Got my MFT/3 and now a question or two.

[GaryB]

Went down to Rockler today and bought a nice shiny MFT/3 to play with  [cool]

The table is a great size and perfect height to work with and was wondering what thoughts, if any, were to adding a router plate in it. Being perforated will obviously weaken the top a little with a big hole in it but I figured with some added underside bracing I don't see it as a big issue. Anyway, I am looking to use the protractor head as the base of a fence. It holds t-track slots and I have some nice bits I can modify to make a nice router fence with using the protractor as the adjustable section. It can be locked in place with the edge clamp to make for a good and strong long fence. Does anyone foresee any problems with my plan?

Secondly, the table wasn't on my list of things to get this soon but some cash came in and.... Anyway, I bought a 1400 rail a couple of weeks ago and now it's surplus to needs as the table comes with one. Would taking the other rail back to the store be a crappy move on my part? I don't know what kind of impact these returns have on the stores and I don't want to be an ass if you see what I mean.

 

[Pdevore]

My suggestion would be to return the 55" rail and exchange it for the LR32 version, the cost is very minimal and having 2 55" rails not attached to a table in my mind is better. Congrats on the new table, I will be ordering mine from Bob here in the next couple weeks.

Pete

 

[cnewport]

Agree on the LR32 rail - not much more money but adds possible versatility down the road.  Do not simply return the extra rail and think that you'll use the one on the table, it will annoy the @#@#$$ out of you if you start setting it up and taking it apart to use the rail somewhere else.

 

[Grinding One]

In Europe they already have a place for the router to attach to the mft,just wait it takes awhile to get here.Also have an attachment to put saw on too,and vac attachment.

 

[b_m_hart]

In Europe they already have a place for the router to attach to the mft,just wait it takes awhile to get here.Also have an attachment to put saw on too,and vac attachment.

Seriously - don't hold your breath for that... it's been years, and it will likely (the cynic in me speaking here) be many more years, if ever, before it's approved by the UL for sale here.

 

[Grinding One]

Got any friends over the pond??Could be yours if you have...

 

[GaryB]

Well I don't actually have any need for the 32 or a second rail as I only do specific things and now I have the table it's the only place it'll be used. I get the feeling it'll take forever to get the attachments over here so in the table seems like as good a place as any for the router plate. It won't affect the top plate functionality much and it'll be a useful addition to the table if there aren't any real problems with doing so.

 

[woodguy7]

I am sure there are plenty of people over here that would be willing to buy one & ship it over (provided you pay for it of course  ) but i think the cost of shipping would kill it ?  Think this has been discussed here quite a bit.

Woodguy.

 

[Alan m]

maybe jmb or someone else with a vl can chime in here .by looking at the pictures of the vl anf mft it looks like the parts are the same. if so you could order the comon parts in the states and ship the parts that arent. dont know if this would work or not. i will never have to try not being in NAINA land.

if sure if you put a support piece across the mft top wouldnt become weaker.

 

[fatroman]

Might have a look at this to give you a few ideas http://www.woodwerks.com/festop-router-fence-mft3-p-5842.html

 

[Alan m]

this is what he hopes to achieve. this is a very expensive set up in that link.
if he whent with incra parts and made it himself it would cost half as much.

 

[nickao]

399.00?

I don't mind paying for good tools, but just because something is made for a Festool does not make it a Festool and definitely does not demand the same price bracket.

For me that set up is simply not worth it at all.

 

[sancho57]

I have 2 mft tables and set the rt in between the 2. Use the mfts as infeed,out feed

 

[Alan Smith]

That's exactly what I did.  My shop is only 12' x 12' so space is at a premium. Decided to lose the dedicated router station in favor of a multi-purpose one. My approach was similar to the Festop without the Mitre Track and expense.

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

I think it turned out well.  Built a whole new base for it too but that's a nother story for another time since my first post on the website keeps telling me my file is too large! [unsure]

[attachthumb=#]

 

[Alan Smith]

Sorry for the double post. Its my first time posting on the site and I guess the photos were too large to include in one response.  Be gentle...

I too was concerned about the top sagging so I built a base to replace the folding legs.  I'm not a travelling contractor so the portability wasn't a big issue to me.  Having a wobble-free bench that didn't sag was.  Note the center divider is taller so that it meets the underside of the top.  It fits in-between a column of holes and is attached to the underside of the MFT top with two packet hole screws.  No Sag ..  This bench is wobble-free and rock solid, but not yet finished.  I'm adding a drawer and additional storage on the backside.  I think it works great..

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

 

[woodguy7]

Welcome Big Al

Thats a nice set up, as nice of a home made one i have seen on here in fact  [thumbs up]

Woodguy.

 

[GaryB]

Cool Al, that's exactly the plan.  

Gonna rig up a nice fence for the protractor and it should be a pretty sweet table. I'm just going stick a simple brace underneath for support. The 1400 actually makes a nice little table router, it's plenty powerful enough for the stuff I'll be doing. I also have a plan for the spare rail. I'll give them back the brand new rail that came with the table and trade it for the 1400 track guide stop. Win all round!

Do those Kapex wings fit the mft/3 side track? Those would make a great way to add cool stuff to the table. I don't know the price off hand but I get the feeling they'll probably be extortionately priced. I need to look into making some adaptors that do the same thing, I've got some phenolic sheet and some thick Delrin to experiment with. That should do a good job, hard and slidey. I get the feeling this table will open up a few fun possibilities.

 

[jonny round boy]

Do those Kapex wings fit the mft/3 side track? Those would make a great way to add cool stuff to the table.

Yes, the newer extensions (UG) do indeed fit to the MFT/3.

 

[Alan Smith]

Thanks guys for the nice comments. I probably should take a new photo and post it...

I have the Jointech 32"Smartfence which I attached to a Pinnacle positioning arm.  It's similar to the Incra positioner but smaller.  It comes with a shorter fence, but I found the Jointech fence is better, has more accessories (which I already had), dust collection port and overhangs the table slightly.  I can clamp it to the table if needed. 

This shot was taken before the base was made but you get the idea.  Any fence should work fine.  Even homemade...

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