MFT doubling as an outfeed table?

[bill-e]

Hi all,

Just thinking out loud here (can't you smell it? )

I have a large outfeed table, too large for my shop.  I've been thinking of removing it and making a stand alone assembly table ala David Marks torsion box and having it double as an outfeed table.

Now a thought comes to mind, how about a second MFT 1080 (basic).  I could have an outfeed table, an assembly table and a clamping table.  There are a couple of problems with this though.  My TS is 34.5" high and the MFT is 32 so I'd need to make the MFT higher.  One thought is to sit the MFT on a mobile base.  I'm thinking that more than likely I could sit the table on top of the base and gain the required height. The advantage of the wheels would be that I could pull the MFT away from the saw to get at all 4 sides, then push it uip to the saw when I need outfeed support.

Thoughts, comments or suggestions?

 

[billybokay]

I use a dewalt portable table saw"44", and it is all I need due to having the festool mft1080 and saw. I just made a custom base for it so it is the exact height of my mft1080. The base also conveineintly holds 2 systainers. I also made a custom router table, guess how high? exactly 32 1/8th. Same as the mft.
Now you have me thinking. Another mft basic would be nice, for clamping and assembly etc.
Shoot where does it end?

 

[bill-e]

I just thought of a downside to using a mobile base.  Nothing can go under the table.  That may kill this idea.  I must ponder it some more.

 

[Ned]

I just thought of a downside to using a mobile base.  Nothing can go under the table.

Not if the mobile base is a platform--perhaps an underslung torsion box?

Or mobilize your MFT with wheels that attach to each leg?

Ned

 

[Mark Carlson]

Bill,

I use my MFT as an outfeed table  (see picture).  It also doubles as a glue up area and assembly table.  I have one at the moment but I'd like to get a 2nd so I'd have a larger surface.  Got to get rid of those bikes. The 2nd would go to the left.  My table saw is around 36 inches so I put extensions on my MFT (see 2nd picture).  I also put notched 2 by 4's over the leg cross pieces so I could store stuff like my planer.  The weight of the planer helps to stabilize the MFT. I stil have space under the shelf for a rolling cart that I use for assembly.  I was also toying with the idea of getting one of these hydraulic lift tables as an assembly table that I could park under the MFT when not in use.

~mark

 

[pteubel]

Been there, done that. Pics below.

One thing that was handy was having the CT33 and the boom arm within reach of the TS. While most of the time, I do not use the stock blade guard, I do use it now when cutting MDF or other such dusty material. The TS has a 4" DC connector in the cabinet and the CT33 connects to the modified blade guard for upper dust collection. The boom arm keeps the hose off the table surface. Works great.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Mark, those leg extensions are very nicely done.

Peter, where did you get the Festool floor mat?

 

[pteubel]

A Fes rep at Woodcraft was changing out the floormats and deskpads. I grabbed it from him before he could throw it away.

 

[bill-e]

Wow, thanks all.  You salvaged my idea...and cost me some more money too.

I'm heading off to Australia on biz for a couple of weeks but when I get back I'm ordering another table from Mr. Marino.

I think I like the idea of Teflon or UHMW feet so it can be dragged easily across the cement floor and a bracket or two to attach it to my Incra rear rail.

 

[bill-e]

I just made some 2" extensions out of cherry.  Now I just need to order the feet and MFT   Thanks for the idea.

 

[bill-e]

Hi Folks,

I decided to order the full up 1080 since adding the accessories later would cost more than just buying it all now.  It's arriving today via freight and I'll post pics of the setup when complete.

 

[Bruce]

I think I like the idea of Teflon or UHMW feet so it can be dragged easily across the cement floor and a bracket or two to attach it to my Incra rear rail.

Bill, I just used run-of-the-mill furniture glides with teflon (or UHMW, I'm not sure) bottoms.  Got 'em at Lowes.  They work great - slick enough to move the table, but not so slick that it moves when I don't want it to.  Plus, because the table just sits on them, they are easily removed when necessary.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Bill,

It appears you have decided on your MFT setup for use as an outfeed table for your TS.  A good choice, I think.  Back when l did not realize how useful an MFT can be, I looked at an MFT as a glorified and overpriced piece of exta-thick pegboard.  Due to shop space limitations, I equipped my TS with JoinTech's (phenolic) Floating Tables, one with a router plate cutout and the other without any cutout.  These can be quickly repositioned for infeed or outfeed support as well as on either side of the TS, and they can double as a router table, due to a HD plastic hinge strip that engages both the TS fence guide rail and a short length of the same aluminum extrusion attached to the end of the floating table.  Upon reading this discussion thread I realized that a small MFT or just the top of a small MFT could also be mounted on hinges that slidingly engage the back TS rails of an Incra or JoinTech system to serve as an outfeed table, with the free end supported by adjustable legs.  Either Festool's aluminum frame or a wooden shop-made frame could be used, depending on cost, weight and alternate uses planned for this extension table.  I have not compared weights, but the JoinTech Phenolic table tops and their adjustable height HD steel leg hardware are not light.  JoinTech's leg sets are not folding.  They would have to be mounted to HD folding hinges which in turn are mounted to the underside of the table.  When I realized the versatile utility of an MFT, I bought a 1080 complete and recently purchased an 800 basic because it is much lighter and therefore easier for me to move to the actual worksite for various home improvement projects.  Festool is indeed a very slippery slope, but one I am happy to be on!!

Dave R.

 

[bill-e]

Dave,

I'm actually interested in the MFT serving as an outfeed table and an MFT/assembly table so I got the 1080.  I want to be able to pull it away from the saw so I can get at all sides when I need to and also be able to clamp etc.  I'll probably use it for everything except sawing though I'm going to set up the stops so I can rip on the long side of the table if needed.

 

[Corwin]

Hey Bill,

Since you are expecting today, so to speak, you may wish to pick up some M6 Socket Head Set Screws for those stops.  These can be used with the existing nuts for the stops.  It would be nicer to tap these nuts for M8 set screws so the toolie tool's 4mm wrench would fit -- the M6 screws I have need a 3mm wrench.  In any event, these set screws will allow your tops to be joined at the hip unencumbered.

If you don't have the 1900 rail yet, you best hide the checkbook.  Nice size rail for two tables.

Congrats on the new addition,
Corwin

On Edit:  Also consider mounting the stops for the 55" rails to the left side of the brackets to make attachment somewhat easier.

 

[bill-e]

Corwin,

At this point I don't have enough shop to couple the two MFT's so I'm planing on the second one being stand alone behind the TS in place of the outfeed table which is currently there.

Someday I may rearrange things to free up some space, push my bench against the wall, and then couple the MFT's but that's not in the near future.

 

[Corwin]

Sorry, I misunderstood.  Well, at least that checkbook is a little safer...   

 

[bill-e]

No delivery today, I guess we'll have to induce tomorrow.  :

 

[bill-e]

Is your shop floor as level as mine?

 

[bill-e]

I put those feet on and leveled things quickly last night but after actually looking at the first pic, that leg is shorter than the other...probably because of the adjustable foot that was installed there.