and the largest was 4.593".  I was very careful to hold the caliper the same on all of them.  I checked all of them twice and the ones that were way off several times more.
Now, when using the dogs as a fence, I keep them as far apart as possible to minimize the error.

Finally, a fellow researcher soul with actual numbers instead of "super duper CNC precision" armwaving!
Was 0.003" the standard deviation? Was there any wiggle in Qwas dogs?
I made my top myself with old Ryobi router and regular Festool guide rail, and I think I got better precision and accuracy. I'll check and report.

 

[JonSchuck]

A year or so ago I was wondering just how accurate those holes in the mft/3s  were.  I took two Qwas dogs, stuck them in adjacent holes and measured them with my digital caliper, outside to outside.  I wrote that number on the mft3 right between the holes.  I did that with about half the holes in one mft/3 and about one fourth the holes on my other one, in both the x and y axis.  I was looking for variation.
I just went out and looked at my tables.  Most of the holes were within three thousandths of 4.585 inches.  However, the smallest was 4.575" and the largest was 4.593".  I was very careful to hold the caliper the same on all of them.  I checked all of them twice and the ones that were way off several times more.
Now, when using the dogs as a fence, I keep them as far apart as possible to minimize the error.

Finally, a fellow researcher soul with actual numbers instead of "super duper CNC precision" armwaving!
Was 0.003" the standard deviation? Was there any wiggle in Qwas dogs?
I made my top myself with old Ryobi router and regular Festool guide rail, and I think I got better precision and accuracy. I'll check and report.

I would say that 90% or more were within .004" of  4.585".  However, the extremes were .018" or about 1\55".  I didn't notice any slop with the Qwas dogs but even a very little bit that I wouldn't notice could make a difference.  Also, as Corwin has said, any sag in the table would change things.  But it would be nice to start with perfectly square so my own dumbass mistakes wouldn't be compounded. 
It would be very interesting to me if your Ryobi router and Festool guide rail made a more square table.  Please let us know and share how you did it.
Thanks.

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Just letting you know that we made a new batch of squares!
They are back in stock now with new packaging!
http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Design and manufacture of the Anderson MFT square has taken place here in California.
We welcome any comments or critiques about the MFT square from those who own one or have used it.

Here is the link if you need more info:
Anderson MFT Square

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

The new series of Anderson MFT squares are out!
We have trimmed square edges with Festool Trim Router and used the Festool VAC SYS (the new vacuum clamp) to hold the piece.
They look and feel much nicer now!
I will post pictures later on.  [big grin]

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

Here is the Trim Router we used:http://www.andersonplywood.com/mfk-700-modular-trim-router-set-festool-574368-fes574368/

Here is the link to Festool VAC SYS Clamp:http://www.andersonplywood.com/festool-vac-sys-system-set-57000004-fes57000004/

 

[jaxx]

Need some help...got my new MFT/3...before I cut on it I need to square it up.

Well, those nice Woodpecker one-time tools make me yearn for a nice speed square or (if I had ordered earlier and was patient) the new Woodpecker MFT square. What all do you recommend? I'm sure my $10.00 speed square is not sufficient    [embarassed]...I have a little 12" Woodpecker (that doesn't sound right)...T-Square.

I managed to get the large MFT square a few months ago via Ebay as I missed the One Time Deadline. Its simply brilliant and a joy to use, set up the MFT in seconds. Don't hang it on the side of the MFT with the supplied bracket as it tends to get knocked off easily. Down side was the premium price I had to pay to get it. Eye watering but worth it.......... 

 

[grbmds]

you can hang it with the hangar facing inward on the back of the MFT. I've done that and it's out of the way.

 

[Acrobat]

Not knocking all the great squares on offer throughout this post but if the original poster or anyone else hasn't purchased a square for their MFT but has the Festool MFS profiles, simply join them into a rectangle and use that. All the sides are very accurate and when assembled you'll get a pretty damn good square for nix.
I believe there is a "Setting up your MFT" guide in the Festools links page here that shows it and other handy info within it too. [smile]

 

[grainhaus]

Just purchased, looking forward to using this!

Thanks!

The new series of Anderson MFT squares are out!
We have trimmed square edges with Festool Trim Router and used the Festool VAC SYS (the new vacuum clamp) to hold the piece.
They look and feel much nicer now!
I will post pictures later on.  [big grin]

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

Here is the Trim Router we used:http://www.andersonplywood.com/mfk-700-modular-trim-router-set-festool-574368-fes574368/

Here is the link to Festool VAC SYS Clamp:http://www.andersonplywood.com/festool-vac-sys-system-set-57000004-fes57000004/

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Congrats!
Please let us know your feedback!

