MFT Table Extensions

[Woodwork Wizard]

Piece of 3"x2" held to MFT with T-nuts. 3 x screw-in inserts to hold MDF sheet top to 3"x2". A section of a ladder was used as the leg. Very stable in use and the extensions are set up in minutes. 3"x2" attaches first then the top gets screwed to it. I now have 2400mm to the left of the guide rail and 1400mm to the right, though I do use 2 x MFT/3 tables on their own trolley. Using the MFT/3 like I do I have 915mm crosscut capacity or if ever required 1080mm using the fence clips rather than the protractors to hold the fence right at the back of the table.

The right-hand side of the guide rail is calibrated to the Kapex UG extension scale, the left hand side uses 2 x MFT/3 fences with measurement scales attached. The fence with 2 protractors holding it along with 4 bench dogs living behind it has never gone out of calibration on me, I have a-zero clearance wooden fence and I also use a Slop Stop on the guide rail.

This thing makes large cabinet building easy, quick and accurate.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

This is a better view of all this is. Another piece of the box section of the ladder is screwed to the base to keep it from warping. The leg stays where it's put and it's every bit as stable as the MFT/3 and was built for very little outlay.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Thanks for showing this. Great idea for a fast and inexpensive extension..

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I also copied the way the Kapex extensions height adjustment with a bolt bearing on the leg to hold it at the correct position.

It's a very cheap way to get lots of MFT worktop space. It attaches in 2 minutes and can easily take my weight of 13 stone. I was considering buying another MFT but this has worked for me very well.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I've enclosed a photo of how the leg works and can be set level. It is the same principle as the Kapex UG extensions using a bolt against the leg.

It's an M8 bolt, wooden block, washer and nut. Threaded insert in wood and dome-head nut at the end to bear on the leg. It's very stable and dependable, the leg stays where it's set.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

8' to the left of the guide rail, 4.5' to the right of the guide rail.

The extensions are just as stable as my MFT/3 table. I've been using this set-up for almost 2 weeks and built 9 large bookcases and 5 cabinets with it. It has performed flawlessly...

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

MFT/3 with extension tables, behind this is an 8'x4' torsion box assembly table with removable MFT style top.

 

[Mr Heavy]

This is a genuine aid to productivity and not the, "look how much disposable I've got," end-in-itself that one sometimes sees on this forum.

I've been using this set-up for almost 2 weeks and built 9 large bookcases and 5 cabinets with it.

What? You used this to MAKE things? [scared]

You could have used that time to polish your extension device's metalwork and sand and varnish the wooden components.... tropical hardwood.... brass inserts.... ivory nameplate...

Using the scrap ladder - show us the steps you took to make this - as a chassis has made for a very strong, portable solution. If it had  a green sticker on it and the wooden bits replaced with ABS and grey metal tubes, people would be falling over themselves to buy it.

Well done that man!!

You owe me breakfast / a pint

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

 

[Mr Heavy]

I have been commissioned to do a new painting of The Last Supper as an altar-piece at St. Jude's.

I need to borrow a long table, big enough to seat twelve with another one standing…

How many chairs have you got in your 'shop?