MFT warped

[Bigchasbroon]

I haven't used the mft in a couple of months but yesterday I went out to do a little bit and discovered its warped, bulging up in the middle. Its in the garage which is dry other than the moisture in the air. Any ideas thoughts remedies?

 

[peter halle]

I would suggest that you flip it over or place some weight in the center to see if it will flatten out.

Peter

 

[SMJoinery]

Try a weight on top or slung underneath suspended from a straight edge from the table above. So it only goes down to the limit of the sides.
Don't flip it over first. I think Peter didn't see your upward bulge.  [tongue]
You didn't by any chance seal the top and not the bottom?
Or spill significant sealer on top surface?

 

[L.J]

MDF will definitely warp,just put some weight on it for a while it'll go back.

 

[peter halle]

Try a weight on top or slung underneath suspended from a straight edge from the table above. So it only goes down to the limit of the sides.
Don't flip it over first. I think Peter didn't see your upward bulge.  [tongue]
You didn't by any chance seal the top and not the bottom?
Or spill significant sealer on top surface?

Sorry, I put two suggestions in.  For me it would be an either / or situation.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I sealed it at all Scott but maybe I did ??? I'll try some boxes of nails on it.
I'd always been led to believe that the top was hdf rather than mdf and therefore more stable. Although it just looks like regular mdf to me.
I've always planned to making my own replacement tops so this might expedite matters. I might try a good quality ply or actual hdf.

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Update on this. I used clamps to pull the top down at the sides and left it for a week. It helped but there was still a 8-10mm bulge in the middle.
While on the phone to my dealer this week (ordering a sword saw and a ctl26  [big grin] ) I mentioned it so he asked for a picture. He phoned back and said the festool rep would come and see it. Then he phones back an hour later and tells me they're just going to replace it. Result  [thumbs up]

So next question, should I treat it with something?

 

[itchy]

Great service!

 

[nclemmons]

Is it in a humid environment?  Most don't have to treat their tops, but if it's in a humid environment you could treat both sides to seal it I guess.

 

[waho6o9]

[attachimg=1]

I use Emmett's Good Stuff on all surfaces of my MFT3.

If it's good enough for my cutting boards it'd be perfect for
my MFT3.

 

[Gary in Texas]

Always nice to receive great customer service AND a replacement MFT top at no charge!!!!  This time around, I would suggest you definitely seal/oil both sides of the top.  Can't hurt, and you also get the benefit of resistance to glue, water or other spills should they occur.

Gary