MW1000 vs MFT/3

[bwehman]

Hey all!

I have a long-term job coming up that will force me for the first time to do carpentry work outside the shop, and debating between the MW1000 and MFT/3. One of them is needed, but which one, not sure. Portability is a moot point, since in my mind they're both equally portable. In other words, for this job, it makes no difference for me if I roll in the MW1000 or make a couple trips to the truck bringing in systainers and an MFT.

I'll need to do a bunch of cutting on the surface, whichever one it is, and have all the saws Festool sells as possible choices. The MFT/3 and the cross cutting feature is probably the most enticing, but I could probably accomplish a similar task using the HKC55 and that rail it uses.

Anyway, anyone have experience with both and have an opinion?

 

[Stone Message]

I know exactly where you are coming from on this. I have always been an MFT3 fan and it was one of my first Festool purchases. Recently I made a video about the MW1000 and I must say that if I were starting afresh I might go for the latter rather than the MFT3. However, you are right about cutting capacity and the MT3 wins there by a long way.

Neither are particularly stable but that has never been an issue for me. Both have great clamping and jig holding options (I am assuming that the MW1000 has the large table). With the MW1000 one could always have an extra large slab of MDF, with dog holes, that could be placed on top for the wider cutting jobs.

I really like the systainer transport feature of the MW1000 as I hate lugging loads of kit around. As a package it is neat, efficient and manoeuvrable.

Here is my take on the MW1000:


Peter

 

[Gregor]

I used MFT/3 for some years as my primary work surfaces when outside of my shop, now I ususally take one MFT and add TSB/1-MW 1000 (the extension table for the MW1000) when I need larger surfaces or to support big sheets, it gives a reasonable stable work surface when connected to a MFT/3 and has less problems than using systainers to support overhanging stuff. Would a TSB exist with four legs I would likely use that as the central table and attach 'normal' ones to get to the layout I need, simply from the fact that they fold flatter than MFT and through this waste less space when stored (or packed into my car), plus they're easier to handle (lighter).

Regarding work surface MFT/3 and TSB/1-MW 1000 are (at least here, with no price fixing) about the same price wise (1 MFT/3 basic = 2 TSB/1-MW 1000 = ~400€), only downside is that the TSB don't work standalone. While they can be set onto a KAPEX on UG cart they don't lock like they do on a MFT/3, OK for some uses but unstable as you can freely lift the side on the KAPEX.

I dislike the MW 1000 cart as it's not compact enough by design (eg. wheels sticking out of the footprint, plenty of air in the base) and eats too much space (by protecting empty space from being filled with stuff) when transported.
YMMV in case you have a van to move your stuff, instead of using a car like I do.

 

[sancho57]

Depends on what youre doing.

If it were me and I had to just cutting I would make the Ron Paulk Work Bench or build a cutting table like the double P Peter Parfitt made.

If your going need to clamp and sand etc, then the Ron Paulk Work Bench or MFT. Im considering getting the TSB-MW 1000 Just for work inside and around the house. I have 3 MFTs and they are shop bound

 

[Bernmc]

Or knock one of these together and mill the top with the UJK parf kit. Portable, and with the two extension tables you have an instant mitre-saw table or the capacity to cut full size sheets...
https://benchworks.be/en/projects/mf-tc-multifunction-tool-cart/

 

[bwehman]

Depends on what youre doing.

If it were me and I had to just cutting I would make the Ron Paulk Work Bench or build a cutting table like the double P Peter Parfitt made.

If your going need to clamp and sand etc, then the Ron Paulk Work Bench or MFT. Im considering getting the TSB-MW 1000 Just for work inside and around the house. I have 3 MFTs and they are shop bound

Makes sense! Also, saw you're in OC. Hello from Laguna Niguel!

 

[bwehman]

I know exactly where you are coming from on this. I have always been an MFT3 fan and it was one of my first Festool purchases. Recently I made a video about the MW1000 and I must say that if I were starting afresh I might go for the latter rather than the MFT3. However, you are right about cutting capacity and the MT3 wins there by a long way.

Neither are particularly stable but that has never been an issue for me. Both have great clamping and jig holding options (I am assuming that the MW1000 has the large table). With the MW1000 one could always have an extra large slab of MDF, with dog holes, that could be placed on top for the wider cutting jobs.

I really like the systainer transport feature of the MW1000 as I hate lugging loads of kit around. As a package it is neat, efficient and manoeuvrable.

