Question about MFT/router insert

[guydot]

I am in the process of adding equipment to my workshop. I have a relatively small space and the next item on my list is a router table. I have seen very few posts about people using their MFT as a router table and I wonder why I do not see more of it?
If I could have an MFT as an outfeed table for my Sawstop as well as a router table, it seems like a good idea.

Any ideas/opinions are much appreciated.

 

[guydot]

I did just notice the post by tristam (not sure why it did not show up on my searches.) I am still curious why I see so few people wanting this.

 

[thudchkr]

I have an MFT1080 with an aftermarket router table top for it. I've used it a bit and it works well. I mostly used it as a portable router table on job sites. I would have preferred it to be higher, (1080 is not as tall as the MFT-3), but if it is going to be used as an outfeed table your height will be pre-determined by the height of your saw. I have a separate router table and a shaper in the shop so the MFT doesn't see much use.

Mine was purchased from Woodcraft as a Pinnacle top for the MFT 1080. I'm sure it was made by Woodpeckers, and looks essentially the same as the one listed here, Woodpeckers Laminated Router Table Top.

I paired it with the 32" Bench Dog Pro Fence and they work well together.

My table has two large pieces of angle iron under the top to prevent sagging, which I'm not sure, comes with the top I listed above. Their top, (27" x 43"), appears to be slightly longer than mine, (28.5" x 42.75"), but not quite as wide.

If you're planning on putting a top onto an MFT-3, the larger Woodpecker's top might fit.  You'd just have to check to see whether there is enough support at the corners to insert the smaller top into. 

Wish you luck whichever way you go.

Clint

 

[JimD]

If your table saw has an extension wing, then you can put a router table there.  I have  setup like that and used it before making a dedicated router table.  My extension wing is melamine coated particle board.  I thinned the under side to about 3/8 inch in the shape of one of my PC690 fixed bases.  I put a large hole for the bit to come out and three smaller holes to secure the base to the extension table.  Two T-nuts on the underside of the extension table are used for knobs with studs to secure the router fence which has long slots for the knob stud to slide through.  Pretty easy to make and worked well.  I made several cabinet doors on it and did other router table work.  My dedicated table has screw type height adjustment so I use it most of the time now but the other arrangement works fine.  No reason you couldn't make a custom top for the MFT to accomplish the same thing.

 

[Blkcherry]

I added this unit to my table saw, didn't add a router plate because I have a rolling router table. But if I need to the units made already to go eh.