What is the metal of the mft/3 kapex folding legs

[mishle]

I need to weld the supports back on the folding legs.

And was wondering what metal is used on them.

To me it looks like some kind of steel.

Thanks

 

[Alan m]

ok first , there must be a good story there.
did they break or did you cut them off.

i would get a magnite and see if it is magnetic. if it is magnetic i would presume it is mild steel and easily welded. if it is fancier you will need to mig or tig it together. drill a hole if your not sure of the metal and check the swarf.
you will ruin the look of the legs etc by welding them, no matter how you cover them the splater will ruin the finish. could you drill a hole all the way through the legs and put a threaded bar throught the whole lot. a lock nut on each end and the bar cut and painted will look a lot better than all the finish paint or powder coat(not sure which) being black and melted.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It has to be some sort of steel as both my mft's have started rust out where the welds are on the legs.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

It's a Festool product.  It can't be ordinary steel.  It's Black Forest steel.  [big grin] My advice is to find someone very skilled in the use of a TIG welder and have them do it.  That'll keep the heat to a minimum so they'll be less additional damage to the parts and the coating on the parts and you'll get cleaner, neater looking welds.  After it's all welded and cooled, take a wire brush to scrub the welded area, maybe a little sanding depending on how meticulous you are, then spray can primer and paint from Rustoleum or Krylon.

 

[mishle]

ok first , there must be a good story there.
did they break or did you cut them off.

I got tired after 14 hours days to fold them under and I just bunged the table to the side of my trailer and it only took about two weeks for the supports to break off at the joints.

My wife says I should JB weld them on. I may try that first as it would be the least amount of work.  I am also in the process of making a rolling cart for the kapex seeing as the mft did not hold up for me. And way to much work to setup take down.

I like the mft as a work surface not a kapex surface. If I had to do it over again I would have bought a mft/3 or another mft 1080

 

[Michael Kellough]

So now we know it's not the (steel) legs that broke but the (cast aluminum, or hpc zinc) corner brackets that broke. It's very surprising to learn that merely bungee strapping the MFT to the side of the trailer, combined with the vibration of transport, can cause the brackets to break.

I'd request replacement brackets and promise not to strap it unfolded to the trailer anymore.

If you try to repair it the JB weld or any slow setting epoxy is a good start but I'd combine it with mechanical reinforcement, small mending plates with through bolts.

I don't know anything about welding cast materials but you will have to ask Festool what the material is if you want to try welding. Brazing should work if you can't weld.

 

[RONWEN]

I don't think that I would categorize hauling the MFT/3 with the legs in the open position as abuse.  Without seeing exactly how it was loaded, packed & hauled I would expect a "contractor quality" (high price) piece of equipment like this to take it in stride day in & day out.  I would request a warranty adjustment from Festool -- no welding.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I strap both of mine to the wall in my trailer, I do fold the legs up though.

I am not sure what you broke.

 

[mishle]

I took RonWen's advice and called festool and they are sending me another set of legs.

I also took some pics. to help clear up any confusion on what broke.

[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

That looks like you broke off the stretchers.

 

[Michael Kellough]

That looks like you broke off the stretchers.

And yes, the metal is steel. Don't have any magnets?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Don't have any magnets?

It was hard getting the refrigerator to stick to the MFT's legs.

 

[RONWEN]

Don't have any magnets?

It was hard getting the refrigerator to stick to the MFT's legs.

[big grin]  [big grin]  [big grin]