MFT as a downdraft table top??

[presidentsdad]

Hey all,
Wasn't sure where to put this because it's sort of a Festool question and sort of a shop jig question.  Mods...move where it is best.

I have a few extra laser cut MFT style tops (20mm holes on 4" centers) where I made the holes just a smidge too big.  I cut some new tops with a better sized hole so no issues there.  For the table tops with the holes that are slightly too big, could I cut it down and use it as an oversized (2'x3') downdraft sanding station?  Are the holes too far apart? Should I cut extra holes?  The thought being I could re-use something that would normally go in the trash and potentially use some of the holes for clamping down things to be sanded.  Likely sanding would be by hand with some occasional power sanding (but I already have my Rotex/CT combo for that, so the downdraft part would not really be needed for that). 

 

[Michael Kellough]

I sure wouldn’t trash it.
Use it as a portable clamping and assembly surface.

I have an old MFT-800 surface that has irregular holes.
Some fit dogs and some don’t and the pattern isn’t quite square.

I mounted Dewalt miter saw stand brackets to one side and use it as a portable work station. Sometimes I even attach it to the Dewalt stand but most of the time I place it on my table saw, which is more often a table than not. The brackets lift the surface enough to get clamps through the holes. I added high friction rubber to the hard feet on the brackets to keep it from sliding around when it isn’t convenient to clamp it.

 

[FestitaMakool]

I would definitively try it as a downdraft table. It will need a shop like turbine to match. I don’t do the maths but maybe not needed? I will be trying it out on a smaller table in the future. As suggested, it should also be a splendid assembly and clamping table.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I just completed building an auxiliary bench with a primary purpose to use for downdraft. I also incorporated the 96mm grid of 20mm holes in areas where that was practical. So I believe that if you set things up carefull, you can do what you propose to do. Here are some photos of my solution...I used the Powertek downdraft inserts (under $40 US from Amazon or Home Depot) and also made provisions for a flat surface as well as for my pocket hole jig. I'm using the MFT style grid on all of my work surfaces going forward.

 

[huntdupl]

Thats sharp! Love the idea of inserts for pocket holes, nice work!

 

[FestitaMakool]

Ah, that’s not just a downdraft table.. Inserts with jigs of choice [cool]
I have been thinking of similar, but with the CMS system. Way nicer with a large table.