Shrink to fit? (MFT3)

[Tom Ryan]

I am on the short side, and I like the height of my MFT800.  I'm planning a workbench to be that height -- it's  good height for planing. 

On the other hand, I'm considering getting an MFT3 -- to get a bigger surface, and for all the reasons Per has given.  I've thought that I could just cut off the bottom of the legs to match the MFT800.  Does anyone see a problem with that?  Are there Festool things coming down the pike that would make me regret this?

 

[scoffelt]

Well you can always buy replacement legs if you need the full height, though it isn't a cheap option.  Is it going to be a permenant solution?  If so, why not make a work bench that uses the MFT components to the height you want, then store the parts you don't need.  Then you can re-assemble when/if you need the MFT/3.  or find a MFT1080 basic or whatever, then buy the parts you need that are for the MFT/3. 

 

[wnagle]

The mft/3 will sit on a flat surface with the legs folded.  Just make a box or cabinet to make the height you want and to the dimensions of the mft/3.  No need to cut the legs off.  And the lower cabinet my come in handy for assembly... if you need a lower surface, just set the mft/3 aside.  Works fine in my shop...sometimes the mft/3 is on its legs and other time it'on a rolling work table with the legs folded.  I don't even clamp it down when it's on the work table.  I don't use mine on the road which might make things a little different...

 

[Dan Clermont]

I wouldm't cut the legs on a MFT 3. If I recall correctly the CMS attaches to the side of the MFT 3 and the MFT 3 is the correct height to act as an outfeed toable for the MFT3/KAPEX.

I think you should fold or remove the legs for the MFT3 and place a cabinet underneath which would match the height of the MFT 800

Dan Clermont

 

[Tinker]

Take a look at adjustabench.com.
i looked at this a couple of years ago.
My shop floor is way out of level with ups & downs in all directions.
i had thought the bench could be set up at any height and angle to match up for many proplems.
I did not just now check to see if they are still around, but if so, it might give you some ideas.

Tinker

 

[petiegolfer]

Make your self a little box to stand on and increase the height of the mft 800?

Piers

 

[Tinker]

The little box works wonders.
Slightly off topic (from woodworking that is) (on topic for the box)
When i was just out of HS, some of my buddies and i went to a country fair.
there was the sledge hammer (heavy wooden mallet) and high bell apparatus where a couple of hulks were trying to ring the bell with not much success.  I decided to give a try.  Being only about 5-5 or 5-6 and barely 140#'s I drew a lot of snickers as I stepped up to the block.  what those hulks did not know was that my business at the time was swinging a heavy hammer at large rocks and splitting them.  some of those rocks weighed atleast a half ton.  It took several men to turn them to position for splitting.  since i was new man in the crew and full of piss & vinigar, it was my job to split the largest of the rocks.  the finer trimming was up to the journeyman masons with 2#to 8# hammers.

As i stepped forward, i gave the attendant two quarters for six shots.  the first quarter was for three trial swings.  I used those trial swings to get a feel for just how to hit the block square.  I barely made it half way to the bell.  I asked the attendant if he could hold my place for a minute or two.  A lot of unsavory remarks followed as i trotted over to the soft drink stand right next door.  i returned in a few seconds with a couple of low wooden coke cartons.  i placed them right where I felt I needed to place my feet, stepped up with the heavy mallet and gave a prodigeous swing. 

CLANG!!!!.  A second swing. CLANG !!!!!  A third swing.  CLANG!!!!!!!.  I had won three cigars.  I did not smoke then and never have since my first try at ten years old.  My buddies each took one and insisted I take the third.  If i was big enough to win them, I was big enough to smoke one.  I agreed, but before I lit up, I went to the candied apple booth and got a candied apple.  I drew more stares as i walked around with lit cigar in one hand and candied apple in the other  :
Tinker