Festool MFT table

[Romanf345]

I am interested in getting a basic mft table. Today I went to Woodcraft in Franklin Tennessee to check one out. Once I got there, went straight to it....was underwhelmed!  The jig parts looked awesome, but the table was wobbly....I assumed that it was going to quite sturdy for that price.

Is the MFT just a glorified folding table, or is the one I saw worn out,or?

Thanks for your input

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

The table itself is reasonably heavy duty and durable. Due to the nature of needing to be portable, the legs are just tubular steel and are somewhat wobbly. Adding the braces or joining two tables helps with the wobble. In a way they are glorified folding tables, but I’ve been hard pressed to find anything comparable.

I currently carry three MFT-Mini tables in my van and they work great. My two full sized MFT/3 tables have the legs removed and are mounted on rolling Systainer ports in my shop.

 

[peter halle]

I have never had an issue using my MFT with my Festool products.  I Don’t use it for hand planing and am ususally using it with my tool force being parallel to the legs versus perpendicular.  Is it a replacement for a 300 lb bench?  Yes when portability comes into play.  No if you want a rock solid workshop bench.

With versatility does come some compromises.  But more MFT’s are sold in North America than anywhere else so that must mean something.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

To me, the main two positive aspects of the MFT are the hole pattern and the flip down rail for the track saw or router. If you are not buying the rail system, I’d recommend just buying the top and constructing a bench for it.

I have 2 MFTs joined together and augmented with an extension for a big vise. The combination is very solid. I hand plane and hand saw on it with no wobble.

If you want to make your own top, Peter Parfitt sells a tool that spaces the hole pattern.

 

[RDMuller]

Someone did not install or tighten the braces.

 

[Birdhunter]

I had braces on all the legs of my 2 MFTs. They did improve stability, but the conjoined tables were still a bit wobbly. The vise extension I added made a huge difference. The downside of the extension is loss of portability.

Now, if Festool sold a legless MFT with all the accessories including the flip down rail and side moldings, that’s what I’d buy.

 

[Romanf345]

Thank you for all the great information. At this Woodcraft, one of the people working there, removed the legs from an mft and built a workbench under it. Lots of storage under it, and of course a very stable top.

Think I will order a replacement top for an mft, order the side channels and build my own version of the Woodcraft bench.

Thanks again and take care.

 

[peter halle]

Thank you for all the great information. At this Woodcraft, one of the people working there, removed the legs from an mft and built a workbench under it. Lots of storage under it, and of course a very stable top.

Think I will order a replacement top for an mft, order the side channels and build my own version of the Woodcraft bench.

Thanks again and take care.

You might want to check out the costs for all the required parts to see if it makes sense to go your route.  You can achieve very much the same thing by just folding up the legs and putting that on a cart or stand.

Peter

 

[Romanf345]

Makes sense Peter, If I buy the top figure on $165, side channels $250. The other lumber costs probably another $100. However I would then have a combination mft table and systainer storage. Add some Rockler bench wheels and it can roll around my workshop, and out of the way when not in use. That would cost another $50 or so.

Another option is to buy the Parfitt kit and make my own tops. Higher initial cost but I can make multiple tops in the future, and use plywood if I want versus mdf.

Either way, it is still cheaper than paying $605 plus tax. The advantage of buying the
Completed unit is that I would have the option of using it in a fixed position or having it portable souud the need arise.

Lots to think about [unsure]

 

[jarbroen]

Just for more things to think about.  If you buy the $720 MFT you get lots of handy things with it.  Like the 1080mm track and the hardware to make a cutting station - flip stops, rail, etc.

I just recently switched to 2 MFT tables in my shop instead of a 4'x7' cart with Parf guide hole grid.  With wheels, 18mm ply cost and the parf guide I think I spent $600 to build my cart...

Without the extra $115 worth of accessories for the MFT it's just a table.  That kit and some of the other accessories are what make the MFT design really stand out.  The reason I switched from my home made setup to MFT was flexibility and ease of setup.
I can now have the same amount of workspace for cutting down sheetgoods OR I can have a cutting station with a separate station for doing assembly or using my CMS.  And if I need space for something else I can fold it all up and store it.

If you get the MFT legs really set on your floor it's pretty stable.  I wouldn't hand plane on it but that's why I have power tools anyway.   It does take a bit of adjustment, especially if your floor isn't level.

You can always try it out and take it back if you don't like it. But it's kinda like drugs in that way... hahah

As for storage underneath the MFT - you can still build little carts.  Or just stack systainers.  I have lots of storage around my shop so I haven't bothered with something specific for under the tables.  I just have my TS75 underneath and a CT.

 

[Romanf345]

I agree totally. I was looking originally at the basic table because I already have all the hardware for the table. Guides, protractor, etc. the only Items I was missing is the top and side channels to make them work.

Still debating buy or build. Leaning toward building cause that is what woodworkers do, right?

 

[Corwin]

... the only Items I was missing is the top and side channels to make them work.

You will probably need the corner pieces and the screws to bolt it all together too, as the side profiles by themselves do not attach to the top. That will add another $100 or so. You might also want the rubber feet for those corner pieces. And don't forget the threaded inserts for the top and the screws to hold it down. So, check that parts diagram carefully before you proceed.