The new series of Anderson MFT squares are out!
We have trimmed square edges with Festool Trim Router and used the Festool VAC SYS (the new vacuum clamp) to hold the piece.
They look and feel much nicer now!
I will post pictures later on.  [big grin]

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

Here is the Trim Router we used:http://www.andersonplywood.com/mfk-700-modular-trim-router-set-festool-574368-fes574368/

Here is the link to Festool VAC SYS Clamp:http://www.andersonplywood.com/festool-vac-sys-system-set-57000004-fes57000004/

Just purchased, looking forward to using this!

Thanks!

The new series of Anderson MFT squares are out!
We have trimmed square edges with Festool Trim Router and used the Festool VAC SYS (the new vacuum clamp) to hold the piece.
They look and feel much nicer now!
I will post pictures later on.  [big grin]

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

Here is the Trim Router we used:http://www.andersonplywood.com/mfk-700-modular-trim-router-set-festool-574368-fes574368/

Here is the link to Festool VAC SYS Clamp:http://www.andersonplywood.com/festool-vac-sys-system-set-57000004-fes57000004/

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

We got our new inventory of squares in!http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

 

[QuailRider43]

I use qwas dogs and the MFT fence to square everything up.  The MFT fence is a reference straight edge that you already own, and the table holes are CNC'd, so you don't really need to buy another reference.  Slide fence out of the protractor head unit.  Loosen rail alignment screws.  Put qwas dogs in holes immediately left of MFT rail.  Butt loose MFT fence on the right against dogs.  Butt rail on the right against fence & dogs.  Hold dog/fence/rail sandwich in place.  Lock down all rail adjustment screws, brackets etc.  Rail is now dead parallel to holes, and offset by width of the fence.  Now lift up the rail assembly, and reinstall the fence in the protractor head.  Loosen protractor head alignment screws and adjustment knobs.  Set stop to 0 deg.  Butt fence unit against dogs placed in holes parallel to fence.  Tighten down angle alignment screws.  Fence is now aligned with holes, and a perfect 90 deg with rail.  Easy 5 min setup, and no additional squares needed.

 

[bertv]

Easy 5 min setup, and no additional squares needed.

True, very much so, and the way I do the setup too (although I use an extra rail I have), but the square — whatever kind you prefer — is convenient to check for squareness periodically, without having to go through to whole setup procedure again. I can understand why people would want to do that.

 

[QuailRider43]

but the square — whatever kind you prefer — is convenient to check for squareness periodically, without having to go through to whole setup procedure again.

Ah, good point.  I hadn't thought of that.

 

[ShawnNYC]

Just a heads up.
I wanted the Woodpecker 18" square for my MFT and other uses.
Even though the one time order date was back in February, they were happy to get me on the list just a few weeks ago...

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Not knocking all the great squares on offer throughout this post but if the original poster or anyone else hasn't purchased a square for their MFT but has the Festool MFS profiles, simply join them into a rectangle and use that. All the sides are very accurate and when assembled you'll get a pretty darn good square for nix.
I believe there is a "Setting up your MFT" guide in the Festools links page here that shows it and other handy info within it too. [smile]

Yes i'm getting the MFS setup, as it's rather more expensive then I'd like if it can do more things, then alls good. In another thread I've got going in the wrong topic I've got it down to getting two sets of the MFS 400, and a set MFS 1000 extensions, if I find  need the MFS 700 length I'll get it later.. Otherwise if I still need an additional square I'll go for a large engineers square as Peter Parfitt has suggested..

 

[TrophyJoe]

Recently bought the Anderson square. Dead on accurate and hefty--no thin alum or steel blades. Shipping was worth it because they did an outstanding job of packing it and it arrived in perfect condition. Highly recommended and an excellent value, even with the shipping.

I just wish there was an option for a bigger version, say 24" x 32".

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Thanks much for your comment!
We are glad you liked it.
The material we used is Euro-Color-Ply Phenolic plywood.

Recently bought the Anderson square. Dead on accurate and hefty--no thin alum or steel blades. Shipping was worth it because they did an outstanding job of packing it and it arrived in perfect condition. Highly recommended and an excellent value, even with the shipping.

I just wish there was an option for a bigger version, say 24" x 32".