Dual MFT3 Built-Ins

[Bluenose]

I have read and reread the many creative and innovative storage solution that have been developed for the Festool MFT workbench. I pretty much assumed that I would steal from the cream of the crop since I need to maximize the storage in my small shop.

But somewhere along the line I veered off that path and decided to create a permanent mount for my two MFT3s. I thought I might be able to add some workshop features that I was looking for. Namely:

• Increase the height and stiffness of my MFT tables
• Create a sheet goods shelf below my workbench
• Clear the clutter that results from the four sets of legs
• Add some extra bench space by creating some table inserts between the MFT and the walls

Here is where my idea stands now. I still want to build some rolling storage for underneath.

Nothing really complicated, just a pair of Fir 4x4s mounted on cleats. But it is really, really stout. And the more I add, the heavy and more solid it has become.

One nice thing was the added table inserts. One in the back where my benchtop lathe gets to live and one that extends my workbench to the right.

Both inserts are pretty much exactly lined up with the MFTs so I can slide anything on and off of them. This should work really well when I get the lathe setup since I plan to just slide it to the front my bench and clamp it down.

Here is the sheet good storage that I built. It can't hold that much but prior to this there wasn't any room in my shop for sheet goods. Time will tell how useful this idea really is.

And one last picture showing the right hand table insert. Just don't ask me how I am going to empty my cyclone collector.

I am still trying this new idea on for size, but so far I am liking it. Time will tell.

Cheers, Bill

 

[chrisrosenb]

It looks like a nice setup.
I also like the tools on the shelf at the end. Very handy.
Do you use the lathe?

 

[Bluenose]

It looks like a nice setup.
I also like the tools on the shelf at the end. Very handy.
Do you use the lathe?

Chris,

Thanks.

No I haven't used the lathe, yet. It is brand new, well new to me anyway. It started out looking like this:

But it cleaned up nice.

I still need to finish off the counter shaft, get a motor, a live center, lathe tools.... And did I forget to mention some turning skills ;D

Just like everything else in my shop, I don't know jack about squat.

Cheers, Bill

 

[Mike B]

Nice! Very orderly and a good use of space.

The only thing I'd do is enclose the shelf area under the MFT3's and install an outlet so you could hook it up to a dust collector. I can see a lot of dust/chips getting through the holes in the tops - especially if using the lathe.

 

[sw1211]

Just like everything else in my shop, I don't know jack about squat.

Cheers, Bill

Everything looks well thought out.  Not knowing is sometimes the best way to learn, just make sure to learn with safety in mind, especially with a tool you haven't used before.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Nice work on the lathe also.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

Nice setup.  You are giving me tons of ideas.  What is that underneath the blackboard on the first picture.  A jointer?

Cheers.

 

[Dan Clermont]

Nicely done. I think you have room for a KAPEX if you part the MFT's 

Dan Clermont

 

[mhoy]

That looks great! Give me ideas too.  Sure glad I had a sub panel put in the garage recently, I only had one shared plug before.
The lathe is looking great, what kind of paint did you use?

Mark

 

[johnsonri]

Very nice, indeed. Great use of the space. I like the fact that the storage underneath the table is completely open. True, that you might get some saw dust and chips down there, but the open space creates so many possibilities storage-wise.

Are you concerned at all with the table handling weight, or sagging over time?

Rey

 

[Bluenose]

Nice! Very orderly and a good use of space.

The only thing I'd do is enclose the shelf area under the MFT3's and install an outlet so you could hook it up to a dust collector. I can see a lot of dust/chips getting through the holes in the tops - especially if using the lathe.

Mike,

Interesting insight and I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to use this setup. It seems that the experience I need to create a workable setup doesn't come until after I try something that doesn't work. ;D

Just like everything else in my shop, I don't know jack about squat.

Cheers, Bill

Everything looks well thought out.  Not knowing is sometimes the best way to learn, just make sure to learn with safety in mind, especially with a tool you haven't used before.

Thanks, I certainly can't hear that often enough.

Nice setup.  You are giving me tons of ideas.  What is that underneath the blackboard on the first picture.  A jointer?

Cheers.

Jesus,

Yep it is a small 4 inch old Craftsman jointer on a shelf. The nature of the installation, and the size of my small shop, limits me to joining boards less than about 5 feet. My plan, although I haven't had to use it yet, is to join long boards on the MFT with my TS-55 per Bob Marino's instruction.

I will try to keep this thread somewhat on topic and stick to my Festool stuff. Much more info on the rest of my small shop and some of the older tools here:

OWWM's for the Small Shop

Nicely done. I think you have room for a KAPEX if you part the MFT's  

Dan Clermont

Dan,

Funny you should mention that. Although a KAPEXisn't in the budget anytime soon, I constantly look for ways to use the section between the two MFTs for something. It turned out to be just a bit too small for my cordless Bosch Miter saw. But I keep thinking.

