BF/MFT Build

[Dusty.House]

The logic makes sense, and reassures me that I can be more flexible in the size I go with!

 

[Dusty.House]

@AtomicRyan - what’s the clearance between your 1530 extrusion and the shelf? I’m guessing 3” to allow your arm to reach the underside of the top...

Ben

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sandy]

[member=67145]Dusty.Tools[/member]

As an aside - Does anyone know if the placement of the first row of holes is important?

A Festool MFT has them placed 70mm edge to center for the first row. Then all other rows are 96mm. With the last also being 70mm.

Your information is (slightly) incorrect, at least with respect to actual MFT/3 replacement tops.  Actually, the overall size of an MFT/3 top is 718mm x 1102mm.  There are 7 rows of holes, with 11 holes in each row.  While you are correct that the holes are each 20mm and that they are 96mm center-to-center, the corner holes are actually centered at 71mm from each edge.  The edges of the corner holes are then 61mm from each edge.  Doing the math you wind up with 122mm + 20mm + 6x96mm = 718mm by 122mm + 20mm + 10x96mm = 1102mm.

As far as whether these dimensions are "important", the question is whether you are building your own table or whether you are replacing the top on an existing MFT/3.  If the latter, then you might as well make the replacement top fit.

Sandy

 

[Dusty.House]

[member=67145]Dusty.Tools[/member]

As an aside - Does anyone know if the placement of the first row of holes is important?

A Festool MFT has them placed 70mm edge to center for the first row. Then all other rows are 96mm. With the last also being 70mm.

Your information is (slightly) incorrect, at least with respect to actual MFT/3 replacement tops.  Actually, the overall size of an MFT/3 top is 718mm x 1102mm.  There are 7 rows of holes, with 11 holes in each row.  While you are correct that the holes are each 20mm and that they are 96mm center-to-center, the corner holes are actually centered at 71mm from each edge.  The edges of the corner holes are then 61mm from each edge.  Doing the math you wind up with 122mm + 20mm + 6x96mm = 718mm by 122mm + 20mm + 10x96mm = 1102mm.

As far as whether these dimensions are "important", the question is whether you are building your own table or whether you are replacing the top on an existing MFT/3.  If the latter, then you might as well make the replacement top fit.

Sandy

I stand correct

But I think I got my answer, I'm not replacing an MFT/3 top, I'm building my own table.

 

[AtomicRyan]

[member=63929]AtomicRyan[/member] - what’s the clearance between your 1530 extrusion and the shelf? I’m guessing 3” to allow your arm to reach the underside of the top...

Ben

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I struggled with this for a couple of reasons:

1. I needed my table to be a specific height given the leveling casters so it would work as an outfeed table for my table saw.

2. I needed enough room in my sysport columns to hold a sys1, sys2, and sys3. (That's how I like to stack my systainers)

3. Obviously, I needed access to the bottom of the top for fixturing and cleaning.

4. I knew I was going to use a guide rail pivot and needed enough height there so that the guide rail wouldn't interfere with my drawers when the pivot was up.

In the end, I compromised with 2.75" of clearance. It's not enough. I can't really reach the center of the shelf with my hand... But, I think I have enough access for it to be ok.

 

[Dusty.House]

[member=63929]AtomicRyan[/member] - what’s the clearance between your 1530 extrusion and the shelf? I’m guessing 3” to allow your arm to reach the underside of the top...

Ben

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I struggled with this for a couple of reasons:

1. I needed my table to be a specific height given the leveling casters so it would work as an outfeed table for my table saw.

2. I needed enough room in my sysport columns to hold a sys1, sys2, and sys3. (That's how I like to stack my systainers)

3. Obviously, I needed access to the bottom of the top for fixturing and cleaning.

4. I knew I was going to use a guide rail pivot and needed enough height there so that the guide rail wouldn't interfere with my drawers when the pivot was up.

In the end, I compromised with 2.75" of clearance. It's not enough. I can't really reach the center of the shelf with my hand... But, I think I have enough access for it to be ok.

Thank you! I’ve basically got the same thoughts running through my head.

- I want the top to align with all my other benches (32.75”). 4” caster + 28” frame + 3/4” top.
- I want enough room for the track saw Systainer box. Three boxes for Domino. Maybe a column for router box.
- I brought the same guide rail, thanks for the recommendation!

I think anymore than 3” is a challenge to the storage capacity. I will adjust once I start assembling.

Thanks for the info.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AtomicRyan]

Fence is done... went pretty smoothly and the 90 is good.

 

[RightAngleDesign]

That's about as slick as it gets! Happy to play a small role in this project.

 

[08G8V8]

Ryan, how easy are those casters to spin the height adjuster to lift the table to engage the caster?  I see they make a version with a pop-out ratcheting handle to adjust height, but of course are quite a bit more expensive. 

 

[AtomicRyan]

Ryan, how easy are those casters to spin the height adjuster to lift the table to engage the caster?  I see they make a version with a pop-out ratcheting handle to adjust height, but of course are quite a bit more expensive.

By hand, not easy once they are weight loaded... But there's a 1/4" nut you can use a wrench on - that's what I do.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Naturally, when weighted the height adjustment screw becomes more difficult to turn.

Just use a lever and fulcrum to take a little weight off while you turn. I use a set under a 700# etching press. Using the lever it was a piece of cake to level.

 

[AtomicRyan]

Ugh... Part 3 is finally done:


I think Part 4 (and last, promise!) will be more exciting... I'm integrating a bunch of stuff from TSO, some stuff I made, etc... As well as going over the pros and cons of a 4x8 MFT table.

 

[Peter Durand]

Oh man, that is well done. Thanks for posting..it gave me a few ideas to try.
Cheers,
Peter

 

[Dusty.House]

Very inspiring, thank you!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gregor]

[member=63929]AtomicRyan[/member] very nice, please keep the videos coming.

 

[kpeluso]

This is great. Thanks for documenting this and sharing. Any plans of putting together rough plans/parts list? I’d be happy to pay for something like that.

 

[AtomicRyan]

I will for sure... I've got one more video to finish after the holidays and then I'll clean up the plans, etc...

Thanks!

 

[nicholam77]

Hey AtomicRyan,

Your bench is turning out fantastic! Fellow Garage Journal-er here. Question for you on the RightAngleDesign guide rail pivot if you don't mind... how much of the tracksaw rail does the mount on the pivot side use up?  Or maybe a better way to ask, what's this dimension?

 

[RightAngleDesign]

Hey AtomicRyan,

Your bench is turning out fantastic! Fellow Garage Journal-er here. Question for you on the RightAngleDesign guide rail pivot if you don't mind... how much of the tracksaw rail does the mount on the pivot side use up?  Or maybe a better way to ask, what's this dimension?

Hello! Those are ~8 3/8" long (~213mm)

Cheers,
Rob
Right Angle Design

 

[nicholam77]

[member=70143]RightAngleDesign[/member] Thanks!