Another tool holster for the MFT

[jonathan-m]

This morning I finally got tired of looking for a place to put my plunge saw after making a crosscut.
I've seen a couple of examples by other members here on the FOG forum, so I decided to knock up my own copy with scraps from my previous project.
It's nothing fancy, but it works. Unfortunately it's made from 18mm MDF but it'll hold up long enough for now. It's all held together with 6mm dowels and Titebond original woodglue.

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To be able to quickly put things down without aiming, I made sure there's ample clearance both left and right. When the plunge saw is on there, it sits well below the table top, so large panels can overhang without interfering.
I tilted the 2 shelves slightly forward so the tools kind of slide into a pocket or holster as it were. , I found this works better for me instead of a flat surface.
There's also a small gap at the end of the shelf so any dust or other debris can be quickly blown out.

At first I meant to just mount the holster off the extrusions surrounding the table, but the heavy 18mm MDF makes it too unstable and really stresses the extrusions. Since this isn't a showpiece, I decided on a quick and dirty solution in the form of an adjustable outrigger foot to stabilize it. It's now very sturdy (and a bit more bulky [smile] )

After using it for the rest of the afternoon I can tell you I'm glad I took a few hours to put this together. It's much easier to just simply drop down a tool next to the table instead of on the floor or hunting for some other place to put the tools down.

So in conclusion, a big thank you to whomever came up with the orignial idea! I can definitely recommend other members to explore making something similar.

 

[sancho57]

Pretty cool set up. I wish I was that imaginative

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I don't have a picture of my version (which is similar) but I opted for a (open) hinge solution to attach it to the MFT and a cross-bar at the bottom so the shelf leans on the side of the MFT for support so there is no need for an outrigger. I used some scrap Melamine siding and a somewhat steeper angle so the dust slips down the chute and there is a dust slot just like on yours. I also have a lower shelf so I can work two machines, say a Domino and my Mafell plunge saw. I recently discarded it after years of use and I am planning on making a new one in Birch plywood any day now. Glad to see similar solutions.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I think the Outrigger support is a little bit of an overkill. I made a crossbar on mine which makes the "holster" lean on to the MFT legs and it has held up really well over the years. You could have two vertical small bars or one wide bar (any material) and have it lean on the crossbar of the MFT legs or a cross bar on the back of the holster and have it lean in on the MFT legs.

Makes it easier to vacuum the shop floor with a minimum of stuff on the ground, like the outrigger. Just an idea, of course.

Other than that our solutions are similar.

 

[dutchie]

Neat setup you've got there, I like how you've added scales all around the MFT, even on the V-Groove

One thing I've always wondered with the UG wings (having never seen them in real life) is how you calibrate the scales to your MFT (or kapex). Any chance you could post some close up photos of that?