Is there anyone in the Denver area that CNC's MFT-like tops?

[gearhound]

I need to build an outfeed table for my table saw asap and really want to use a MFT style top...absolutely love my MFT's functionality and want a bigger one that can double as an assembly table. I've been thinking about buying the MF slab CAD file, but would also be fine with just a bigger version of the stock MFT top. I've read to use 3/4 MDF so the Festool clamps work, but also have seen guys using 1"? Is that to prevent sag? Is there any difference between Home Depot MDF and the MDF from my hardwood dealer like there is with plywood? (I've only bought one piece of mdf to make a planer-sled and have never worked with it)

I'm about 10 minutes north of Boulder...does anyone know a place that could CNC a top for me? There's a maker-space in my area that has the equipment, but I think I'd have to join and then learn how to use the CNC router....would prefer to pay to get the holes routed for me and get this build-up finished. How much should I expect to pay a CNC shop? Anyone in the area want one too to possibly save on cost?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[JFelchlin]

Great questions.
I’m about an 1+ hour south of Denver (northern Colorado Springs).
I’d be interested in the same info.

 

[Alanbach]

[member=62622]gearhound[/member] - Are you aware of Dominofix, Peter Parfitt’s system and the other jigs available for drilling your own mft tops? Just in case you cant find an acceptable CNC for hire or if the price is out of reach?

 

[gearhound]

[member=62622]gearhound[/member] - Are you aware of Dominofix, Peter Parfitt’s system and the other jigs available for drilling your own mft tops? Just in case you can’t find an acceptable CNC for hire or if the price is out of reach?

yep, I've been watching Peter's youtube channel for a few years...his kit is nice, but pricey and I really don't want to spend the time making it myself. Not sure if there'd be an easy way to use my current mft top as a template for another?

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

I just picked up the Parf guide mark 2 after a lot of research. For the money, it's cheap. Two mft tops and it's more than paid for. In fact, factor in the cost of labor over any other method and it's probably more like a top and a half. And I have it to knock out larger and smaller tops. Planning on a mfts,type top soon as well....

 

[kevins007]

I just picked up the Parf guide mark 2 after a lot of research. For the money, it's cheap. Two mft tops and it's more than paid for. In fact, factor in the cost of labor over any other method and it's probably more like a top and a half. And I have it to knock out larger and smaller tops. Planning on a mfts,type top soon as well....

Can you please tell me where you bought the mark 2? Thanks.

 

[gearhound]

I just picked up the Parf guide mark 2 after a lot of research. For the money, it's cheap. Two mft tops and it's more than paid for. In fact, factor in the cost of labor over any other method and it's probably more like a top and a half. And I have it to knock out larger and smaller tops. Planning on a mfts,type top soon as well....

Any interest in shipping a top to Colorado? Assume it would be pretty pricey from Maine.

 

[ctvader]

kevin007 - you can try ordering from axminster.  They ship to the US.  I ordered the original version from there and I rec'd it in 2 days (Connecticut). 

 

[magellan]

Have you heard of a website call 100Kgarages.com.  I found this site from someone else. I believe it’s a network of CNC shops and other fabricators and makers. Enter your zip code and it will locate available places in your area.  I’m sure there are members here that have used it or can tell you more about it

 

[lwoirhaye]

I think some of these CNC companies have lists of owners who have agreed to show the equipment.  Grizzly, Felder, Logosol and other machine companies have done it too I think.

See if you can find some owner (who may not be using the machine much) and sell them on making the thing for you. 

I have a 3d printer and there's some difficulty finding things that are worth printing.  I imagine hobby CNC owners have the same sort of problem.  Once technology makes making stuff easy, you have to figure out what to do with it after it's made.  I know many smaller CNC shops will take any work for the machine they can get because it spends so much time idle.

 

[travisj]

I would recommend checking the sign shops.  A company specializing in exterior signage would either have a machine or know where to send you.  I’ve heard of several people getting tops made that way.

I used the first version of the UJK Parf system when I made my outfeed table top a couple of weeks ago.  I would definitely recommend.  The new quick release 20mm bit would make it easier yet.

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[Sean KS]

I got mine done at www.denverwoodworking.com came out great. Mine is hard maple and 3” thick. They flattened it too. Great experience.

 

[Sean KS]

Oh and I think they charged me $250 for doing the 3” hard maple top 24”X8’ 4’ on center 20mm bore. If you’re doing MDF or the like it’d be way cheaper. If I remember right they charge mostly based on time. Hope that helps.

 

[Lettusbee]

I had a mft style top cnc'd at Sears Trostel in Fort Collins last year. 
Dont remember how much it cost, but it was reasonable. 
Mine was just 3/4 MDF at 42 x 74. 
They likely even deliver to boulder area. 

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[Lettusbee]

Austin Hardwoods in Denver may have the ability as well.

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[Triplepin]

I just made my own using a 3D printed jig and it came out alright but not great. I have access to a few CNC routers around town and might pull the trigger on making one so if I do I'll be sure to post here if there is interest in making a few. Sounds like others have listed some good options already though that might be more time efficient. I could definitely help with the CAD side if needed.

 

[HarveyWildes]

Loveland Creator Space has a full-sheet CNC machine for use by anyone with a Creator Space membership.
https://lovelandcreatorspace.com/resources/ - down at the bottom of the page.

Loveland has a lot of artists and makers that sell in a lot of places that are not Loveland, but not so much in Loveland.  The bronze cast sculpture community is particularly well established and talented.

If the Creator Space concept strikes your fancy, I would bring your own bits (or any other hand or small power tool that you might consider "quality" or where sharpness counts), since this is a community membership operation.  I've had conversations with folks that do work there, but I've never joined myself - I wouldn't use it enough.

 

[gearhound]

I just made my own using a 3D printed jig and it came out alright but not great. I have access to a few CNC routers around town and might pull the trigger on making one so if I do I'll be sure to post here if there is interest in making a few. Sounds like others have listed some good options already though that might be more time efficient. I could definitely help with the CAD side if needed.

Do you already have a CAD file ready to go? That slot in the MF slab to hold the vacuum hose looks pretty slick, but it's a pretty big table top for how small my garage workspace is.

 

[gearhound]

I had a mft style top cnc'd at Sears Trostel in Fort Collins last year. 
Dont remember how much it cost, but it was reasonable. 
Mine was just 3/4 MDF at 42 x 74. 
They likely even deliver to boulder area. 

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I've heard that Sears Trostel is a good place to checkout for hardwoods, but never been there. Worth the drive up?
Do you have a CAD file you provided them with?

 

[Lettusbee]

I've been shopping there for years and years.  Great place and the core group of employees know their stuff.  Good selection of Festool on hand always. 

I don't get into hardwoods all that much, I'm a remodeler and my needs are basic.  Their interior trim is definitely superior to the big box and lumberyard stuff.  From a woodworker standpoint, all I know is they have a lot of woods that you don't see anywhere else. 

They have a cad file for the tops.  I was in there one day and saw some tops that they had machined for someone else, and asked if I could get one too.  No problem they said.  The other tops I saw were smaller, but they adjusted for my request without a problem. 
I had mine done out of 3/4 MDF, and their cutter depth maxes out at something like 11/16" or , so I had to poke out the holes that last little bit.