My version of a mini-mft

[Chris Hughes]

I don't recall who originally post this idea, but it was such a good concept that I thought I'd copy it.  I used my DeWalt stand and a piece of MDO.  It works so good for clamping "cut stops" though I originally built it to free up space on my mft.  

 

[Alan m]

twas I [big grin].
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how do you like it.
yours is a bit smaller than mine but that could be a good thing. this is my only mft and i couldnt be without it. it is very handy on site.

i like the way you made the stop.

 

[Chris Hughes]

Thanks again for the awesome idea.  I had about 60 very delicate picture frames to build for the buildup we are working on right now.  This setup allowed me deadly accurate cut lengths by trapping the 45 degree cut and not compressing the tip of the cut.  The guy I work for and with gave me a dirty look when I was putting it together but within a couple of hours he wanted me to build him one as well.  I definitely could sell a few of these to fellow carpenters.

Besides your great adaptation, the use of the Festool idea of "through" clamping makes this work center so useful.

 

[Tim Morris]

Chris what's that grey thing your vacuum hose is connected to?  [unsure]  J/K. By the way nice looking stand.

 

[Alan m]

i see that you have the vac conected to the dewalt. how do you find it . it must be worth it for you or you wouldnt bother setting it up. i dont bother as i find on my 718 that it is a waste of time.

 

[Chris Hughes]

Back in the late '80s I repaired for PC so I had a thing for their tools.  I still think they had some of the best specialized tool selection like the mortise butt kit, stair ease and their door plane.  Certainly before I knew about Festool their vacuum was good for me, being trigger actuated.

The vac setup on a DeWalt is almost a waste of time but it does keep the majority of dust out of the air which is something I guess.  I'm saving up for a Kapex.

 

[greenleaf]

Im planning on building an mft like these. I've been thinking about for a while.
what are the dimensions of your tables?
I plan to using 3/4" Plywood. Mainly because i have a bunch of good sized scraps.
Did you guys build any sort of frame to stiffen the top?

 

[Alan m]

you can build it any size you want but the more you leave in from the better you will be able to use all the capasity of your saw