Festool STM 1800 Mobile Sawing Table Alternatives

[08G8V8]

Here's what worked for me when doing my last big plywood project:

Lee Valley supports mounted on tracktubes:

Delivery guy and I carry the sheets in and drop them on:

I rip them on the cutting station and crosscut on the MFT's:

Only thing I'd do different next time is put some wood sticks between each plywood sheet so I can cut them without moving the stack off. The other pain is the sheet I needed to cut was always in the middle or on the bottom of the stack. So I'd slide them over and off to the MFT's to re-arrange them.

Nice!  I ordered a set of TrackTubes last week and they are getting delivered today. I have the Veritas setup as well, and was planning on doing the similar setup for ripping plywood.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rick Herrick]

How much are the Track Tubes?  Is that much better than a simple 2x4 ?

 

[Mike Goetzke]

How much are the Track Tubes?  Is that much better than a simple 2x4 ?

I've been using a 4'x8' work table made from 3-MFT style slabs for quite a while now. They sit on saw horses with 90" TrackTubes. I recently swapped out the DeWalt saw horses for wider stance Toughbilt. The TrackTubes are nice since they have a t-track channel in the top. I use it to hold short dogs that hold the slabs in place. I suppose you could join/plane a 2x4 (or 2x6) and dado a groove for a t-track.

Seems TrackTubes has new extrusions now with t-track extruded on both top & bottom. But, I only see 72" length availability.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-with-mft-type-workbench/msg623090/#msg623090

 

[zapdafish]

https://tracktubes.com/

looks like a pair for 139, I definitely would have bought it just now if i didnt have the stm 1800 lol.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

https://tracktubes.com/

looks like a pair for 139, I definitely would have bought it just now if i didnt have the stm 1800 lol.

I purchased two sets of these about two years ago. One set I left at 90" and the other I cut to be able to use for a two slab and a one slab support (my slabs are 32"x48"). I recently ordered a new drill press and trying to decide between purchasing a table for it or making one. The new Woodpecker's DP table has a hollow aluminum extrusion that is cut out by the arbor and used for dust collection. I was thinking I might be able to duplicate this with a section of a TrackTube.

 

[Rick Herrick]

Wonder why the only length available is 72".  I think these could be very useful.  I think a good set of 2x4s still would work though.  I have the HD ToughBilt saw horses ready to set up when I get a load of plywood but there is always that sag if I don't have something in the middle, or the 2x4s.  I don't see a need, yet, for the t-track option but having that 6' of solid support might be better than 2x4s.  And these things are shipped for free.... How in the world can they do that...?

 

[08G8V8]

Wonder why the only length available is 72".  I think these could be very useful.  I think a good set of 2x4s still would work though.  I have the HD ToughBilt saw horses ready to set up when I get a load of plywood but there is always that sag if I don't have something in the middle, or the 2x4s.  I don't see a need, yet, for the t-track option but having that 6' of solid support might be better than 2x4s.  And these things are shipped for free.... How in the world can they do that...?

They no longer sell, or will be selling, the 90” version.....for shipping cost reasons.

There are a number of possible uses for these they list including a quick work top support, router sled, fence for various tools. 

They had a 10% off code last week.  I figured it was worth the $125 shipped.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jeh]

https://tracktubes.com/

looks like a pair for 139, I definitely would have bought it just now if i didnt have the stm 1800 lol.

Dang those things are nice. I'd prefer 84", but can live with 72". Anyone made some type of bracket to hold an MFT on top without it moving. I could live with slide down the tracks which might be convenient. Now I have to find a source to make me an MDF MTF in that size.

 

[DynaGlide]

I have the originals @ 90". Glad I got them before they stopped making them.

 

[rst]

I pretty much did the same setup as Dynaglide except I used 8' 8020 1530 extrusions.  I bought the STM solely due to the tip up capability.  I'm 68 and while my mind still thinks it's 35, I really do not enjoy hoisting up 3/4" 4' x 8' sheets of particle board, MDF or plywood.

 

[Grev]

Here's another version of a cutting table I'm working on .. using Bora Speedhorses, TrackTubes, 48" lengths of 15 series t-slots, and clip-in sacrificial strips.  I had some brackets 3d printed to allow adjustability and locking down of the t-slot crossmembers.  I use my Gorilla Gripper for moving heavy sheet goods around and a plywood swing attachment that allows me to easily swing those heavy sheets in place for cutting.  Because of the wider stance than most sawhorses, I really like the stability of the Bora Speedhorses for the cutting table.

 

[fshanno]

Here's another version of a cutting table I'm working on .. using Bora Speedhorses, TrackTubes, 48" lengths of 15 series t-slots, and clip-in sacrificial strips.  I had some brackets 3d printed to allow adjustability and locking down of the t-slot crossmembers.  I use my Gorilla Gripper for moving heavy sheet goods around and a plywood swing attachment that allows me to easily swing those heavy sheets in place for cutting.  Because of the wider stance than most sawhorses, I really like the stability of the Bora Speedhorses for the cutting table.

Speaking of Bora.  I've got the 4x8 Centipede.  Normally use a 3" thick 4x8 foam sheet for cutting with no rails or cross pieces.  When I don't have the foam I set it up with 2 8' 2x4's for the rails and several 4' 2x2's the cross pieces. 

If I didn't already have the Centipede, which I got for just $75 when a big box was clearing them out, I'd have a couple of folding horses.  I don't think I'd spring for the Bora.  The height adustable Tough Built is $54.  The Centipede is fine for cutting but it's not as stable as any kind of good sawhorse.

The 1800 is a very cool concept but it's not for me.  If it was around $500 I'd give it a look.

 

[brakarzacant]

Same here, its a cutting table and sheet lifter in one.

Getting too old to lift 40kg sheets by myself and its very handy with the Festool System and quality.

Ordered mine yesterday and expect to arrive in a week...

Keep in mind, I'm in Australia, so my cost of $2000 AUD and still worth every cent!

Why would I pay $1000 for a cutting table?  For convience and old age.  Getting tired of waint for help to unload ply and haul it to my shop. This way I can roll it up to the truck unload a sheet cut it and repeat.

plus it folds up and outta da way easy and slick
So its ordered.

Should arrive about the time I get my shop built and set up

 

[batmanimal]

Ordered mine today, after initially deciding it was "overkill" for my small space.

What won me over was not how large it can get, but how small it can get for storing away. The fact that it collapses down to under 10" in depth is the killer feature for me, along with the panel lifting and moving capacity.

I'm tired of having to wait for hubby to help me lift sheets. I want to do everything by myself, without fear of injury.

I also was one of those who thought "no way" when I saw the price tag. But, like so much of the Festoolian universe, once I fully understood the feature set and use cases for it, realized it was actually worth the price for me.