Long extrusion profile for mft/3?

[Scorpion]

Scorpion,

Now that is pretty much what i'm looking for (it's exactly what I'm looking for)  I have to say that I'm at a bit of a disadvantage due to not having a machine shop handy.  Nice to have a milling machine isn't it? 

It is but it's also expensive, takes up a considerable amount of space, has 3-phase power requirements, requires a bit of tooling to be really useful, and has a learning curve.  Once beyond all of that, there aren't many limitations.

1) Do you think that it may be possible to accomplish the table you built with parts that 80/20 sells? 
2) How is it for stability?  is it stable?  Does it wobble at all? 
3) Now that you have had it for awhile is there anything you might do differently? 

1) Absolutely.  You can cut the profiles very square with a miter saw.  I did and then squares them up on the mill because I'm OCD.  It wasn't necessary.  Hope drilling is easy with a hand drill or drill press.  I used the mill because it's easier for me.

2) I have the table you saw in the pics and another that's 6-feet long by 40-inches wide.  Both are extremely stable and strong.  More so than my MFT.

3) the smaller one is 28-inches tall without the torsion box top.  I like it a lot since I have multiple torsion box tops for it (the MFT-like one and another that's a router table).  Only change I'd make is I'd make the torsion box 2-inches taller.  The openings on the sides aren't wide enough to fit some tools and the router lift didn't fit without cutting a hole through the bottom.  Had I made each 2 inches taller, I would have been able to have both sides usable on both boxes.

The taller one was also made to be 28-inches high with the plan to have a torsion box on top...only I never built it because I started using the table as a cabinet assembly table.  It allows me to work on full sized cabinets without bending at the back all the time (which I've grown to like).  If I have to do it all over again, I'd make it a few inches taller and 8-feet in length.

As I believe I mentioned somewhere in this post I"m looking to build a 80"x 40" one @ 30" high.  Most everything I know is 36" but I currently have a set up that I like using for building at 30" and it works nicely.  I don't believe I'll do the torsion box like you did but it is a consideration for storing parts as you work plus a place to temporarily store the rail when not in use. 

Sounds like you're thinking about building a table like the large one I mentioned above.  I've considered building a series of drawers and/or a shelf for below the table.  There's a lot of space down there and Intend to put things down there already to take advantage of it.

I asked this before and I was not able to find an answer.  Do the Festool clamps work with the 80/20 rails that you used?

Yes, they work perfectly in the 15-series extrusions.

You do nice work buddy,  Also if you would please let us know about the 2 meter rails when they arrive and you build your Large MFT.

Thank you for your guidance

Thanks for the compliments.  I think I enjoy building shop stuff the most so I've spent many years doing it.

Happy to share.  It's been about a week since I ordered, should get some shipping info maybe next week. 

 

[rst]

A milling machine is not necessary to use 8020.  I've been using it for at least six years with nothing but a chopsaw with aluminum/plastic blade, a drill press, and hand tooling.  They have drilling jigs that allow you to accurately place your holes and all sorts of fasteners.  I only recently bought a bench mill and then only because Grizzly moved out of Williamsport, Pa and I live 20 minutes away.  I manged to score $3600.00 worth of mill, table and tooling for $2700.00.  I really should have bought a metal lathe at the same time but my credit card was already wheezing till then (Festool collection!)

 

[Scorpion]

Update:

My order was officially placed with Engineering Agencies on 2/23 and, at that time I was told it would take them a couple of weeks to get them from Germany. I anticipated an additional 3-5 days for processing on the Festool side and then intake and (re)shipping on EA's side.

I just received notification that the extrusions have shipped to me (3/15) which is almost exactly 3 weeks.  So far it's gone down exactly as I would have expected.

Since I haven't previously done international shipping of something this size, I have no expectations on when it will arrive.  I feel like a couple of weeks would be reasonable and a month wouldn't be shocking.  Since I have a tracking number I'll have a better idea once it's in motion.

Matt

 

[Scorpion]

WOW, that was fast!!!  Awesome surprise, guess I have a present to open this weekend.  Not only does the box appear to be completely and perfectly intact, it looks like they wrapped it in some kind of plastic wrap to protect it from the elements.  I've never seen a box so well wrapped.

 

[duc996]

Quit teasing.....open it up already! How long did it take from the time you ordered?

 

[Scorpion]

Quit teasing.....open it up already! How long did it take from the time you ordered?

Believe me, I wish I could.  I'm running between work and my sons sports practices.  Very soon.

It took about 3 weeks to get from Festool Germany to the European company that I purchased it from and then only 3 days from there to here (which I cannot believe).  So grand total of 3 1/2 weeks from payment to delivery.

