Finally Buying the MFT/3 Table

[kdzito]

I'm going to my local Woodcraft over lunch hour to get the MFT/3 and already have some projects lined up.

One of my 1st questions is for the cross members 495502, if they are really necessary? 

I guess that with Festool products, although I really love them, is that you really get dinged on accessories.  Examples are the edge guides for the TS 55 and OF 1400 is that there is dedicated space in their systainers and also the hose garage and holder for the CT 22 dust extractor is  that you still buy them separately. ??? Now the cross members for the table?  Wow that's +/- $290 for all of them including sales tax.  Wow that's about the price of another sander!!!

In the end it's only money that can't be taken with you at death; however, it's nice to have a little more when alive.

 

[Neill]

Kurt,

First of all, welcome to the Forum.  Lots of hobbyists and professionals are here that are more than eager to help out with any questions you have related to Festools, other tools, materials and techniques.

I have the MFT/3 but not the crossmembers.  I have not seen a need for them since the table is pretty stable on its own.  The crossmembers would certainly help, I would think, if you are doing some heavy work on it.  I keep mine in my basement shop and don't move it around.  Nor do I do anything more than use my plunge saw, sanders and domino on it.

As far as the cost, I look at Festool as an investment.  Not only do the tools last a long time, they maintain their value.  Look at E-bay and you will find that used Festools in good condition sell for almost as much, if not more, than new.  The accessories and supplies can be costly but at the same time they add functionality to the tools that you might not be able to achieve with other brands.

The ala carte feature of the accessories and supplies allow you to purchase just what you want when you want it.  There are some kits available such as with the cordless drills, but you can also purchase the drill and the components individually.

Neill

 

[kdzito]

Neill,

Thanks for your input.  I'll hold off on buying the cross members and see how the table works without them.

I do realize that these tools are an investment and I've been more than happy with them.  I just went through some throws of selling off some tools to pay for some of my recent Festool purchases and done better than expected (my other tools held their value better than I would've thought).  I also realize that my spending of more than $3K on Festool products over the past month shocked me and how I've had to wrap my mind around the whole experience.  I accept it and do justify what I've done without regret.

Kurt

 

[Holzhacker]

I thought about the cross members, then saw the price. My mft3 doesn't get move much. I have yet to experience any need for cross members, doubt I ever really will. If they become necessary somehow, I will build new own. Like you, I will gladly spend that money on a sander. Enjoy the table.
For me at least the table took so getting used to. I think it promotes better work habits. I use it with more ease and comfort now.

 

[clev1066]

Since owning and MFT, it has become one of the most usefull tools in the shop. I am at the point of re-purposing my very large workbench that I've been using for the last five years because it no longer gets used in the shop. I think I will replace the top with granite tile and move it to the back patio! It would seat about 8-10.

As far as the crossmembers; I can only see them being useful if you plan to do some hand-planing on the MFT. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of thrill hand-planing for hours on end, so I use power tools. In that regard; I've never seen a need for the crossmembers. I sand, saw, joint, and assemble on the MFT without movement or problems.

Give it a go for a while without the crossmembers; as you can always add them if you have the need.

Best wishes!

 

[Tony M]

The table is a little wobbly for me, I like the braces. But you don't need 4, just 2. If you do go for them, install them on opposite corners, not on the same side like they illustrate in the catalog, I could not understand way they show it that way. Good luck!

 

[Spike]

I bought the MFT3 2 weeks ago, I set up the table on the job I'm working on and within an hour afterwards I called the dealer and had him order not one but two sets of cross member supports. I feel the table is extremely unstable without them.

 

[Five Star]

I to am new to festool,
and have been purchasing most of my stuff used and off setting the cost by selling off my old Home depot yellow for the new GREEN!! Yes im hooked and i admit it!
i have 2 mft3 tables and the are very solid with out the cross supports on level footing!
im about to take a plunge again and order the kapex with the mft kapex as a package deal!

im thinking of using my other 2 mft @ as material supports and the kapex mft as the saw stand! from what i understand that is how or why they make the kapex mft the height that it is to work with the other mft?

 

[Brice Burrell]

im thinking of using my other 2 mft @ as material supports and the kapex mft as the saw stand! from what i understand that is how or why they make the kapex mft the height that it is to work with the other mft?

Yeah, that's the idea. Your floor needs to be flat since the MFT tables can't adjust their height for uneven floors. Otherwise you'll need shims to make everything coplanar.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I to am new to festool,
and have been purchasing most of my stuff used and off setting the cost by selling off my old Home depot yellow for the new GREEN!! Yes im hooked and i admit it!
i have 2 mft3 tables and the are very solid with out the cross supports on level footing!
im about to take a plunge again and order the kapex with the mft kapex as a package deal!

im thinking of using my other 2 mft @ as material supports and the kapex mft as the saw stand! from what i understand that is how or why they make the kapex mft the height that it is to work with the other mft?

You addict!!!

You can come clean, you got the new makita.

Glad to see ya 5star, there is a lot of handy tips and tricks here.