MFT vs HKC. Is the MFT obsolete?

[bwehman]

I'm going back and forth on whether or not to buy an MFT/3 to add to the collection for job site use. I have an HKC and the 250 rail and REALLY love it. When I think about actual workflows though, I keep arriving at the HKC being the preferred option.

What are some things the MFT can do that the HKC can't? I guess fine finish trim and such? Although, my HKC with a new blade cuts just as clean as my Kapex.

I have a TS55 and 75 already, FWIW.

 

[Holzhacker]

I don't see these two tools as having much to do with each other. While I understand your question I don't think its the relevant question.
For me the HKC is for ease of quick cutting and avoiding having to use a chop saw all the time.
The MFT is more or assembly, sanding, onsite work. I wouldn't take an MFT onsite for a day or two unless there was a really good reason. For me the MFT has been more of a longer term job site tool.
For some guys the MFT is a cutting station. Its a good cutting station but for me it never developed as a cutting station. My MFT use has been primarily as a work station, i.e. sanding, assembly, detail work and some cutting.
I would suggest thinking about how you are going an MFT and decide from there it.

 

[DeformedTree]

MFT is much better for setting things on then a HKC, you just can't put much stuff on top of a HKC, terrible surface for clamping and such.

 

[bwehman]

MFT is much better for setting things on then a HKC, you just can't put much stuff on top of a HKC, terrible surface for clamping and such.

OK, never mind. Clearly this is a dumb question to everyone. Mods, you can just delete this thread if you want.

 

[Michael Kellough]

MFT stands for Multi Function Table. Seems you’re thinking it’s only good for cutting boards, which the HKC also does well.

Sticking to what the HKC does, consider how you would use it to cut short boards. You’d have to put them on something that keeps them from moving...

 

[semenza]

I don't think it's a dumb question.

What sort of cutting are you doing with the HKC?  Panels and pieces for cabinets and such or more general carpentry, framing, etc.?

I don't have and HKC and I rarely do any cutting on my MFT. But the MFT can certainly be set up as a very good cutting station.  Though I may not have the best insight on this, I see the MFT as a cabinetry , woodworking tool  and the HKC as a framing/sheathing saw. They could both crossover to some degree of course.

If I was doing a wide range of tasks, on a remodel for example, I think I would want to have both available.

Seth

 

[gunnyr]

MFT is much better for setting things on then a HKC, you just can't put much stuff on top of a HKC, terrible surface for clamping and such.

OK, never mind. Clearly this is a dumb question to everyone. Mods, you can just delete this thread if you want.

Not at all a dumb question.  It caused me to think about my work flow.  I'm in the camp that the MFT is an assembly/holding table; a task that it excels at!

I use my HKC with a foam board as a cut station, generally on top of something other than an MFT.  For me the MFT is seldom used as a cut station.  Not never used, just not regularly. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I don't have an actual MFT, but a self-built oversized assembly table with the same grid of holes, since I am not mobile. I also have a cutting station, just a few steps away, with far fewer holes. I never cut on the table with the full grid, it is for clamping, sanding, and assembly only, so even in a static location, I would say keep both. Having options is always a good thing.

 

[Spandex]

The only way I can understand this question is if, when you say “MFT”, you actually just mean cross cutting on an MFT with the flip up rail. That’s a very specific use case, but I’d agree if that’s all you want to do then the HKC will probably be enough on its own.

Obviously though, the MFT is more than just a cross cutting station (I mean, the flip up rail is an optional part and isn’t even essential). If you want to cut anything longer than 670mm you’ll need an FS rail and some sort of support (like an MFT) to put it on.

For cross cutting though, the HKC with FSK is excellent.

 

[Joebuck]

FWIW I use my HKC with an FSK rail on the job site and find it a real pleasure to use. However, since I recently added the STM 1800 to the mix, it’s an even more effective setup. Like previous posts, I look at the MFT as a multi use platform (assembly, cabinetry, woodwork etc) while the HKC for me is a framing saw capable of extreme accuracy and speed. The STM allows me to work with lumber much more efficiently than just some plain sawhorse setup. The fact that it wheels around easily is also a big plus compared to an MFT platform. Not to mention the flexibility in size. Don’t mean to muddy the water here, but if I understand the OP’s question, I’d consider the STM over the MFT for jobsite work. I’m not considering price in this instance, just efficiency.

 

[Imemiter]

I'm running kind of a homemade hybrid of MFT/STM with the HKC, at least for this kind of job. Always nice being up off the ground. 

 

[Svar]

The only way I can understand this question is if, when you say “MFT”, you actually just mean cross cutting on an MFT with the flip up rail. That’s a very specific use case, but I’d agree if that’s all you want to do then the HKC will probably be enough on its own.

Even then, MFT cross cutting setup is more versatile and definitely more accurate. To use FSK rail your workpiece must be over 30 cm long, less than 60 cm wide, and have one good straight edge for registration. Only a fraction of what I cut on my home made "MFT" meets these requirements.
You also won't have the benefit of saw mounted splinter guard, flip stops for repeatability, clamping for demanding materials, etc.
Bottom line HKC and MFT are for different type of cutting and work environments.

 

[mrboult]

The HKC with its specific rails can do a lot of cuts that the MFT allows you to set up with a track saw. However the cut length of the HKC (FSK) rails is more limiting, maxing out at 650.

Also, while I agree that the cut finish/quality of the HKC is great and very usable, it does not compare in my opinion to the superior finish/quality of a TS cut. So if you want the best cut possible a TS + MFT is going to do better.

Plus with the various clamps, stops, dogs, guides available you can set up much better and quicker repeatability with an MFT than measuring, marking, cutting with the HKC system.

I have all the items in question and acquiring the HKC & Rails certainly hasn’t stopped my use of MFT & TS55. There is crossover, but each setup has its strengths over the other.

 

[FestitaMakool]

You could add to that, that a MFT would be an extension of what you can do on site.
You don’t have to bring a plunge saw with you, as you have the HKC, as I understand as a standard kit. For cutting on the MFT you can shift from FSK rail to regular rail and use it as a plunge saw. Just for the cuts that the FSK doesn’t do easy and well. As other here’s saying, there’s the small pieces and where you need to rig up for a cut that the MFT would be very handy and more secure, not to say the least.

On top of this you would have a great assembly table, sanding table, clamping table and just as a general work table, with the addition of a MFT.