HOW-TO: Mount a Mafell guide rail on your MFT/3
Sept 7, 2013 2:41:52 GMT -5
snyggsomfan, orri, and 2 more like this
Post by jonathan on Sept 7, 2013 2:41:52 GMT -5
I've attempted to write up an easy to follow 10-step how-to guide on how to attach a Mafell/Bosch/Flex rail on your MFT/3 using readily available materials.
It's really not hard at all and I estimate it'll take about 15 minutes to complete, when following this guide.
I start off assuming you've already removed your Festool guide rail. If not, do so now.
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The tools and components used/needed:
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Step 1: Flip up the rail hinge and insert both T-bolts through the holes.
Step 2: From the underside attach a washer and thumb nut to the rear T-bolt.
Do not tighten all the way.
Step 3: Flip down the hinge.
Step 4: Attach a washer and thumb nut to the front T-bolt.
Again, do not tighten all the way.
You need some play to slide the rail over the T-bolts.
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Step 5: Line up your guide rail with the T-Bolts.
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Step 6: Slide the track over both T-Bolts.
Make sure the protruding pin of the support bracket at the front of your table is engaged with the T-slot on the underside of the guide rail.
Small tip: As an added bonus, if you have a set of bench dogs you can immediately square your guide rail to the gird while you're at it. The cutline will fall nicely in between 2 dog hole rows
Step 7: Securely tighten the rear thumb nut.
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Step 8: Flip up your guide rail.
Step 9: Securely tighten the 2nd thumb nut.
Step 10: File down the protruding pin of the support bracket at the front of your table.
You'll notice the T-tack on a Mafell rail is shallower than those on a Festool rail, causing the rail to not fully rest on the front support. In order to fix this, we'll simply file it down.
If you don't want to do this, you can make your own support bracket out of plexiglass or another material and glue this on top of the Festool bracket.
It's up to you.
Take your time with this, so you don't take off too much, too fast. Especially when you do the bevels, you'll take off too much very quickly.
Constantly check your progress by fitting the rail onto the pin and see how much further you need to go.
You should end up with something like this:
As you can see on the pictures below, the Mafell rail is fully supported both on the back and front support.
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Congratulations!
You've now successfully modified your Festool MFT/3 to be fully compatible with Mafell guide rails using a minimum in tools and supplies.
You can see it in action here:
I hope this guide was useful to you. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
Enjoy!
It's really not hard at all and I estimate it'll take about 15 minutes to complete, when following this guide.
I start off assuming you've already removed your Festool guide rail. If not, do so now.
The tools and components used/needed:
- 1x 110cm Mafell guide rail
- 2x Flat head T-Bolt 1/4-20 (from Kreg Klamp Table Stops, 5pack - Item #148165)
- 2x Thumb nuts (from Woodpeckers 16 piece Knurled Thumb Nut Kit - Item #147919)
The Kreg Kamp Table Stops include 5 plastic knurled thumb nuts. I just prefer metal ones. And obviously you can also use regular nuts. So this one is optional. - 2x Brass washers (from Woodpeckers 16-Piece Knurled Thumb Nut Kit - Item #147919)
Obviously you can also use regular washers or none at all. So this one is optional as well. - 1x Metal file
Step 1: Flip up the rail hinge and insert both T-bolts through the holes.
Step 2: From the underside attach a washer and thumb nut to the rear T-bolt.
Do not tighten all the way.
Step 3: Flip down the hinge.
Step 4: Attach a washer and thumb nut to the front T-bolt.
Again, do not tighten all the way.
You need some play to slide the rail over the T-bolts.
Step 5: Line up your guide rail with the T-Bolts.
Step 6: Slide the track over both T-Bolts.
Make sure the protruding pin of the support bracket at the front of your table is engaged with the T-slot on the underside of the guide rail.
Small tip: As an added bonus, if you have a set of bench dogs you can immediately square your guide rail to the gird while you're at it. The cutline will fall nicely in between 2 dog hole rows
Step 7: Securely tighten the rear thumb nut.
Step 8: Flip up your guide rail.
Step 9: Securely tighten the 2nd thumb nut.
Step 10: File down the protruding pin of the support bracket at the front of your table.
You'll notice the T-tack on a Mafell rail is shallower than those on a Festool rail, causing the rail to not fully rest on the front support. In order to fix this, we'll simply file it down.
If you don't want to do this, you can make your own support bracket out of plexiglass or another material and glue this on top of the Festool bracket.
It's up to you.
Take your time with this, so you don't take off too much, too fast. Especially when you do the bevels, you'll take off too much very quickly.
Constantly check your progress by fitting the rail onto the pin and see how much further you need to go.
- Start by just filing it down to the approximately correct height. Be sure to leave some extra material.
- Then start to slightly bevel the sides so it slips snugly into the T-track at the underside of the rail.
Be careful and test fit a lot as you go! - Finish off by filing down to the overall correct height.
You should end up with something like this:
As you can see on the pictures below, the Mafell rail is fully supported both on the back and front support.
Congratulations!
You've now successfully modified your Festool MFT/3 to be fully compatible with Mafell guide rails using a minimum in tools and supplies.
You can see it in action here:
I hope this guide was useful to you. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
Enjoy!
