Big MFT/3 table

[Bart.v]

Hey everybody.

To start off sorry if this question has been asked before
I am starting to build a new workshop and want to make a big MFT/3 Table.
I would love to have a table that is 5m x 2m.
So I’ve been searching for The aluminum profile with any luck I found 2 m but is there somewhere where we can 5m or maybe even longer.

 

[MikeGE]

Welcome to the FOG!

It would help anyone wanting to answer if you included your location.  I can recommend several sources that provide aluminum extrusion in 6-meter, and longer, lengths.  However, I don't have any idea if my European sources would be suitable for you.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Since he's talking about meters he's probably European. Perhaps Australian.

But if you want the real MFT profiles, they're only available from Festool as far as I know, and 2 meter is the longest they sell.

Maybe if Bart got directly in contact with Festool they could deliver him longer profiles, but I doubt they will have the flexibility to sell something that's not in their catalogue.

 

[Bart.v]

Sorry i forgot my location and yes its Europe to be exact the south of France.
and i also found the 2m profiles its just i want to avoid connecting two or more profiles together but im losing hope and think this is the only way

any way thank guys

 

[Midnight Man]

From what I know of the aluminium profile used on the MFT table, it's a pretty unique profile, and at I have not found an equivalent anywhere I've looked (though that may come down to my poor searching skills).

The Festool part numbers for an MFT assembly (you can check all these on EKat) for more details are (or were, a couple years back):

496824 Profile
497022 Front support
497023 Rear support
475219 Fence
495542 Swingstop

For further reference, I found an image and specification for the MFT rail some time back:

View attachment 1

 

[zachjowi]

From what I know of the aluminium profile used on the MFT table, it's a pretty unique profile, and at I have not found an equivalent anywhere I've looked (though that may come down to my poor searching skills).

The Festool part numbers for an MFT assembly (you can check all these on EKat) for more details are (or were, a couple years back):

496824 Profile
497022 Front support
497023 Rear support
475219 Fence
495542 Swingstop

For further reference, I found an image and specification for the MFT rail some time back:

View attachment 1

Would that extrusion profile have any kind of patents?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Would that extrusion profile have any kind of patents?

I would certainly think so, at least initially, but may be expired by now?

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Are you looking for the Aluminum profile specifically from Festool MFT/3 or 8020 style profile? 

Is there a specific reason you'd rather have a single table 5m long rather than two tables which can be placed end to end?

 

[Coen]

And then I wonder... do you get a single piece of HDF for it's top  [huh]

5m needs extra supports anyway.

 

[Bart.v]

so yes the specific MFT/3 profile to connect the MFT accessoires  to and was thinking  to use any alu extrusion as support in the middle

its not only as MFT table but also a cutting station, router and table saw ...

i can get full sheet MDF or HDF here and was thinking to make one half sacrificial but still have the place for big glue ups or assembly like custom dressing rooms or kitchens
any way i'm not fix on the size yet all depends when the renovation of the house is finished and what the wife leaves me for the work shop [tongue]

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Please give some thought to the practicality of the 2m x 5m dimension you are considering for your large workshop table. Remember, you have to be able to reach stuff on it! You'll also need intermediate support for sure...at least every half meter or so, to prevent sagging, and that has transfer weight to the floor, more or less, to be stable over time.

 

[MikeGE]

My MFT-style workbench is on wheels so I can roll it around in my small basement shop.  At one meter wide and two meters long, it dominates my shop floor, so I can't imagine a shop that would accommodate a 5x2 meter multipurpose workbench unless it was fixed as a center island (continent) in a very large shop.

I use my workbench for assembly, glue-ups, and cutting.  To make sure the 19mm Valchromat top doesn't sag, I added lots of aluminum extrusion for the cross supports.  There are six cross supports, counting the two on the ends.  If you plan on using two full sheets of MDF for your table, I recommend adding plenty of supports so the surface doesn't collapse or deflect under the load.

As Jim stated, you might discover the large workstation is too cumbersome to work with because of the size.  At one meter wide, I can just reach the other side to make adjustments when cutting, but I set up my long fence closer to the middle of the table most of the time.  In one of AtomicRyan's videos about his full-sheet workbench, he commented that he references from the middle of the table as well.  It's nice to not be constrained by size, but at some point, a large workbench becomes impractical to use.