Height of MFT/3, why not cut the legs?

[Bob Gerritsen]

Just got the MFT/3 and the shop had an old MFT 800 that I got also for a great price. Did not realize is but as you all know they are different in height... My initial response was to get a hacksaw, remove the rubber feet and adjustable foot and cut the new one to the size of the 800. I managed to control myself and reflect on the idea a bit more, one can only cut them once right?

I searched and it turns out most of you raise the older model to the new one. However, without any experience yet, I'm quite sure I like the height of the old one a lot better, the MFT/3 seems really high. I've not looked at the feet yet but figure they should come of easily.

As a side note, the older legs do seem a bit more sturdy, hardly any wiggle on the MFT 800. Happy I got that one too, it will be perfect to use on site, as it is a lot lighter and smaller.

So in short, any reason why I should not cut the new one to match the older 800?

cheers! Bob.

 

[peter halle]

Bob,

If I were you I would build up the old.  The height of the MFT/3 is taller due to the fact that it more nearly matches standardized heights.  Heights such as those of the other NAINA tools such as the CMS unts, along with accessories.

Peter

 

[Kev]

I'm 5'10" in old speak and I love the height of the MFT/3. I didn't at first, but after a little bit it actually seems a more natural working height.

I'd work with it for a few weeks before you do anything rash. Temporarily bump up your 800 and see if you get to like the height.

As you've observed, cutting is easy - uncutting is hard  [eek]

 

[agehall]

Being almost 2m tall (that's 6'4 for you imperial folks), both the MFT/3 and the older models are way too low. I would never recommend anyone to cut the legs on either but to raise them instead. With the VAC-SYS, which adds another 20cm (8"), the work piece is at a decent height for me.

 

[peter halle]

Another option if you like the height of the 800 would be to build a storage cabinet for underneath the MFT/3 that would use that in the folded position to match the older height.  Many such storage cabinets have been displayed here - although I could not say how many we're built to specifically match the MFT 800 height.

Peter

 

[VictorL]

you can try to bring MFT-800 height up to MFT-3 height with wood and plywood under legs.

 

[Kev]

Being almost 2m tall (that's 6'4 for you imperial folks), both the MFT/3 and the older models are way too low. I would never recommend anyone to cut the legs on either but to raise them instead. With the VAC-SYS, which adds another 20cm (8"), the work piece is at a decent height for me.

You must be using short metres in Sweeden ... that or you're over 6' 6".

I'm smack on average height +/- 3" covers the majority of western adult males. If you're taller or shorter you maj need custom height benches.

I have a Dutch friend who is well over 7' - the world isn't built for him and he's constantly stooping.

A funny height story ...

When my wife and I were having our first child, we met a couple also having a baby at the same time. He was over 7'6" and she was 5'3". At the time I think he was the tallest fellow in Oz. Anyway - all of his family were very tall and they'd built a house to suit the family. After we had the kids we were invited over for dinner and the couple were temporarily staying at the family home. I felt like I was a child in an adult world again, the doors cleared my head by several feet and the dining table must have been 6" higher than normal. It felt really strange.

 

[mastercabman]

Being almost 2m tall (that's 6'4 for you imperial folks), both the MFT/3 and the older models are way too low. I would never recommend anyone to cut the legs on either but to raise them instead. With the VAC-SYS, which adds another 20cm (8"), the work piece is at a decent height for me.

You must be using short metres in Sweeden ... that or you're over 6' 6".

He did say almost 2m

 

[Kev]

Being almost 2m tall (that's 6'4 for you imperial folks), both the MFT/3 and the older models are way too low. I would never recommend anyone to cut the legs on either but to raise them instead. With the VAC-SYS, which adds another 20cm (8"), the work piece is at a decent height for me.

You must be using short metres in Sweeden ... that or you're over 6' 6".

He did say almost 2m

Oh - OK ... I'm almost 2 metres tall too  [smile]  (aaaalmost)

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Wow... You're sort of unanimous on this one huh?

I'm gonna go with Kev's advice and give it some time. It does seem a very good idea to built cabinets to put them on, storage space is always needed.

I don't know, I'm going to give it some more attention but it seems I like my work surfaces below average. That MFT/3 seems just weird high. We'll see, not cutting anything yet.

Cheers guys, Bob.

 

[Mavrik]

I am 6 foot and found my MFT 1080 too low.
I've now put it on casters which has raised it quite a bit and made the table mobile.
I far prefer the extra height - don't get back ache anymore after working for a while.
So ... another voice for raising the MFT 800
[big grin]

 

[mouppe]

I have to say I like having my MFT800s and my MFT/3 at different heights. It means I can choose which table to use depending on the need.

And if you add more tables in the future, you may regret the hacksaw approach.