MFT/3 Stability Issue

[paradox1509]

Hi There,

New to Woodworking/Festool.

I have recently purchased the MFT/3 and I am very happy with the functionality for most applications, but due to limited space and just starting out I only have this bench so have to use it for hand planing.

I am having a nightmare as the table wobbles all over the place creating all sorts of problems, will the optional cross braces eliminate this or shall I just wait until I can afford something else?

Thanks for any replies

Rich

 

[wow]

First,  [welcome] to the FOG!

I don't own an MFT so I'll let others chime in, which I'm sure they'll do shortly. There's a bunch of great people on here and I'm sure you'll get some valuable information.

 

[paradox1509]

Hi WOW

Thanks for the welcome.  8)

I have been reading a few topics and your absolutely right there are some great people on here which Is very reassuring !

Really looking forward to making something

Cheers

Rich

 

[tjbnwi]

Hi There,

New to Woodworking/Festool.

I have recently purchased the MFT/3 and I am very happy with the functionality for most applications, but due to limited space and just starting out I only have this bench so have to use it for hand planing.

I am having a nightmare as the table wobbles all over the place creating all sorts of problems, will the optional cross braces eliminate this or shall I just wait until I can afford something else?

Thanks for any replies

Rich

Not to be insulting--but did you tighten the knobs on the legs? Did you adjust the leg so all 4 legs are contacting the ground?

The cross braces do help.

What other types of operations are you performing on the MFT?

I own 2 MFT 3's, they move a little without the braces, almost not at all when I set the braces.

Tom

 

[paradox1509]

Hi

Its a valid question, all knobs are tightened and levelled, I am just starting to use it and have bought the OF1400 and TS55R so will just be using it for cutting/routing and using it as a general workbench.

Cheers

Rich

 

[erock]

 
I've used the MFT for some hand planing before I bought a traditional woodworking bench.  The MFT will move a little on you, but is stable enough for hand planes IMO.

Make sure your blades are razor sharp!  And keep the bed of the plane lubed  so it reduces the friction between the wood and metal.

Eric

 

[paradox1509]

Thanks Eric

You know thinking about it,

It could be a combination of technique and probably not a sharp blade, what would you recommend for lubing the plane bed?

Cheers

 

[RC]

Check out the Paul Sellers videos on youtube to get really good hints on hand planing, sharpening and lubing your planes.

He uses a cloth bundle in a tomato puré tin drenched in oil, but can't remember the oil type.

He did say in his video that since you plane off most of the oil with your shavings anyway it will not affect finishing after using a luben plane on your wood.

 

[erock]

Thanks Eric

You know thinking about it,

It could be a combination of technique and probably not a sharp blade, what would you recommend for lubing the plane bed?

Cheers

  Polish and wax the sole of the plane with paraffin wax.  You can get a stick of paraffin wax and lightly rub the sole before you use the tool.   Just don't get too crazy with the wax on the sole.  A little bit goes a long way.  That way you don't leave any residue behind.  If you're going to use a poly to finish a project, the wax can prevent the poly from adhering to the wood.
Trust me….I know!   LOL

Eric

 

[roblg3]

+ 1!! on the Paul Sellers video series!  I hand polished my chisels and hand planes to a razor sharp Mirror finish in very short order with only sandpaper using his techniques!  He's a real master.

 

[waho6o9]

Welcome to the FOG Paradox!

I lagged my MFT to the wall for the same wobbly reason.

Don't forget to put sealer coat on your MFT table top!

Have fun.

[big grin]

 

[grbmds]

Hi There,

New to Woodworking/Festool.

I have recently purchased the MFT/3 and I am very happy with the functionality for most applications, but due to limited space and just starting out I only have this bench so have to use it for hand planing.

I am having a nightmare as the table wobbles all over the place creating all sorts of problems, will the optional cross braces eliminate this or shall I just wait until I can afford something else?

Thanks for any replies

Rich

I think the MFT is great for many things, including use with the TS55, for routing, for assembly. The fact that the holes are essentially perfect and work can be clamped at 90 degrees (especially for assembly) is invaluable. I personally wouldn't use it for hand planing, though. I think you are correct that stability might be an issue because of the nature of hand planing. Having said that, paying the extra money for at least one set of the cross braces would definitely decrease your problems. Installing a set on the front and the back set of legs might actually increase stability enough that you might be satisfied for hand planing use. They do add a lot of rigidity to the whole frame. I have a set in the front of the table and it makes the front set of legs much less movable.

