MFT wobbles

[Thistleman]

Have just purchased an MFT/3 having read generally encouraging reviews. Set up simple and instructions followed to the letter. However the table top moves backwards and forwards about 3/4" with only light pressure. Leg securing bolts are tight. It is all very well holding a workpiece rigidly to your bench but of little use if the bench moves so much. any thoughts or solutions greatly appreciated

 

[waho6o9]

I believe one of the legs have an adjustment.

 

[harry_]

never had a real issue with mine moving in the front to back direction only wobbling lengthwise. A fix that is on my to-do list.

 

[Thistleman]

should have been more specific, mft moves back and forth along its length, ie from side to side when standing facing it from a long edge

 

[tbellemare]

The Cross Members will almost eliminate wobbling in the long direction.

Tom

 

[harry_]

Thistleman,

That certainly changes things. Make a stretcher. That's my plan anyways.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The MFT isn't intended to be used as a traditional heavy workbench, it is intended to be light weight and used with power tools.  So if you are trying to use hand tools, like a hand plane, you aren't going to be happy.  It you don't plan on moving the table around you can fix it to a wall, then it will be super sturdy. 

 

[jonathan-m]

It's completely normal for the mft to "wobble" length wise.
Adding 1 pair of cross members helps. Adding 2 pairs probably even more. (I've only got 1 pair, but from what I can see on mine, 2 pairs would stabilize it even more)
They won't however eliminate the problem. You want it stable, fold it up and put it on, or attach it to something that is already stable.

 

[panelchat]

If you are using it in a shop setting rather than as a portable table, you can fold the legs up and locate it on a bench/cabinet top on the little rubber feet that are installed at the corners. I intend to do this and assume it will completely solve any wobble issues (it is, of course, more work to build such a unit...). You can easily remove it as needed for jobsite work or temporarily relocating in the shop for some specific task or whatever.

On the other hand, I thought the wobble would drive me crazy, but I quickly got used to it after a few hours, and now don't care that much, so the low base cabinet to support it is on the back burner.

I'm mostly sawing, sanding, assembling casework on it, no had planing, joinery or anything.

 

[johninthecamper]

I wondered about the wobble,thought about a second set of braces,I not sure if it fold up properly,easy to check take one off and put on the other side,see if it folds.I  called Indiana, asked what table is rated to hold, they said 146lbs,talking with others,I found out that 800mft was rated at the something like 450lbs,span really makes a big difference.at athe 146lbs. the the wobble is no longer a issue for me