MFT Options

[earcaesar1]

Hey all,

I am new into the festool world and I know there are a lot of other posts with this kind of stuff, but it was hard to get some of the information.

I currently have the dust extractor and sander. I am looking at getting a TS55, OF 1400 and the Domino 500. I mostly just do projects for the house. DIY tables and shelves / dressers.

I work out of a small garage that we normally park our cars in so everything needs to be small, compact and able to be stored away.

I have been looking to do a solution to rip sheets and some people have given some suggestions for some foam on the ground or a few other things, but I am on the fence about an MFT.

The MFT is quite expensive and with the other stuff I am looking to purchase it is getting a very large bill right now. I am trying to find some suggestions on MFT's.

I know triton makes an MFT, its quite expensive for the size and at that price I would most likely just invest in the MFT from festool
Kreg makes one but it seems pretty crappy as far as support on sanding and that kind of stuff.

I did see the MFT slab plan and was considering if that is something worth doing or would the MFT/3 be worth it or if there are any other suggestions. I think building my own would be about the same cost if not more than just buying the MFT. I would like something that I could rip plywood on without it overhanging if possible.

All the input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Roseland]

https://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-multifunction-workbench-for-parf-dogs-717978

I don’t know where you are, but Axminster ship to most places.

Get some Parf Dogs and you’re good to go.

Andrew

 

[blaszcsj]

If it helps, I would buy only the basic MFT. I have the deluxe one but I never use the rail hinge system. I use parf dogs almost exclusively. when using the MFT. I think its a great table for portability and storage.

If cost becomes critical you have the UJK and Domifix options for making the 20mm hole pattern. a slab on horses works about the same as the MFT. I would just make it out of plywood.

Just remember the feeling when you make your first cut into the top of the MFT. Its a good one... ;D

 

[earcaesar1]

The UJK looks pretty good as a simple option, doesn't fold down as much as I would like for easy storage, would have to figure out a solution for that.

If anybody else has other suggestions I am open to everything

 

[Birdhunter]

The MFT with the flip down rail meshes beautifully with the TS55 and the 1400 router. It folds up nicely. You will want 2 to 4 bench dogs. Parf dogs and Qwas dogs are my favorites. I have never used the protractor accessory, but it comes with the package. There are some excellent large squares that are made of, I think, plywood that help in getting everything squared up.

 

[gunnyr]

Adding the MFT table to my kit has been a game changer!  In my case I finally understood the Festool System when I added the Track saw to my OF1400 and CT26 combo.  The MFT took it to the next level and gave me a fast, accurate method to hold and cut material.

IMHO you must have at least one of the MFT variants to fully realize the benefits of the System.  The hardest part for me was to pick which one.  At this point I have 2 MFT's, a Paulk Compact Bench, and the MFTC.  I am sure I will soon add a simple Peter Parfitt Cut Station to my kit.  I'm sure the MW 1000 will end up in my truck at some point as well..... ;D

There have been recent threads related to MFT tables.  You might find some interesting insight in this thread:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/mft-style-portable-table/msg557032/

 

[earcaesar1]

Looks like the UJK is out of stock on the workbench.

Not sure on if I want to do the basic or the full MFT/3.

I am planning on getting the rail with the TS55 with Holes and than get another track with holes to later upgrade the router. So I assume that the track's I am getting would be pointless to get with the full MFT.

The Dominofit template is apparently OOS also.

Hard to get some of this stuff it seems.

I am also based in the US

 

[ColossusX]

Toolnut appears to have the Dominofix template in stock.  Stupid question about the Dominofix, can I use it with a non Festool router? For those who've used it

 

[earcaesar1]

Toolnut appears to have the Dominofix template in stock.  Stupid question about the Dominofix, can I use it with a non Festool router? For those who've used it

Yeah I just saw it on there a little bit ago while I was looking around. I would assume you can use any router as long as you have a 20mm bit, but it seems like everybody has a festool router here

 

[Corwin]

... I would like something that I could rip plywood on without it overhanging if possible.

I suggest you leave the MFT or other similar type table for later and concentrate on what you need first. If you want to rip sheet goods, then look at a simple [break down] cutting table, a sheet of foam, a FS3000 guide rail and something like the Seneca parallel guides and start ripping sheet goods. You might also want to add a TSO guide rail square so you can cut parts after you've ripped your material. Once you've used your track saw for a few projects, you may have a better idea of what you want in the way of a MFT table.

