Woodworking & Power Tools Forum - Festool Owners Group > FESTOOL DISCUSSIONS > Festool Tools & Accessories > Using a table saw as a MFT?
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Toller

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Location: UNITED STATES (US)
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Posts: 185
« on: March 09, 2008, 08:29 PM »
I would really really like a MFT; looks like a great worktable.  But I really really don't have any room in my shop for it.

I have been using my tablesaw as a worktable.  I have built a little jig for to clamp to it when using my biscuit cutter, and would like to do the same for the FS55.  Obviously it would have to be more elaborate than the biscuit cutter top, but I think it should be possible.

Has anyone done this?  It should incorporate a top that can be cut into, a side rail or two to hold the straightedge like the MFT; that sorta thing.
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nate858

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« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2008, 09:11 PM »
one word "Domino"  ditch the biscuit
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Scott W.

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Posts: 333
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2008, 09:15 PM »
Toller,

Buy the MFT fold the legs & set it on your TS if you don't have floor space.
That way you can still use the holes and side rails.

Scott W.
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Mike Chrest

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Location: Rochester,NY
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N.W. New York State
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2008, 09:41 PM »
Toller,
  I have a Rousseau portable saw stand. I drilled two rows of holes in the out feed table similar to the MFT for extra work surface. It's not as stable as the MFT but it is fine for biscuit and domino cutting. I use the Festool clamps and visegrip type clamps with it.

Mike
« Last Edit: March 09, 2008, 09:45 PM by Mike Chrest » Logged
Tinker

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Location: Ridgefield, CT
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Posts: 1752
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2008, 04:05 AM »
When I had my TS setup in the shop, I had a 48" length of 2x6 bolted to the left side of the saw.  It was originally planned to be used to assist as an outfeed help.  I had it mounted on two brackets holding it about an inch and a half way from the saw table.  i soon found out it was as much help as an added work surface as it was for an outfeed platform.  When i found out about fedtool and got some of those little festool clamps, i found dozens more uses. 

I made up all sorts of jigs as I often used the saw as an extra work bench.  I eventually got a second MFT and was able to move the saw out of the shop.  It is a lot easier working and a little more work space with the saw out of the shop and making use of the two MFT's (1080 & 800)   So far, i don't miss the table saw except for ripping short stock.  everything else is so far working out better with the MFT/ATF 55 combinations.

Tinker
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Michael Kellough

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Southern New York
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2008, 10:19 AM »
Quote from: Tinker on March 10, 2008, 04:05 AM
When I had my TS setup in the shop, I had a 48" length of 2x6 bolted to the left side of the saw.  It was originally planned to be used to assist as an outfeed help.  I had it mounted on two brackets holding it about an inch and a half way from the saw table.  i soon found out it was as much help as an added work surface as it was for an outfeed platform.  When i found out about fedtool and got some of those little festool clamps, i found dozens more uses. 

I made up all sorts of jigs as I often used the saw as an extra work bench. 

Tinker

I have something similar in size and location and find it extremely useful.

I started installing a Delta sliding table on the left side of my TS several years ago (pre Festool) and changed my mind partway through because the sliding table would take up too much space. I had already installed the 2x4 (inch) 5 ft long steel tube that the main tracking bar is mounted too and decided to leave that.

That long strong secure rectangular steel tube as a clamping surface has become my go to station for everything that doesn't require the MFT. I can clamp horizontal pieces to the top and vertical pieces to the face of the 2x4 tube. I am constantly sanding there. It is at a much more comfortable height than the MFT and since the TS is bolted to the concrete floor, and I installed angle iron posts to support the TS extension wing the hardware is attached to, I can practically use the thing as a leg vice.

I went to a lot of trouble to solidly install my TS level with my old European style bench (which has become a mere shelf) so I'll keep my TS even if it too devolves into a mere table.
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porkchop

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Posts: 27
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2008, 05:05 AM »
a set of festools and a couple of mft are not a perfect substitute for a complete commercial woodworking shop with endless giant machines....but they are darn close. And they take up a lot less room, weigh a lot less, cost a lot less, and are a lot more portable. It's like ninety five percent of a cabinet shop that fits in your truck.
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Dave Ronyak

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Flyin' from NE Ohio
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2008, 03:30 PM »
Quote from: Toller on March 09, 2008, 08:29 PM
I would really really like a MFT; looks like a great worktable.  But I really really don't have any room in my shop for it.

I have been using my tablesaw as a worktable. 

Toller,

This may be off base because I do not undertand what model/type of tablesaw you have.  If your tablesaw was arranged like a  Unisaw or one of the many common clones, you could replace one or both of the side tables with MFT tops (with the grid of holes) or clones of MFT tops, shop made if necessary.    Then you would have a handy surface to use with a variety of clamps and stops for other purposes, including a biscuit joiner or Domino.  Of course, you can already use the table saw fence as a backstop with these tools, and a top with a grid of holes would allow use of Festool's L-style clamps and clamping elements.

Dave R.
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Steveo48

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Member Since: Dec 2007
Posts: 305
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2008, 12:22 AM »
Toller,

I have a large unisaw with table extensions and use it in the same manner as you.  I use it and the fence with my biscuit cutter (I have better things to spend $700.00 on) and use the very flat surface to do assembly, layout adn other work on.

I also use it as a table to cut plywood with my TS 55.

Steve
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Loren Hedahl

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Posts: 161
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2008, 05:31 PM »
Quote from: porkchop on March 12, 2008, 05:05 AM
a set of festools and a couple of mft are not a perfect substitute for a complete commercial woodworking shop with endless giant machines....but they are darn close. And they take up a lot less room, weigh a lot less, cost a lot less, and are a lot more portable. It's like ninety five percent of a cabinet shop that fits in your truck.

And if you go the Festool way, just think of the real estate and building costs that you've avoided!
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