Hey folks,

I have pulled a lot of information off this site over the years but haven't taken the time to contribute, until now. I hope this is the right section to post this in?

I was set to build an MFT Top recently and could not, for the life of me, settle on a design. After some messing around with an idea, I came up with this little invention and have decided not to build an MFT Top because it works so well. I like that I can just pull the jig out of my Systainer and set it up on any scrap sheet goods that I have laying around the site or shop. It takes minutes to set up and you are not restricted by the size of an MFT. Works great for the type of work I do.



Anyway, have fun with it and post any improvements you might have.

Kris

Once the hypotonus is "dialed in" you can adjust your third dog freely, as long as you have it clamped to a straight edge on the sheet. Because you have it dialed at 90 deg from the straight edge, the third dog is free to move and be wherever it needs to be to support your piece. You could write a cheat on the top of the jig if you wanted to figure it out for a specific sheet size. I just downloaded a scientific calculator app and do the math... it's pretty quick and surprising how accurate it is. You can also find Pythagorean calculators on the web. The metric tape is key though for this operation. I just keep one in my systainer with the jig.

This is also good for squaring off full sheets since there are no guarantees that the factory edges are going to be square.

Glad you like it.

What a great idea. So simple and yet so clever.

I have been working with the NEFNT set up for a couple weeks now and here are a few take aways.

1) First square off the sheet using the NEFNT and Pythagorean formula. This way you can measure off the squared edge to place the dogs anywhere on your table. This gives added flexibility.

2) There could be a case to make the NEFNT double sided, so that you can place your guide rail on either side. This will make the jig larger and not fit into the systainer w/ your track saw but it would add yet more flexibility.

3) My sister is a physics major and pointed out a bunch more math that works with this set up to achieve specific angles... I will make a more refined video with these calculations as time permits.

4) If a person likes a particular position they can use the NEFNT as a guide to drill proper dog holes and use regular parf style dogs. Though the NEFNT holes might get sloppy if this task is performed too often. There could be a case for a machined version with a drill guide sleeve for this process.

Adding another dog hole to each of the rail guides would make it reversible without increasing the size, non?

Time to make a new set. I also have a use for a 4th dog. I will post my new set up once I get it together. Thanks for all the input.

I like it! Great innovation that give some real flexibility. I use something very similar, but I use 3/8 wooden dowels in the underside of the track. Zero chance of it moving off a dog. https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/no-mft-no-problem!/msg609254/

Thanks for sharing.