MFT: what are you doing about glue ups?

[UncleJoe]

Well I sure am enjoying my new MFT. I discovered today that with some dogs and the festool quick clamps the mft does a nice job holding rails and stiles during pocket hole assembly. However, I am concerned about glue getting on the top. Those that have had these awhile must have some secrets. I thought about some protective coatings but figured I would gather some knowledge here before I try anything.

I tried a search but I have not yet figured out how to maximize the search engine on this forum.

 

[johnbro]

Wax paper

 

[Ken Nagrod]

After you get that first cut in your top from a TS 55 or 75, your stress will go down and the wax paper will go back in the food pantry.  There are plenty of members that baby their MFT's and plenty that just use it without a care about its looks.  You're entering that decisive point in the road of choosing which way to go.  Have fun!

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I do not baby mine in any way, but I also do not like the mess of having to clean up drips.  I put a sheet of plastic on mine for glue-ups and then remove it when I am done with assembly.  Catches all the drips and folds up when not in use.  No need to put shellac or any other type of finish on the top.

Scot

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Qwas posted on Talk Festool that he simply uses an oilcloth tablecloth, available at any of the Dollar stores for next to nothing.  I'm gonna try that!

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Using pocket screws I do not see the problem.  A quick wipe with a damp rag and it is as good as new, it's not like you are leaving your face frame clamped to the mft tell the glue dries are you?  It seems to me that wax paper or plastic or tablecloths are going to defeat the purpose of using the mft in the first place.  Namely clamping your assembly wherever it is convenient.  Now if you are clamping up panels with bar clamps then I can see why you would want to protect your surface.  Honestly though I usually just wipe what I  can and scrape the rest.  It is after all a workbench, not furniture.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I too just wipe up any that got on the MFT using a wet towel, without soaking the MDF, to keep it from swelling.

 

[UncleJoe]

Thanks to everyone that has responded. For now I have been just wiping it with a damp towel to get the glue off. I guess I will keep doing that.

Has anyone put a coat of varnish,  poly or shellac on and what were the results?

 

[NoBreyner]

You could also wax the MFT and the glue won't stick.

 

[waho6o9]

I've used paste wax with good results.  Others have used sanding sealer as well.  [smile]

 

[davee]

Thanks to everyone that has responded. For now I have been just wiping it with a damp towel to get the glue off. I guess I will keep doing that.

Has anyone put a coat of varnish,  poly or shellac on and what were the results?

I've used chellac (Bull's Eye) on both of my tables.  I like that the wood slides more easily as well as the simple clean up.  It also provides protection from swelling should water get on the table.  Two coats initially and I've since applied another a year or so later as it wore down.

 

[mparka]

I have been putting a sacrificial hardboard for glue and applying stain and finishes.

I have dinged front of the v groove the other day while drilling and I am more upset about it than I really should be.

Yes. I need help. I am babying my tools way way too much.

 

[mouppe]

Thanks to everyone that has responded. For now I have been just wiping it with a damp towel to get the glue off. I guess I will keep doing that.

Has anyone put a coat of varnish,  poly or shellac on and what were the results?

I've used chellac (Bull's Eye) on both of my tables.  I like that the wood slides more easily as well as the simple clean up.  It also provides protection from swelling should water get on the table.  Two coats initially and I've since applied another a year or so later as it wore down.

I'm not sure why this is a good thing?

 

[davee]

Thanks to everyone that has responded. For now I have been just wiping it with a damp towel to get the glue off. I guess I will keep doing that.

Has anyone put a coat of varnish,  poly or shellac on and what were the results?

I've used chellac (Bull's Eye) on both of my tables. I like that the wood slides more easily as well as the simple clean up.  It also provides protection from swelling should water get on the table.  Two coats initially and I've since applied another a year or so later as it wore down.

I'm not sure why this is a good thing?

I use two MFT's permanently connected on their short edge to give my self more working surface and overall table stability.  The left table is set up with the guide rail system for cutting.  The right doesn't include the guide rail (open surface) and is used for cut off support, assembly, etc.   I frequently slide my work after cutting onto the right table.  When cutting larger panels or sliding cabinets across the tables during assembly there is less friction thus they move easier.  This wasn't my goal when using shellac but I like to work on them better since applying the shellac.  

Good question, as I'm not sure it would be as much of an advantage with a single table.  It was an unintended benefit that I found based on my work style. As an aside, with the two tables connected, I find that I can use the tables for hand planing, etc. as they are that stable.  

 

[tiralie]

I use waxed paper (sandwich wrap) and throw it away after glue up. Keeps the glue off the table, and if I need to I can put a clamp through it.
Tim

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I scrape or sand the glue drips off.

 

[CajunmoonDesign]

I use this ony Plano vertical glue press and it works great

http://www.uccoatings.com/Products/BatesReleaseCoatings/BatesGlueRelease

 

[extiger]

Three or four years ago someone answered this. He attached a metal paper roll holder off one end and mounted a large roll of butcher paper. Same width as the MFT. It had a cutter on it. When not need, he just spun the roll backward and the paper was out of the way. Newspaper printing shops treat small rolls nearly out as a nuisance. They are called "Dinky's" in the trade and are given away for free. A roll for a Tabloid size newspaper would be about right.

 

[luns4d]

Three or four years ago someone answered this. He attached a metal paper roll holder off one end and mounted a large roll of butcher paper. Same width as the MFT. It had a cutter on it. When not need, he just spun the roll backward and the paper was out of the way. Newspaper printing shops treat small rolls nearly out as a nuisance. They are called "Dinky's" in the trade and are given away for free. A roll for a Tabloid size newspaper would be about right.

I remember that too, I recall Jerry of the Dovetail Joint mentioned it in his review and instruction article of the MTF.  I recall Jerry had some kind of working relationship with Festool USA then.

 

[Kevin D.]

Oohh!  I recall that idea of the paper roll and kinda liked that idea.  There's a local paper that I believe prints up the street.  I may use that "Dinky's" expression to get some.  Thanks!

Myself, I generally don't use my MFT with my Festool clamps to do glue ups.  I have many K-Bodies, and when I do glue ups, tend to lay an old piece of fake wood panelling on it to deal with glue issues.  The back of the panelling is that fibre type stuff and is easy to seperate from the glue and remove from the glued up piece. 

I remember when I removed that ugly panelling wanting to simply bring it to the dump, but kept it instead thinking I'd use use somehow.  Man, I'm glad I kept it.  It has come in handy for so many different things over the years.

I'm very interested in previous comments about coating the MFT surface with different substances.  Wax seems intereting.  Any disadvantages?