What MFT surface would you choose?
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bomisore said:
I am happy with my mft style melamine work surfaces in the shop. I have 2 tables that are 3'x4' on locking casters. They are white melamine and have been in service for a little over a year and are in great shape. I would look for melamine that has a high hardwood content in the core. I like Panalam.
Gerry
I have just two cuts in my MFT so far. [scared] It goes against my grain to use it as a sacrificial top. As the cuts don't foul any of the holes, I am going to rout out symmetrical 6mm channels, and glue in some new MDF fillets. From now on I will use 6mm MDF under the saw. [smile]
How about 'Tufnol' for a custom top? (It's similar to Phenolic, in the USA) Tufnol is a material made from multiple layers of canvas, soaked in animal glue, hot-pressed, and then and baked in continuous ovens. Itcomes in varying thicknesses, like ply or MDF. Incredibly tough, workable with routers and TCT saws. (In small bites.) It's usually a red/brown colour, and is as flat as float glass.
How about 'Tufnol' for a custom top? (It's similar to Phenolic, in the USA) Tufnol is a material made from multiple layers of canvas, soaked in animal glue, hot-pressed, and then and baked in continuous ovens. Itcomes in varying thicknesses, like ply or MDF. Incredibly tough, workable with routers and TCT saws. (In small bites.) It's usually a red/brown colour, and is as flat as float glass.
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There is a good reason why Festool chose MDF for the MFT3 - it has excellent strength properties for the purpose of the design, it is relatively cheap and it is stable. They may or may not have foreseen the ease with which MFT3 owners could make their own replacement tops.
Do not worry about making kerf marks in your MFT3 - that is part of the concept as it is, in effect, a splinter guard on the under side of the cut. My MFT3 top has loads of kerf marks all over, it has character and still does an excellent job.
Peter
Do not worry about making kerf marks in your MFT3 - that is part of the concept as it is, in effect, a splinter guard on the under side of the cut. My MFT3 top has loads of kerf marks all over, it has character and still does an excellent job.
Peter
Oldwood said:
Gary,
With a couple of sets of parf-dogs, and a suitable guide, you don't need a track-saw. An ordinary circular saw can be used. Peter Parfitt has a video on Youtube showing the set-up. (I don't know if I am allowed to post links, but you can soon find Peter's channel.) HTH
Hookie
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Hookie said:
Just imagine that Picasso had an MFT3 and he had random kerf marks all over it - that MFT3 would be worth a fortune.
Peter
Been there, done that, then bought a TS55Hookie said:
Now I don't much dust
I don't have chip out on either side of the blade
The saw can't wander away from the guide (DAMHIKT [eek])
Even if I could have all the money back that I spent I wouldn't go back
If my saw was stolen I would only use my ELU until I could replace the TS55.
Hi Jerome,
Nor would I go back. Just suggesting a 'stop-gap' alternative to someone who might not be able to 'take the plunge' on a Festool track saw. My Elu 9.25 inch saw is also in a box, just in case I ever need it. Great saw too. Just not a plunge-saw.
Cheers
John
Nor would I go back. Just suggesting a 'stop-gap' alternative to someone who might not be able to 'take the plunge' on a Festool track saw. My Elu 9.25 inch saw is also in a box, just in case I ever need it. Great saw too. Just not a plunge-saw.
Cheers
John
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Hookie said:Peter Parfitt said:
[laughing] [laughing] [laughing]
Okay Peter. You win!
Cheers
John
In 1975 I went around the local farmers looking for wood for the fire. I ended up knocking on the door of a really smart house. There were doves in the courtyard which had been dyed all sorts of different colours. I was invited in and the chap was happy for me to fell a couple of trees for firewood. I sat down and was offered a Bloody Mary which was served from a bucket that he kept in his freezer using an ice cream scoop. Once the details were settled for the wood this chap gave me a mini tour of the house. There was an original Holbein of Thomas More in one room and a Picasso sketch in another.
It was rather a strange experience. The chap was very eccentric.
Peter
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