MFT/3 Stand ideas for shop space optimization

[juststartingout]

Hi All,

I'm 1+ years in on my first Festool purchases.  I have since added some more tools to help round out my shop. But now my shop has an organization problem that needs to be resolved.

One Idea I had was to build an MFT3 stand that can hold my ct 26, clamping elements and other tools for organization.  There's lots of wasted unused space under the mft3 in my shop.  I am a hobbyist and don't really need the portability of the mft3 to take from site to site.  I just need to move it out of the way when I need space for large sheet goods or just need to move it for cleaning.

So are there any good plans out there for a stand you all recommend or have built?  I realize that this is likely something already posted but i didn't see it anywhere recently so I figured I would bring it up again as a topic for the forum.

Thanks,

Oscar

 

[sancho57]

There are many out there, I just went it tube and found this one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLHKlfrgnPkuORdO_Og8KTy0-mfdmy8iH3&v=yipEMEf4op4

 

[jdm5]

I built the one referenced in this thread - came out greathttp://festoolownersgroup.com/membe...-come-up-with-version-2-for-this-mft-sysport/

 

[guydot]

It seems to me that mounting a router onto an MFT is not a bad idea, but I have seen very few references to it. I would also use it as an outfeed table to my table saw but it seems that it is too high. I do not own one (yet?) so I'd love to see comments.

 

[Acrobat]

I built the one referenced in this thread - came out greathttp://festoolownersgroup.com/membe...-come-up-with-version-2-for-this-mft-sysport/

I too, built something very similar to the above as well. His cart is great. His plans and pics were a great inspiration to me.
After using it for a year or so now I would change a couple of things. Add a router table wing on the left or right, and perhaps increasing the depth of the mft top away from the top of the cabinet itself as I find it a bit awkward sometimes fitting clamps in and out. The space is currently what's left when you fold up the legs, so a standard gap, just I feel a bit tight with the festool clamps. Maybe its just me as I haven't heard any complaints from anyone else.
I have also made very a basic router table top made from ply with mft like dog holes. I have an old workbench at the same height next to the mft with a gap between the two, so it just rest's on them both, secured by two dogs going through the top and through the mft top, with the router hanging underneath secured in the gap between the mft and workbench. Whole router top is easy to lift off when I don't need it, and easy to put on and pop in two dogs to hold it in place when I do. It's only small a trim router for round overs and template following. I made it just so I don't have to change the cms inserts in and out as much and can leave the ts saw or larger router left set-up in the cms for other parts of a project (if it's in there already and I don't want to change its router bits and settings or have to swap out the saw). I find having a roundover bit in the trim router set up ready to go a real boon as I seem to use it on most things I make. And it doesn't need anything terribly fancy like adjustable fences etc, and I can attach the Festool router guard to it in a jiffy with the 4 knobs screwed into the ply top. (Or use the mft's fence if required).
Other than that, having the cart on locking wheels with all the drawers for bits n bobs and systainers front and rear its been awesome.
If you don't have an mft boom arm and are considering it, I made a very simple boom arm from pvc pipe and pvc angle fittings swivelling as needed, that has the power and vac hose attached to it. So good to have access to the hose and vac and not trip up or have them in the way. All in all the mft cart and the cms cart with its inserts are becoming more and more user friendly and useful for me.

 

[sprior]

I built the one referenced in this thread - came out greathttp://festoolownersgroup.com/membe...-come-up-with-version-2-for-this-mft-sysport/

Cool!  Let's see a pic.

 

[McNally Family]

Hi All,

I'm 1+ years in on my first Festool purchases.  I have since added some more tools to help round out my shop. But now my shop has an organization problem that needs to be resolved.

One Idea I had was to build an MFT3 stand that can hold my ct 26, clamping elements and other tools for organization.  There's lots of wasted unused space under the mft3 in my shop.  I am a hobbyist and don't really need the portability of the mft3 to take from site to site.  I just need to move it out of the way when I need space for large sheet goods or just need to move it for cleaning.

So are there any good plans out there for a stand you all recommend or have built?  I realize that this is likely something already posted but i didn't see it anywhere recently so I figured I would bring it up again as a topic for the forum.

Thanks,

Oscar

I watched this video (3 videos total) on youtube just yesterday, and really liked the concept.  I'm thinking it will be a good first project for my Son and I to complete this summer.
http://vsctools.com/shop/askwoodman-woodworking-plans-01/