MFT dimensions

[bwpsg42]

I'm designing a roll-around cart that will have trays for systainers, a few drawers, etc and it dawned on me that the size I have in mind would make a good mobile base for my MFT.  Unfortunately, it's 300 miles away right now and I won't be up there for two weeks and I'd like to start this cart while I have some down time.  Can someone please check and tell me the dimensions between the corners of the aluminum leg castings?  Thanks in advance,
bill

 

[Tinker]

do you mean the inside edge dimensions of the side rails?

Or the dimensions from inside of leg castings to the far casting.

Let me know and I can get back to you as soon as I walk my dog.
Hey, she's been spoiled by us for over 15 years and she rules the house>>> so she thinks.
Tinker

 

[Dan Lyke]

The extended legs on my 1080 would stand inside a tray with interior dimensions of 52 1/2"x 30 1/2". I didn't turn the thing on its side and try to get exact measurements (those are at least an eighth or so over) 'cause that'd be a hassle, but holler if you need more than that.

 

[bwpsg42]

Thanks all.  I'm looking for the dimensions between the outside corners of the castings.  these will sit in a kind of tray on top of the cart.
bw

 

[Dan Lyke]

30 3/4" x 48", however... the little rubber feet on the bottom of the castings (that the table would sit on if the legs were folded) push that out to closer to 31", and I'd give at least another 1/4" on that 48", just to be sure, because it's probably just a touch over (like 122cm), my arms weren't log enough to get a solid reading without an extra set of hands.

 

[Corwin]

Mine is 30-15/16" x 48-1/4" when measured from outside to outside without taking the rubber feet into account.

We'll want to see just how your gizmo looks! 

Corwin

 

[bwpsg42]

This will sit on casters that will place the mft top at the height of other tables in the shop.  The vac will sit in the open bay.

 

[Bob Marino]

This will sit on casters that will place the mft top at the height of other tables in the shop.  The vac will sit in the open bay.

Bill,

Very good idea! Excellent use of space.

Bob

 

[Daniel Platt]

Bill,
Very nice design indeed! It's also a great way for someone to raise the height of the MFT, if they choose. The only downside I can see is access to the underside of the table. For example, you will be limited in your use of the quick clamps to only have the clamp on the top side of the table.
Quick question, are you planning to build a seat for the MFT feet to sit into, or will the rubber provide enough stability?
Good luck on your project!
- Daniel

 

[Dan Clark]

Bill,

That's a nice design.  Good use of space and great portablity.  However...

I'm a little concerned about the lateral racking force.  I don't see any bracing.  I would think that bracing would block access to your systainers and/or CT.  How are you going to brace it laterally so that it doesn't fold up like a parallagram?  Maybe a vertical divider between the front and back Systainers?

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Greg B]

I have a system much like Bill's with my FrankenMFT (roughly, 48" x 84"). I had problems with the whole table sliding off the top of my lower cabinet. I ended up attaching blocks to the top of the lower cabinet and screwing through the stand attachment holes in the lower feet casting to anchor the MFT to the lower cabinet. While this does not solve the problem of the lower cabinet racking, I found it to be necessary to keep it all together in one piece and keep the big MFT from sliding off. BTW, Daniel, does the 8" of space underneath not allow the use of clamping from the underside? I always clamp from the top and have not run into this issue.

Greg B

 

[Daniel Platt]

Greg,
Hmm...I can't say for certain sure. I don't have my MFT and clamps at hand. The fit just looked tight. There would be no problems that I can see if you clamp from the top. It's only when you clamp from the bottom. I tend to clamp from the botton on occasion 'cause it gives me fewer opportunities of things to bump my tools into. I could just be an oaf. Others probably don't have this problem.
btw, I dig your FrankenMFT.
- Daniel

 

[Cynric Williams]

This will sit on casters that will place the mft top at the height of other tables in the shop.  The vac will sit in the open bay.

that's a neat idea, i have mine sitting over a kitchen unit with bits and bobs inside, but your idea would also raise the table a little which is no bad thing

 

[Corwin]

Well, again I am wrong!  Dan's measurements are correct, as I had measured the overall dimensions of the top.  Sorry!  As to any additional allowance for the rubber feet, they only extend something less than 1/16" and are only on the one side of the corners -- thus only requiring additional room needed is for the 30-3/4" dimension.

Again, sorry for my intrusion with, well, misinformation.
Corwin

 

[bwpsg42]

Thanks all for the additional thought.  It's not clear in the drawings but there is a bulkhead down the long axis of the cart separating the front and rear bays, except where the vacuum will sit.  I think this will provide the additional stiffness along with the partitions between the bays of slideout trays.  I had assumed that I'd need a short lip around the feet of the MFT.  I had not thought about the access from under the table.  I can see instances where this might be an issue but so far I generally clamp from above.  The reason for this cart is my need to be able to roll everything into and out of my trailer or up a ramp into my truck .  There's room for my vacuum, saw, router, 2 sanders, drill, a couple of sys 1 containers with hand tools and sandpaper and a domino from Uncle Bob in the near future, plus a drawer for stuff. 

 

[Corwin]

You may want to consider if you will ever want to connect another MFT to your mobile unit.  If you want to retain the ability to connect another table directly, you would probably be better off keeping the overall dimensions within the footprint of the MFT.  However, a lip around the outer corners is not a deal breaker in this respect, as I have used the table connectors to join two MFTs while separated by a 3/4" spacer -- just didn't want to remove those factory stops.  I know that this may not be a consideration for you, thought I would bring this up just in case.

With the rubber feet in place, there seems to be adaquate space (dare I state that there is about 5-1/4" clearance beneath the profile?) to access the underside.  But then again, I don't have the burly forearms that my father had...

I rather like your concept and am about to undertake a very similar project.  With four corners and profiles on their way, I've been keeping an eye out for the delivery truck.  I'm still in the design phase with a few details to work out...  Caster and leveler indecisions...  But, I am thinking of a torsion box to build upon...

Good luck with your project!
Corwin

 

[bwpsg42]

Boy,
I like the idea of a torsion box base.  Do you think a 1 inch grid with 1/2 inch plywood skins will do the trick?  I will have some levelers on the cabinet itself so I can adjust it to different tables or saws.  I use some small metal feet that have a threaded adjuster, that has a socket head the same size as the allen driver that came with my incra fence, on an outfeed table and like them so I will probably go that way here.  I'll post pics when it's done.

 

[Corwin]

I was thinking of using 3/4" material separated by a 3" to 4" tall grid. 

Were you planning on mounting casters and lowering the levelers when setting up for use?  I had considered using Rigid's Herc-u-lift, but found they are no longer offering these as a separate item.  But, I liked the idea of having screw-type levelers all around with casters that raised or lowered -- Hmmm.

Corwin

 

[bwpsg42]

I know several of you have constructed carts for your tools and painted them a gray close to that on the systainers.  Do you have any specifics or color codes?  Also does anyone have any suggestions for the paint of something like USL but don't know if it's available in custom tints.
TIA

BW

 

[Greg B]

I have about 7-1/4" of space under the MFT top which sits on its rubber feet. I find that I can clamp from underneath, easily. Most importantly, though, is the fact that it provides a very handy spot to store clamps, toolie, angle unit, joiner bars, horsehair brush, etc. They are always right there where I need them, rather than stuck in a Systainer. It seems more efficient, if slightly less neat.

Greg B