MFT Handle Tip

[ElectricFeet]

Well, I finally bought my MFT (after asking if I should buy the accessories here; more on that in another post).

The first thing I noticed is the weight. I haven't historically suffered from a bad back, but this last week has been a major pain since I've been lugging the table in and out of its cupboard (I live in an apartment/flat). I'm not tall, nor particularly strong: this is a hobby--I don't lug weights around for a living (nor for pleasure).

The biggest problem with the weight is what to get hold of and the centre of gravity. My cupboard space means storing--and hence holding--the table with the long side vertical. If you try holding the top border, the centre of gravity can swing under, cracking your shins; if you try holding the horizontal struts of the legs and it's even worse, as the table can spin about its centre of gravity even more (and crucially it means bending down to pick up the weight, so you're doubly out of control).

What's needed is a handle around 3/4 of the way up the table. If you try putting your fingers through the holes, you risk breaking them (seriously) if the table falls out of control. I thought of various solutions involving parf dogs and complex hardware ... it filled my insomnia-thoughts for several days.

Then I had the bright idea of using a strip of double-sided velcro through two of the holes. The part I hold is the doubled-up part of the velcro, so there is no chance of it coming apart. It works a real treat. It's really easy to remove and equally easy to place. The cost is virtually nothing (I bought a big roll of double-sided velcro many years ago). The velcro's very tough, but even if it eventually frays, you can replace it with a new piece very easily. You can put it at exactly the right height that suits your build (in my case 4th hole down on the side that feels "right").

Very pleased with myself for coming up with this one [smile].

 

[ElectricFeet]

(N.B. For some reason the photo is rotated. I use it horizontally, not vertically.)

 

[TinyShop]

Such an elegant solution! Thanks for taking the time to think through the problem and arriving at what amounts to being a stupidly simple fix. Kudos!

 

[James Biddle]

Nice simple solution.  The other thing you could have done is mount anything that uses the knobs on the back upside down and use the knobs as handles.

 

[ElectricFeet]

Thanks for the thanks!

The photo was rotated by the forum software, but it's made me think that using the "handle" vertically might actually be better ergonomically than using it horizontally. It would put less strain on my shoulder. There ARE cases where age makes you a better inventor of solutions.  [smile]

 

[sancho57]

good idea. Thanks for sharing

 

[GoingMyWay]

This is a great idea!  I just recently acquired an MFT/3 and now need a way to hang it up.  The velcro handle will definitely make it easier for me to muscle onto the hooks.

 

[jroth33139]

Looks great. Think about putting a wheel on the opposite side. I find it works better to roll rather than lift.

 

[ElectricFeet]

Looks great. Think about putting a wheel on the opposite side. I find it works better to roll rather than lift.

Yup, I had done this already and was thinking of including it in another post. Festool would do well to include some sort of solution that includes wheels that swing out or something.

 

[ElectricFeet]

Why does this forum rotate images arbitrarily?  [mad]

 

[Mario Turcot]

It has to do with the device that takes pictures. Do your device flip the view when hold horizontally?

The website cannot differentiate if you hold the camera vertically or horizontally. In  the case of your last picture My guess is that the device was hold horizontally with the actuator on the right side making the picture upside down. Take two pictures vertically one with the actuator on top and post both you will see what I mean. On my device (iPhone) I prevent the flip view so the image file will have a header with the correct positioning.

 

[ElectricFeet]

It has to do with the device that takes pictures. Do your device flip the view when hold horizontally?

The website cannot differentiate if you hold the camera vertically or horizontally. In  the case of your last picture My guess is that the device was hold horizontally with the actuator on the right side making the picture upside down. Take two pictures vertically one with the actuator on top and post both you will see what I mean. On my device (iPhone) I prevent the flip view so the image file will have a header with the correct positioning.

Thanks Mario. Makes sense. User error, as usual.  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]