MFT problem (?)

[campbellcraft]

For my work flow it is better sometimes to feed my lumber from the right side of the MFT. My MFT is level in both directions. I used a Noden bench as the infeed table. Squared the new top and devised a quick release to hold it to the MFT. Using the "edge" of the MFT I leveled the new table relative to the MFT.

To check my work in multiple directions I used a rail on edge. When I fed the rail from the new table to the cut line on the MFT there was a 3/64 gap under the rail. When I held the rail down to the MFT it raised the far right end about  1/4 inch off of the Noden top.

Is this a problem? When I glue up 1" stock end to end will there be problems. Will the 3/64 gap cause enough of an angle to need adjusted.

When I looked for why I had the gap I discovered the bow in the MFT top. If I need to fix this "problem" is there a 8020 product that would bolt directly to the MFT rails, to draw the top flat. Any other possible solutions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[waho6o9]

If you flip the top over do you think there would be

a shallow spot?

 

[Tinker]

Has water or other liquid ever spilled onto the top?  That will cause all sorts of problems.
Tinker

 

[campbellcraft]

Flipping the top should create a "hump" where the dip was, still not flat.

No water spilling. My second MFT never leaves the shop and it also has a sag.

 

[Tinker]

I don't understand why the sag unless it is being affected by high humidity, or  something spilled on it. I probably abuse my tops more than almost anybody.  I use it for cutting, sanding, sometimes planing and assembly.  I leave tools and wood on top of it for days as sometimes I have only enough time to do one operation at a time before I end up late for a work appointment.

Today, I glued up a heavy table foot and left it sitting on my MFT/3 at one end.  I put the foot I had glued up yesterday on the other end of the table to pull all of the protective tape off.  I also had been hand planing a piece of walnut crotch on the planing bench, but had put that onto the pile already on the MFT so i could plane another project on the planing bench.  Got a phone call (a rainy day today) and had to meet a customer at a own job.  All of the pile got left on the MFT.  A lot of weight.  I just got home and grabbed a bite to eat before going down to the shop.  Sometimes, a situation like this happens and i don't get back for days >>> or even weeks.

The MFT top has not sagged >>> yet with all of the abuse.

One thing that I have done to all of my MFT tops (I have three) is to apply a couple of coats of wipe on polly and then two or three coats of Carnuba wax and buff each coat.  I do hat for protection against glue drop or spill when I do assemblies.  I suspect that also helps protect from moisture.  Yesterday, I spilled some water on the top while wiping glue off wood assembly.  The water only puddled as it would on a freshly waxed car in little droplets.  I had spilled onto one of the stip pieces I lay on the top when sawing so I don't grove the top.  That is protection from glue as well.  The water that spilled on the strip was soaked up like ink into a blotter.  Maybe that sort of protective coating could help your problem.
Tinker

 

[BigCountry73]

Tinker,

When you apply a wipe on poly to the MFT-3 surface, do you apply it to both sides or just the side facing up?

Sorry to highjack the thread, but I am assembling my MFT table now and I don't want any issues to arise if I can prevent them now.

Keith

 

[grbmds]

I know I've seen previous posts about applying oil and other topcoats to the MFT, but I don't do that. It seems unnecessary. I believe that Festool intended the MFT to be used as is and, from other posts, it appears that many do just that. I doubt sagging is caused by not sealing the top and bottom.

 

[rmwarren]

My 3 year old MFT top has a very slight sag in it, perhaps 1mm + in the center. I notice it when I am clamping one of the MFT extension arms I use to it, the knob is underneath and it pulls the top up to the 80/20.

[attachthumb=1]

[attachthumb=2]

[attachthumb=3]

RMW

 

[Tinker]

Tinker,

When you apply a wipe on poly to the MFT-3 surface, do you apply it to both sides or just the side facing up?

Sorry to highjack the thread, but I am assembling my MFT table now and I don't want any issues to arise if I can prevent them now.

Keith

So far, I have only applied to one surface.  My woodworking experience for my first 38 years had been on home construction.  Painted siding was only painted on the side exposed to weather.  When oiling forms, we oiled what was exposed to concrete.  I seldom did anything to both sides. Once I started doing woodwork for furniture and other "finer" projects, i found out about doing whatever I do on top side, do on bottom side of wood as well. That was a year ago when i turned 39  :  Two of my tops have stood the one side finish for over ten years. I think I had just turned 39 again when i did that.
Tinker