My version of the MFT - pics attached

[Eli]

Steve as Eli posted, you can buy the Festool MFT Profiles, and build your own table.

Yes, and pay an outrageous sum for two rails.  Thanks, but I'd rather not.

Part of the purpose of this discussion is working around what's available off the shelf and coming up with something better.  And even better if it's cheaper. Or free.  There's not much glory in bragging about your latest purchase, but you can really put it out there when you have designed and built a better mousetrap..... or MFT in this case. ;D

Steve

Sorry, I was coming at it from a totally different perspective. If glory is what you are after, then it is certainly more brag-able to build your own huge table. I doubt the ITEM rails would have the same functionality without the clamp extrusions. As far as cheap, my experience has always been the cheaper way always ends up the most expensive way. AFA better, well if you can do better than the Festool whitecoats, you should definitely take pictures.

Extrusions - $172
Tops - $86 x 2 = $172
Having your huge MFT and being able to use your clamps with it, priceless

 

[Steveo48]

Steve as Eli posted, you can buy the Festool MFT Profiles, and build your own table.

Yes, and pay an outrageous sum for two rails.  Thanks, but I'd rather not.

Part of the purpose of this discussion is working around what's available off the shelf and coming up with something better.  And even better if it's cheaper. Or free.  There's not much glory in bragging about your latest purchase, but you can really put it out there when you have designed and built a better mousetrap..... or MFT in this case. ;D

Steve

Sorry, I was coming at it from a totally different perspective. If glory is what you are after, then it is certainly more brag-able to build your own huge table. I doubt the ITEM rails would have the same functionality without the clamp extrusions. As far as cheap, my experience has always been the cheaper way always ends up the most expensive way. AFA better, well if you can do better than the Festool whitecoats, you should definitely take pictures.

Extrusions - $172
Tops - $86 x 2 = $172
Having your huge MFT and being able to use your clamps with it, priceless

You need to checkout Chris's custom MFT table on the Jumbo MFT of my own ! thread.  Most of the materials were scrounged AND it fits his needs really well, not a 1080 made for the masses.

Don't confuse bragging with pride in your craft.  Did you ever see the Tool Time episode with Bob Vila and the Hot Rod?  If you saw that, you understand what I'm getting at.  The resume of an old time craftsman was his tool chest.  If you walk jobsites that practice still holds.

I'll post PICs when I have it finished this summer.

Steve

 

[Eli]

I've seen Chris' table. It's pretty great. I haven't missed any of the discussions on Jumbo MFT's.

I thought we were talking about whether to buy Festool rails or ITEM rails. Chris didn't scrounge his rails, he's a dealer. Unless they were something a craftsman ordered and didn't pay for.  ;D

I wasn't at all trying to put a barrier in the way of you doing your own thing and I think it's great if you want to build a custom table. You'll have difficulty getting it to a jobsite to show anybody unless you build it like Eiji's. Since we're recommending tables for each other to go see, you should check that one out. It's on his TS75 thread.

PS- Bob Vila got canned from TOH for taking kickbacks is what I heard. Missed the Hot Rod episode.

 

[Ned]

...As far as cheap, my experience has always been the cheaper way always ends up the most expensive way. AFA better, well if you can do better than the Festool whitecoats, you should definitely take pictures.

Yes, yes!  Unfortunately, it's too much text to get on a bumper sticker.

Ned

 

[Steveo48]

An interesting discussion going on regarding the MFT extrusions and using clamps on the edge.  It can be seen athttp://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2035.0

It makes the 80/20 or Item extrusions look even better.

Steve

 

[Eli]

How does it make them look better?

 

[Steveo48]

You guys should check out ITEM building systems. I'm pretty sure Festool gets their MFS components from them.

My brother developed and sells a $500K machine tool world wide and he's very famaliar with T slot aluminum.  He urged me to look local for the materials because of the dollars current weakness.

80/20 is about 2 1/2 hours away from where I live, 45 minutes from friends and free beer ;D.  The 80/20 garage sale is pretty easy too.

I also received a very nice hard bound catalog from Microtech Systems in NY AND an email AND a phone call from an engineer.  I'm not used to such service.

Steve, (currently in Deleware off the campus of UD)

 

[Eli]

Ahhhhh. Garage sale. Good service. Free Beer. All those things make the choice you promote make more sense glasshoppa.

The local ITEM distributor where I am also has a free engineering/drafting service to make sure the product is used correctly. I'm taking advantage of it for an unrelated project.

 

[Michael Kellough]

You guys should check out ITEM building systems. I'm pretty sure Festool gets their MFS components from them.

I'm not familiar with ITEM though I used to use Bosch mechanical elements. Both ITEM and Bosch are much more sophisticated and have a broader range than 80/20 but are too costly for my use now (in USA).

 

[Eli]

Yep, same idea.