MFT advice please

[Dan T]

Thinking of investing in a mft table but finding it hard to justify the cost.

My main line of work is kitchen instalation work just wondered if there is any other fitters out there that use the mft table could give me your thoughts.

 

[Umbro]

Try this.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/mft3-table-should-i-buy-one/

 

[Paddyfin1]

I'm in the same boat as you
I'm having a demo with festool in two weeks time so hopefully will have some answers
I'm interested in the bolt on cms module But like you I appreciate that the mft3 is a lot of money if it doesn't fit our needs

 

[luke1984]

hi Dan. i  fit a lot of high end kitchens and i found it hard to buy one , but i took the plunge and straight away i knew it was the right choice. it great for cutting end panels ,worktops and even plinths. ( saves getting my kapex out if there's no light pelmit or cornice) i can't fault it. hope this helps.      

 

[Dan T]

Hi lads
Thanks for fast replies to this and the link to the older post which made for a good read.

So it looks like a few of you are in the same position, i think it would be great for cutting  decor panels to size also butt and scribe on smaller work pieces.
just dont know how i would get on with it for cutting 8x4 mdf ect and 3m tops

So am i just better getting some of the new dewalt tressels which i could cut tops to length then put a mdf bench on top to make a work bench
BUT...
Lets all face it we just want more festool gear  [big grin]

 

[luke1984]

Dan for cutting 8 x 4 iv got Stanley fat max trestles ( adjustable height ,alloy legs) set them to 34 inch's, ripped some ply to 56mm drop them in the slots and its the exact height of the mft/3. makes cutting sheets easy. rip down the length on trestles and slide straight on to mft/3 for cross cuts.    take the plunge and get one you know you want to.

 

[score0matic]

do you all have the 30 trial???  just curious

 

[Paddyfin1]

Trestles are fine for sheet work but.......
For cutting down small panels, plinths etc I'm sure a table would be better hence why I'm aching to play around with the mft

 

[peter halle]

I was on the fence for the longest time about the MFT/3.  I couldn't see my self spending the money.  I quietly laughed at everyone who posted about the great MFT/3.  Sorry guys.  I love all of you, but just being brutally honest.  Then I went with a bunch of guys to the first end user class here.  That class was partially designed to gather information about users and why they used.  We were asked about the MFT/3.  They wanted to know what we used them for because more were sold here in the US at that time than any where else in the world.  It was interesting to hear how many guys used it as an assembly table, a cut table, etc.  I was about the only one there who didn't have one.

I still waited to buy.  Then I started re reading posts here about it.  Decided to give it a shot.  I know that I might send some readers into a frenzy, but if I had to give up one Festool that I own, I would give up my Domino, as much as I have come to love it, before I gave up my MFT.  There is so much versatility, and when you are on the job versatility rules.

I hope that Dan Rush finds this thread and pipes in.  He is a cabinet installer and he uses a MFT/3 that he has modified to better fit the way that he works.  Dan is not afraid to go beyond the norm to maximize his efficiencies and take a saw to something Festool to customize.

Peter

 

[luke1984]

Hey paddy I use my mft for ripping down too. the trestle act and a extra support for longer stuff like plinths and also the mft Is great for cutting work tops. I can just cut 650mm top if I set the fence all the way back. I bet once you have a demo you will get one. Plus if you do get it and your not to Impressed it classed as a machine so it's covered by the 30 day return.

 

[Knottys]

When you buy the mft you will be going back within 30 days, for a second

 

[mouppe]

I just bought my third MFT. I waited a long time to get my first one because I didn't recognize what it could help do. Then I picked up an MFT 800 (just the table not the guide rail, fence etc.) in the reconditioned tool sale for $180 and converted it to a router table. Perfect size. I just picked up another ex-demo MFT 800 the other day- I overpaid a little but was blinded by the green label (!)- the two 800s combined make a fantastic sanding, finishing and assembly table. I like the fact that they are a little lower than the MFT/3 for this type of work. When I don't need them, they just fold up and hide away.

I use the MFT/3 for sawing, router and domino work. It is peerless when it comes to working with power tools. Get the clamps too, especially the "clamping elements."

A lot of people are skeptical about the value of an MFT before buying one, but you'll be hard pressed to find an unhappy buyer.

 

[morts10n]

The first Festool that I got rid of was an MFT. It was just being used as a miter saw table, and used it for awhile as a workbench, but I found it too much of a hassle to move for jobsite work. I never once used it to cut a panel with my TS 55.  I sold it with a Domino set for top dollar and got Festools that I use everyday instead. It really depends on how you work and which other tools  you already have. It can be a very useful tool for sure.

 

[ccarrolladams]

I own an MFT/3 set and two MFT/3 basic. The MFT/3 set is kept set up. Usually my installer/fitters take all of the MFT stuff with them, although they only unload and use what they need.

In my shop we have a large beam saw and a large sliding table saw which can accomplish the cross-cut and miter functions of an MFT most effectively. For larger miter, bevel and odd angle parts we have a 4' x 19' cutting table. This way my MFT equipment can be kept clean and folded for instant transport to install sites.

 

[williaty]

I recently got a chunk of Festools including a MFT/3. I figured it'd be a nice way to do accurate crosscuts on sheet goods and solid lumber. Boy, did I ever guess wrong! Well, it IS quite good for that but more importantly I use it for a bunch of other things. The single biggest advantage is all the stuff that works with the hole grid on it. I have a bunch of clamping options. I have a bunch of squaring options (for glue-ups). I rout there. I sand there. Heck, I even use the hand plane and cabinet scrapers with stuff clamped to the MFT!

So my advice is to get it. If you don't like it, sell it on. It's going to be a matter of wither or not it fits into your personal workflow. For some people it does and that's why you see so many people raving about it. For some people it doesn't fit and that's why you see a number of fairly negative opinions. It comes down to wither or not it works in a way you want to work. You can't decide that from a bunch of guys on the internet yammering.

 

[lambeater]

I love my MFT, did add the extra front braces for stability though. Also use it for my table saw outfeed. Sometimes I wish it was a little longer but will probably just add a second unit.

thx
Lambeater.