 

[earcaesar1]

... I would like something that I could rip plywood on without it overhanging if possible.

I suggest you leave the MFT or other similar type table for later and concentrate on what you need first. If you want to rip sheet goods, then look at a simple [break down] cutting table, a sheet of foam, a FS3000 guide rail and something like the Seneca parallel guides and start ripping sheet goods. You might also want to add a TSO guide rail square so you can cut parts after you've ripped your material. Once you've used your track saw for a few projects, you may have a better idea of what you want in the way of a MFT table.

Thank you for the feedback.

This was kind of a 2 part thing. I do a lot of sanding and want a mft that can meet those needs and I wanted to see if I could get something to rip full sheets at the same time.

At this time I Didn't want to buy 2 tables.

I found a couple of things to attach to a mft to kind of extend the table

I went ahead and got the basic mft3 due to that the other one is out of stock and it also didn't fold down more with a lower profile

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[cpw]

MFT won't let you get full sheets; but if you've got the right collection of systainers; the height will match so that you can use them as additional supports.

 

[James Carriere]

I went through this dilemma last year as I have a smaller shop as well where things need to be stored to make space for other operations.  Another inexpensive option to consider for breaking down full sheets without an overhang on your materials is a centipede XL with a rigid foam sheet on top.  Make sure to get the anti-skid pads as well for the centipede.  It sets up to a 4’ x 8’ footprint in 10 seconds and collapses into about a 9”x12” footprint.  I mate it with a sheet 1-½” rigid foam which I cut into 4 - 24” x 48” pieces and then used strapping tape to create an alternating bi-fold hinge so the whole thing stores at 6” x 24” x 48” when not in use but then is a full sheet when extended on top of the centipede.  I have bad knees so cutting on a foam sheet on the floor is uncomfortable for me and this gets it up to a reasonable height.  If you need to take it in the field the whole assembly weighs less than 15 lbs I would guess. 

 

[earcaesar1]

I went through this dilemma last year as I have a smaller shop as well where things need to be stored to make space for other operations.  Another inexpensive option to consider for breaking down full sheets without an overhang on your materials is a centipede XL with a rigid foam sheet on top.  Make sure to get the anti-skid pads as well for the centipede.  It sets up to a 4’ x 8’ footprint in 10 seconds and collapses into about a 9”x12” footprint.  I mate it with a sheet 1-½” rigid foam which I cut into 4 - 24” x 48” pieces and then used strapping tape to create an alternating bi-fold hinge so the whole thing stores at 6” x 24” x 48” when not in use but then is a full sheet when extended on top of the centipede.  I have bad knees so cutting on a foam sheet on the floor is uncomfortable for me and this gets it up to a reasonable height.  If you need to take it in the field the whole assembly weighs less than 15 lbs I would guess.

Do you have any pictures of your setup.

I've seen that table that you are talking about.

I got the mft basic ordered but I was looking at getting either saw horseshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0144QVN2E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hOLPBbT78053R

Or using thishttp://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43455&p=76830
and mounting it centered on the mft

Downside to putting it on the mft is I would have to remove it from each time I cut something if I wasn't fully done ripping.

I think maybe your idea or something like the saw horse would be a better idea.

 

[earcaesar1]

Also how many people think the accessories are worth the price? How many people use the rail system?

I've got a ts55 with 2 55" tracks. Got the angle Guage. I also got the of 1400 and the domino 500. Just wondering if the increase in say $80 is worth it for the miter and rail guides

I mostly make shelves, farmhouse tables, beds, and picture frames

 

[Gregor]

I wouldn't want 'high grade steel' saw horses, blades are expensive...

As you have a TS, rail and a Domino: you can build a leevalley clone in just a few minutes, saw horses (in any height you need them) are also a very easy and quick built.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have no way of knowing how many use their MFT accessories, but I use the flip down rail frequently with my TS55 and my 1400 router. I have never used the protractor head. I trust the hole pattern plus bench dogs more than the protractor.

 

[earcaesar1]

I wouldn't want 'high grade steel' saw horses, blades are expensive...

As you have a TS, rail and a Domino: you can build a leevalley clone in just a few minutes, saw horses (in any height you need them) are also a very easy and quick built.

Well if I got the saw horses it will be used with 2x4 to join them together and on top would be some trim to cut through to not hit the metal frame.

I just was also trying to figure out of the flip  rail thing is really used a lot or not. Because obviously getting the parts to get it would cost more than just getting the kit