Has anyone used the multi function slab?

[Luzzy]

I've used it quite a bit. I ordered 1" Ultralight MDF which makes it very manageable. The only things I don't love are the lack of attachment to the horses( I will fix with t track on the bottom and a couple clamps) and the inability to get a clamp in as designed.

Overall its a nice little work table for a budget price.

 

[anthonyz]

I made my own version and it works great. I made a smaller size than the one they had. mine is 36x48. I used 3/4"
ultra light and it works just fine. Easy to move around and clamp to. I have some Stanley adjustable saw horses so it brings up the height to something comfortable for me.

 

[Flynnworx]

I have 2 made from 3/4" MDF that sit on the small centipede saw horse  (2'x4').
I use them all the time for assembly and cross cutting with TS55 and rail dogs

 

[EA Custom Millwork]

We had a couple made by a local CNC shop.  Prefinished the 1" mdf before machining, and had 1/4" maple faced MDF spoil boards made with matching machining. 
Only drawback with the 1" top and 1/4" spoiler: the festool clamps don't quite fit through the holes because of the added thickness.  Works great with Quaz dogs though.

 

[Valenteconstruction]

I have 2 made from 1" MDF. I'm able to keep one in my van all the time for everyday use and the other stays in the trailer for bigger projects. I had the same issue with the festool element clamps not working due to the thickness so my CNC guy made some new knobs for me out of the scrap MDF that was left over. They are the first thing to get setup every morning.

 

[EA Custom Millwork]

I use the 1" slab and 1/4" spoil board and 1/4" hardboard for glue or paint work..  Both have all the cutouts.  It sits on some heavy duty adjustable plastic and metal horses which have little anti-slip pads.  The table rarely moves around.  So far have used Quaz-dawgs and work around the thickness issue with the Festool clamps.  Kinda hate to enlarge holes on the bottom so I can flip the top and use the bottom at it wears or sags.

 

[bark-eater]

  Hello, This is my first post here and I'm just getting started with a new technology, so please bare with me as I read up on the basics and learn the dialect.

I need to get some sort of track saw bench set up, but do not want to start another "project".  The MFSlab looks like a good starter bench to work off of until I can use it to build a more involved workstation. 

Is there any thing I should consider changing before having it cut, or anything additional instructions to send with the CAD file?

I am planning on using this with some combination of Parf and Qwas dogs. I have read that a 1" top is to thick for Festool clamps.
Is there an alternative clamp that will work without having to counter boring the bottom of the holes?

  I would like to have a track of some sort attached along the long side opposite the handles. This way I can have a movable dog hole to cut repeatable miters.  A track mounted on the underside might work if I can get it fastened well enough.  Or maybe a fixture/skirt that clamps or through bolts to the clamp slots?  Thanks, Woody

 

[Kristian123]

Hi there,

first post. About to start getting in the "wood business". I am new to that. Thought about buying a MTF-3 but then came across that table. That looks smart to start Ok, found company in Germany that makes lasercut and cnc so should be fine.
Now some questions arising:
1. How thick should the material be to make sure clamps work. I think the original one is only 19mm. Next size would be 21 mm. Would clamps still work and be stable enough? Do not want to get the thing to heavy.
2. Which material would you recommend? Plain MDF? A waterproof version?
3. Seems some people cut in the table, flip the table around when too many cuts. I would not saw that often on it. So do like that or get a second thinner one for protecting the main one?

Well, hope not too stupid questions...

Best
Christian

 

[Bohdan]

Hi there,

1. How thick should the material be to make sure clamps work. I think the original one is only 19mm. Next size would be 21 mm. Would clamps still work and be stable enough? Do not want to get the thing to heavy.

The clamps are designed to just fit in a 19mm top. If you go thicker you need to relieve the holes on the back as the clamps won't fit.

 

[Kristian123]

Hi there,

1. How thick should the material be to make sure clamps work. I think the original one is only 19mm. Next size would be 21 mm. Would clamps still work and be stable enough? Do not want to get the thing to heavy.

The clamps are designed to just fit in a 19mm top. If you go thicker you need to relieve the holes on the back as the clamps won't fit.

Thanks Bohdan!
Local wood dealer recommended birch multiplex rather than mdf.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I think the trouble with multiplex birch would be that it just does not hold up well when used outdoors.
Weather/Sun/Humidity will take it's toll and as soon as the "top layer" starts going bad, you will regret going with it. I'd stick to moisture resistant MDF...

See "outdoor" suffered multiplex pic attached...

Edit: just to explain, this was covered with 3 coats of PU based clear coat, not untreated.

 

[Nick561]

I have a cnc and made mine from 3/4 mdf.  I love it.  [attachimg=1]

 

[Kristian123]

@ grobkuschelig - thanks for the warning. A pity. I love birch tree...

