Just Me and My MFT

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Evening,
I'm working on a coffee table and my shop, which is pretty small, was getting rather cluttered.  I had the leg/apron assembly up on a work table and needed to begin painting the legs (decided to have black legs and stained aprons and table top for this particular project).  Looking around the stop, I realized I had nowhere to set up another little table to place the pain can.

Cursing my cramped quarters, I turned and looked at my MFT.  Ah, a couple of 120-mm Clamps and a decent length of MDF.  Being lazy at times like this, I decided to combine these two elements, creating a quick little work table that rose above the clutter.  I extended the table so it was right beside me as I worked.  When I was done, a quick loosening of the clamps and the table is taken down.

Please excuse the clutter...

So, here's the general scene:
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A shot of my little helper:
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Right beside me as I work:
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Not exactly the most intensive use of an MFT, but small pleasures count, so I figured why not share it.

Matthew

PS: I used 10x50 Dominoes for the legs.

 

[Fred West]

Matthew, well done but as you can clearly see the MFT3 would have raised that can of paint an additional four inches creating a spillage hazard and who knows what other terrible, terrible problems. Because of this and because Timmy C. has suggested that I be more helpful to fellow woodworkers in need here is my offer. As soon as you get whatever number of MFT3's you maybe buying/receiving I will take them off your hands for merely the cost of shipping. I would not want to be the cause of a horrible shop accident so this seems like the most I could do for you. I mean the LEAST. ;D 8) : Just as with Brice, I have offered to take the Kapex and write a review rather than have him suffer as well. WOW my shop is going to be crowded but then civility and helpfulness can lead to overcrowding.  : ;D

Again and I extend myself to all of you. Should you need to get rid of fully functional, perfectly working Festool equipment I am your man.  ;D : 8) 8) Fred

 

[Tinker]

Fred, were you the model for that first "smiley" face at end of your post.  a great likeness.

I know you have said you got the shiner playing hockey.  i am wondering if you have just made one or two too many of your helpful and friendly offers. 

Tinker

 

[Tinker]

Matthew, some time back, there had been a discussion about adapting an MFT to a router table (router under table)  Just before that, i had bought (Uncle Bob) and extra MFT 800 top with the idea of cutting a hole and installing router plate.  The setup worked fine as a rouer table, but terrible for further use for what the MFT was originally designed for. 

That plate was always right where I needed a clamp.  i finally put the original top back in place and the modified top is now residing back in a corner capturing dust.  You have given me what I think is a great idea.

I have one table extension (sorry, I don't have the catalogue close and i am late for getting to work)  I think that a second extension would work fine.  Two extensions side by side with space between for router would work fine.  One or two clamps should hold the modified top and i would not lose the original surface for other work.

Another advantage would be i would not have to worry about the top sagging from constant weight of router.  the top would be closely supported by the two extensions. 

Also, i would not have to remove the original top to set up the router top.

The setup could be used on either the MFT 1080 or the 800.

Tinker

 

[Fred West]

Tinker, my friendly offers have been rejected quite often and seemingly outofhand but no they have never caused the shiner.  : ;D Now as to why they have been rejected is beyond me as I am only here to help all of you.  : Fred

 

[mhch]

  what about simply putting the dusty 'router' top in the hole between two MFT
  located side by side, and simply resting over the rails and secured by nuts & bolts
  That eliminates the need to buy  expensive extensions .....

 

[Beno]

Router solution for MFT

Simple torsion box slightly modified to allow the OF-1400 handle to fit and held in place by 2 clamps.
Plan from Popular Woodworking ( April 2005 )
The router lift came from spare parts ordered through Festool ( CMS-OF-1400 ) available in Europe.
The table insert and the cam clamps are from LeeValley .

Good luck.

Ben

 

[Madtown Rob]

Well - I guess that I have to be a smart a$$ as well - ..... ;D

I noticed that you cut biscuit slots to attach the table top - couldn't you figure a way to do that with some Festool in the shop?   Perfect opportunity for the wide slot setting on the Domino and some custom modified dominoes to to attach to the table top's bottom..

I love all the 5things that I keep finding to do with my MFT - they really are multi-function

no only if it could measure twice for me...

- R

 

[Fred West]

Madtown Rob, you need to go back to your dealer. My MFT's all measure thrice for me and make the cuts.  ;D Fred

 

[Les]

Sorry ,

Here's the right picture.

Ben

Ben,

Nice. Where and how do you store the table?

 

[Beno]

Bonjour Les

Just  by removing the router and the 2 Festool clamps that hold it to the MFT.
Now you have a portable router table to bring to the job site.

Ben