using the festool system with 2 mft 3 to makes shelves

[honeydoman]

I recently bought another mft 3 and attach them together and they work great on the job site.  took several pics showing using them and in this application I was making the shelves for a book case unit, 18 shelves all the same size.

ripped the sheet goods in half to 24" x 96"  then measured the width of the first shelve to cut, 10 7/8"  lined it on the edge guide and then set the stop for repeat cuts and went at it.

I used the edge stop on both tables so the plywood wood lay straight.  it worked great and saved me a lot of time doing it this way.

after I cut width I cut length on my kapex.

less than 30 minutes to cut all shelves.

I think it is about time for a new mft top !  it does get used !  but hey thats what it is for.  again this is working in the customers garage

 

[score0matic]

Kreg,
Nice,  I like portable cutting tables  with one more and a way to secure them you could set it to Rip and Crosscut full sheets.

Craig

 

[woodwreck]

Why do folks not use a sheet of 1/4" MDF or similar  as scratch sheet to save the table top? Is it too much of a nuisance to deal with? Just asking.

 

[Corwin]

Why do folks not use a sheet of 1/4" MDF or similar  as scratch sheet to save the table top? Is it too much of a nuisance to deal with? Just asking.

Using a sacrificial material to spare your MFT's top is usually met with comments like, "the top is meant to be used" or, "you can just fill it when it gets bad" and even, "you're covering up the holes".  Despite these pearls of wisdom, I continue to use sacrificial material to spare my MFT tops.  And I believe that Brice does too.  So, to each their own.  I like NOT having grooves cut into my MFT tops.  I could go on about this and describe additional benefits, but that might be better left for another thread.

 

[honeydoman]

Main reason is I already carry so much stuff with me and yes it would be a good idea. I just flip the top over cut up that side and then buy a new top. Afterall it is a work top and the more it is cut up the more jobs I am doing.  I replace my tops about 2 times a year  is all .  Probably spend 50 bucks on 1/4" pieces as they would prob bend and break inbetween jobs in my van storage .  So 1/2 dozen here 1/2 dozen there who knows

 

[DavidCBaker]

Can I ask how you connected the two MFTs together? Thanks.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Can I ask how you connected the two MFTs together? Thanks.

Standard method is using these:  http://www.festoolusa.com/products/mft-multifunction-tables/accessories/mft-connector-484455.html

Note that you need two to properly connect two MFTs together, and they are sold individually.

 

[DavidCBaker]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Just cut into the tops you wussy's.

 

[RONWEN]

Why do folks not use a sheet of 1/4" MDF or similar  as scratch sheet to save the table top? Is it too much of a nuisance to deal with? Just asking.

Using a sacrificial material to spare your MFT's top is usually met with comments like, "the top is meant to be used" or, "you can just fill it when it gets bad" and even, "you're covering up the holes".  Despite these pearls of wisdom, I continue to use sacrificial material to spare my MFT tops.  And I believe that Brice does too.  So, to each their own.  I like NOT having grooves cut into my MFT tops.  I could go on about this and describe additional benefits, but that might be better left for another thread.

Me too.  I use 1/4" MDF on my MFT's and 1" pink foam board on my large cutting table.  Nary a single score anywhere on my MFT's  [wink].  Again, if I were making money doing this stuff I probably wouldn't worry about it... but as an amateur I like the neatness.  [big grin]

 

[honeydoman]

ron,  yes since you are an amature, than that is okay and you do not move the tables from job to job as most of us do.

so you have my permission to never ever ever cut your mft 3 top !!!!  [poke] [laughing]

 

[RONWEN]

ron,  yes since you are an amature, than that is okay and you do not move the tables from job to job as most of us do.

so you have my permission to never ever ever cut your mft 3 top !!!!   [poke] [laughing]

You Pros can't dink around with your tools, they all have a hard life earning you money.  I could see replacing the MFT top every 6 months or so after it has earned it's keep.  As you mention just moving them a couple times a day takes it's toll on them.
As an amatuer's tools mine lead a charmed life & will probably outlive the pros tools 10 times longer.  [smile]

 

[honeydoman]

yep you got that right !

in fact here is one of my tops here cut all to heck!