MFT Systainer Port

[stvrowe]

One of the problems I have in my shop is clutter collecting under workbenches and that includes the MFT/3 table which is evidently caused by entropy.  I decided to solve this problem, and resolve some other storage and functional objectives with the MFT/3.  These objectives are:
1. Eliminate clutter under table
2. Provide storage for several of the larger systainers.
3. Provide storage for 24" dovetail jig
4. Provide shop mobility and use as an outfeed table for other machinery in the shop
5. Improve table rigidity and permit use of the MFT as a workbench instead of just a table
6. Maintain ability to clamp vertical pieces on aluminum rail
7. Maintain ability to connect other MFT/3 tables in the future
8. Maintain ability to remove the MFT easily for use outside the shop

I used the Festool OF1400 router, LR32 drilling jig, Domino, and ETS150/3 sander.  The casters are Woodriver machine casters with leveling pads from Woodcraft.  These are as nearly identical to Zambus casters as you can get but less expensive.  The casework is from 3/4" birch ply which my local lumberyard calls chinaply.  This isn't a very high quality ply and has a lot of putty filling flaws on the face veneer but, it has a large number of plys similar to baltic birch and few core voids and costs under $30/sheet.  I used almost 2 sheets in this project.  Slides are full extension 350mm slides from Custom Service Hardware.  I also used Hettich VB36 cam fittings for the shelf also from CSH.  I used salvaged baltic birch ply from old cabinets in my shop and some leftover birch hardwood from other projects.  Magnetic tool holders were from Woodworkers Supply.  Total cost of materials for this project was just over $200.  Case construction is a combination of dados and rabbets with Dominos. 

This is still a work in progress as I haven't even applied finish.  I have used it on one project and it is extremely rigid.  I am unable to move it or rack it by pushing on it with all my weight.  I satisfied every objective with the exception of the ability to use as an outfeed table for my machines.  I can still recover this feature but I would have to remove the MFT legs and the 1/2" spacer shims on the ends.  This was my design flaw that I discovered only after the cabinet was assembled and discovered I needed the spacer shims because the legs on the MFT stick down below the aluminum corners.  I think I will order another MFT/3 to increase my table space.

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Front view

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Front view showing open systainer

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Back view.  Note holes are drilled for future addition of inset doors.

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Construction permits vertical clamping on all 4 sides

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Support detail from front

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Support detail from side

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How I elected to use the narrow space that would be pretty much useless for drawers.

 

[Mettes]

Hey Steve,

If you don't tighten down the knobs  of the legs when closed, do you still need the shims then?

Cheers, Mettes

ps: nice cart!

 

[stvrowe]

Good suggestion Mettes.  I went out and checked but the legs on one end near the knobs stick down below the bottom of the aluminum corners so that won't work.  If I find that I don't need the portability much, I may just remove the legs which will grant easier access to the underside of the table and provide a good storage space for clamps.
Steve

 

[Julian Tracy]

Nice!  I've thinking about doing something like that, or at least making a cabinet/sysport.  I can never understand why ANYONE would buy the Festool sysports at $700-$1000 when they are a very simple  item to make and customize.  We're "Woodworkers" right?

Great job.  I hate when you get finished with something and find out you were about 1/2" off on something... As mistakes go, not too bad I guess.

JT

 

[rookie08]

Nice!  What a great idea for the side space.  I've been throwing my clamps in a small box in that space.  Your way is so much better.  I hope you don't mind if I shamelessly copy it.  [embarassed]

Cheers

 

[jonny round boy]

steve,

That's a really nice solution. I don't have an MFT, but hope to get one in the future and I've already been working on my own design for something similar. I love the clamp storage pull-out too!

Can I ask one question - What size is the top of the cabinet (ie the dimensions that the MFT feet sit over)?

 

[stvrowe]

steve,

That's a really nice solution. I don't have an MFT, but hope to get one in the future and I've already been working on my own design for something similar. I love the clamp storage pull-out too!

Can I ask one question - What size is the top of the cabinet (ie the dimensions that the MFT feet sit over)?

Johnny,
The top of the cabinet is 738mm x 1145mm.  This size allows for a snug fit with no lateral movement yet easy to remove and install.  The other dimension you will need in the design is the distance from the top of the MFT to the aluminum corner it will rest on.  This dimension is 167mm.

I have done some further measurements and am only 5mm higher than my table saw.  I looked at the removing the legs and discovered there are nylon locknuts inside the handles which need to be removed to remove the legs.  I decided to not remove the legs and shims as restoring this would take longer than I would like so, have decided to get some 1/4" plate and shim my saw up.  Problem will then be resolved.
Steve

 

[sancho57]

Now ya went and done it..

Another project to add to my list…its a very long list

Thanks for sharing, great idea..

 

[ADKMedic]

I like it! 

I really like the full-extension slides so that you can pull the systainer out enough to open the lid fully. 

