How would you set up the MFT/3 to replace old workbench?

R

rdesigns

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Apr 5, 2011
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I love my new MFT/3, and I continually find new ways to use it. I originally intended to use it mainly for out-of-the-shop applications, and to continue using my traditional workbench in the shop.

But I have found it to be so versatile that I'm thinking of having it as my main workbench. I don't have room to keep both in place--any suggestions for how to place it and how to provide for storage underneath it? Does anyone have theirs set up against a wall, and, if so, is that troublesome? Would it be best to mount it on a more permanent base? Add an extension?

Thanks for any ideas.
 
You ask a question that has a billion answers.  What is it  you build? What size is your shop? do you use the 96mm on center 20mm holes? Take a picture of your shop and give us measures.  Then we will be able to offer comments that have value to you.

Cheers,
Steve
 
2 MFT's give you unbelievable flexibility.  Space them further apart when you need to, etc, etc.
 
if you use your traditional bench for planing and chiseling work you will miss it.

you could lower (maybe if needed) your old bench and put the mft on top. that way you have both.
 
bionicus said:
A billion answers! Who knew.

Here's one setup you could work with:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/dual-mft3-built-ins/

If you google-image search things like mft/3 bench, storage, etc. you'll probably come across some good ideas.
Click to expand...

Yea a billion answers are possible... [big grin] Don't you think as big as that?

Your point to another post is great... but I"m not for sure it will fit his site/location...  can you say for sure it will fit his site...... I don't think so... am I wrong?

This site is about helping people solve problems/answer questions they have.

Offering your suggestion is great!  But if you can't say for sure until he tells us his needs.... There are many, many options.... As Carl Sagan said "Billions and billions...."  any suggestion is great but ... not keeping an open mind about what is is possiable...is counter to this site.

Cheers,
Steve
 
The MFT is a wonderful thing... Need to buy another and some move of those clamps.  More Qwas dogs are also in view.
 
Steve R said:
Yea a billion answers are possible... [big grin] Don't you think as big as that?

Your point to another post is great... but I"m not for sure it will fit his site/location...  can you say for sure it will fit his site...... I don't think so... am I wrong?

This site is about helping people solve problems/answer questions they have.

Offering your suggestion is great!  But if you can't say for sure until he tells us his needs.... There are many, many options.... As Carl Sagan said "Billions and billions...."  any suggestion is great but ... not keeping an open mind about what is is possiable...is counter to this site.

Cheers,
Steve
Click to expand...

Really? The guy asked for "any ideas" (his words) on how to set up an MFT/3 as a workbench. He made no mention of any particularly unique requirements or constraints but did address 1. storage underneath, 2. setting it against the wall, 3. a permanent base, and 4. extensions. The setup linked addresses all four, and with a little imagination could easily be changed in any number of ways to suit his needs. It's a workbench and there's only so many ways to shove an MFT against a wall. I simply provided one example while you brought up Carl Sagan.
 
bionicus said:
Steve R said:
Yea a billion answers are possible... [big grin] Don't you think as big as that?

Your point to another post is great... but I"m not for sure it will fit his site/location...  can you say for sure it will fit his site...... I don't think so... am I wrong?

This site is about helping people solve problems/answer questions they have.

Offering your suggestion is great!  But if you can't say for sure until he tells us his needs.... There are many, many options.... As Carl Sagan said "Billions and billions...."  any suggestion is great but ... not keeping an open mind about what is is possiable...is counter to this site.

Cheers,
Steve
Click to expand...

Really? The guy asked for "any ideas" (his words) on how to set up an MFT/3 as a workbench. He made no mention of any particularly unique requirements or constraints but did address 1. storage underneath, 2. setting it against the wall, 3. a permanent base, and 4. extensions. The setup linked addresses all four, and with a little imagination could easily be changed in any number of ways to suit his needs. It's a workbench and there's only so many ways to shove an MFT against a wall. I simply provided one example while you brought up Carl Sagan.
Click to expand...

Some of your statements are not correct. As your "#2 states setting it against the wall".. what he actually stated was "Does anyone have theirs set up against a wall, and, if so, is that troublesome?"  Well I go back to my statement in my post....