 

[Scorpion]

Alright...a week later I managed to get things unwrapped.  I'm still impressed that they took what was shipped to them from Festool and put some water-proof plastic like stuff on in before (re)shipping it out to me.

Beneath the plastic is all of the Festool wrapping.  Double wrapped on the ends so the extrusion won't break through.  After pulling off the end, a pair of flawless extrusion profiles are revealed.

These dang things are LONG.  I know exactly how long they're supposed to be but I'm so used to standing at a normal MFT that looking down the length of one makes me excited to get the table together and have all that extra work length.

After very carefully inspecting the profiles I identified what I thought was likely damage at the factory (because I had not seen any damage to the wrapper before I removed it.  After holding it up against the box I found that there was a hole in the exact location in question.  Something must have poked through but it had to have happened before it was shipped to me (at Festool, in transit to Engineering Agencies, or in receiving at Engineering Agencies.  the damage is minimal (unfortunate for a new extrusion though) and on the bottom and inside surface.  If placed in the back, no one will ever know it's there (except me).

So now I can envision the awesomeness now.  Wish I was prepared to put it together today.  Given how busy things are right now I might not have everything I need to put the new table together for a couple weeks.  I'll update the thread when I get there.

In closing - Engineering Agencies is the real deal.  I received the package sooner than I expected.  The product was received in good condition.  Happy customer. 

 

[magellan]

Scorpian,

Really nice material you scored there and without the headaches sometimes associated with being a pioneer. 

I've been following this thread since it started and was very interested in building the table that you are about to build.  I then realized that I really need an assembly table with the options to use it for squaring and such.  I have a large 10.5ft sliding table saw so using a TS55 or some other rail saw did not interest me as much as using the table with a router did and I've needed the ability for hold downs.

It's your fault and thank you for the info about the 80/20 material.  Nice stuff, I've seen it for years and never thought to give it a try.  I built a table that I think will be very useful for me.  The dimensions are 84"x40" I CNC'd a top for it like an MFT but also like a Rise Construction top.  So your ideas and a few others and I believe I have what I've been wanting for some time. now.

Good luck with your new build, i'm sure it will be the envy of all.

thank you

Ok, how do you rotate the picture to be right side up?  Sorry for the neck bending

 

[Scorpion]

Scorpian,

It's your fault and thank you for the info about the 80/20 material.  Nice stuff, I've seen it for years and never thought to give it a try.  I built a table that I think will be very useful for me.  The dimensions are 84"x40" I CNC'd a top for it like an MFT but also like a Rise Construction top.  So your ideas and a few others and I believe I have what I've been wanting for some time. now.

Good luck with your new build, i'm sure it will be the envy of all.

thank you

Ok, how do you rotate the picture to be right side up?  Sorry for the neck bending

My fault?!  You're welcome.

What a fantastic assembly table.  I thought mine was big at 72x36 but I can see it being just a little bigger.  I wish I had made mine closer to 8-feet. 

That top is awesome.  What size CNC do you have?  Must be a full sized deal.  I like the longer/larger holes for regular clamps. 

Do you have the space to keep it fully setup all the time?  Going to add a shelf below?

Really nice work.

 

[magellan]

Scorpian,

It's your fault and thank you for the info about the 80/20 material.  Nice stuff, I've seen it for years and never thought to give it a try.  I built a table that I think will be very useful for me.  The dimensions are 84"x40" I CNC'd a top for it like an MFT but also like a Rise Construction top.  So your ideas and a few others and I believe I have what I've been wanting for some time. now.

Good luck with your new build, i'm sure it will be the envy of all.

thank you

Ok, how do you rotate the picture to be right side up?  Sorry for the neck bending

My fault?!  You're welcome.

What a fantastic assembly table.  I thought mine was big at 72x36 but I can see it being just a little bigger.  I wish I had made mine closer to 8-feet. 

That top is awesome.  What size CNC do you have?  Must be a full sized deal.  I like the longer/larger holes for regular clamps. 

Do you have the space to keep it fully setup all the time?  Going to add a shelf below?

Really nice work.

The CNC I used is a full size able to do 4x8ft.
I do have the room to keep it up all the time. There are just those times when I might need to fold it up so I felt I better build it that way in case

As for a shelf  I'll see how often I fold it up.  If it remains upright all the time I'll add shelfs and possibly doors

Thanks for all the help

 

[ben_r_]

Bumping this thread as the idea of building a larger more stable MFT table intrigues me. What are the lengths of the extrusions that come with the MFT? Im thinking instead of ordering custom longer ones, if I could just take the long and short one from an MFT table and butt them up against each other and attach them to the front and back of a custom built table that might be long enough for my needs but Id need to first know how long a short and long rail would be when put together.

