How is the MFT First Gen?

[onocoffee]

Saw a seller on Marketplace offering a well used MFT that looks to be what I'm guessing is the first generation MFT. It does not have the side rails like the MFT/3, nor does it have what I presume would have been the original top with dog holes - just some worn looking plywood.

Is this old MFT worth considering? If so, what would that be worth? Mainly thinking about something to take outside whenever I want to work on pieces when I will generate a lot of dust that I won't have to cleanup in the garage. Thanks.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The MFT 1080 is more stable than the MFT/3. I also prefer the fence system to the newer version. I have a 1080 at home and a MFT/3 at work. I will never trade mine for a newer one.

Concurrent with the 1080 was the 810. Only difference was size. I have one of each, which can prove handy when cutting up sheet goods.

If it doesn't have holes, the top has been replaced or it's something I've never seen in the line. If you post a link to the listing, I can tell you if it is a 1080 or 810.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I have the older MFT. I don't use it much, but it performs as expected. I did extend the legs a number of years ago so that it is at the 900mm height of the MFT3 which is more comfortable for me.

 

[onocoffee]

I have the older MFT. I don't use it much, but it performs as expected. I did extend the legs a number of years ago so that it is at the 900mm height of the MFT3 which is more comfortable for me.

When you say that it performs as expected, what does that mean? Without the rails of the 3 wha functionality is possible?

 

[peter halle]

I don't have any first hand experience with the older style, but if I remember correctly the fence system for it was not as well liked as the later version MFT/3. In fact Steve Adams (Qwas) developed his Qwas Dogs to make getting accurate 90 and 45 degree cuts easy.

If my memory is correct @Michael Kellough m ight still have and use his?

Peter

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I only use it as an extra work surface occasionally or for some "on site" crosscutting in the garage if I'm doing something in the house. Since I'm not an MFT expert, I'm not sure which rails you are referring to as the top is certainly contained within aluminum extrusions.

EDIT...clarifying that I have a 1080 which is the mid-generation, not the first generation. Sorry if that confuses things.

 

[Michael Kellough]

As far as I know the first MFT was called FST 660/85. Presumably the table measures 660mm x 85mm.

The next gen MFT came in two sizes 800 x ? and 1080 x ?.

So the current gen is called MFT/3, since it’s the third generation.

I have two of the MFT 800’s and one 1080. I sometimes forget that the MFT/3 has a different fence than mine have.
While the new fence is more versatile I don’t think it’s more “accurate”. Perhaps even less so than the second gen MFT’s because it has more adjustments.

I’m completely comfortable with the fences on my MFT’s. I bought a version of the new (current) fence from Bob Marino before the MFT/3 came out but after checking it out concluded that it wouldn’t really be an improvement and never installed it.

I’ve complained (as have many) about the rail shifting slightly when changing the height and if a project came up where I had to change heights repeatedly I’d buy the Dashboard upgrade. In the meantime I make do by ordering the workflow to minimize height changes. And I keep a stash of different thickness panels nearby to lift thinner stock so that the rail can stay at the height of the thickest stock.

Guybo posted this in 2002.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

It couldn't be 660mm x 85mm, since 85mm is not even 3 3/8". That's not a table. The 85 must mean something else?
I've never had an MFT, though I have fully embraced the idea of the grid pattern and its versatility.
Portability is the MFT's strong suit, and I've never needed that.

 

[Michael Kellough]

It couldn't be 660mm x 85mm, since 85mm is not even 3 3/8". That's not a table. The 85 must mean something else?
I've never had an MFT, though I have fully embraced the idea of the grid pattern and its versatility.
Portability is the MFT's strong suit, and I've never needed that.

Not 85mm, good catch. Maybe 85mm is maximum thickness of stock?

 

[onocoffee]

Thanks all for the thoughts. I grabbed the pic from the listing and it looks like the 2nd Gen that Michael has. So instead of the multiple channels on the extrusion of the MFT/3, this one just has the one channel, correct? Based on the Guybo photo, is this to say that this generation of MFT did not come with the 20x96 dogholes? And does the current top fit to this version?

