Festool MFT grows up

The Festool MFT grows up.
By Per Swenson
The new Festool MFT/3 addresses all the issues we have as
commercial carpenters. In our business you don't make money when
set up of tools is repetitive or time consuming
Precision out of the box
The new MFT/3 is square out of the box and stays that way. This
is due in part to the fence being attached to the outside rail, but also
thanks to threaded inserts that keep the top square to the extrusions.
Removing and reattaching the fence for set-ups, and different functions
such as sanding, routing or lunch is fast, painless and foolproof.
No engineering degree needed here.
Enhanced fence system
A little more about the improved fence system.
The 1080 had a 90-degree arc of movement and was found to be
wanting in a number of instances.
The new fence swings 180 degrees with positive stops and 1/4 degree
readability in between the lines. Also, I am now able to attach the fence
on any of the 4 sides. The new fence sets up right to the edge of the
table, increasing the available work area.
The fence can be used flat or vertically, leaving you with options too
numerous to count.
Improved work height
The uncomfortable carpenter is a cranky carpenter. Cranky carpenters
spend more time moaning then actually working. I know.
All of the high end cabinet maker’s benches, Sjobergs, Lie Nielson, even
Frank Klausz's bench, are 35 ½” to 36” in height. The MFT/3 = 35 1/2”.
Everyone calls this the ideal height. Ergonomically, I suppose it is for the
individual who is 5’8” to 6’2”. That includes us, but it is also the same
height, give or take a half an inch, of every kitchen counter top in America.
Consider that for logistics and set-up.
Should you find it necessary, the table works with the legs folded, giving
you a height of 7’ ¼”, which is perfect for flooring installs. I cannot
comment with experience on this height since any position besides standing
on your feet, we consider slacking.
A note to Festool engineers, my back and my family's ears thank you.
Clampman’s dream
As for clamping, those familiar with the 1080 know these tables are a
clampman’s dream. Those not familiar with the system, it's like this;
you can clamp anything, anywhere. Clamp it down, clamp it together,
only your imagination is a barrier here.
The MFT/3 does have one little improvement in the clamping
department. The extrusions are wider at the base to allow secure edge
clamping. You couldn't do this on the earlier model MFT 1080.
We also find that this Festool quick clamp lives up to its name.
Often on the job, we are forced to use any surface available for clamping
tasks, or we find ourselves a clamp short and resort to screwing parts to
a makeshift plywood bench. All of this is overcome when you take
advantage of the 3 different types of Festool clamps and the clamping
elements. Festool designed clamps specifically for the MFT/3 and they
all function as part of the overall system.
Here we are able to easily clamp a scribed panel vertical to sand for fit
against a wall.
Please take notice of the stabilizer arms in the shot above. When
considering this table, I had no intention to add these. As far as I was
concerned the MFT/3 was stable enough. That was until my father and
partner, Bob exclaimed, “What’s wrong with you? Just get them.” So we
did and no regrets, rock solid when horizontal force is applied.
Here is Bob again with a milled piece for another kitchen, with both the
clamping elements and large Festool screw clamps in use. In this
instance, where precision really counts, a baluster is held securely for
mortising by both the clamping elements and the Festool quick clamp.
My first cynical reaction to the clamping elements, “Ok and what are
these going to hold?” The startling answer is just about anything.
Securely.
Versatility is a big deal
Doors are a staple of the finish carpenters life.
Most of us have home-built stands for door work. Invariably, they
evolve into wheeled contraptions for holding doors vertically for hinging,
lock mortising and repair. The one I built, complete with tool holders,
weighs just as much if not more than the MFT/3, is twice as awkward
and half as pretty… errr…professional looking.
To consolidate this operation into one unit, I zip-tied a clamp to the leg
of the MFT/3 (see picture), and added a small piece of pipe insulation to
protect the edge of the door. (Note to Festool engineers: You saw it
here first.) So we can now do this… (third picture down)
More steps saved, which makes work so much easier. Remember, we
are already set up with a CT22 dust extractor, hose and power.
Portability is a must
Although the MFT/3’s 15% weight reduction over the 1080 is a plus,
portability is still defined by being able to move this table from room to
room and job to job and by being able to instantly set up to square.
Festool lives up to its faster motto here.
Part of a system
Where the new MFT really shines though, is in the 27” cross cut
capacity. That is what Festool advertises, but when you turn the table
90 degrees and attach your 1400/55” guide rail, (which comes with the
TS55 saw), the cutting capacity is actually 43 inches.
Everybody wants 16” shelves today, and you know a miter saw has its
limits - about 12” (okay, 24” when you flip your panel, but this does not
always work perfectly). So now I have table saw accuracy on the job,
for kitchen cabinet installs, bathroom vanities, pesky filler strips, and
Madam's custom closets.
Also, we often do a lot of Formica/laminate work. The TS55 with the
splitter guard installed, combined with the accuracy of this table is ideal
for double-cutting laminate for a close to perfect seam.
Each piece of the system makes you more efficient
One other important item I seem to be leaving out – dust.
Working dustless with the TS55, right there in the room of the
install. No more setting up on the deck or driveway or sending
another Swenson to the shop for that special part. No more
calling the day on account of rain because the house is
carpeted and finished.
Speaking of the other Swensons - we have no trouble allowing
our carpenter-in-training full use of the table while getting
precise results from his efforts.
Every man easily trained and every step saved is money
in the bank.
Look at this in a business sense. When you’re installing in a customer’s
house, where the family is living, eating and sleeping while your work is
in progress. Working clean, neat, and dustless will do more for your
reputation and word-of-mouth referrals then any combination of
salesmanship or price.
Summing it up
Our biggest problem in writing this review is that there is just
so much this new table is capable of. Of course Festool calls it
the multifunction table, but just what exactly does that mean?
When I first heard the term, I thought Festool made a
calculator.
10 years ago if you had tried to sell me a table with a bunch
of holes in it, I would have snickered and questioned your
sobriety.
I know, look at us now.
We could go on and on and there are other great resources out there,
which cover this table extensively. John Lucas at
www.woodshopdemos.com , Jerry Work’s manual http://jerrywork.com/
and the web forum the Festool owners group,
www.festoolownergroup.com .
The MFT/3 is great for fine woodworking in the shop, sure… But just as
much, this table belongs in the bread and butter finish carpenters
arsenal. So, yes, we will take this table on the job with no reservations.
The 1080? It will stay comfortable just where it is.
Per Swenson
Swenson & Swenson
www.swensonz.com