Securely attaching 2 MFT/3 tables perpendicular to one another

[mattbyington]

Hi team,

I've got 2 MFT/3 tables aligned as you see in the picture. I purchased 2 table connectors since I wasn't sure if I was going to go end-to-end the long way (which both would have of course worked for) or the way you see the in the picture.

I'm going to see how it works out with the way you see in the picture.

Anyone ever figure out an easy way to attach the back side of the tables where the connector won't work?

Thanks!
Matt

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[nclemmons]

I only have one MFT table, but here's what I'd try...

- Use one connector along the collinear edge. 
- Use a quick-grip clamp under the bottom on the other corne to clamp the two side rails together.

 

[Corwin]

I have the older MFT1080 and MFT800 tables, so their side profiles are different than those of the newer MFT/3s. I use a 90 degree bracket from a Woodpecker's router fence to secure my tables in the same configuration as you have in your photo. This works just fine for my tables, and something similar (even just a piece of aluminum angle) that bolts in your MFT/3 side profile's T-track should work for you too.

However, the quick-grip clamp as mentioned in the post above sounds easy enough...

 

[mattbyington]

Thanks guys! I'll try both out.

 

[sancho57]

Just re read yer post. my answer didnt apply

 

[Scorpion]

You can use a standard connector on one side and maybe one of these where they T into each other.

I cannot remember which 80/20 series is compatible with the MFT’s (15 or 40) but the connector style in the pic should do the trick when you get the right one.  It’s essentially the MFT connector in an 90.

I have not personally tried this with MFT tables but have used them on 80/20 table.

 

[tjbnwi]

I only have one MFT table, but here's what I'd try...

- Use one connector along the collinear edge. 
- Use a quick-grip clamp under the bottom on the other corne to clamp the two side rails together.

This.

Tom

 

[mattbyington]

Scorpion's answer looks great, nice and clean. I will try that one this weekend. Thanks all!!

Matt

 

[Svar]

Scorpion's answer looks great, nice and clean. I will try that one this weekend. Thanks all!!
Matt

That particular part will not work.
1. You need to grind it. The part is about 16 mm wide and will not fit into the slot.
2. It's too short. Even if you make it fit into one t-slot it will not reach all the way into perpendicular table because of the MFT corner bracket (i.e. MFT t-slot extrusion ends some 50 mm before reaching the corner of the table).

You need to customize a regular corner bracket to make this connection work.

 

[Gregor]

DIY version (for then the tables can be apart a bit):

A strip of plywood (the thickness of between V-Groove and top) with triangle strips (matching the V-groove) glued at the edges along the long sides, add some M6 drive-in nuts (one near each end should do), use festool M6 knobs (possibly with a longer screw inside them) to clamp strips of plywood (long enough to reach below the t-slot of the extrusion) from the bottom - leading to the top piece being firmly held in place by the strips below.

Basically the same way the protractor head attaches to the extrusion, just with a plywood board and cheap.

Has also the upside that you can make this a bit wider to further extend the work surface and is able to connect into other things with the V-groove (like kapex, or a CMS table). You can even add a MFT hole pattern.

 

[Corwin]

Here's a photo of what I have to connect my MFTs. The bracket extends out 3" from the inside corner -- anything much shorter will not reach the side profile's T-track. Also note that the bracket bolts to the T-track via the two brass knurled turn nuts -- one on each side -- while those four white plastic screws are for the brackets intended use on a router fence and not needed for this use.

View attachment 1

While you could purchase this part from Woodpecker's, you could instead simply purchase a short length of aluminum angle from you local hardware and then cut and drill as needed. Should you only find angle stock that is smaller than 3", you would only need to add a spacer (block of wood) to go between the side that attaches mid-way along the one table so the angle piece will extend past the second table's corner bracket.

 

[mattbyington]

Thanks. I will do that. I was looking for something more along those lines - a metal solution that looked like it "fit" in and less of a custom wood solution.

Matt

 

[nclemmons]

Go to Lowes or Home Depot - pick up some L corner brackets...

Here's one version from Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Bracket-Rile...e=UTF8&qid=1526081529&sr=1-12&keywords=corner+bracket

 

[mattbyington]

I made one today - just took 20 minutes. It's not pretty but it works for now. It does hold the table a lot more sturdy with 2 connection points connecting the tables instead of just one.

The butt joint is glued and has a 1.5" deck screw going into it.

Matt

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