Shopsmith Forums

At one time you had or used a Rockler or Kreg table. How do they compare to MFT?

Did you research the EZone Easy woodworking center table?

You listed three different dog companies which did you declare to be the Winner?

Did you consider other guide saw manufactures ( other the Eurekazone) and if so why did you discount them?

Your review is fantastic and thank you so much for doing it! Great info very informative!
You are a real blessing to this forum! My thanks to you!

I went a different road. I got the TruTrak system, and set it up with my old Craftsman circular saw. I also made a portable expanding cutting table that rests on a couple of saw horses. The table works similar to the one shown on the TruTrak site, but I made mine without recourse to the rather expensive hardware kit they sell. It is on a 2' x 4' plywood base, and eight 2 foot long 1x4 "arms" can extend out to support a full sheet of plywood.

Hi Ed,

I have the rockler table with the t-slots. Given the two have similar functions but done differently I have not started purchasing matching clamping and holding attachments for the MFT. So I can not answer at this point. I did get a couple of adapters to convert some clamps to the 20mm hole system and a low profile stop but as for the a conversion that is going to have to wait for a while. Those things are not on this nexts years budget. I'll get a picture of the adapter later today.

EZ stuff is no longer in my consideration, to be total honest I'm not a fan, they need to employ a good engineer....... or two.

With the dogs, no winners or losers between them but the dogs are real winners. I have a collection of them and find that I have no preference by brand and in fact use them pretty much equally depending on what is needed. I know that is no help.

I looked at the Truetrac, Grizzly, DeWatt, Makita, Triton, Mafell, and Shop Fox. Three of these stood a chance, 4 were eliminated very quickly. Of the group of three any one of them could have worked for me but when the money exchanged hands it was for the Festool.

I'm happy with my choice and would do it again. I don't expect everyone will have the same requirements as I did nor do I expect to change anyone's mind about which system to get, that is a personal choice.

BTW Festool is not the most expensive, check out this puppy:

http://www.toolnut.com/mafell-mt-55-cc- ... AooB8P8HAQ

Ed

Ed in Tampa wrote:At one time you had or used a Rockler or Kreg table. How do they compare to MFT?

Did you research the EZone Easy woodworking center table?

You listed three different dog companies which did you declare to be the Winner?

Did you consider other guide saw manufactures ( other the Eurekazone) and if so why did you discount them?

Your review is fantastic and thank you so much for doing it! Great info very informative!
You are a real blessing to this forum! My thanks to you!

reible wrote:Hi Ed,


BTW Festool is not the most expensive, check out this puppy:

http://www.toolnut.com/mafell-mt-55-cc- ... AooB8P8HAQ

Ed

If I was going to spend a $1000 on a track saw system, it would have to be Festool. Quality and reliable engineering become all too important.

Who in the devil is mafell?

The Kreg clamp has this adapter they sell to use their clamps on 20mm hole systems. Not cheap! They also have a version for 3/4" dog holes for those that might be interested.
The link:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 3838,68959

Who said woodworking is a cheap hobby?

Anyway while I'm at it this is the low profile stop(s):

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 3838,70865

Just fired up the heater in the garage shop for the first time this year. Just 16 degrees outside and windchill in the single digits. I can stand 50 degrees but it is at 46 out there now so time to heat it up.

Ed

For the top of the line tools there are companies not so known in the US who make Festools look cheap. This is one of those companies.

Ed

dusty wrote:

reible wrote:Hi Ed,


BTW Festool is not the most expensive, check out this puppy:

http://www.toolnut.com/mafell-mt-55-cc- ... AooB8P8HAQ

Ed

If I was going to spend a $1000 on a track saw system, it would have to be Festool. Quality and reliable engineering become all too important.

Who in the devil is mafell?

My next phase arrived today. The CT-26E dust collector and the OF 1400EQ router. I've got them out of the boxes and have been studying them.

I was a little worried as I was off to a doctors appointment and wondered if they would be Festool boxes setting out for people to observe and potentially steal. No need to worry they were re-boxed in plain cardboard and did not arrive until after I was back home.

One feature I really like on these tools like the router or the saw is that the cord attaches/detaches at the tool. Most adjustments and bit/blade changes should be done with the tool unplugged. Much easier when the tool is right there up with you to just detach rather then unplugging from the wall or power strip. If you have several tools out you can be really sure you unconnected the right one and you can plainly see it is detached. I'm going to get spoiled.

The brake on the dust collector can bite when you don't know what you are doing...... that should happen only once.

Looking forward to going from examining to use them. I do have a project in mind but I'd like to see some warmer weather to get it started. That will not be for a few days for sure.

I've already been reading and watching video prompting me to think about the larger hose, another $165 investment. I'm hoping that can wait for another year.

Ed

Yeah, Dusty like Ed said Mafell the top of the line Ferari and Festool is the top mercedes. Mafell according to those who have experience with them are supposedly better fit and finish along with some inovations that set it apart of the festool. Festool is the top of the line for me and have no interest in spending 30 or 40% more for Mafell.

Ed,

I have a custom workbench with a cncd 20mm holes on 96mm center (like the MFT but twice the size on a very heavy base that raises the table up and down and separately can be raised up on wheels for mobility. The setup is addictive.

Jack

claimdude wrote:Yeah, Dusty like Ed said Mafell the top of the line Ferari and Festool is the top mercedes. Mafell according to those who have experience with them are supposedly better fit and finish along with some inovations that set it apart of the festool. Festool is the top of the line for me and have no interest in spending 30 or 40% more for Mafell.

Ed,

I have a custom workbench with a cncd 20mm holes on 96mm center (like the MFT but twice the size on a very heavy base that raises the table up and down and separately can be raised up on wheels for mobility. The setup is addictive.

Jack

Where did you get the bench top?

I've already started my 2018 shopping list for festool and like tools. One of the things that I would like and might well make it unto the final list is the UJK Parf Guide System.

For those who do not know what this is see this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMtIiyfRXk

With this it is a bit of work but still with in reason and it gives you so many options while making a table top size of your choice. A lot cheaper then buying a cnc machine of the size needed.

Ed