 

[peter halle]

The second gen had dog holes. The current MFT/3 top does not fit - different size.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I think the one in the picture has the original table top with another piece laying on top or glued to it. You can see it just at the corners. Looks like he's done a fair amount of spray painting on the table, which may be why the original table top is covered.

If you want a rough and tumble outdoor work table, I would think it would be fine...if the price was right. If you want to make an outdoor track saw station, you're looking at needing some creativity. I don't think you'll find the original miter head, fence and track hinge to be readily available. You could do a Peter Parfitt style cutting table with dogs, but the hole locations in the top have to be carefully done. I'll repeat what I said earlier. The 1080 is more stable than an MFT/3. If you don't mind the gray paint overspray, and he isn't asking too much for it, it could be a good starting point.

 

[bertv]

Not 85mm, good catch. Maybe 85mm is maximum thickness of stock?

I guess 850 mm was what was meant.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Based on the Guybo photo, is this to say that this generation of MFT did not come with the 20x96 dogholes? And does the current top fit to this version?

That's not the Festool top on that MFT...it's a piece of house sheathing. If a replacement top isn't available from Festool, they are easy to make; either by having it done on a CNC or by using any number of methods/fixtures to do the 20mm hole grid manually.

 

[onocoffee]

I think the one in the picture has the original table top with another piece laying on top or glued to it. You can see it just at the corners. Looks like he's done a fair amount of spray painting on the table, which may be why the original table top is covered.

If you want a rough and tumble outdoor work table, I would think it would be fine...if the price was right. If you want to make an outdoor track saw station, you're looking at needing some creativity. I don't think you'll find the original miter head, fence and track hinge to be readily available. You could do a Peter Parfitt style cutting table with dogs, but the hole locations in the top have to be carefully done. I'll repeat what I said earlier. The 1080 is more stable than an MFT/3. If you don't mind the gray paint overspray, and he isn't asking too much for it, it could be a good starting point.

He is asking $150. The main issue is that he's all the way south from me near Richmond - a 2h45m trip without traffic - and south of DC is one of the worst places in the nation for traffic - on a Sunday. The traffic dampens my resolve...

 

[onocoffee]

That's not the Festool top on that MFT...it's a piece of house sheathing. If a replacement top isn't available from Festool, they are easy to make; either by having it done on a CNC or by using any number of methods/fixtures to do the 20mm hole grid manually.

I figured that. However, what I was wondering was if the original top came with 20x96mm dog holes? If I can buy another top from Festool for not too much, great. Otherwise, I've done all my other workbenches by hand - might be a good reason to spring for the MB40.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don’t know the exact dimensions of an MFT/3 top but if it is larger than the MFT 1080 pictured then you could cut down the new top to fit.

Yes the dog hole size and pattern is the same.

I would only pay $100 for that. More if the original top is still under that piece of plywood..

 

[Scott in Bend Oregon]

For a quick visual identification, MFT800/1080 have black legs. MFT/3 legs are gray/grey.

 

[thudchkr]

I have a 1080, an 800, and two MFT-3’s. I have my VAC-SYS currently set up on my 1080 and have never used the rail setup for cutting on it. And have no intention of doing so in the future. I also have a spare top for the 1080 as well as a router table top that fits in place of the factory top. I would easily part with the spare top and the rail system if someone close to me had a need/desire for them, but seeing I’m kind of far away from “civilization”, feel it would be cost prohibitive to ship such items.

The biggest issue I have with the 1080 is the height. I prefer the MFT-3’s work surface for my cutting station. For the 1080 I have the VAC-SYS units set to hold items well above the table surface which is much more comfortable for me.

My 800 has been relegated to a monitor stand/computer work station. Least wise until I get around to making a decent computer desk to take it’s place.

If I ever do decide to set it up for cutting, I have a spare Dashboard rail system that I’d use instead of the original Festool system.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I figured that. However, what I was wondering was if the original top came with 20x96mm dog holes? If I can buy another top from Festool for not too much, great. Otherwise, I've done all my other workbenches by hand - might be a good reason to spring for the MB40.

Yes, the 1080 that I have has the grid...it's one of the reasons I bought it. Now all the surfaces I've made since also have the grid.