That looks great! Give me ideas too.  Sure glad I had a sub panel put in the garage recently, I only had one shared plug before.
The lathe is looking great, what kind of paint did you use?

Mark

Mark,

Krylon Battleship grey rattle can. More pictures can be had here.

Very nice, indeed. Great use of the space. I like the fact that the storage underneath the table is completely open. True, that you might get some saw dust and chips down there, but the open space creates so many possibilities storage-wise.

Are you concerned at all with the table handling weight, or sagging over time?

Rey

Rey,

Yes I was, and maybe am still a bit, concerned with the strength, stiffness and sagging over time. My first idea was to use a pair of 4 x 6s to support the MFTs but alas the ones available on our local building store were warped and twisted. But I did find these two exceptionally straight 4 x 4s. Time will tell I guess. But I have walked all over the top of these MFTs and they seems rock solid.

Also, I may not have been really clear when describing how this is all held up. The two MFTs are sitting on the two 4 x 4s which are held by cleats screwed into the wall studs. The lower shelf is a leftover piece of 3/4 (or larger) plywood which is supported on each end. It does sag just a bit, a necessity for the ability to store long sheets or boards. It is not a structural part of the table support. Just goes along for the ride.

Oh, and I have the MFTs joined together with the Festool connectors.

Edit: One other feature or nicety that I have found. I am pretty new to construction and woodworking and I have to confess that my shop floor isn't completely even or level. But by hanging beams from the wall to use as a table mount everything is pretty spot on. All the different tables line up with each other and they are all level.

Cheers and Thanks for the input,
Bill

 

[BC6738F5BCE98B4]

I will join others in admiration of your idea of "built ins."  Having adopted a similar notion for my non-festool work surfaces, my question is how you reach behind to (for example) get items like the Festool clamps off the wall.  Similarly, if you want to move the Track which is attached to the backside of the MFT to a different location how do you get this done?

My solution (to date) has been to make removeable panels which sit on the support structure and if I need a different work surface (a router table for example) I pull one panel out and insert the router table.  I then crawl underneath and insert bolts from the bottom which are tightened from the top. 

Unless you are very tall (or have very long arms) I don't see how you get to a number of the things on the wall.  If I understood that I would likely incorporate your idea for the remainder of the work surface that I am building.

 

[Bluenose]

I will join others in admiration of your idea of "built ins."  Having adopted a similar notion for my non-festool work surfaces, my question is how you reach behind to (for example) get items like the Festool clamps off the wall.  Similarly, if you want to move the Track which is attached to the backside of the MFT to a different location how do you get this done?

My solution (to date) has been to make removeable panels which sit on the support structure and if I need a different work surface (a router table for example) I pull one panel out and insert the router table.  I then crawl underneath and insert bolts from the bottom which are tightened from the top. 

Unless you are very tall (or have very long arms) I don't see how you get to a number of the things on the wall.  If I understood that I would likely incorporate your idea for the remainder of the work surface that I am building.

Your observation are very perceptive. First I am about 6 feet tall with long enough arms. But... I can't reach everything on the shelf to the left of the workbench. I new this when I built and installed it. The built-ins didn't really change that. But having a small, very small, shop meant somethings would be a bit difficult and harder to reach than others. So when I need some of those, rarely used, items on the top of the shelf I step from my shop stool onto the MFT and grab the item that I need. Did I mention how rock solid this setup turned out? ;D

The little clamp shelf on the right is withing easy reach for me.

With respect to moving the track I just don't move it that often. Actually I don't use it as often as maybe I should since my bench dogs get pretty good duty as my primary fence.

But I am still learning and wouldn't be surprised to find out that this whole effort isn't quite as "brilliant" as I currently think it is. That happens to me a lot. ;D

Thanks,
Bill

 

[BC6738F5BCE98B4]

Thanks for the info.  Actually, I like the idea of climbing on the deck and working from there.  I ended up putting wall cabinets (mounted on a French cleat) above my unit which allows me to put things that "stick out" from the all so that I can reach them (up to a certain height).

Having seen your arrangement I am considering how I could implement something like it in the limited remaining wall space that I have.  My problem is compounded by the fact that I have two windows in the middle of the wall.  My current vague thoughts are to mount a 2 x or 4x on the wall (parallel to the floor) and mount the platform which would hold the MFT on hinges so that it can be "put away" on the wall without taking up any floor space. 

These thoughts are still vague and not entirely coherent, but your idea has given me some hope of solving a problem that has perplexed me for some time. 

Thanks