Coating a MFT with a finish?

[woodywoodyard]

Gentlemen, I'm new on FOG and a new owner of a TS55, MFT/3, OF 1400, CT 36 extractor, and Rotex 90 sander.  They're so new I haven't had a chance to operate them yet.  I've just registered onto FOG, but have been following your advice, comments, suggestions, etc. for about 6-months.  What I've read has led to my purchase.  I'm not a professional woodworker, but love it as a hobby; although due to a career change I haven't had a chance to do any woodworking for over 11-years.  I'm anxious to get back into it.

Now before I use the MFT, I'm wondering if I should put some kind of finish on the MDF since my shop is in the basement and the humidity sometimes gets high.  I was thinking about using Shellac.

Please let me know what you advise.  First of all, should I put a finish on it?  Second, if so, is Shellac a good choice?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

As for a coating on the MFT .... some people do and (I think) most do not. I am sure members will  post there suggestions.

Seth

 

[Sparktrician]

I use Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax.  It seems to make it easier to peel up glue drips and the like.  I would note, though, that it needs to be re-applied frequently, and is not completely impervious to water or spills. 

 

[KevinHanna]

One thing I've done is put some Topcote on the aluminum extrusions to act as a glue resist.  Hard to scrape Titebond off of aluminum if you don't catch it .

I run the sander over the top every once in a while.

K

 

[Tinker]

First off>>>>> [welcome]

I apply two coats of Wipe On Poly and a couple of coats of wax, buffing the wax.
A previous responder stated he coats with wax to keep glue from sticking.
That is the same reason i treat the surface.
I don't take any extra pains to get the poly/wax into the holes.

When glueing, i place wax paper under the glue joints to prevent glue drips directly onto the table
if i somehow get any glue stuck in the MFT holes, a quick couple of swipes with sand paper or round file removes any problem.
I check the holes immediately after any glue up.
Tinker

 

[festoolviking]

Hi, and  [welcome]

I keep my MFT setup in my basement most of the time and it's been there for almost a year. Temperatures varies a lot as well for humidity but I have not experienced any issues with my MFT- top.

Festoolviking

 

[woodywoodyard]

Thank you for your response to my post.  I like the suggestions about the wax applications.  I'm surprised, however, [blink] that no one commented about using shellac.  Since it's expected that there will be damage and abrasions over time on the MDF, it seems that shellac would suit well as a coating.  Those areas could be readily addressed, repaired, and another coat easily added to the MDF--especially since layers of shellac meld/fuse together.  And, wax applications could still go over a shellac finish.  Right?  This is what I'm thinking at the moment, at least.

 

[peter halle]

Several members here have used shellac.  You could certainly do the same.  Personally I find the tops to be a disposable item and don't care about finishes on it, but I respect and understand others' efforts.

Peter

 

[mouppe]

If your prime concern is humidity, then shellac won't help you very much. I don't know what will to be honest. But why are you so concerned? I think the MFT tops will handle whatever humidity changes are thrown at it, unless you spill water on it directly.

Also, if you do coat it with something, are you also going to do the holes because then you could affect the fit of the clamping elements?

 

[Frank Pellow]

I use Johnson paste wax on all the MDF table tops in my shop and that includes the tops on my multi-function tables.

 

[leakyroof]

I put Surfix Outdoor Oil on mine to help with the odd glue drop. I put wax on the extrusions for the same reason.

 

[ShawnRussell]

Same as Frank, a quick light coat of Johnson Paste Wax.

 

[LostInTheWood]

For those of you who coat with wax or oil, do you find that you have any transfer to your workpiece?  I shellacked mine for that reason.  I'm just curious if any of you had issues with painting or staining your work because the surface received some transfer from your MFT.

 

[leakyroof]

For those of you who coat with wax or oil, do you find that you have any transfer to your workpiece?   I shellacked mine for that reason.  I'm just curious if any of you had issues with painting or staining your work because the surface received some transfer from your MFT.

  The Surfix oil dries easily, and stays in the MFT top, so no, no transfer to a workpiece. I doubt wax would be an issue either as all of us use it for the bottom of hand planes, or the tops of machinery with usually zero complaints of finish issues on a workpiece.

 

[bonesbr549]

Mines been in my basement for 4+ years now, no issues.  I've had mine for a long time and no seal coats and I use it a lot! It's a workbench and I work on it so I don't stress about it.  It's got a few stains and nicks and bruises but its a work bench.  Only thing I've done is to every now and then mix up some Durhams watter putty and fill in the kerf cut by the TS55 to take it back to good as new.  Still on my original top!   

 

[tdr6874]

any other possible coatings??  man these tops are fragile...mine arrived in the rain via fed ex...rain got into box while sitting on porch....it swelled all over with little water that did get in

 

[sancho57]

I havent put any sort of coating on mines. They are a work bench for me. I use it as one. Ive had mines for a few years and its got stain, holes etc all over it.

Gives it character.

It doesnt have kerf marks thought, that is other then where I cross cut, Oh and the fence, and the rail and some dark places we wont talk about....

 

[jools]

I oil mine top and bottom with kitchen counter top oil usually after filling all kerf cuts with two pack and a light sand. MDF will curl if only one side is painted etc in my experience.

 

[Stone Message]

I havent put any sort of coating on mines. They are a work bench for me. I use it as one. Ive had mines for a few years and its got stain, holes etc all over it.

Gives it character.

It doesnt have kerf marks thought, that is other then where I cross cut, Oh and the fence, and the rail and some dark places we wont talk about....

Hi Ron,

At first I thought that this might be ketchup stains and then I remembered - it must be where you constructed your Avatar - the old grease just pours off the fish and chips.

Hi Woodywoodyardywoodywoodperson,

The Surfix suggestion is excellent. I have used Osmo (not sure if it is Door Oil or PolyX) on mine. Glue just wipes off. Remember to do the underside.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

I have three MFT's.  I have treated all three as reported earlier in this thread. On each one, I have only treated one side and have had no problems with any sign of warpage.  When i did the first two (1080 and 600), i had not known about needing to treat both sides to prevent warpage.  With the third one (MFT/3) I had been told, but since there was no sign of movement, I did only one side as with the previous applications.  I had a very dear aunt, in days gone by, who used to say, when we kids did something wrong and it worked out better than we deserved, "Well, Ignorance is bliss." 
Tinker