Homemade stationairy MFT

[Fredrick]

Hi!

Would like to share my first "big" project as a beginner hobbyist, and that would be my take on the MFT-table. As a student, my budget is limited, so I wanted something cheaper than the original MFT, I dont need the portability, and I wanted something bigger. Any feedback is appreciated, but keep in mind that I'm a beginner

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I wanted the functionality of the alu-profiles on the ends of the MFT, so I bought 4 profiles (about 200$). I also got this hardware kit of Amazon:

Unfortunately I got the new MFT/3 profiles, and the kit is for the old 800. This meant I had to make a small adjustement to the rail support units with the Dremel (they fit perfectly now), and that the fence clamp does not fit. Not really that big of a deal. I'm not gonna use the 800 rail for my table, but its always nice to grab

For the top itself I'm lucky enough to know who to ask at the university. And an engineer was kind enough to help me do it with a CNC for free (I provided the MDF). A short clip of it here.

Finally, for the legs I got 4x4, and then structual support with 2x4. I routed the mortises with my old Bosch POF1400, and started the tenons with my OF 1400. Unfortunately I miscalculated when I did the mortises, so the tenons will be "one-sided".





Unfortunately I have to more or less reset between each cut, re-measure the mortise and cut each tenon by itself. The two reasons being the 4x4 is rough lumber with up to 2mm difference in size, and I'm working of an old IKEA-table that is not stable at all.

I hope to finish the table within next week, I'll be sure to update back here when I continue!

 

[Fredrick]

Since this thread is the one with most views without a reply, I thought Id update it here. Unfortunately these next pictures were all taken with my phone compared to the previous with my DSLR.

The end pieces glued together and squared up.


Glued the whole frame. Unable to take picture of it all, such a tight space.


Some joints were definately better than others




Learned alot from doing this. Tenon/mortis requires precision and skill that I have yet to learn. To some extent I do blame the crooked lumber with varying thickness, but a skilled woodworker would have no problem with that.

Tomorrow I'll plane the top of the frame down, and hopefully mount the top. I have to drill holes in the MFT-profiles, but I dont have a drill press.

 

[Fredrick]

Well, I finished it this weekend, and it works great. Doesn't look all that great, but as everything is calibrated from the CNC-drilled holes, things will be square. The support itself is not as square as I thought unfortunately. Its extremely sturdy, and the right height (the old IKEA table was 20cm lower, this is a bit higher than MFT)

Anyway, I'll just use this for a year or two before I move. Then I will just bring the top and profiles with me

 

[packratpop]

Good effort! I hope you spend many fun hours building and learning new skills with this first bench!

 

[wow]

Everybody had a 'first bench'. Yours looks WAAAAY better than mine did. Nice job!

 

[gkaiseril]

It is like boat building. "You build your first boat second."

The 4x4 should be able to take a few checks.

 

[Fredrick]

Thanks for the feedback guys

Not sure what you meant by "take a few checks" though

 

[ajones]

Thanks for the feedback guys

Not sure what you meant by "take a few checks" though

I believe checks to be splits or cracks

 

[Fredrick]

Just used the table and TS55, did about 50 cuts. I'm extremely happy, they are all 90 degrees and have a smooth edge!

Gonna work on a media-bench in the next couple of weeks