MFT: Has anyone made short legs?

Ned

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Jul 24, 2009
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Has anyone made legs shorter than the black fold-out legs for the MFT?  What do they look like?  Why did you make them?

Does anyone routinely use an MFT without the legs, that is, resting on the corner castings? 

Ned
 
I don't own an MFT, as I don't have anywhere to store it. But if I did, I can see a number of scenarios where it may be handy to have it at low(er) level.
 
Ned, I have an 800 that I routinely use on an assembly table.  I like the 800 for it's portability to a "punch list" environment.  When it is in the shop, it does nicely when I pull it from being hung on the wall onto the assembly mainly for the clamping and holding of pieces being worked on.  I rarely use it in the shop to cut with.

As far as the short legs, I have them (literally) therefore, I too am interested in hearing more of this thread!  My assembly table stands only 22 inches off the ground, on casters for rolling around.

And to all that reply...."WATCH THE SHORT JOKES".  I.e.  "Can I borrow some money....I'm a little short" or "I am a short guy, ... and I am not very tall either"

Go Huskers!

Timmy C
 
jonny round boy said:
I don't own an MFT, as I don't have anywhere to store it. But if I did, I can see a number of scenarios where it may be handy to have it at low(er) level.

JRB, I have both the 1080 and the 800.  The 1080 is set up for permenant use in the middle of te floor.  The 800 spends most of its time foldedup in a corner out of the way.  I bring it out when it is handy to have a second work table in the shop for use as router table, extra saw table, assembly bench and of course the times whn i need to move my work out doors or to another site.  If you had an 800, it would be like so many other Festools, or any other valued tool, you would find uses you never dreamed of.  Those MFT's are, I think, the greatest inovations I have yet discovered.  Try one, you'll like it.  ::) :o ;D
Tinker
 
The MFTs can be raised or lowered about 1-1/2" by purchasing another leg assembly.  To lower, get another short leg assembly to replace your longer one.  Install both shorter leg assemblies in the MFT's upper mounting holes.  Same idea with raising your MFT, only you'll need another longer leg assembly and mount the two in the lower holes.  It does present a folding problem, but, it is what it is.  Hope this offers a speedy solution...  for about $50 from you friendly Festool dealer somewhere in the USA.

Corwin
 
Tinker said:
jonny round boy said:
I don't own an MFT, as I don't have anywhere to store it. But if I did, I can see a number of scenarios where it may be handy to have it at low(er) level.

JRB, I have both the 1080 and the 800.  The 1080 is set up for permenant use in the middle of te floor.  The 800 spends most of its time foldedup in a corner out of the way.  I bring it out when it is handy to have a second work table in the shop for use as router table, extra saw table, assembly bench and of course the times whn i need to move my work out doors or to another site.  If you had an 800, it would be like so many other Festools, or any other valued tool, you would find uses you never dreamed of.  Those MFT's are, I think, the greatest inovations I have yet discovered.  Try one, you'll like it.   ::) :o ;D
Tinker

Oh, I know I'd like it. But I really, REALLY don't have anywhere to put it. I'm currently living in a tiny 2-bed flat (apartment), and we're severely short of space. I don't have a garage, workshop, or even an outside space where I can work at home. All my work is done in client's houses. And any tools I decide to take to site have to be taken down & back up 11 floors in a tiny lift (elevator). It's bad enough as it is - I think having an MFT to lug as well would finish me off... :(
 
Hey Ned
I've built a platform to raise the height of my MFT tables (a 1080 and an 800 side by side).
So the answer is yes, I use MFTs with the legs folded almost all the time.
The height of the two MFTs now is approximately the same height as a rolling tool bin I have with an MDF top. They work out pretty well together.
I've taken the legs off of the 1080, but left them on the 800. The 1080 is heavy enough to were it won't slide around without the legs. The extra little weight of the legs on the 800 helps slippage some, plus you can pick it up and go somewhere in short order.
Maybe building a platform to your desired work height could be the ticket.

Corwin
I love your idea on lowering the MFT by buying another set of short legs. I guess you could make it 1 1/2" taller by buying another set of taller legs also. If I had thought about that before, I might not have built the platform to begin with.

Greg

 
Ned,
I made riser blocks for my MFT to bring it to the level of my TS, Bench, etc.  These are 1/2" BB plywood with 1 1/2" hole in a top plate.  I imagine this could be modified to set the MFT on w/o the legs, although I hadn't thought of that, and could be dual purpose.  I usually have an issue of gettting the work to my height. 
 
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