Cheap Mft

[Alan m]

hi all
i have talked several times about my mft chop saw stand. i thought i would show it to ye all
it is the dewalt chop saw stand that i have for my dw718 12" scms.
i got two mounting brackets and put a sheet of 1/2 ince ply on top of it.
two pices of planed ofcuts were mut on top and the mft top doweled to it.
the mft top is level with the bed of the saw and acts as a support for cutting long pieces.
the mft part can go on either side of the saw but was designed for the left hand side as it is easier to get off that side.
i find this a very usefull set up that doesnt take up much space .
i also have a handy shelf for storing clamps etc.
this set up only cost me the dewalt brackets and my time as i got the mft off my local dealer as an ex display from a show.
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[Chris Hughes]

Holy crappoli!  That is a great idea...  I'll be building one of those this weekend.

 

[Alan m]

i find this to be a very handy set up on site as i useually have the chop saw stand with me any ways. the shelf is very handy for clamps and parts etc. i use qwas dogs and rail dogs for cutting

 

[Chris Hughes]

Is that the smaller top?

 

[Alan m]

im not sure but i think it is not off the mft3. the size doesnt matter as it overhangs on one end so that it will fit on the dewalt stand.
this set up will not replace a full mft but is very handy for clamping and sanding operations etc

 

[Deansocial]

thats a kin  awesome idea i might get 1 made. How stable it it?

 

[Alan m]

its farly stable. i wouldnt go hammering on it but thats not whats its for. i use mine all the time. the extanding parts of the dw stand are really helpfull

 

[Jonhilgen]

I really like this idea Alan.  I'm gonna have to make a smaller one for my stand.  I'm always looking for an extra workspace on site, not to mention a place to set my tape measure down while cutting.

Jon

 

[monte]

Alan,

That a niffty idea.
I have that stand on one of my three chop saws, I really like it.

Were the extra set of mounting brackets a special order or do some outlets carry them in stock?

roger

 

[Alan m]

those ones are extra long ones. my local dealer has loads of the normal ones in stock (maybe 20-30 sets ).
i have been thinking of putting some tools into a table on it  such as a router table and jigsaw. these would be hande on site  as it would take up little room

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Bringing up this dead topic.
Awesome idea Alan! Im copying it, but making my own mft top.
Thank you!

 

[Alan m]

it works great.
i am thinking of making 2 wings in a similar way, but narrower

 

[dinkjs]

This so goes along with my topic I started a few days ago about the Dewalt stand.....I will defently do this but narrower...I was looking for ideas to incorporate a hold down idea and now I have it......THANKS

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Yup I saw your post, but had to find the thread explaining Alans' avatar.
The miter saw stand is awesome. So much better than a bench. Once I have made up my fake MFT top, it will be a great stand!

 

[pghmyn]

I've been contemplating the idea of a custom MFT style table. I can get a sheet of 2' x 4' MDF for $8.00, and then use some oak/pine for the lip/frame. I just want something I know is smooth and flat. My current table is a salvaged piece of MDF with a sheet of some type of thick plastic on it. My dad got it from his work. It is pitted, scratched, glue covered, and not completely flat. After I finish my current project for a friend, the next thing for me to do is build a really nice work table.

Instead of the normal holes, I am going to elongate them so they are 3/4" D, and about 3" long. I want to be able to use the clamps I have already, and they will not fit through the normal MFT type holes. I can also get a bunch of them for about $2 each at a local store.

I also want to work in a way to use this table with my TS 55 and guide rail. Cross cuts are easy as it is, but I can always find a way to make it easier