Anyone filled/repaired their mft?

F

fesmule

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2014
Messages
11
Hi everyone,
this is my first post so please be gentle  [smile]

Having recently bought a festool MFT, (video by Mr Parfitt convinced me)
I unwittingly, read stupidly, made a couple of deepish cut next to each other in the surface,
I was wondering if wood filler, or a thin slither of wood glued into the affected area would work.
I do appreciate the top is sacrificial, I'm just a bit peeved off that I made such a numpty mistake!
Any advice or ideas appreciated.

PS I must just say, I've been stalking here for a while, this forum is a quality product,
will help with our long dark winter evenings I'm sure. [thumbs up]

Cheers All
Tony
 
Judging from other posts, it appears that many (or even most) of us have done this; some worse than others. I'd just use it as is until the whole top is beyond use and then flip it over (that is, unless you cut all the way through).
 
Billedis said:
Just turn it over.  Bill
Click to expand...
Thanks Bill, lol.
I've only just got the damn thing [big grin]
I can live with the cuts, just move the rail over a touch, was just curious if
anyone had bothered with what I was suggesting, perhaps I'm just a sad bugger
and should just ignore it  [big grin]
 
grbmds said:
Judging from other posts, it appears that many (or even most) of us have done this; some worse than others. I'd just use it as is until the whole top is beyond use and then flip it over (that is, unless you cut all the way through).
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I didn't go through, perhaps 1/4 of an inch deep, obviously it's not the end of the world.
Cheers
Tony
 
There are gravel roads in northern Canada that are notorious for windshield
damage. Some folks crack theirs at purchase time to avoid disappointment later.
 
Some have used Bondo to fill in the cut areas.  I seem to recall one FOG user making a replaceable insert that was routed into the top perhaps 3/8" or maybe 1/2" that could be replaced in time.

It's a workbench and I think using it and eventually flipping or replacing the top is the best way to get the most out of it.
 
I used 2-part epoxy wood filler to fill in a deepish cut in my MFT top. I worked the stuff together so it was well mixed and forced it into the cut using a bladed screw driver. Worked great.
 
Just curious to see how many people are using the method Paul Marcel posted in his video about his mft where he cuts in the same place every time.  Assuming you're using a consistent thickness of saw blade, looks like it works well.  I don't have an mft - yet.  Just wondering what you guys are up to!
 
I bought my table used and it was cut up a bit with mutiple cuts leaving about 3/4" wide criss cross gap about 1/4 to 3/8" deep, I used wood filler and sanded flush just to unsure the blade has zero clearance. I just want the "new to me" look and achieve as much dust collection as possible. maybe santa will send me new top [smile] eventualy. but this will get me by.

I like the idea of routing a small replacable strip out and replacing, thx

cheers
 
I second the Bondo idea, I'd used it on a lot of repairs in interior and exterior apps. It work in MDF. B
 
stupid question from a novice, what the pros and cons of wood filler vs bondo?

thx
 
Hi Tony

I know exactly how you feel - when I bought my MFT3 it was a difficult decision and then when it was delivered I was so proud to have it. But, then came one or two little mishaps and I was starting to feel the way you do now.

All I can say to help is - forget it. Mine now looks like a disaster area and I no longer hesitate to use it the way that Mr Festool intended. It gets oil, saw cuts, drill holes and the odd bit of sweat on it and it just smiles back at me and says "bring it on buddy..."

The only possible reason for watching the kerf marks is if you are trying to use the surface of the MFT3 as a zero clearance splinter guard. That said, my TS 55 is cutting so cleanly despite the MFT3 and my other saw station surface being so bad that I reckon the bottom line is - don't worry about it.

In 6 months time you will feel the way I do.

Peter
 
Cross-cut Canuck said:
stupid question from a novice, what the pros and cons of wood filler vs bondo?

thx
Click to expand...

I am going to venture a guess that reasons could include:  Non water solvent and faster drying / curing and also perhaps easier to work (smoother)  when applying and easier sanding in some cases.

I am a kerf guy myself.

Peter
 
the first cut into the mft marks the tables worthyness. you can go on with life beating it and not worry so much and get more work done. dont feel soo bad i cut into the extrusion and the fence too AND left a drink on it without a coaster lol within the first month.
 
I've gone through a few tops on my two mfts.  First one I bondo-ed up.  Then I flipped.  These days I just pretty much let it ride.

BTW, don't throw the old one away.  Cut off any sizable pieces that are relatively whole and use them for jigs - they are great for that!!
 
Thanks guys for all your interesting and helpful responses, it is appreciated.
I've now got my first post out of the way, Phew!, actually it wasn't too
bad. [smile]

Being a non pro woodworker with an awful lot to learn I'm really looking forward
to spending more time here.

Thanks again.

cheers
Tony
 
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