Print illustrated guide

Notching wood with the portable circular saw and MFT/3 multifunction table

Notching wood
Notching wood creates a recess in which another notched workpiece can be inserted – thereby creating a firm connection. This application example describes how you can make notch wood with ease and join wooden workpieces.

    Description

    Fitting work often has to be carried out when working on construction sites. Strips, slats, frame wood or similar must be notched or grooved in order to bridge cables or pipes, for example.
     
    Wood can be notched quickly and safely with the TS 55 REBQ Plus and MFT/3 from Festool.

    Tools/accessories

    The following tools and accessories are recommended for use in this illustrated guide:

    Alternative tools

    The following tools and accessories are recommended as an alternative:

    Preparation/set-up

    • The guide rail is set to the thickness of the workpiece. The rail is supported by offcuts or workpieces of the same thickness so it does not sag when sawing narrow strips.

      +
      Set the guide rail to the workpiece thickness

    • Stops can be used with the multifunction table, in a similar way as with the bench-mounted circular saws. The adjustable stop (included) is provided for this purpose.

      The MFT-SP fixed clamps, the FSZ 120 fastening clamp and the FS-HZ 160 lever clamp can be used for clamping.

      +
      Stops can be used with the multifunction table

    Procedure

      • Set the adjustable stop to the required length using the markings on the workpiece.
      • The edge of the splinter guard on the guide rail is set to the cutting line. To do so, the portable circular saw must be already set to zero play on the guide rail and the splinter guard cut.
      • Set the cutting depth on the portable circular saw and connect the dust extractor.

      +
      Set the adjustable stop to the required length

    • Notching is carried out by offsetting the workpiece by the saw blade width:

      • Switch on the portable circular saw and cut into the piece of wood.
      • Offset the workpiece by the saw blade thickness and cut into the workpiece again. Repeat this process until the notch is complete.

      When sawing, make sure that the guide rail is always resting on solid wood. The workpiece is therefore always offset to the right when notching.

      +
      Notching is carried out by moving the workpiece

    1. Our illustrated guides and work results are documented working steps that we have performed in practice. They are individual examples and do not guarantee or promise that users will obtain the same results. The results will depend on the user's experience and skill, as well as the material being used. Illustrated guides do not replace any Festool operating manuals and/or safety instructions. Liability for ensuring that the information, instructions and applications are free from content defects and defects of title, in particular with regard to the absence of defects, correctness, freedom from third party intellectual property rights and copyrights, completeness and fitness for purpose, is excluded. Claims for damages made by the user, regardless of their legal basis, are excluded. These liability exclusions are not applicable if the damage was intentional or caused by gross negligence, or in cases of statutory liability.

      We cannot accept liability for damage resulting from defects.↑