Should I add another MFT?

[Jimxavier]

Currently I’m in a 1 car garage with 1 MFT and a small butcher block work bench.

I’m debating adding another MFT basic to my set up to give me additional work area as I love the functionality of the table. For example cutting large sheet goods, I’ve been doing it on the ground, or off the side of the MFT, or on a sacrificial board with saw horses.

I use the one I have now primarily for cutting, sanding and assembly.

Those with 2+ MFT, has it benefited you?

As an aside I know some like to preserve their MFT top, I don’t mind cuts in it, but do wonder about glue/paint getting on the surface, or worse in the aluminum rails. Reason being I want my table flat for making accurate cross cuts, but how much does paint, glue, stain etc effect the functionality of the MFT? Any precautions you take?

 

[DynaGlide]

Go for it. Try to find one second hand I see them in the 300 range around here often. You can do a lot with multiple tables.

 

[sancho57]

Look into the extension. I bought one when i did some site work and could only pack one of my 3 MFTs.
Worked great when I needed the additional space and folds out of the way when ya don't. Cheap (well for festool) at $250.

 

[lawhoo]

What's the extension you're referring to?

 

[Chris Cianci]

I’ll chime in here, the extension is for the new rolling work station. MW 1000
I’ve got 2 MFTs and will add another . In a small shop. Being able to fold them up is key. There was a FOG member Rob Z who had one for sale in Northern Virginia A couple months ago which looks like is where you are from. You could PM him to see if it’s still available. Rob is a great guy who I met through the FOG
Best

 

[JRM76]

Consider the Festool MW 1000 Mobile Workshop Set 203802. Love mine. It’s Mobile so you can move it around your small garage but need not take to any more room than a large garbage can while still being able to use the small top. The extension table can fit on either the MWS or your MFT, or sit against the wall out of the way. Festool starts and ends as a dust managed experience so you can/should take your MWS to the job be it kitchen, bathroom, basement, etc., or even more farther away sites. My only issue is the extension table and small top holes are not machined to line up. But it has not stopped me from getting the job done.

 

[blues]

Systainers on Sys-Cart (495020) can be used as additional support when working on large projects. When space is a problem you want to think a lot before adding infrastructure. Safety is critical. Have fun. But exercise caution.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have 2 MFTs tied together and the combo works well. If I were starting over, I’d buy one MFT and build a second work bench with just a MFT top solid enough to mount a big woodworking vise. I added an extension to one of my MFTs for a big vise. I use the vise constantly.  The extension has two heavy steel legs. They totally stabilize the MFT.

My MFT tops always develop a sag over time. When that becomes a problem, I flip them over.

 

[bertv]

What's the extension you're referring to?

That would be the TSB/1-MW 1000. Article# 203457.

I own one and it is permanently attached to my MFT/3, that also has the VL with CMS-module (sadly discontinued). Makes for a very solid and handy worktable.
IMO opinion doubling up MFT's is disregarding their benefits (fast knockdown, transport). In a shop situation I would opt for a SysCart on castors (build your own) with the same height as the MFT, that can be used as an outfeed or extra support on all sides of the MFT.

I will try to post a picture of my cart:

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

I was considering a second MFT basic as well.  With a small area in my basement to work, I went with the MW1000 tables that easily fold out of the way when needed.

 

[Rastarize]

What's the extension you're referring to?

That would be the TSB/1-MW 1000. Article# 203457.

I own one and it is permanently attached to my MFT/3, that also has the VL with CMS-module (sadly discontinued). Makes for a very solid and handy worktable.
IMO opinion doubling up MFT's is disregarding their benefits (fast knockdown, transport). In a shop situation I would opt for a SysCart on castors (build your own) with the same height as the MFT, that can be used as an outfeed or extra support on all sides of the MFT.

I will try to post a picture of my cart:

Bert,

Could you post up a picture of your MFT / MW / CMS-VL setup as well please? I have the MFT and a CMS-VL as well, and am debating between the MW and a secondary MFT, would love to see your setup.

Thanks,
Gopal

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bertv]

Posting pictures has been somewhat problematic for me, lately, but I will try… Please do not mind the terrible mess (that will be cleaned up soon, I promise…).

[attachimg=1]

What I like about my setup: the MW 1000 is not as deep as the MFT, so working on something on 'all' sides is easier. It is also convenient for glue ups. The VL has a TS55 in it, which stays there all the time (I have another TS55 and a CMS that will handle the other inserts I have). Adding the VL and MW makes the MFT more rigid, but the sum total is still light enough to slide around easily (concrete floor helps).

 

[waterloomarc]

This thread has been helpful. Wouldn’t have thought about using the Mobile workbench top.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Awesome set-up! Love the pics and personally I do not think you need to clean anything - this is how most working shops are and I enjoy seeing things in use and projects under construction. Good stuff!

 

[Rastarize]

Posting pictures has been somewhat problematic for me, lately, but I will try… Please do not mind the terrible mess (that will be cleaned up soon, I promise…).

[attachimg=1]

What I like about my setup: the MW 1000 is not as deep as the MFT, so working on something on 'all' sides is easier. It is also convenient for glue ups. The VL has a TS55 in it, which stays there all the time (I have another TS55 and a CMS that will handle the other inserts I have). Adding the VL and MW makes the MFT more rigid, but the sum total is still light enough to slide around easily (concrete floor helps).

Thanks Bert!

Looks like you could also rearrange into an L shape set up if you wanted? Or would that get too much in the way of using the tracksaw with the MFT?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Looks like you could also rearrange into an L shape set up if you wanted? Or would that get too much in the way of using the tracksaw with the MFT?

Since the extension fits to the edge track of the MFT, you can move it around to any position that is useful for the work you are doing in the moment. It's one of the advantages of the MFT "system", if you will.

 

[bertv]

Thanks Bert!
Looks like you could also rearrange into an L shape set up if you wanted? Or would that get too much in the way of using the tracksaw with the MFT?

Not practical for me. I need to shove the whole shebang around when I need to saw longer pieces of anything on the VL-TS55. Also, if additional support is needed I have a Kapex-extension that I can use (never do that — but it would be handy for precise longer cuts on the offcut side of the rail, because one can calibrate the tape measure it has).

Anyway — if you want to, you can add MW's on all sides of a MFT!

 

[sancho57]

[member=5467]Bert Vanderveen[/member]

Now Yer a man who using his tools and shop.

a clean shop is a sign of a sick mind  [big grin]

 

[mattbyington]

[member=10147]jobsworth[/member] low blow man

Matt