MFT3 Tops

[Ollie]

Hello

Does anyone know if there are alternative material tops for the MFT. The HDF is ok but does not last very long.

I am envisioning a top made from a phenolic resin or something, like the stiff worktop jigs are made from, or even phenolic faced plywood.
I know they are a sort of consumable/ sacrificial item but they are not cheap and I feel this is the weakest point of the design.

If they were made of something else that was waterproof and easy to wipe down I would not mind paying extra for the upgrade.

Ollie

 

[Roseland]

Maybe:
http://www.delignit.de/Delignit/cms/upload/pdf/L_BHI_Prosp_Festholz_GB_RGB.pdf

Andrew

 

[neeleman]

May be Bamboo is a good alternative.
Very hard, heavy and durable and it has a natural friction against a slippery surface.
And available is various thicknesses. You only have to drill some holes.
I thought Walko also uses Bamboo plates in their worktables.

 

[iamnothim]

Hello

Does anyone know if there are alternative material tops for the MFT. The HDF is ok but does not last very long.

I am envisioning a top made from a phenolic resin or something, like the stiff worktop jigs are made from, or even phenolic faced plywood.
I know they are a sort of consumable/ sacrificial item but they are not cheap and I feel this is the weakest point of the design.

If they were made of something else that was waterproof and easy to wipe down I would not mind paying extra for the upgrade.

Ollie

I use the "sacrificial top" feature quite often.  I can't envision a more cost effective material for using the top this way.
Perhaps if it was only an assembly top.  I just flipped the top today. I'll cut it to shreds then spend $165 for a replacement.

I've spent more on sandpaper for my ETS150 and RO90.

 

[shed9]

If you're looking for waterproof and considering phenolic anyhow, you could look at UHMWPE or RG 1000. The later is essentially the same just a tad cheaper. Plenty of suppliers on the web.

The problem you will have with slab plastics, even phenolic is the issue of tolerance which can vary significantly between manufacturers.

Probably better of with HDF or you could just machine a lot of MR-MDF and change more often.