MFT3/Kapex

[Hotwheels]

I have a couple of MFT 1080s connected in my garage shop and the are well used as my primary work table. I am getting a Kapex and just wondering about the value of the MFT3 Kapex table. I do use a Sawhelper for my current Makita slider, but in the future I am wondering if there is some value in the MFT3 table for the Kapex. Any ideas?
Thanks
JR

 

[Per Swenson]

John,

If you put the kapex on the 1080, the Mft3 is the height of the cutting area and would

act as a extension table.

That and the obvious benefits of the 3 over the 1080

Per

 

[Dan Clermont]

Hi John

The hole spacing on the MFT 1080 is the same as the MFT 3 and will fit the feet of the KAPEX.

The height of the MFT 1080 is 32" and I believe the height of the MFT 3 is 35 1/2" (Please correct me if I am wrong). Watching the KAPEX video the demonstrator uses a SYS 1 as a support and that Systainer is 4" tall which means the MFT 3 would not act as a good outfeed table unless you shimmed the MFT 3 and raised it a half inch or laid a 1/2" piece of scrap wood on top.

Someone needs to give me the correct height of the MFT 3 but I believe it could be done if you really, really wanted to..

You could sell off your old MFT 1080's when the new MFT for the KAPEX arrives or you could use the 1080 for a router table, drill press table or what have you.

Dan Clermont

 

[Per Swenson]

Dan,

you are right I am wrong.

The 10 80 is 32 and a 1/4 the mft3 kapex is 31 1/8

Crap.  Now why did I think they were the same

my apologies to all.

per

 

[Brice Burrell]

John, I like the MFT/Kapex, its light and easy to carry around. I've been using it the last few weeks with the Kapex, but I'll be switching to the Sawhelper stand soon and use the MFT/Kapex at home with the Makita. The MFT/Kapex is designed to set the Kapex's working height the same as the MFT/3 height. This height is a bit low for my liking.

If you already have the Swahelper stand and you like the height there is no reason to be the MFT/Kapex.

 

[bobbobbob]

The hole spacing on the MFT 1080 is the same as the MFT 3 and will fit the feet of the KAPEX.

The height of the MFT 1080 is 32" and I believe the height of the MFT 3 is 35 1/2" (Please correct me if I am wrong). Watching the KAPEX video the demonstrator uses a SYS 1 as a support and that Systainer is 4" tall which means the MFT 3 would not act as a good outfeed table unless you shimmed the MFT 3 and raised it a half inch or laid a 1/2" piece of scrap wood on top.

Someone needs to give me the correct height of the MFT 3 but I believe it could be done if you really, really wanted to..

You could sell off your old MFT 1080's when the new MFT for the KAPEX arrives or you could use the 1080 for a router table, drill press table or what have you.

Or you could reduce the heighth of the 1080 and save some money on another Kapex table...

 

[semenza]

Hi, bobbobbbob

    Welcome to the forum

      According to the US catalogs. MFT - 800 / 1080 32" (820mm)
                                                     
                                                      MFT3- 35 7/16" (900mm)

                                                      MFT KAPEX- 31 1/8" (790mm)

                                                      Systainer I - 4" (105mm)

Seth

 

[Per Swenson]

so you wanna raise the height of the mft kapex 7/8.

That would be easier then the sawzall with metal blade action, no?

Per

 

[MiterMaster]

If you already have the Sawhelper stand and you like the height there is no reason to buy the MFT/Kapex.

I just received an MFT3 / Kapex table (thanks Bob), and I gotta say I am really pleased thus far.  I was not yet able to make any test cuts, *but* I was having a bit of difficulty (height wise) when I had the Kapex mounted on the SawHelper stand.

The MFT3 / Kapex table is 3 inches lower in height than the SawHelper, and for me this difference is wonderful and well worth the expense of the table.  I'm hoping to make some test cuts tomorrow, but as of now the Kapex is sitting proud on the new table and I'm very pleased with the lower working height, as well as the stability of the actual table - it's very solid!

So, those of you (myself included) that are a bit height challenged, definitely check-out the MFT3 / Kapex table!

Mike 

 

[Programmergeek]

How are you guys moving the kapex and the table once bolted or do you take everything apart each time? 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I remove the saw every time. I have the mounting hardware Festool offers, it uses bolts and large knobs (the same as the clamping elements have) as the nuts. The saw can be unattached quickly.

 

[Hotwheels]

I decided to get the MFT Kapex table and I am pleased. I have the sawhelper and I use that for certain things, but I am finding that the MFT table is a useful height for me and it is very portable. I was unsure at first if the table would have any value for my workstyle, but it has proved to be very useful and worthwhile.

I carry the saw back and forth from the garage to an outbuilding project --- the same with the table. I use a couple of the clamps to hold the saw to the table and that seems to work fine. The weight of the saw is one thing, but how to carry it is what makes it easy to move it --put the saw to 60 degrees, lock things down, pick up by the hand holds. Nice ergonomics for me. I am not a particularly patient person, but there is little annoyance in moving the saw and table.

 

[MiterMaster]

How are you guys moving the kapex and the table once bolted or do you take everything apart each time? 

Now that I'm home with the kids most days, transportation of the saw is really not an issue, it's down in the shop.  Personally if I did have to move the saw from site to site, I think I would have used the SawHelper stand, as it transports easily, and does not have to be unscrewed from the base every time you move it.

Mike

 

[honeydoman]

i use the kapex table with the wings from the sawhelper and it works great gives me a wider table top to set stuff on.  pencil sharpner, tape, 2p10 etc.

of course the my makita saw sits on the table now, since I have taken back 4 kapexes and waiting for one more next week to use and check out that has been gone over throughly and checked and rechecked......... wait and see

 

[nickao]

WOW! You are trying a fourth. Now that is a Festool addict! Talk about giving someone the benefit of the doubt!

 

[Steve Jones]

Nickao,

You missed count, he's taken back 4 and waiting on the FIFTH!,

You gotta admire that kind of determination.....

It's kinda like a moth beating it's head against a light bulb..... again and again and again.....

 

[nickao]

Ooops, well there must be something about the saw making him come back. It must be all the other Festools he has that are fantastic. Or he just wants everything green and black.

 

[JJ Wavra]

I was kind of intrigued by the mft3kapex for using it as a work table. I have a small car so if/when they would sell the angle unit and rail aattachments I think I may look into using it as a portable mft.  Oh yeah I am quite short so it would probably work for me.  Of course it is just an idea and am not sure if the cost would be worth it.

JJ