Here is my take on the MW1000:


Peter

Thanks Peter! Love your videos too btw. Big fan.

 

[rst]

Jobsworth is more than right...it depends on what you are doing and where.  I have two MFTs, a 66" x 102" cutting table and a 48" x 66" flat MFT slab that I throw on top of a pair of DeWalt DWX725 horses.  I've been buying Milwaukee packout storage boxes for my extensive fastener collection because I really like them.  I almost bought the Milwaukee packout hand cart but put off after seeing that Festool might be bringing the MW-1000.  I do a lot of various tasks in commercial settings and often have to lug differing sets of tools.  As all my tools live in systainers, I'm more than happy that the Festool will soon be available.  I'll just have to make some sort of method of attaching the packouts to the Festool system.

 

[sancho57]

[member=60792]bwehman[/member]

Laguna Nigel? Cool thats not far at all. There are quite a few of us in the OC or near by. Scot F is not far from you either.
One of these days were gonna all have to get together and have a FOG fest

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I have both the MFT3 (a couple of them) and the MW1000 table with two extension /wings/tables.

I honestly never bring the MFT3 to a jobsite anymore. Too heavy for shifting around, takes up more space and often ends up a table on which things are literally dumped and stowed. It could still be a good option - but for me the MFT3 really got a kick in the right direction when I added the MW1000 table as a sidetable to the MFT3.

So yous can have it boths...

For me, the MW1000 is a great addition to my workflow on site. I brought a heap of the lighter Stanley workhorses and I have a couple of the foldable Stanley workbenches - which are sooo much faster to fold up and go on site... Cheaper and better as a general use table if you ask me!

The MW1000 houses both HKC/HK saws and some add ons and I park the CTL26 underneath and there is just about room for the handtools in a few Sys's on a rollerboard as well as the Festool of the day. Using the HKC/HK I don't use a mitre saw that often and for many cuts I can lay the material out on the Stanley options. I try to keep the MW1000 unscathed and uncluttered. I like that the MW1000 is kind of narrow in shape and that the handlebar folds down under the worksurface if needed.  I can see myself bringing the other extension table on to a worksite rather than bringing the MFT3.

The MFT3 does a great job in the workshop though.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I can only agree with those that stated, it depends on the intended use. We mainly use MFT/3’s or home made larger versions. Often when using the MFT/3’s we couple a TSB/MW1000 extension to them, or even put two MFT’s together. I can see the smaller MW/1000 being very useful though, especially for tight spaced mobile work.

If I were only buying one, it would be an MFT/3.

 

[grobkuschelig]

For me, the MW1000 is a great addition to my workflow on site. I brought a heap of the lighter Stanley workhorses and I have a couple of the foldable Stanley workbenches - which are sooo much faster to fold up and go on site... Cheaper and better as a general use table if you ask me!

Hi Henrik,

Would you mind sharing some pictures of your on-site setups? Sounds very interesting!



Thanks in Advance
Uli

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I will get to it first thing tomorrow - I have cleaned up the mess on site.  [big grin]
/ Henrik

 

[ScotF]

I will get to it first thing tomorrow - I have cleaned up the mess on site.  [big grin]
/ Henrik

Would love to see some pics. You need to update your list of tools since it looks like you are using HK saws now. Did you switch from the red brand?

 

[nixy]

Can the MW1000 be made more stable with some sort of cross-bracing?

I looked at Peter Parfitts video for MW1000 and it looked a little "shakey" compared to MFT/3.

I'm trying to decide on a bench for home use in my garage - MFT/3 or MW1000?

I'm leaning towards an MFT/3 as its got the drop guide rail and square cutting as part of the kit which is not part of the MW1000 setup. You still have to spend extra on guide rails,  dogs, squares etc to make square cuts. I don't intend to carry it around as I'm not a tradesman working on job sites.

Can someone sanity check and confirm my thinking is correct?

 

[Stone Message]

Can the MW1000 be made more stable with some sort of cross-bracing?

I looked at Peter Parfitts video for MW1000 and it looked a little "shakey" compared to MFT/3.

I'm trying to decide on a bench for home use in my garage - MFT/3 or MW1000?

I'm leaning towards an MFT/3 as its got the drop guide rail and square cutting as part of the kit which is not part of the MW1000 setup. You still have to spend extra on guide rails,  dogs, squares etc to make square cuts. I don't intend to carry it around as I'm not a tradesman working on job sites.

