Some MFT3 Adjustments There has always been a little too much looseness in the rail on the MFT3. The groove in the rail is simply larger than the tab that is supposed to hold it in place. A company, Tool Improvements, markets a retro fix that that tightens up that connection. They call their product the "Slop Stop".
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Slop Stop |
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The Slop Stop is machined from Delrin®...the unit slides int the slot in the rail...it has two holes bored that hold hex head pins. Tighening these hex heads will lock the unit in place. |
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This image show how the unit fits over the rail tab. |
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MFT3 Lower Shelf |
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I decided to add a lower shelf to MFT3 table. It needed to be stout, but I also wanted it to be easily removed. Used 3/4 inch MDF...cut it down to size to fit between the legs on each end. |
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Milled some 4/4 oak down to use for the ends and for the stablelizer. I heavily chamfered the end rails at the router table to protect shins and the ends of the MDF. |
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I then screwed and glued oak ends to the board. |
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Another oak board (3/4 x 3/4) was glued and screwed to the bottom of the MDF board at a distance that lets the two pieces of oak drop over the leg connector bar. This keeps the shelf from moving. |
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At the other end, another oak strip was glued and screwed. |
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Clamped up... |
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In use... |
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Swivel Unit Issues |
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The Swivel Unit locks the Guide Rail into place... |
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The hex cap bolt inserts into the swivel unit, it goes through a half-barrel spacer, then the plastic, then a fender washer and finally into a nut.
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The left side is just a hex nut, but the right side bolt screws into a angled piece that rides on the rail on the side of the MFT3 table and helps lock the assembly to the rail. |
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The part #74, called a "holding plate", is Festool #474036. Hex nut #73 is part #228689. Hex cap screw #61 is #400477. M&MTool Parts...Ordered 12/18 two holding plates, two screws and one nut. |
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Recieved parts...took way too long... |
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...installed replacement bolt and holding plate |
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Locked down and re-squared the rail...works well. |
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