Puttting an MFT onto a mobile base

[Hookie]

I want to put my MFT on a shop made mobile base.
I am sure I saw a post somewhere on FOG which said you can just remove the legs and screw the top down onto an appropriate sized 'trolley' Is this so?

Or is it necessary to have more space under the  MFT top than the clearance of the aluminium/aluminum sections would allow?

Just need to know before I get home from 'dock', and work out the config for the top of the bench.

Cheers

Hookie  [thanks]

 

[grbmds]

There are a number of posted plans for homemade mobile bases where the legs are left on the MFT. I don't think that you need to remove them. The bases I've seen corral the corner pieces on the MFT; I think with the legs folded up. Others can verify this.

If you search the FOG, I'm sure that you will find a number of threads with pictures and/or plans. Plus, I would think that a search on YouTube would also turn up more than one video. It's always helpful to see what others did.

 

[Hookie]

Thanks Randy.

I thought about leaving the legs folded and felt it was okay. I would have 'corralled' the top yes, but what I really want to know, is:

Is it necessary to place the MFT onto a frame, so there is unlimited space beneath, or could I just screw the thing down to a solid bench top. I don't have much space in my shop, and every square inch I could save on the area of the base is precious!  [smile]

Cheers

Hookie  [smile]

 

[grbmds]

Probably others or a Festool rep could tell you for sure, but I don't believe there is any reason that you would need "unlimited space.  If you use either the Festool quick clamps or screw down clamps, you would need space under the MFT top to slip the clamps in. I would guess that is true even if you use other clamps through the holes.

Otherwise, setting the MFT on its corner frame pieces should provide enough space underneath. You don't really need to screw the MFT to the base; only fit the corners into brackets or  even just tightly fitted wood pieces on each corner attached to the top of the base. Then, if you ever wish to take the MFT out and use it stand alone, you can just lift it out and unfold the legs.

I would really recommend searching on the FOG, YouTube, and online for pictures and plans. There is no sense in inventing something new when many have already done exactly what you want to do.

 

[Hookie]

Thanks Randy.

I guess I will make the top of the new bench as a frame and set the MFT on that. Then I know there is room for the clamps!  ;D
That was my main concern. Onward and upward!

Thanks again

Hookie (John)  [laughing]

 

[grbmds]

Just one more thought in case you didn't plan on it . . . Since you said you had limited space in your work area, making the base so that the MFT top, when mounted, will also serve as an outfeed table for a tablesaw, bandsaw, jointer, or router table is useful. Even making it a height that interfaces with a workbench, if the others don't apply to you, is useful.

 

[Hookie]

Yes indeed Randy. That is one of the things I had in mind, Also will try to include it as outrigger support for my Mitre saw. That might need some kind of an attachment to mount on the MFT.

Cheers

Hookie (John) [smile]