Can someone sanity check and confirm my thinking is correct?

I think that cross bracing could be sorted out but it would then turn the MW1000 into something that it was not designed to be - static and non mobile.

For the home workshop with no requirement to work off base the MFT3 would be a better option. It has a larger working area and can be braced very easily and that can be done in many ways.

If you are never going to need to move it then you could consider designing a fixed work bench of your own. It can have a top, made of good quality MDF, into which holes can be made at 96 mm centres very easily.

I have not had time to do anything about my MFT3 size folding work bench which would cost about $50 to make and be far more stable than the MFT3. The plans are still not available as I am waiting for some decisions to be made about whether they should be offered for sale. The bench is seen at many points in this video:


Peter

 

[nixy]

Can the MW1000 be made more stable with some sort of cross-bracing?

I looked at Peter Parfitts video for MW1000 and it looked a little "shakey" compared to MFT/3.

I'm trying to decide on a bench for home use in my garage - MFT/3 or MW1000?

I'm leaning towards an MFT/3 as its got the drop guide rail and square cutting as part of the kit which is not part of the MW1000 setup. You still have to spend extra on guide rails,  dogs, squares etc to make square cuts. I don't intend to carry it around as I'm not a tradesman working on job sites.

Can someone sanity check and confirm my thinking is correct?

I think that cross bracing could be sorted out but it would then turn the MW1000 into something that it was not designed to be - static and non mobile.

For the home workshop with no requirement to work off base the MFT3 would be a better option. It has a larger working area and can be braced very easily and that can be done in many ways.

If you are never going to need to move it then you could consider designing a fixed work bench of your own. It can have a top, made of good quality MDF, into which holes can be made at 96 mm centres very easily.

I have not had time to do anything about my MFT3 size folding work bench which would cost about $50 to make and be far more stable than the MFT3. The plans are still not available as I am waiting for some decisions to be made about whether they should be offered for sale. The bench is seen at many points in this video:


Peter

Thanks Peter, I've watched all your videos - A big fan in the way you explain things.

I am pondering whether to make my own bench using your Parf Guide system.

I like the vertical clamping ability on the MFT benches. Just slide the clamp into the aluminium rails and it quickly holds the workpiece vertically. I guess some sort of T-track would be needed on the home-made bench which I could router into the side. But just not sure what is available that would have the correct width for the Festool clamps? Does anyone know?

 

[Stone Message]

For the Festool clamps check out the Incra track. I am sure there are many other sources and I hope that others will give you make and part numbers and maybe even the best place to buy from.

Mine came from The Woodworkers Workshop here in the UYK.

Peter

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Can the MW1000 be made more stable with some sort of cross-bracing?

I looked at Peter Parfitts video for MW1000 and it looked a little "shakey" compared to MFT/3.

I'm trying to decide on a bench for home use in my garage - MFT/3 or MW1000?

I'm leaning towards an MFT/3 as its got the drop guide rail and square cutting as part of the kit which is not part of the MW1000 setup. You still have to spend extra on guide rails,  dogs, squares etc to make square cuts. I don't intend to carry it around as I'm not a tradesman working on job sites.

Can someone sanity check and confirm my thinking is correct?

I was using an MFT/3 with the MW1000 extension in a very cluttered garage a few days ago. I placed as much kit as possible under the tables, found a spot for the extractor and I was up and running in no time. The two tables together were about as stable as you could expect with this type of set up. I don’t have any braces on my MFT/3’s but, the two tables seemed to make each other a little more stable.

I was actually able to do a spot of hand planing, which is a challenge with an MFT/3.
I really appreciated the top surface space, and it got the job done, and very well too.

I think on reflection, if I were you, I’d get an MFT/3, and maybe later add the extension, or even make one/some?

You could as you say, opt for the Parf guide system, mine has been a godsend. I make all my replacement MFT/3 tops, and custom size work stations. If you have the guide system, and are on site, with some MDF and a couple of trestles, you can knock up a very accurate cutting station in no time at all.

The MFT/3’s are great, and I have no regrets about buying mine, if you’re not in a real hurry though, making your own is both satisfying, and a lot cheaper. I’m lucky in that I have both.
Personally I would have the Parf guide system, regardless of whether I had my MFT/3’s or not, as it opens up so many opportunities.

So, I’d suggest, the MFT/3 or the Parf guide system, or both!