[member=61962]Nick561[/member] yours should be 19 Millimeter if I calculated correctly (3/4 inch). So clamps work without any problems? And - is it still stable enough? Finally - how much does it roughly weight? I originally come from Bavaraia - we would say more than a tray of beer bottles (20x 1/2 Liter, a little less than 20 Kilo)?

Last thing - I found so many different saw horses... I would like some stable ones so you could also use a rotex on it (so pressure not only going downwards but also sideways) - and recommended for this?

Today TSC 55 Li REB-Basic should come

 

[oberlin1]

Greetings!

I know this is resurrecting a somewhat dead thread but will be moving forward with this as my first project with some Festool action.  Recently started to help my son with his house and realized that dust collection was one of the most challenging aspects of home DIY.

Jumped in with both feet for him and me...realized we needed something akin to the MFT/3 but was hesitant to spend the money right away.

Anyway have two sheets of 1" MDF coming...should have gotten 3/4" to work with the FT clamps but too late now.

BTW...so far quite pleasant to read the various threads with guidance, comments, reviews, and tales of woe.  Nice site!

Larry

 

[Bohdan]

Anyway have two sheets of 1" MDF coming...should have gotten 3/4" to work with the FT clamps but too late now.

If you chamfer the back of the holes with a roundover cutter the festool clamps will fit.

 

[oberlin1]

Thanks....first step is picking up the MDF on Saturday.  Apply some polyurethane to seal things up then drop off the pieces at the CNC shop.

 

[lunchman]

I made one a year or more ago out of 3/4" MDF. It's 3' x 5'. I was growing tired of using foam pieces when cutting with the track saw on my workbench.

Mine is more along the lines of Peter Parfitt's Track Saw Cutting Station as I only have some of the dog holes drilled, mainly the ones I use for the Parf dogs to align the track and material. I used the Parf Guide system when building it. All the 3mm holes are drilled so if I need more 20mm holes they can be easily added. It was made to be cut into and has kerfs cut in quite a few places. That's its sole purpose - a track saw cutting station.

The one feature about the MFS that I did not like was the handle placement. Two handholds on one edge seemed to me to be an awful design decision making it awkward to carry. I opted to place a single handhold in the center of the sheet which allows me to carry the slab under my arm. I don't move it very far other than from its storage location onto the sawhorses, but if I were a contractor carting this thing around that's definitely a better location for a handhold.

I use foldable plastic sawhorses available at Lowe's. Seems to do the trick and I've used my router and sanders on this. It's stable enough but nowhere near that of a dedicated workbench. When I need it, I can set it up in under 2 minutes.

The one issue I've had with it is warping. I had it set up on the sawhorses at one time for a number of months. I wasn't expecting 3/4" MDF to warp, but it did. I may fix it at some point by routing a sliding dovetail into its length and using a piece of hardwood to try and stiffen it.

-Dom

 

[oberlin1]

Thanks Lunchman.....good feedback on the carrying slots...laptop shoulder strap might be a good choice with the original slots.

 

[ProCarpenterRVA]

I have made a few MFT slabs using the PARF GUIDE SYSTEM. I had 3 sheets of 4 x 10 MDF, so I cut the first one in half and made my own design for the holes, clamp slots etc., then commenced to the drilling. I found the first one to be an excellent size which allowed me to work on cabinets, cabinet sides, face frames, big glue-ups. 4x5 tops seem to work for me.

Most of the time I'm working in a conditioned area so the humidity is low. Nevertheless, I do notice sag when I used the plastic horses. It helps to use the 2 x4's in the slot provided in these horses. Having the 2 x 4 support also gives you a way to temporarily clamp your top down. Just pick 2 really straight ones. Good luck. [emoji38]I use two Bessey clamps and it makes the setup pretty solid.

I'm thinking that the next batch of tops I do will have the handhold in the middle, that's a great idea. I might even urethane the tops.

At this time I'm using the several pair Store Horse metal horses, of which I have now purchased every grade they make. Be aware that the lower number grades hold less weight and do not have adjustable height. I've bought them at home depot and online, when a deal came up.

BTW I use Harbor Freight movers quilts to put over my mdf tops to make a nice soft, scratch free zone for finishing parts and such. It's proven to be a great work area for my intermediate sanding between coats of finish. Just don't try to wash the quilts, they'll just fall apart, and they will deform horribly in the dryer [emoji33] I got several sizes, about 15 of them for 100 bucks.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[oberlin1]

I have been apply the poly to my two sheets and have definitely noticed the need to support the sheets on the sawhorses with 2 by 4s....so far I am not sure I will actually be able to have the sheets CNCed.

Running into cost issues so far...waiting on a shop to give me a quote...at least they called me to discuss the job and ask questions.  If it ends up being too expensive I will take the UJK route.  Will take longer but I have also started to look at the MFS slab drawing with changes I would like, particularly the handhold in the middle.