MFT Gloat and Review (long w/pics)

[Jim Harsha]

Over the holidays a Festool MultiFunction Table 1080 made it's way into my shop. This is a great tool!

My shop is very small and having the MFT has allowed me to perform crosscuts on large/long pieces and then fold it up against the wall and reclaim the space for other tasks. I like it so much I sold my Makita 1013 SCMS that took up a huge amount of room with it's base etc.

The table is 28"x45" and allows for crosscuts of up to 30"(in standard config) and if you own one of the longer guide rails from Festool you can crosscut(or rip) up to about 46".

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The MDF top has 3/4"(20mm) holes over it's whole surface for use with Festool clamping fixtures but also also allows the use of standard 3/4" bench dogs and clamping systems(e.g.Veritas' Wonder Dog/Pup). The table top is surrounded by heavy aluminum extrusions that will holds any number of jigs/fixtures. The table comes with a 42" guide rail that is connected to a sliding fixture on the backrail that is adjustable for height and flips up out of the way to access the table. On the front side of the table is another sliding height adjustable fixture that has a "nub" that helps locate the guide rail when it is in the down postion.

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Also supplied is a 48" long Angle Stop (a miter guage) that controls the cutting of miters etc. This stop is equipped with a sliding adjustable stop for repeatable length cuts and a clamp unit that rides in the left side rail to anchor the the end of the Angle Stop. I did make a couple of modifications to the Angle Stop, I added a self-adhesive tape measure and an eyebolt to facilitate hanging on peg board when not in use.

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After trimming the splinter guard on the guide per instructions you are ready to go.

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If you have the Festool Plunge Saw I highly recommend the MFT. It makes short work of those wide/long crosscuts that can be so troublecome on a table saw. For those that do on-site work this is must, combined with other tools in Festool line up it is a "real" system.

The usual disclaimers apply. I'm just an avid user.

Thanks for reading

[Todd Burch]

Thanks for posting Jim! I have mine out in the shop, and haven't even opened the box yet! I got mine specifically for onsite work. I'll be getting it out to use it shortly...

I ended up getting the extension table too, to handle longer stock, and the 106" rail as well.

Todd

[Dave Hammelef]

Ya, When I put my big order in a few months ago during the 20% off sale, I ended up droping the MFT and keeping the cordless drill. Then I ended up returning the Drill. Could definetly use the table, but of course in the eyes of the wife that was my tool purchase. So have to wait till later this year and see how the shop goes togeather, then maybe sneak one in.

Sounds like another ringing endorsment.

Dave

[John Miliunas]

Thanks much for the review, Jim! Any chance you tried some angle cuts with it and, if so, check the accuracy of those cuts? Yeah, I know; "It's a Festool. Whadya' expect?" Still, interesting to get a hands-on test...Congrats on what appears to be a great addition to your arsenal!

[Jim Harsha]

John, I meant to mention it in the review. I tried several angle cuts and found they were accuate as expected. Festool does provide an adjustment on the Angle Stop if they are slightly off. Tried the Wagner yet?