MFT Table as do it all solution

[InspektorGadget]

This is probably a really silly question, but I am trying to make room for an MFT/3 table setup in my small work space.  Would I be able to use the MFT as an assembly table, clamping station, glue up station and for it's intended cross cutting usage etc?

Would I need to protect the top during glue ups or assembly?  If so, does anyone have a good solution for protecting that top?  Is it necessary?  If I am able to leverage this as sort of an all purpose solution, it makes it much easier to swallow for me.  Thanks!

 

[Chris Cianci]

I would answer yes to all of your uses, I sealed mine w a 3-2-1, finish. That’s your choice for protection. You mentioned “making space, so the ability to fold and store is a great feature. I started w one now I have two I’ll grab a third one as soon as I can travel to a dealer as I live in a rural area. Do you already own a Festool track saw?

 

[InspektorGadget]

I don't own a track saw yet.  I am buying a new MFT/3 kit with accessories from a local guy on Craigslist for a good price, so I'll add one as soon as the bank account replenishes. 

This is all very encouraging, I do have a Delta Table saw in my shop, but besides that I am really starting to buy into the Festool system for spaces like mine.  Mostly doing projects around the house such as built in furniture, and other furniture pieces.  I have a ROS and a CT MIDI, so I've gotten my feet wet and am really enjoying that sander. 

 

[cpw]

I use mine for assembly and clamping, actually very little for sawing.  I prefer to use a centipede, foam, and rails to break down sheet goods.  I don't have anything permanent to protect top; but do use a roll of waxed butcher paper for glue ups.

 

[DynaGlide]

I based my 12x16 basement shop around Festool. I bought my MFT/3's used at roughly half retail. I have 3 now. I used to have them all joined together into one long table but realized that was handicapping my work flow. They come out and go away as needed during a project.

Having everything mobile and knock down is an asset for me to reconfigure my shop as I perform different tasks from cutting to final glue up.

Example, needed to do some rips so set one table up as outfeed for a jobsite TS:

Needed to setup a miter saw station so did that at a different stage:

I'd love to have dedicated setups but don't have the room. For me the system makes a lot of sense.
Hope this helps

 

[Umbach]

Question... What's the advantage to having an MFT if one already has both a decent table saw and miter saw?  Is it more for space saving in a smaller shop or for using on the road at job sites?

 

[Chris Cianci]

Hi
I’d add vertical and horizontal clamping ability to its uses  I unfold mine and it’s used as an out feed ( again it folds), It’s usefulness Ramps up if you don’t want to wrestle with large sheet goods on a table saw and add a track saw either using a rail and dogs in the dog holes or the Flip up fence as a crosscut station.  The rail and tracksaw give really splinter free cuts. I have a 5’x5’ Mft style bench with drawers under it and the top is covered w melamine but I can’t slide it around the shop and fold it up when Im not using it. I can’t move the big bench in the house for a job either. A folding table is used by hobbyists for jobs but they can’t handle the weight load and there’s no good clamping. Despite my 5’x5’ bench I still use 2 Mfts and would get a 3rd ASAP

 

[Umbach]

Makes sense.  Thanks Craig.

 

[Birdhunter]

I throw a large sheet of thin plywood on my dual MFTs when I need to protect the surface. I think the answer to each of the OP’s questions is yes. But, the down side of the MFT is that it is shaky and it is lacking a real woodworking vise.

 

[fignewton]

Question... What's the advantage to having an MFT if one already has both a decent table saw and miter saw?  Is it more for space saving in a smaller shop or for using on the road at job sites?

For me, the biggest advantage is to be able to clamp and secure workpieces to the top.  I have a track tabletop from another company and found I could never get things set up and secured like I wanted them.  With the MFT, and a combination of clamping elements, dogs, fences, TSO bars, toggle clamps, etc.  I can do most anything.  I even built a vertical clamping jig that slides on the front track that is very versatile.  I have two MFT tops side by side (one MFT, and another top on a different frame) so I can do long items, like when doing face frames.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Outside of heavy hand tool work where there is substantial lateral stress, the MFT itself is a very usable solution for cutting, assembly, etc., and if it's good for your space, it's worthy. The one thing that's "missing" is a more traditional vice setup, but there are solutions that can help with that that leverage the grid in many cases. I'm a believer in the grid and have incorporated it into my heavier work surfaces on my main bench, my auxiliary bench and my dedicated guitar bench. In my case, I don't use my "actual" MFG much because I don't need to, but I'm glad I have it, including when I need to set up for something special or in another location than my shop.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I'm replying to the OP's question about protecting the table top.

Yes, there are several solutions, most involving sacrificial surfaces on top of the table top.  Cheap ply, insulation, etc.  Problem with these is that they negate the use of dogs.

Other methods involve carefully setting your depth of cut so that cuts are very shallow.  Easy to do, but sooner or later you will forget and cut a deep gouge through your table.

You can also tear up your top and simply flip it over to get a new one.  I do that and the shallow cut and a top lasts several years.

Or you can just treat the top as a consumable and either buy a replacement top from Festool or make your own, several 3rd party jigs are on the market and much has been posted here about them.

My mfts  (2) are my most frequently used tool.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Agree 100% with Jesse's comments.