What square to buy for MFT/3 squaring?

[vkumar]

After just getting the MFT/3 a little more than a month ago I made up a large Corian triangle on it to setup the fence and rail .
Started with the table saw to get a really good edge to start from then used the mft for the 45 deg cut
after it was cut there was no wiggle with the 4 dogs on the mft 

That looks very impressive. Can you please explain step by step how you obtained the two right angle sides? The 45 degree I can understand after you have the 2 sides at 90 deg.
Vijay

 

[shaun.mcc]

I got an order in with Woodpeckers for the MFT Square list...I watched the YouTube video for the tool...seems to have other uses. In the mean time I can use the 3/4/5 triangle formula, but I'll also get Qwas dogs.

Thanks!

 

[Stone Message]

I make do with my 12 " engineer's square and it is jolly accurate. You might be interested to take a look at the video below from about the 5 minute 20 second point to see just how accurate the MFT3 holes are (rows versus columns):



Peter

 

[shaun.mcc]

Thanks Peter, will do!

 

[SereN]

I'm looking to buy a square for my MFT as well, and did some investigating already. I started with Woodpecker and Starlett products in my mind, but came to the conclusion that there are other, more affordable, options available. (Albeit with less other uses, besides being square)

I'm talking about the 'engineer's or machinist' squares Peter already mentioned. In the UK they use the BS 939 standard, in Europe the DIN875 standard. For me it's important to use a square manufactured according to a given standard. I was hearing a lot of people complaining about cheaper squares that weren't actually square, or had some 'play' (over time).

The DIN875 standard stipulates 4 grades: 00, 0, 1 and 2 (in decreasing accuracy)
Tolerances per grade: http://www.thome-precision.com/DIN875.html

I'm thinking the least accurate grade 2 is actually sufficient (for my use). A din875 grade 2 square with a short leg of 300mm (~12") will have af maximum fault of 0,05mm, extrapolated to 1mm at 20m.

What I'm still debating (for use with the MFT) is to go for a flat square, or one with a back:

And what size I would get. I'm thinking about a 500x250mm model (20"x10"), as I'll still be able to use it in 600mm (24") high/wide cabinets.

What do you think?

 

[grbmds]

I would pick a square that has a "back". I have found that it is more convenient and easier to square up the rail/fence on the MFT with a square that allows you to raise the guide rail above the table. Just my preference.

 

[Picktool]

FWIW I was late to the party for the Woodpecker MFT setup. I just got my table in March. I saw the square and said to myself " missed it by that much!" And a beautiful one time tool....

Peckers told me last week that I was able to get MFT square,
but I changed my mind after I made one at work on the router.

 

[WelshWood]

Do woodpecker have a UK site, or exclusive the US?

~WW

 

[Stone Message]

Do woodpecker have a UK site, or exclusive the US?

~WW

Hi WW,

You can get Woodpeckers kit from The Woodworkers Workshop here in the UK.

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/

I should add that Woodpeckers can be a little slow in keeping the supply line to the UK flowing but Woodworkers Workshop are a great bunch to deal with.

Peter

 

[sancho57]

Do woodpecker have a UK site, or exclusive the US?

~WW

You can also order their stuff and a lot of other good stuff from Woodcraft. They do ship International. A bud of mine just ordered the Jessum stock guides from them.

www.Woodcraft.com

 

[Stone Message]

You can also order their stuff and a lot of other good stuff from Woodcraft. They do ship International. A bud of mine just ordered the Jessum stock guides from them.

www.Woodcraft.com

That's fine if you have an APO over here.

Peter

 

[sancho57]

You can also order their stuff and a lot of other good stuff from Woodcraft. They do ship International. A bud of mine just ordered the Jessum stock guides from them.

www.Woodcraft.com

That's fine if you have an APO over here.

Peter

Nope other then Festool you can order pretty much anything.

my friend is a Brit who lives near bury St Edmunds . He ordered it himself from the states, got it and loves it.
From the woodcraft site:
Do you ship outside the contiguous U.S.?

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[Tinker]

I have a 12x12 speed square i got many moons ago from, i think, Hartville Hardware.  It has a back along one edge that just fits into the slot of my MFT fence.  When the back is set into the T-slot of my fence, there is absolutely no wiggle.  With my rail down, i then slide the square against the back side of the rail.  If the rail or fene have been bumped and moved out of squar, it is an easy matter to just slide that squar ad move the ed of rail adjusting tab until perfectly squar. Both fence and rail have been factory milled to be straight.  I see no need to use a larer square.
Tinker

 

[1toolshort]

I just received Woodpecker's new Framing square.  Worked like a dream on my MFT table.  Biggest headache of that whole set up.  Not a concern, now.

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Just letting you guys know that we made a layout Square which is ideal for Festool MFT table.
Our customers love it here in California.
It is actually featured in Festool training center in Las Vegas.

It is a CNC cut and we made the Square from rigid Phenolic European plywood for durability.
The holes in the body are designed to accept clamps and also to make it easy to hang from the table.

http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

[attachimg=1]

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

Here is another photo of the Square.

http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

[attachimg=1]

 

[nclemmons]

That is fantastic!  Great utility.  Even better price!

 

[1951CorrectCraft]

The Anserson Plywood square is very nice and nuts on square. Best value even if you just use it for the MFT.

 

[Holmz]

With a couple of alloy dogs you can make it all square is eh dog holes are in a square pattern. So you do not even need a square.

 

[peter halle]

With a couple of alloy dogs you can make it all square is eh dog holes are in a square pattern. So you do not even need a square.

You are absolutely correct.  But there two basic ways of addressing the use of the MFT tables.  The first is using the table profiles as a reference to square off of and the second is to square off of the table grid.  Both will work and that why a quality square will come in handy if someone chooses not to use the holes as a reference.

Peter