Another DIY MFT Build

[GigaWatt]

that is real nice.  What did you use for the track around the table?  It looks like the DashBoard Guide Rail Bracket set comes with just the brackets and no track

I used T-Track fromhttps://www.orangealuminum.com/t-tracks-and-accessories-oa7150.html

 

[nicholam77]

Just came to say great build! Love the construction and how it knocks down. And the colors  [big grin]

Seeing yours and a couple others' use of the Dashboard rail supports really make me wish I had gone that route. I tried to save some $$$ with the official Festool parts and am disappointed in the precision for the price -- all the bits have a lot of play in them.

Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind for the offcut supports.

 

[GigaWatt]

After spending the entire winter working on other projects, I finally got back to build accessories for my MFT. Since my workshop is in my basement, I try to keep dust to a minimum. The dust spray you get at the end of a cut adds up to quite a bit of dust to clean up after cutting numerous boards, so I built a box to connect to my DC to catch this. I also built a saw holder to make it more convenient to set the saw out of the way after use. I need to mount additional T-Track to the ends of the bench for the saw holder and cut off supports.

All of these parts of the parts were designed in DraftSight and cut out on my CNC Router.

After painting these, I'm going to start on cutoff supports.

 

[dashboardpws]

Love the dust collection innovation!

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good stuff!

What do they call that countersunk washer shaped nut that holds the leg bolt in the last pic? Did it come with the small screw holes?

 

[GigaWatt]

Good stuff!

What do they call that countersunk washer shaped nut that holds the leg bolt in the last pic? Did it come with the small screw holes?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0867Q8GR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&p;sc=1
They don't supply the small screw.

 

[GigaWatt]

After contemplating building cutoff supports for my MFT, I decided to buy the Universal Track Star from Dash-Board. After receiving them, I'm glad I made the purchase. As with their other accessories, they are built with very high quality materials and extreme precision. All the adjustments slide smoothly and lock down tight. I especially like the Carbon Fiber veneer which protects the BB Plywood and gives a very slick surface.

Next I'll start working on the wall support brackets for storage of the MFT.

 

[nicholam77]

How does cutoff support work with the Track Stars? Slide them to where your workpiece hangs off and clamp through one of the dog holes? If so that is pretty cool. I made some "extension wings" for my table but they take more effort to set up and level.

 

[dashboardpws]

Our Universal Track Stars™ have many uses and offcut support is only one. Soon we'll offer an adapter that will allow fences to be attached to them and increase the maximum cut capacity of most tables.

 

[sanjay]

Hi,

this is such a great build!  What did you use to mount the MDF table top to the frame?

 

[GigaWatt]

Hi,

this is such a great build!  What did you use to mount the MDF table top to the frame?

I bored 1\4" deep on 6" spacing with a 7\16" forstner bit, then used 1-1\4" cabinet screws.
I'm working now on wall brackets for storage when not in use.

 

[clark_fork]

This has been a helpful post, particularly the links; a keeper, among the usual chaff.

For the re-build of the second table, permit some suggestions.

1. Consider inserting the T-Tracks in a dado, to provide a broader more stable surface for vertical clamping with T-Track clamps.

2. Consider cutting hand-holes in strategic places to help with wrestling with the moving and hanging of the table. Consider adding the hand-holes to the shelf to make this more easily moved or carried.

3. Consider cutting a 1/4 inch MDF sacrificial top with some 20 mm dog holes to hold in place for glue ups and finishing. By installing some posts on the underside of the table, using T-nuts, the sacrificial top can be fixed to the underside of the table to keep the legs
and shelf in place when stored.

Other possible add-ons: A boom, a parts and tool tray, an electrical outlet, a narrow box like  wheeled platform to move the table around the shop in a vertical position, also able to be stored, a shorter, second set of legs to lower the table for easier assembly work and finishing.

I look forward to chapter two and seeing the second table.

 

[GigaWatt]

This has been a helpful post, particularly the links; a keeper, among the usual chaff.

Clark,Thanks for your kind words and comments. I've dedicated a lot of time to the design process hoping it will help others who need a similar bench and don't want to spend the $1000 plus dollars it would cost to buy one.

For the re-build of the second table, permit some suggestions.

1. Consider inserting the T-Tracks in a dado, to provide a broader more stable surface for vertical clamping with T-Track clamps.
    I have strips of 1/2" Oak cut to fit between and below the T-Tracks. However at this time I haven't found the need for them in my work. If I start doing vertical clamping I will install the strips.

2. Consider cutting hand-holes in strategic places to help with wrestling with the moving and hanging of the table. Consider adding the hand-holes to the shelf to make this more easily moved or carried.
The tables was designed to be moved on 4 small 3 wheeled furniture dollies. A furniture lifter is used on the leg crossmembers to lift the table easily with one hand to place the dollies. (See Pic below) The dollies allow me to move the mft around the shop if needed. The modified dollies have a recess for the adjustable legs to set in so the table wont slip off during movement. The design is to roll the table up to a wall where supports are mounted and then lift the outer edge of the table up and secure with 2 clamping brackets. The legs can then be removed and stored in underside of mft with shelf.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0835LH6C6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3. Consider cutting a 1/4 inch MDF sacrificial top with some 20 mm dog holes to hold in place for glue ups and finishing. By installing some posts on the underside of the table, using T-nuts, the sacrificial top can be fixed to the underside of the table to keep the legs
and shelf in place when stored.
I have a hardboard top/cover with a dog holes in each corner to secure in place. I use these to hold the cover in place for glue ups and other work.https://tsoproducts.com/bench-dogs/power-loc-bench-connector-dogs/

Other possible add-ons: A boom, a parts and tool tray, an electrical outlet, a narrow box like  wheeled platform to move the table around the shop in a vertical position, also able to be stored, a shorter, second set of legs to lower the table for easier assembly work and finishing.
I normally don't work on projects large enough to require a boom but could be useful for some. I have a tool tray that attaches to t-track. Electrical outlet would be very useful and will install at some point. The present height of 36" works for me however others might find shorter legs useful. Presently I'm working on the wall brackets and not making much progress due to outdoor work on home/property!

I look forward to chapter two and seeing the second table.

 

[mackaygtrs]

Fantastic . Definitely keeping this handy for a future build

 

[Charles Wilson]

Did you make the top yourself? Did you order it? Did you have a CNC shop make it for you?

 

[GigaWatt]

My latest addition to adapt tools to my MFT.