 

[nickao]

I think right now you can only get get stock size of the MFT3. Once they went  to the MFT3 they stopped making the long extrusions. I sold one table, but I still have one with the 2000mm(78 3/4") extrusions. I really wish they would go back to those.

I used 4"x4" post for legs and it's very stable, the 4"x4" attach right to the corner pieces perfectly with lag screws.

Ill measure the MFT lengths when  I get back if someone doesn't post sooner.

 

[ben_r_]

I think right now you can only get get stock size of the MFT3. Once they went  to the MFT3 they stopped making the long extrusions. I sold one table, but I still have one with the 2000mm(78 3/4") extrusions. I really wish they would go back to those.

I used 4"x4" post for legs and it's very stable, the 4"x4" attach right to the corner pieces perfectly with lag screws.

Ill measure the MFT lengths when  I get back if someone doesn't post sooner.

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[Gregor]

I think right now you can only get get stock size of the MFT3. Once they went  to the MFT3 they stopped making the long extrusions.

FYI: Festool MFT/3-TP 2000 LA (#496824, 2 profiles of 2m) is still available here in germany.

 

[CarolinaNomad]

Just wanted to add to this thread because of Magellan pics.  I visited a supplier of 8020 and he enlightened me an add on that I didn't think of.  The 15x30 shown in Magellans pics can have air supplied to the extrusion, the center gap in the profile.  as long as the center compartment isn't penetrated, an end cap can be placed at both ends.  One of the end caps has a air fitting.  and all you have to do then is tap the center compartment and place a quick connect.  My help reduce air hose.  or easy connect and disconnect for when stored.

 

[lyam]

hello
i just see your photo about the long extrusion profile for mft3 .

I want to do the same but i don't know how to choose for having the right profil. I live in germany and is in metric system.
can you help me ?
i have the choice of the three

1

2

3

can you help me please ?
thanks

 

[whgmkeller]

Reviving this older thread, in hope of getting an answer that’s been bothering me.

I’m building a custom workbench that I would use for both hand work, power tool and precision work. The frame is built from wood, it is 2 meters x 90cm’s. Height is not definitieve yet but will likely be around 90 cm’s. The frame itself is made from wood, 9cm square, to give stability.

I would like to divide the top: an area of 1meter x 90cm made from solid wood, to be used to work that takes force, and the other half in mft/3 style.

The question I have if it is possible to order the long extrusions - they are available in Netherlnds where I live - and screw them to the sides of frame? I’ve looked at a diagram of the railprofile, and there doesn’t seem to a possibility to insert screws?
Or do I have to buy the cornerpieces as well, attach the rail profilee to the corners, and sit the whole on top of the frame?

Thanks for your insights

Willem
Netherlands

 

[peter halle]

You should be able to screw them to the sides, but it will be a multi-step process.  The lower t-slot could have a large enough hole drilled thru it (sized to allow screw head to pass as well as driver bit) and then the back of the extrusion drilled for the score shank.  You might be able to find places to countersink screw holes also.

I was looking for the piece I have here nut it seems to be "temporarily unavailable for consultation" i.e. temporarily misplaced.

Peter

 

[thedevme]

Scorpian,

Really nice material you scored there and without the headaches sometimes associated with being a pioneer. 

I've been following this thread since it started and was very interested in building the table that you are about to build.  I then realized that I really need an assembly table with the options to use it for squaring and such.  I have a large 10.5ft sliding table saw so using a TS55 or some other rail saw did not interest me as much as using the table with a router did and I've needed the ability for hold downs.

It's your fault and thank you for the info about the 80/20 material.  Nice stuff, I've seen it for years and never thought to give it a try.  I built a table that I think will be very useful for me.  The dimensions are 84"x40" I CNC'd a top for it like an MFT but also like a Rise Construction top.  So your ideas and a few others and I believe I have what I've been wanting for some time. now.

Good luck with your new build, i'm sure it will be the envy of all.

thank you

Ok, how do you rotate the picture to be right side up?  Sorry for the neck bending

[member=10212]magellan[/member]  I see that you made this a folding table - I am looking to do this exact build but I was wondering do you have to remove the middle bottom support everytime you fold the table? By any chance do you have a list of what you ordered.

 

[magellan]

I do have a list of all the parts.  Yes you are correct about the center bar it does have to be removed before you can fold the table.  In reality I built this table with expectations of it only being used occasionally but it has been my primary assembly table.  I recently added a few more pieces to the lower structure and added a shelf to store my Festool Systainers.  I will add pictures tomorrow when I get to the shop.  Yes I spent a few dollars making it foldable and ended up not folding it up.  Oh well.   

I forgot about this thread.  This table ended up being one of the best additions to my shop. I was always working on my wall benches meaning benches I had pushed up against the wall. Now I can maneuver all around it.