Flattening a Slab table top with the Festool Router Sled

cflansbaum

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
161
I've always wanted to try the Festool MFS Routing Slide and recently I got a commission to build a vanity desk using a myrtle slab top.  Below are pictures of the process.  I used a 1" strait bit and a 30mm template guide with my OF 1400 router.

This worked amazingly well.  One has to take shallow cuts and it makes a mess, but worked very well.  In fact after I did one side, I just flipped it over and did the bottom side, rather than use my drum sander.  As you can see I used the MFS profiles on edge and it worked fine.

I'll be happy to answer any questions!

Carl
 
Very nice use of the tools. The slides look longer than 1000mm but I see they have the scales on them. They also look shorter than 2000mm units, and those don't have the scales, (bummer). Is it just the perspective of the shots that is fooling me?
 
I think so, Greg. That's a 1080 they're sitting on. 'Must be the 1000's.

Tom
 
Didn't know this existed.

After getting Tage Fride's book, I was thinking about making one of these from 8020 stuff.  Has anyone made their own sled for use on an MFT?
 
greg mann said:
Very nice use of the tools. The slides look longer than 1000mm but I see they have the scales on them. They also look shorter than 2000mm units, and those don't have the scales, (bummer). Is it just the perspective of the shots that is fooling me?

Actually each side is made up of a 1000mm, 400mm and 200mm section joined together...

c.
 
How much deflection do you get in the Router Sled when the 1400 is sitting in halfway between the MFS rails?
 
How much deflection do you get in the Router Sled when the 1400 is sitting in halfway between the MFS rails?

Virtually no deflection.

It is 2mm thick steel.

It is in the shape of an elongated "U". The long direction is 750mm and the short is 210mm. There are flanges turned down 90 degrees along the long edges that are 20mm deep.

It is quite stout.

Tom
 
I only noticed deflection if I pushed down on the router.  I was careful to just slide the router back and forth and take shallow cuts...

Carl
 
rjfarel said:
Didn't know this existed.

After getting Tage Fride's book, I was thinking about making one of these from 8020 stuff.  Has anyone made their own sled for use on an MFT?

If you already have 8020 extrusions they would probably work for your rails. You would probably only need the router sled, and the right template bushing.
 
Carl, looks like you got good results from that method.  Is the project finished & if so can you post pics of it.

Thanks, Woodguy
 
Still working on it - should be done by the end of the month and will post pics then.  Thanks for the interest.

Carl
 
ok, here's some final pics.

[attachthumb=#1]

[attachthumb=#2]

[attachthumb=#3]

it turned out fantastic!  I did have to relevel it after it sat awhile after the first leveling however!

Carl
 
Im my opinion - and my wife's - that is a masterpiece.

Peter
 
That's cool, Carl!

I love the look. Did you match the drawer fronts with other parts of the same piece as it looks?

Tom
 
Wow, that desk is absolutely stunning! Very very well done [thumbs up]
Do you have any close up of the drawers? How did you make them? Dovetails?
 
thanks guys for all the nice comments!

the drawer fronts are also made of myrtle, but not from the slab.  I just picked pieces that matched as closely as possible (difficult with myrtle!)

I didn't do dovetails, but pinned the drawers with maple dowels,  I thought this is more in keeping with the modern look of the piece.

FYI, I used blum tandem slides with the tip-on accessory, so no handles as once again in keeping with the modern look the client wanted.

c.

There's some bigger pics here on my website
 
Carl,

your work is stunning.  I presume you make your living from making furniture, if not you should !!!

Thanks for posting, Woodguy.
 
Back
Top