thoughts on mft table

nwfd98

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Feb 1, 2015
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15
I am looking at a new work table and am leaning towards a mft. Thoughts from those that own one would be appreciated.
 
When I first was looking into Festool I looked at the MFT and decided that it was too small, too wobbly and too expensive.  After a while I gave it a chance and it's become my most used work surface in the shop.  It's extremely useful.
 
Very nice table, matches perfectly with the Festool system. Easy to expand, same height as Festool Precisio and CMS system. Nice accessories (get the MFT clamps!).

You just need to have the space for it. (And the ca$h)

Not as sturdy as wall-fixed hardwood bench. But that is to be expected.
 
Thought?    I own 5.  3-mft/3's  1 - mft/1080 and a mft/800 and I want 4 more mft/3's.    And I'm a hobbyist.

SO I LIKE THEM!  [wink]    [tongue]

Great as a assembly table and it helped  replace my table saw.  They fold up nice for storage so the wife can park in the garage.
Light weight when I take them to friends/family jobs.   

Eric
 
awesome input guys. I am looking at it as an assembly table so looks like i am going shopping tomorrow. Ugh this is turning into a expensive addiction. 
 
nwfd98 said:
awesome input guys. I am looking at it as an assembly table so looks like i am going shopping tomorrow. Ugh this is turning into a expensive addiction.

Good luck choosing your clamping possibilities.      [tongue]        You're head will be spinning over that decision !    [wink]

Eric
 
erock - you blew past hobbyist and are solidly in the "enthusiast" category. :)
 
mark60 said:
erock - you blew past hobbyist and are solidly in the "enthusiast" category. :)

OR  Brainwashed !      [sad]    [scratch chin]

Eric
 
oh man this is a addiction isn't it lol. Damn you Festool for making such a great product :)
 
I built Timothy Wilmots' MFT-C last fall and have found myself using it about 2 - 3 times as often as I use my traditional Euro style bench.  Unless I just need the beef of the heavier bench, the utility of the MFT and the available accessories usually wins out.
 
I just ordered one, it'll be here Thursday. I'll post my first thoughts and impressions when it gets here.

I've been looking at it for a year or so now and have seen a lot of demos and vids. It looks like it will be handy to have but I also have a regular bench as well which is way more stable then any stock MFT I've tried, even with the optional stabilizer bars. Not sure I'd use it for hand planing, maybe for hand dovetail cutting though.

I like the portability factor and it does seem like it will be very useful.
-Jim
 
JimB1 said:
I just ordered one, it'll be here Thursday. I'll post my first thoughts and impressions when it gets here.

I've been looking at it for a year or so now and have seen a lot of demos and vids. It looks like it will be handy to have but I also have a regular bench as well which is way more stable then any stock MFT I've tried, even with the optional stabilizer bars. Not sure I'd use it for hand planing, maybe for hand dovetail cutting though.

I like the portability factor and it does seem like it will be very useful.
-Jim

I don't use the stabilizer and the MFT is much more usable then you think, even for planing.  It feels unstable but once you start working on it you'll hardly notice the movement.
 
I bought a replacement 1080 mft top and attached a couple of 70mm x 35mm slats underneath it this then fits onto a Keter folding workbench similar to this (Keter section starts at 12:40)

For clamping on the MFT I use a set of Parf Dogs and Pups, MFT Fixed clamps and for planning low stuff I also had a couple of 20mm Veritas Bench Blades. I also have a couple of Rail clamps that I can also use if required.
 
Greg M said:
JimB1 said:
I just ordered one, it'll be here Thursday. I'll post my first thoughts and impressions when it gets here.

I've been looking at it for a year or so now and have seen a lot of demos and vids. It looks like it will be handy to have but I also have a regular bench as well which is way more stable then any stock MFT I've tried, even with the optional stabilizer bars. Not sure I'd use it for hand planing, maybe for hand dovetail cutting though.

I like the portability factor and it does seem like it will be very useful.
-Jim

I don't use the stabilizer and the MFT is much more usable then you think, even for planing.  It feels unstable but once you start working on it you'll hardly notice the movement.

I'll find out soon enough :)
-Jim
 
I replaced a home made bench with a dual MFT. I added the leg stabilizers and still wasn't pleased with the overall stability. I added an extension for a heavy woodworking vise. The extension utilized a heavy steel leg set I bought from Amazon.

The extension and, especially, the heavy steel legs made the MFTs very sturdy. I can plane and saw without rocking  the MFTs.

Qwas dogs completed my new bench.
 
I have one of each except the MFT/Kapex model.
They are all as stable as they need o be when using power tools such as the TS's, 850 planer, Routers, sanders and etc.

I have used the MFT/3 and MFT 1080 for hand planing, but only for the times when just a touch up or only a few light strokes are needed.  I have a couple of solid wood benches that i use when planing with the armstrong powered tools.  I even go to the wood benches when using a handsaw.  I have used other MFT's that were mounted of solid cabinet type bases and those were quite adequate for hand work.  I have avoided using either of the MFT's for working with any types of hammers.  I suppose they are sold enough, but i like the solid feel of a wood bench when working with hammer and chisel.

I don't think the MFT's can be beat for assembly tables.  There is an endless list of clamping methods with those tables, especially if using the Festoy clamps.  I do avoid clamping anything that is heavy and might place a lot of weight on the center of the tables.  I worry about starting the center to sag with excess weight centered over the middle.  My 1080 and 800 are over ten years old and are still flat.  My MFT/3 is only around 4 or 5 years old and does not have any sag.  I have also avoided scoring the surfaces of the /3 and the 800.  The 1080 is scarred all over the top.  I need to be very careful when using that table for any glue ups.  The glue gets into the saw kerfs and I have a problem.  It can be difficult to scrape out of the kerf scars.  I don't think it the greatest idea to try to remove glue with water, even if tried right away.  The other two tables have both been treated with poly urethane and waxed, I have used protective strips when sawing over the tables and the surfaces are clean and unscarred.  I have used both for many glue ups, spilled glue on them.  They are clean and even if i don't catch drips of glue immediately, it is an easy job to flick it off the surface after it dries.
Tinker
 
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