Buying MFT/3 vs Custom made, pros and cons

[ictusbrucks]

Hey Guys,

I've been planning on making my own MFT for a little while. I finally got more serious about it and started looking at the EKAT site and seeing what it would cost me.

I discovered that after pricing the edge profiles, the guide rail supports, angle unit, fence clamp etc, I was right around 520 bucks in pieces, and that is without legs or the actual MFT top. Starting to think that just buying the MFT after all isn't such a bad idea if you are going to use the guide rail supports and profiles and angle units. I know I scoffed at the price tag at first, but after seeing how much goes into the table, the price seems more reasonable (cue comments about 500 dollar sawhorse, haha I thought it too at one point!).

So then I started to wonder, what would have to give to make it significantly cheaper?

One way to go would be to forget the edge profiles and just use standard T-track (that will fit the festool clamps, not sure the best size), but then you don't get the guide rail support system. I have seen Timtool's workbench with regular T track and I am very tempted to go that route. And if you are forgoing the guiderail supports, there doesn't seem to be much point in the festool angle unit... but I have not used one enough to say for sure.

Does it sound like I should just suck it up and get the MFT?  Would I miss not having the convenience of the guide rail folding away, and working with the angle unit?

Just curious as I am sure others have gone through the same thought process and decided not to make their own in the end.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Starfl0]

It's seems that a lot of customers made their own MFT, It does not surprise me,
i just made my own and and i do not regret ! It cost me less than 100€

Any way : Even with the Real MFT, you have to setup it for a good angle every time you use the table. You all ready have a guid rail, so you you don't need to pay for a 1080mm !

The MFT table is too much expensive, otherwise, people would not waste their time to do it themselves !

 

[rxe]

It is an interesting discussion.  I got my MFT at Christmas and I'm really in two minds about it.   I love the top.   The "holes" thing really works, the clamping elements are brilliant and qwas dogs are an excellent add on.  It is just the right size for handling big sheets of ply, and the height is perfect.  The MFT has transformed my TS75, and lots of jobs have been completed.

So far, I really don't get the guide rail and angle thing.   They are incompatible with big sheets of ply, so you have to remove them.  When you've got the big sheet of ply cut down, you might want to reattach them for further cutting.  You'll need to go through the set up procedure (I've watched the video), and that will take a few minutes.  Or you may want to throw the parts in the back of the car and do the work on a table saw at home.   For making cuts up to about 24" inches, a table saw + Incra fence is quicker and probably more accurate.   It won't do the angles, but I don't often do angles - for the rare times that I do, I can make a suitable wedge out of a piece of scrap.

It could be that I am simply doing the wrong sort of work right now, and that I will grow to love the add ons.   Right now, I'm not sure.

 

[Kev]

Time is a cost if you make anything yourself! But you have to determine the dollar value of each hour of your time.

I purchased the MFT/3 - here in Oz it's a lot more expensive (about double), but I recognize the value to me.

I have saw horses for big sheets and I don't use my MFT/3 as a portable unit ... So things may be very different for me.

 

[pugilato]

I really don't get the guide rail and angle thing

There's an MFT that does not have the guide rail and angle thing for about $100 less. It is very convenient for those who have foregone their tablesaw.

 

[Qwas]

Buying an MFT/3 allows you to get right to work, no messing around figuring anything out and building it. Building one allows you to design it for your needs. It can be as simple as an MFT style MDF top sitting on sawhorses to a long bench being the equivalent of 3 MFT/3s.

I decided to build my own because I wanted a longer table for better support of plywood sheets and I wanted a sturdier table. I didn't need portability (I still have my MFT-1080 for that) so I used 4x4 lumber for feet. You can read more about my table at 80/20 Bench. My only regret was trying to drill my own holes in the top, next time I will buy a CNC made top.

The larger 80/20 extrusions that have 5/16" (or their metric series with 8.1 mm) slots work fine with the Festool clamps. You just won't be able to use Festools guide rail supports.

I've heard from many people that buy just the MDF top and mount it on various items. They don't bother with the aluminum extrusions at all. They are perfectly happy with their "bench". I'm surprised I haven't seen one on hinges that can act as a table leaf extension. Hinge it down to save space (or make way for the car in the garage), hinge it up and stick a leg under it when you're working.

 

[ictusbrucks]

Thanks for the replies. You guys have given me some things to think about.

Starfl0,  what did you end up using for the edge profiles? Just standard T-Track?  Can't imagine you were able to buy the festool profiles and build the rest for that price.

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[Alan m]

hi there. iv got a proper mft top with dewalt mitersaw stand brackets on the bottom. i raised it up to be level with the chop saw bed.
it works great and cost me the brackets and a few bits of timber.
im thinking of putting a pice of timber on edge around the edge of the mft top. then drill holes in it for the clamps.

 

[Timtool]

I think it depends on where you plan to use it and for what, the only usefull part of a MFT for me would be the top and the clamp tracks. I have a panelsaw so i don't use it to saw, so in my case i am better off with the homemade version i made.

If i ever should do more on site jobs, then i would possibly invest in one, but for workshop use i find them too small and unstable.
Plus there is some sort of pride behind building your own workbench as a woodworker.

 

[Kev]

Plus there is some sort of pride behind building your own workbench as a woodworker.

I once felt the same about tool storage - but systainers changed by thinking.

If I came across a nice woodworking bench, I'd probably buy it  [eek]

Kev

 

[sancho57]

After building quite a few work benches (prefestool) I decided to get the MFT3, in fact I got 2 of them. Never been happier .
If I dont need both of them I just fold one up until I do need it.
Opens up a lot of room in a small workshop.
Remember this is a system so when I got my Kapex I also got the Kapex MFT, all 3 work together.

But there are some advantages to a homemade work table. You could build you Ron Paulks Ultimate Work bench that looks like a pretty good design and portable.
You could also modify it and build it to a smaller size if you want.

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Is breaking down sheets is your thing, have you seen the Benchmark table?

 

[waho6o9]

Buy one and build one to store your systainers in.  It will help cut down full sheets as well.  [smile]

 

[stairman]

I think it depends on where you plan to use it and for what,

2nd..,

what do you plan to use this for?
if you're a Professional, and you depend on your tools for your livelihood,  there is no doubt you already have a firm grasp on Festool ROI (Return On Investment) and the conversation can just about stop right there...  in less than 6 months time my entire Festool Arsenal has more than paid for itself twice over.
I'll part with my MFT only when FESTOOL comes out with an improved version,  and I can't really see how that is possible.

Given enough time and resources, anything can be "made"    -but the time you've spent researching this has already put you at a disadvantage,  and unless you want to build a Festool compatible version for special reasons,  I suggest you bite the bullet and BUY a MFT3,  and try it.  as everyone here will tell you,  you can always return it in the first 30 days.

Besides the question asked by Tim,  have you USED an  MFT3 enough to gain an appreciation of the capabilities and qualities?

 

[Starfl0]

Thanks for the replies. You guys have given me some things to think about.

Starfl0,  what did you end up using for the edge profiles? Just standard T-Track?   Can't imagine you were able to buy the festool profiles and build the rest for that price.

Thanks!
Ryan

If you use the edges profiles only for holding vertically, you can easily make an other system with 20mm holes like the top of the table.
If you use it for adding another CMS system, no choise, you must buy the MFT table.