Damage to MFT3 Top from Oak Strips

[grbmds]

I purchased a Festool saw and MFT3 table about 2 months ago. I used it to crosscut some 1/2" X 1/2" red oak strips to length. I bundled these strips in small groups for later use. I then was not able to get into my workshop for about 8 weeks due to other commitments. The MFT3 top is damaged under these strips. The facts are: (1)They sat in the same place for the full 8 weeks. (2)The oak is old, having been in my workshop for years; scraps from other projects. (3) The humidity in my basement shop stays at about 50% during the summer as I have dehumidifiers on all the time. (4)There are no water stains on either the oak or the MFT3 top so condensation from pipes is unlikely the problem nor leakage from any source. (5) The damage looks like the smooth surface of the top was dissolved and, in a couple of places, it is rough and "pitted" (but just under where the wood was stacked).

What could have caused this? I have never had anything else in my shop which has been damaged by moisture, humidity, or through wood storage over a long period of time (much longer than 8 weeks). I have worked in this basement shop for over 20 years.

Any suggestions on the cause, what to do about it, and whether it is something that would be covered by the Festool warranty?

Thanks for any help.

 

[tjbnwi]

Tannins in the oak may have cause the problem? Only in areas humidity got to. As the air dried between the board and top, more humidity replaced it.

The wood may not have been flat on all areas of the table, moisture in the air trapped between the oak and top affected the top?

A little wood filler or bond, fill and sand smooth.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

I guess it is moisture/tannins from the oak.  As you probably know MDF just doesn't like being exposed water/moisture.  I don't see this as something Festool should warranty.  The MDF top is meant to be consumable so I wouldn't give it a second thought.  I see Tom beat me to it. 

 

[Tinker]

My guess was (before i got to Tom and Brice's replies) the tannin in the oak.  I have not had that problem with oak on my MFT top, but I had used some oak 3/4" strips for stickers between Tulip boards i was air drying. Some dark strips showed under the oak. I don't know for sure if that was the problem, but it was my guess. 

As to the MFT top, the first thing I do with my MT tops (three of them) is to apply a couple of coats of wipe-on ploy urethane and then buff on a couple of coats of wax.  That is not necessarily to protect from moisture, but my MFT's serve duty as assembly tables as well as for cutting surfaces.  I cover areas under glue joints with wax paper when glueing.  Sometimes I reuse the wax paper for several applications, so it gets a little ragged.  With the ply/wax protection, any drips peal off readily. 

I have read where others have done the same type of protection on their MFT tops and do it on both sides (top and undersides).  I have not done that and so far have not had the warpage predicted by those who have done it that way.  Maybe that's as my Dear Aunt Mary used to say, "Ignorance is bliss." Sometimes it works out that way.  :
Tinker

 

[Corwin]

Do like those that purchase houses only to fix them up and sell them in short order...

Flip it.

 

[grbmds]

I'd be concerned that applying wipe on poly and waxing the top would make it too slippery. What is the experience with coating the MFT3 top to prevent glue and damage like I had?

 

[Sparktrician]

I'd be concerned that applying wipe on poly and waxing the top would make it too slippery. What is the experience with coating the MFT3 top to prevent glue and damage like I had?

I use Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax on my MFTs.  Glue is easily removed, but they're not impervious to water not wiped up quickly, and they're not overly slippery. 

 

[Tinker]

The first two coats of poly seem to disappear almost immediately.  Of course, using wipe on, it goes on pretty thin.
The wax also seems to disappear.  no shine even after buffing with my RO 150.
The surface is left with slightly deeper color and not apparent slippery.
Maybe a little extra sheen, but not slippery to the sight or feel.
I sometimes add a little more wax if I am doing an assembly with a lot of gluing.
Even then, it does not appear to be slippery, but any spill or spatter does not stick.
Tinker

 

[John H]

On a side note  - how did you pay for the MFT3?

If you used AmEx I am pretty sure they would pay you for a new top under their 90 accidental damage policy

 

[grbmds]

I appreciate all the information and help. I guess I learned not to keep any wood, dry or not, stacked on the table for very long. I will try sealing the top, maybe turning it over first to start over (although, since the damage is confined to a corner not in the main work area, it might not be a problem).

 

[harry_]

No offense to intended to the OP, but every time a read a thread similar to this one, all I can think is:

"Oh man, this guy would NOT want to see what my MFT/3 top looks like!"  [laughing]

 

[jmbfestool]

No offense to intended to the OP, but every time a read a thread similar to this one, all I can think is:

"Oh man, this guy would NOT want to see what my MFT/3 top looks like!"  [laughing]

Same here!

Not only do I have millions of cuts, stain, glue all over my MFT tops 

but

I have also planed (festool Planer) AND cut (TS55) through some of my Alli extrusions  [embarassed] [embarassed]

( Dean Social cut through my Ug Arm extensions with his circular saw! It was much appreciated! Using my Ug Arm extensions as a bench!!!!! [mad] )

 

[harry_]

I don't think I have hit my extrusions yet.

Cam close to hitting a threaded insert though.

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Yup.  First cut I hit the extrusion.   

John

 

[waho6o9]

I was sealing some cutting boards with some Emmet's Good Stuff
and thought why not seal up the MFT as well.  I've used paste wax before
and I like the look of the Emmet's better.
[smile]
[attachthumb=#]

 

[1toolshort]

I use sacrificial plywood under all my work on my MFT3.  Never had any issues and i have had oak, hickory, PVC, black walnut, and many others on the the top.  I do not treat anything on the MDF top and it has been fine.  My humidity here in the Poconos has very wide swings.

 

[fidelfs]

I live in Houston , TX and my garage is not well insulated, no AC.  Humidity is high all year long.
I had so many wood on top of my MFT without a problem.  I have tools that rust from one week to the next, that is how humid it is.

My MFT doesn't have any protection on top of it.