I like the side clamp storage.  It's a good use of space...  BUT I have one small concern.  I'm wondering about the metals used in the clamps and the magnet bar.  If they are dissimilar metals, the slightest bit of moisture will cause rust.

Just my .00002 cents worth.

Andy

 

[stvrowe]

I like it! 

I really like the full-extension slides so that you can pull the systainer out enough to open the lid fully. 

I like the side clamp storage.  It's a good use of space...  BUT I have one small concern.  I'm wondering about the metals used in the clamps and the magnet bar.  If they are dissimilar metals, the slightest bit of moisture will cause rust.

Just my .00002 cents worth.

Andy

Andy - I have used these magnetic bars in my shop for years and never had any issues with them causing rust although not with the Festool clamps.  The metals must be close enough on the galvanic scale for this to not be an issue.
Steve

 

[black flag]

Steve - I stole this idea and expended it for a double MFT setup.  I took the legs off because I don't use the table outside of the shop.  The casters work great - I added 2 in the middle for a total of 6. Gliderites for the drawers.  This was my first build using all of my Festools and I learned a ton. The Domino is still a tricky beast when trying to line up the middle dividers. I messed up a few times but was able to salvage all the wood to make it work.  I'll probably sand and put a coat of poly on it at some point, but for right now, it's done and it's cleaned up the shop quite a bit.  Thanks for posting this.  It was a real help getting all of the measurements  right. FYI - the top of mine measures 738mm x 2300mm. This leaves about a 2mm gap in the middle of the two MFTs.

 

[Dan Pfeiffer]

I really like the work show here, it makes a lot of sense and is a very good use of space.  I have one concern about the way the MFT is supported on the platform.  I can't tell for sure but in both examples it looks like the MFT is supported on a webbing flange of the cast corner part.  I see how the table is held in place this way by the rubber feet but it is the flange and not the feet that are supporting any loads on the MFT.  That corner casting is nicely made but it's not chrome vanadium steel.  I think that flange is there to stiffen the vertical sections not support the table.  I would worry about it shearing off under load.  When the table is supported by the rubber feet (as designed) the loads are carried in the much beefier vertical sections of the cast corner piece. 

Am I worrying over nothing here?  Designing the unit to support the MFT by the feet might interfere with vertical clamping or clamping of long objects (like a door).  Or maybe there is a way to have both?    I can envision a metal plate extending from the edge of the platform the 15mm needed to support the rubber feet. 

Dan Pfeiffer

 

[black flag]

Hmmm. Didn't think of that but so far so good. I may be putting some rubber feet under the metal corners so when I'm pounding on stuff there isn't metal on cabinet impact.

 

[stvrowe]

Nice work Black Flag.  Now you've done it, I need to order another MFT [laughing]. 

 

[west xi]

very good idea ~!  i like it!
[thumbs up]now im ready to copy your idea~~u have the cabinet's Drawings?
im lazy..

 

[stvrowe]

very good idea ~!  i like it!
[thumbs up]now im ready to copy your idea~~u have the cabinet's Drawings?
im lazy..

I guess I am lazy too.  I only used a rough shop sketch and it has long since disappeared.  Key dimensions are listed earlier in the thread.  Sorry.
Steve

 

[johninthecamper]

Nice!  I've thinking about doing something like that, or at least making a cabinet/sysport.  I can never understand why ANYONE would buy the Festool sysports at $700-$1000 when they are a very simple  item to make and customize.  We're "Woodworkers" right?

Great job.  I hate when you get finished with something and find out you were about 1/2" off on something... As mistakes go, not too bad I guess.

JT

at 700 bucks building one is tempting,I'm  looking at the whole picture.wood vs metal,ten to twenty times stronger for the same weight.cost of materials is about half,with no locks.labor to build, and finish vs more money.am I going to do as good of job,yeah but at how much more labor.my ego says build it, my wallet says buy it.then the first one will morph on down the line till I have five different,four I would no longer want ,but not get rid of because they would function.the more I think about it the harder the choice is

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

steve thats awesome....i love it and need one badly..like how you can still remove table for onsite jobs,also the magnetic clamp pullout is sweet!

 

[stvrowe]

steve thats awesome....i love it and need one badly..like how you can still remove table for onsite jobs,also the magnetic clamp pullout is sweet!

Thanks for the compliment.  I must confess that the vertical pullouts with magnetic strips have been my least favorite part of the whole assembly.  I just put it there because the space wasn't usable for much of anything else.  After almost 2 years of use, if I were to do this again, I would just make a recessed area on the end of the cart for clamp storage foregoing the pullouts. 

 

[GarryMartin]

I'm trying to get around to starting my MFT and KAPEX workstations and have been reviewing my old notes. I've found quite a few images I'd saved at the time, so where I can, I'm trying to add them back in to the threads where the photos were previously lost.

Hope someone finds this useful and that it's OK with the original authors.