Talk me into or out of an MFT

[MrToolJunkie]

Personally I think that the MFT is worth every penny. So convenient to set-up and transport. I have never had issues with squaring or table sag or anything. Just my take on using two different MFTs.

 

[Dogberryjr]

If one has no need for portability, or even the requirement that the table can be broken down, then is the MFT wasted innovation (and $$)?  Has someone built a hybrid workbench that is Roubo-ish in build and mass, but with a MFT-type top? I'd be keen to see examples and designs, as I think this will be my next bench.

 

[Steve-Rice]

Personally, I think you would be foolish to purchase an MFT instead of a Domino.  The Domino will expand your capabilities in a way no other tool can.  It is faster, easier, stronger and more precise than any other joinery method - period.  You can easily build your own comparable version of an MFT for practically nothing, but a Domino is virtually priceless in my humble opinion. I use my homemade MFT all the time and enjoy it's functionality, but I would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant giving up my Domino to keep the MFT.  Besides, you're already happy with the $60 table you already have. Buy a Domino - I gurantee you will thank me a thousand times over once you start using it.

 

[Holmz]

Personally, I think you would be foolish to purchase an MFT instead of a Domino.  The Domino will expand your capabilities in a way no other tool can.  It is faster, easier, stronger and more precise than any other joinery method - period.  You can easily build your own comparable version of an MFT for practically nothing, but a Domino is virtually priceless in my humble opinion. I use my homemade MFT all the time and enjoy it's functionality, but I would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant giving up my Domino to keep the MFT.  Besides, you're already happy with the $60 table you already have. Buy a Domino - I gurantee you will thank me a thousand times over once you start using it.

Are you saying that...
One can make an MFT with saw horses, some MDF, and a 20 bit.

One cannot easily make a domino.

 

[Steve-Rice]

Holmz, my man, you get me...!

 

[TheSergeant]

If one has no need for portability, or even the requirement that the table can be broken down, then is the MFT wasted innovation (and $$)?  Has someone built a hybrid workbench that is Roubo-ish in build and mass, but with a MFT-type top? I'd be keen to see examples and designs, as I think this will be my next bench.

[member=46611]Dogberryjr[/member] , google "moravian workbench" if you're looking for something that is 'portable' but has enough mass to do hand tool work on.  I've seen all kinds of variations, some with tool wells, some split top like a roubo. 

 

[Dogberryjr]

I'll have a look, thanks.

 

[waho6o9]

Will Myers on the Moravian Workbench:http://contrib1.wkfinetools.com/wMyers/moravianBench/moravianBench-01.asp
http://contrib1.wkfinetools.com/wMyers/wMyers-index.asp

 

[JHZR2]

You didn't mention if you had a table saw.  I don't have one and don't want one.  The MFT combined with the TS55, although not a total substitute, is nearly perfect for me, and is the most used surface in my garage.
I don't need portability, so I took the legs off of the MFT and spent a weekend to build a cart with the MFT and aluminum frame on top.  I can roll it around but don't have a need to transport it out of the garage.  It is also much more stable.  There are some good threads on the rolling cart.  If you need to be able to fold up and put in a corner, maybe the MFT with leg braces would be stable, but I can't comment on how good they are.
Assuming you don't have a need for the MFT track/TS55 combination, I agree with Charlie1968's comments.  The Domino is amazing and fast once you get the hang of it.  You indicated you already have a workbench, so the MFT by itself might not be essential.  I do make much use of the holes in the MFT top for clamping and wouldn't want to be without them, although I can't say I have ever clamped anything to the aluminum frame yet.  Perhaps getting just the MDF top and putting it into some kind of rigid wooden frame on top of sawhorses would be a lot cheaper and easy to store.

I haven't been on here in a while but I appreciate all the replies.  Yes, I do have a table saw.  I have a better job site saw (dewalt 7491, IIRC), and love it.  I also have a TS55.     

I have to say, I looked at the MFTs at the roadshow last week, and wasn't impressed by the wobble.  My el cheapo Home Depot table may not have some of the workflow and setup advantages, but believe it or not, is a lot more stable...

 

[JHZR2]

Personally, I think you would be foolish to purchase an MFT instead of a Domino.  The Domino will expand your capabilities in a way no other tool can.  It is faster, easier, stronger and more precise than any other joinery method - period.  You can easily build your own comparable version of an MFT for practically nothing, but a Domino is virtually priceless in my humble opinion. I use my homemade MFT all the time and enjoy it's functionality, but I would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant giving up my Domino to keep the MFT.  Besides, you're already happy with the $60 table you already have. Buy a Domino - I gurantee you will thank me a thousand times over once you start using it.

I hear you. The domino is a done deal at some point, the MFT we will see... So it really was more a matter of sequencing. 

I like to have work space that I can set up and take down.  The MFT or something like it is bigger and notionally better than my cheap HD table.  Is it 10x more money better? Not when it shakes side to side and sags.  But those things perhaps can be overcome.  What my HD table can't do is be as large as an MFT.  But two of them set up with a top could be... But not as integrated, and more parts start to be less convenient. 

A domino first and wait on an MFT update might be prudent...

 

[ryanjg117]

To be honest I wouldn't even bother with the MFT.  I had one for awhile and sold it after building a MFTC.  I wish I would have looked more closely at the complaints people had about it. 

