Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Festool stuff is all really well made and well designed. I've been
buying and using Festool stuff for many years.
Most Festool is, however, meant for jobsite use.
There's a bit of a cult of Festool that, perhaps lacking
experience with heavy machinery and the demands of professional
cabinetmaking, believes that Festool is faster and more
accurate than stationary machines. It is not.
The Festool MFT tables are very, very useful for holding work
for sanding and routing. The illusion that you should not
have is that it is equal to a panel saw for production
cross-cutting of cabinet parts. It is not. This is why:
the frame is an bolted-together aluminum extrusion on four
legs. As a general workbench it is pretty sturdy and gives
you confidence. As a cross-cutting tool, it flexes and
inevitably drifts in and out of square. How square square is
depends on what you need to accomplish, but for professional
cabinetmaking it is not consistently square enough and requires
constant checking for accuracy.
In addition, the saw guide will dip into cuts a bit where the
guide is unsupported at the front end of the cut, a situation
that will occur often when using this table for crosscuts
under 24". You can mitigate the dipping factor by supporting
the guide with pieces of scrap, but it's another thing to
remember to do if you want the best cut quality. Additionally
there is some blade flutter from the plunge saws. The saws
are great for what they are, and runout is as minimal as you
could ask for a portable saw, but in use (especially in hardwoods)
the blade will deflect here and there.
The result is that cuts will not be totally consistent and in
either axis from piece to piece, particularly in solid woods
thicker than 1 inch. I've cut rails and styles for many doors
using the Festool system and in conclusion I will say that
while the Festool beats a miter saw for versatility, for
accuracy in crosscutting cabinet parts within its capacity,
a $150 10" or 8.5" (name brand) miter saw will outperform the
Festool table in terms of consistency from piece to piece.
So, it's a darned useful tool for holding work for sanding and
routing and as a versatile bench for jobsite use it is
exceptionally versatile and delivers accurate-enough crosscuts -
but it is no substitute for a stationary panel-squaring set-up
for professional use in the workshop. It's a good tool, but
don't buy the hype. If you're a pro cabinetmaker you'll need
something else for everyday panel squaring.
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Festool MFT/3 Multifunction TableThe Festool MFT/3 Multifunction Table offers a portable, ergonomically designed workspace that's ideal for everything from rough cutting to fine sanding and assembly. It offers a perforated top that's easy to attach tools, guides, and work pieces to, side channels for attaching clamps, and folding legs that allow you to select from two working heights. More than just a table, this kit includes an adjustable stop, an angle unit (protractor head), a fence rail and fence rail clamp, an FS 1080 guide rail, and two guide rail supports.
Angle stop stabilizes fence end to ensure accurate cuts. View larger.Large, Versatile, and Portable Work AreaBuilt to be sturdy, the Festool MFT/3 Multifunction Table offers a workspace that measure 43-3/8-inches by 28-1/4-inches, and can support loads up to 260 pounds. Whether you're cutting, routing, sanding, or simply prepping materials for assembly, this ergonomically designed table places your work at the perfect height of 35-7/16 inches, so you can focus on the task at hand instead of worrying about back strain or awkward tool positioning.
If you need more workspace than a single table offers, the table's integrated T-groove side rails can be used to quickly and easily connect two or more Multi-Function Tables to one another. Optional connectors (not included) fit into the side rails to create a sturdy, gap-free bridge.
The multifunction table weighs 54 pounds, allowing you to move it around your workshop or transport it to and from job sites.
Perforated Top Makes Clamping EasyDesigned to work with a large assortment of Festool clamps, the MFT/3 Multifunction Table offers a wide variety of clamping configurations that are ideally suited to both traditional materials and awkward, or oddly shaped, materials.
The table's perforated work surface offers plenty of attachment points. And while previous models of the Multifunction Table used a coarse wood screw for attaching the top, this most recent incarnation offers threaded inserts. These inserts not only prevent damage from over-torquing, but also establish a reference point that makes attaching the top quicker and easier.
Folding Legs Offer Safety, Utility, and Easy TransportFolding legs make transporting the MFT/3 Multifunction Table to and from job sites easy by providing it with a lightweight, compact profile. The tensioning knobs for the legs are placed far enough from the sides of the table so that you don't have to worry about pinching or banging your hands as you secure the legs. And while you're working you don't have to worry about the table sliding or marking floor surfaces, thanks to the rubber foot caps on the legs.
By allowing you to place the work surface cleanly on the ground, the table's folding design also offers a second workable configuration that's ideal for keeping your tools and clamps at hand for applications like installing flooring.
Includes Guide Rail, Angle Unit, and Angle StopAble to deliver precise, splinter-free cuts that are safer than cuts made with a conventional table or radial arm saw, the MFT/3's integrated guide-rail system allows you to make accurate cuts up to three inches deep. Plus it can handle materials that measure up to 27-9/16 inches wide.
In addition, the included angle unit allows for precise, repeatable cuts. Featuring detents at common angles and an easy-to-adjust design, this unit allows you to leave the guide rail and saw in one place while repositioning the work piece and fence. Compared to a miter saw setup where the entire saw head must be repositioned, this saves you time and frustration when it comes time to change cut angles. Plus the angle nit attaches to the table using the V-Groove side rail, enabling easy repositioning, removal, or reattachment.
Also included is an angle stop, which also attaches to the Multi-Function Table using the V-Groove side rail. This stop prevents movement of the angle unit by stabilizing the end of the fence, and it can easily be removed or repositioned using a simple, secure locking knob.
The Festool MFT/3 Multifunction Table is backed by a three-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What's in the BoxFestool MFT/3 Multifunction Table, adjustable stop, angle unit (protractor head), fence rail and fence rail clamp, FS 1080 guide rail, and two guide rail supports.
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