 

[DrD]

waho6o9 said "...seal the MFT top first..."  What do you use to seal your top?

Thanks

 

[paradox1509]

Thanks to you all for the very informative replies !!

I will watch the Paul sellers videos and will sharpen my plane blades, I am very interested to hear about sealing the MDF on the MFT, I didn't think of that....

I will invest in some cross braces but for now will strap to the wall

It's great to know groups like this exist!!

Cheers

 

[waho6o9]

I was sealing an end grain butcher block and then looked
at the MFT top and figured, why not seal the MFT with
emmet's good stuff?  LOL

http://www.butcherblock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/GoodStuff2-300x300.jpg[attachimg=#]

I've also used wax as well.  [smile]

 

[tiralie]

...will the optional cross braces eliminate this or shall I just wait until I can afford something else?

Rich:
Welcome to FOG.
Yes, the braces will help quite a bit.
One table will work OK, but two is better particularly for hand planing wood such as hard maple.
As others have mentioned a sharp plane and some paraffin wax will improve performance.
Alternatively you could build a good bench for $200.00 or so.
Tim

 

[paradox1509]

Thanks for the link  and Info Tim

Did you mean two MFT's ?

I bought a cheap Stanley honing system today, its obviously not like a veritas but has Improved things slightly. Considering I only have a Stanley bailey no.4 plane I think it will suffice.
I will try some cross members, even If I don't continue to use the MFT for planing I think they will still be a good Investment.

Butcher Block... I'll be getting some of that !!

Cheers

Rich

 

[tiralie]

Did you mean two MFT's ?

Yep! But for the same price you could get a decent non-portable bench setup.

Considering I only have a Stanley bailey no.4 plane I think it will suffice.

I think a good low angle jack plane is the most versatile.
Tim

 

[Birdhunter]

I have a dual MFT setup with braces on every leg. I wasn't happy with the stability and I wanted a big woodworking vise.

I built an extension to the MFT to mount the vise and added  a steel leg set I bought from Amazon. The leg set is heavy steel and provides extreme stability to the MFT. I can plane and saw with absolutely no movement from the MFTs.
I drilled the extension with a pattern and hole size matching that of the MFTs. Neat setup!

 

[FOGNewbie]

Thanks Eric

You know thinking about it,

It could be a combination of technique and probably not a sharp blade, what would you recommend for lubing the plane bed?

Cheers

I too would suggest paraffin wax. Paraffin Wax  You can find it at the grocery store where they keep stuff for canning One box will last a long time. Just don't leave it in a hot truck. :-[ Wax the sole lightly, but do it frequently. Just rub a few squiggly lines on the bottom of the plane with the block of wax. What I like about wax vs oil, is the wax doesn't get deep into the wood fibers. That way I'm not locked into an oilbased finish.

Frequently hone the blade as well. The blade should be sharp enough to shave forearm hair/ cut paper with little to no pressure.

Crossmembers are also helpful.Cross Members - 495502 Last thought is to lay a bag of sand across the bottom supports. Mass helps when hand planing.

After all of this, I'd still recommend a bench if/ when you can find space for handplaning. That is if you plan on doing lots of handplaning. You can buy a low end Sjoberg bench. Sjoberg Workbench Screw 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood to the sides and back to stop racking. Or build your own of course. If you want something in between a traditional workbench and an MFT look into an Adjust a bench for the base. Adjust a bench mixed with MFT

I love having both a small hand tool bench and an MFT with Crossmembers. The MFT is in the center of the floor. When I need to I can just fold it up and it is out of the way. I am hoping to acquire a second MFT, so I have the extra stuff that comes with a second MFT, plus it would be easier to work with full sheets of plywood. Two joined together would have to be rock solid.

Happy woodworking...

  Polish and wax the sole of the plane with paraffin wax.  You can get a stick of paraffin wax and lightly rub the sole before you use the tool.   Just don't get too crazy with the wax on the sole.  A little bit goes a long way.  That way you don't leave any residue behind.  If you're going to use a poly to finish a project, the wax can prevent the poly from adhering to the wood.
Trust me….I know!   LOL

Eric