What is it you build? What size is your shop? do you use the 96mm on center 20mm holes? Take a picture of your shop and give us measures.  Then we will be able to offer comments that have value to you.

I'm not Omni present are you? I'm just wanting to answer rdesigns's question... as best I can.... if asking for clarification is seen  by others as an issue.... Well then some people might need to review the world ... what rdesigns is asking for a solution to his needs... not my situation or your situation but to his needs . That is what I want to understand.

This site is about helping others. To do that we need to understand their needs. Then answer the question.

Am I off base?

Cheers,
Steve

 
I totally agree that this site is about helping others.  However, sometiimes (especially receontly) politeness should be a necessity.

If I have offended any posters in this thread - please feel free to contact me via PM and I will explain.

Back to the original question - the mft/3 is a greet work surface.  It does not have the mass of a dedicated workbench in most instances.  It was designed to be portable.  If yu do a lot of hand planning it will move with the planning action.  If your work is short enough, yu can rotatethe table nd back it up to a wall.

Peter
 
check out my workbench http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/my-sysport-workbench/
i think it is more practical than a real MFT, since it's placed against a wall you don't need the special aluminium extrusion, just some T tracks. it offers more vertical and horizontal clamping possibilities than a regular workbench or MFT, plus it is stable, heavy and has the systainers and vac below.

i do have an assembly table that i can walk around that is more practical for assembly work, but so far i have had no limitations by my sysport workbench setup being against the wall.
 
A couple of you linked to a pretty neat looking dual MFT setup, but it is not one that would get my vote for a workbench replacement.  For handtool use you really need mass and a flat, stable surface.  Even with a large beech traditional workbench you can tell the difference when using a morticing chisel in the center of the bench vs over a leg. 

For that reason I would recommend making a large cabinet base for your MFT ( two MFT's would be better). If you can place it permanently all the better, if you need mobility build a sturdy platform from a solid core door reinforced with 8/4 hardwood.  Consider using MDF sides with plywood solid tops and bottoms (and backs if on a wall) for the cabinets with a hardwood face frame(on one or both front and back).  Also consider running a vertical divider or two from the cabinet up to the underside of the MFT to give it some additional rigidity.

Anyways, that is what I am doing....I will let you know how it turns out.

 
I have 2 MFTs I use them as myprimary work benches. They do all I need. Different uses are all personal preferance. Remember festool is a system. The tools are made to be used together
 
Thanks to all for your comments.

My shop is small--24' x 24', and it shares space with our Eurovan until I back it out to be able to roll my tablesaw toward the center, or set up my MFT in the middle of where the bus usually sits.

My current bench is against the south wall where there's a 4' x 7' window for light. I can't really move the bench anywhere else; I've tried other spots and have settled on this one as best.

I've seen Jerry Work's stationary MFT setup, but I really can't justify spending the kind of $ it would take to do that, and still have an MFT for use on jobs.

I am planning on retiring in a couple years, and would like to pursue my lifelong woodworking hobby as a part-time profession, mainly in the area of doing custom built-in furniture.

So, maybe the best idea would be to keep my old bench is place until my "profession" would generate enough cash to buy a second one, or maybe buy the top and rails without the legs with the idea of building a stationary base?

 
My opinion is this.

I have an MFT/3, an MFT 800 and a 300lb+ maple-top workbench. The MFT/3 is an unbeatable clamping station for routing, sanding, and using the TS55. I also use it for glue-ups as the top is extremely flat. The fence and guide rails make repeatable sawing easy and accurate. It is easy to move around the workshop, although I never fold it away as many owners do.

However, it could never replace my workbench. It is not sturdy enough for chisel work, too high and it racks too much for hand plane work, it racks too much for hand sawing work. It does not have the solid mass that you need for mortising chisel work- where you need a solid top and heavy base to withstand the pounding.

For hobby woodworking I think you need both types of table.

To specifically answer your question, I don't think the MFT is suited to go against a wall. How would the rail swing up and down? To save space my CT22 sits under the MFT with the boom arm reaching over it. I do not think you could modify the MFT in such a way as to make it suitable for hand planing or chisel work, even with leg braces or a more permanent base.

I think other forum members may disagree but this is MY one in a billion answer!  [wink]

 
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