I agree with TheSergeant - my MFT was floppy as all get-out. Now, true, I didn't splurge for the ridiculously-overpriced-accessory-that-should-be-included stiffening braces, but it had a lot of lateral flex. The clamping options are nice, but they're diminished by the lack of rigidity. Don't think you'll be handplaning on it, unless you pay for the stiffeners.

Having to constantly square the rail is annoying as well. Furthermore, unless you're using parfdogs to actually square it, you'll have to drop the rail height down to the cutting surface if you're using a standard carpenter's square. Just another time-consuming step.

I still love the 20mm holes on 96mm spacing for its clamping and assembly versatility. I lucked out and found a heavy-duty lab workbench made of 80/20 aluminum extrusions and used SketchUp to make the Festool hole pattern over the top. Not I've got a working surface 2x the size of an MFT and it's as sturdy as one I'd make myself.

Also, maybe I'm just becoming a pansy these days, but I didn't find the MTF to be terribly light. Whenever I had to pick it up and do this weird little duck-waddle to get it to where I want to put it, not to mention you can't see anything... maybe my poor lifting technique?

 

[Xoncention]

To be honest I wouldn't even bother with the MFT.  I had one for awhile and sold it after building a MFTC.  I wish I would have looked more closely at the complaints people had about it. 

Also, maybe I'm just becoming a pansy these days, but I didn't find the MTF to be terribly light. Whenever I had to pick it up and do this weird little duck-waddle to get it to where I want to put it, not to mention you can't see anything... maybe my poor lifting technique?

I observe the same thing.  It is not a light item to supposedly be used as a mobile item.  It is safer to put it on a trolley and move it around this way.  Less possibility for back strain.  I would never use it for any lateral work, even with the optional (hah) arms, it is just not worth the effort when a great portion of the energy is lost when the table wants to walk across the workshop floor. 

 

[ScoFF]

I'll speak on my experience.
I'm a home hobbyist woodworker with a nice sturdy workbench in a pretty small workshop decked out with large machinery and a decent amount of Festool.
The MFT/3 takes up a lot more space than I thought.

I find a lot of the time when I go to cut a board or panel the MFT is too small in the orientation I'm using it (facing it it's wider than it is deep) and it's too much trouble to change it for those times it's too short.    It's too short because the protractor guide thing takes a good 6" or so in the back, and you need some rail length in the front to start the saw behind the cut so you're using like 70% of the table depth.

I have to square it up a lot.

I have to dig out my TS-75 every time I want to use it because I'm afraid to leave it resting on the top due to possible sag so I just usually use the table saw, bandsaw or jig saw.

It is unstable, and I don't want to pay more for stabilizers yet so I use my workbench for most holding.

But when I am cutting up pieces that actually fit in a repeated manor it's good because the stops and repeatability is great...when things fit.

 

[nerves]

Don't get one because you will end up with 2 like me

It is super versatile and possibly the backbone of the festool system. I can't do without mine.

Hear, hear...the same here~

 

[JimD]

I made a Ron Paulk inspired 3x7 foot workbench that is also my outfeed table for the table saw, cutting surface for my DeWalt track saw, and assembly table.  It rolls around on 6 totally locking casters.  I never considered a MFT.  Too expensive and too small.  You should check out Ron's youtubes.  He has a work center that incorporates your table saw.  If you do not need portability, I recommend just making a double layer top and putting it on a cabinet or legs with casters.  I have 20 mm holes on 4 inch centers made using a special base for my PC690 router and pegboard.  I was surprised by the accuracy of the holes.  I use right angle jigs on mine for setup and can detect no error in the angle. 

I would also get the domino instead and make either the neat roll around MFT like worksurface or a Paulk style worksurface. 

 

[JHZR2]

Thanks!

My wood shop isn't that big.  I have an exercise area, space for my car stuff, etc, as well as my wife's space in our basement... I can encroach into other areas of the basement other than my wood shop, but I like to be able to put the work surfaces away... Which is why tables like the husky or MFT are preferable to a big built up cabinet type thing.  I have a big workbench built in for that. 

Also, to cut down on dust, solvent vapors, etc., I like to bring work surfaces up and outdoors when I can,mid I'm cutting/sanding/finishing a lot of stuff.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I thought the MFT was going to be this great workbench per the Festool marketing.  Perhaps it is for mobile shops.  If you have a stationary shop, it leaves quite a bit to be desired.  Invest in a Roubo bench instead.  If you need the cutting table type functionality, then go for it, or build a top that you can spread across sawhorses.

I'm finding that my MFT is now a spot to place stuff, not a place to work.  I'm often frustrated at my inability to clamp things and do non-woodwork types of tasks.  At some point I'll get rid of it.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

As an addendum to my post above - I was trying to sand a board after I posted that.  I had trouble on my sawhorse table, as the piece moved all over the place.  I placed it in the MFT and used some dogs and clamps to keep the item in place while sanding.  So it excels for that, and works very well as a cross cut table, as long as the pieces are not very large.

 

[Vartz04]

I think I'm going to go the route of the "MPT" but make it with a more "permanent" base. Plus my TS is a makita so that way I'm not cross breeding haha

 

[ben_r_]

Like many others I couldnt justify the MFT either. Im not a mobile worker, I work in my garage, so no advantage there. I have played with the MFT/3 several times in my local Woodcraft store and each time I walk away thinking Festool is crazy for charging so much for a flimsy, folding table "workbench". The demo model in that store has a table top that is already sagging. I love the IDEA of the MFT/3 and how its used, but the actualy product just isnt worth the money IMO. Maybe for half the price and with the stabilizers included Id consider but until then, I'm passing.