Work Station design MFT/3 with DW745?

[mparka]

Hello,

I have been trolling on the FOG for a few months now but didn't think I truly qualified as a Festool Owner since I only owned OF1400 and haven't even broken out a rail out of the box yet.  Today, it all changed thanks to Bob and his quick shipping.  Now I am a proud owner of a Festool system with MFT/3 and TS 55!

I have been dreaming of setting up a half of 2 car garage workshop properly.  I am planning on building a workstation with DeWalt benchtop table saw next to MFT/3 as either a outfeed table or extension (leaning towards extension).  I have searched this forum as well as other related woodworking forum but have not found any one who has done something similar.  Can anyone provide me inspiration?  I am most likely going to draw this up using sketchup when I get the chance but any inspiration would be helpful before I start pretending to be artistic.

Thanks! 

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Haven't done this, but I agree with you that it would be more practical as an extension (on the side) rather than an outfeed (behind the tablesaw).

The reason is that you may want to use a miter gauge with your TS that has a rail that fits in the miter slot.  Your outfeed would need dados cut in it to accomodate the rail.  Same idea with crosscut sleds, finger joint jigs, etc.  You definitely don't want to cut a dado into your MFT/3. [eek]

But, you could make a sysport for your systainers that could double as an outfeed table. [cool]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have been trolling on the FOG for a few months now but

Welcome to the FOG mparka. But trolling?  [blink] Are you sure you know what trolling on the internet is?  [tongue]

 

[Brice_Arnold]

Sorry no photos from my end but I kind of have similar aspirations. I would like to use my MFT as an out-feed table for my cabinet saw. To optimize space though, I would like to use the MFT as just a table top that mounts to a cabinet with the legs folded up or removed. I don't know if you can still get clamps into the holes without the legs removed. The cabinet would have various storage solutions from drawers to as sysport style systainer organizer.

Just an idea if you go that route.

 

[waho6o9]

Mr.  CRPaulk made a great table with a dewalt table saw that might give you some ideas.  [smile]

Ultimate Work Bench Plans (PROMO)

 

[waho6o9]

THE ULTIMATE WORKBENCH

here's another one

Welcome to the FOG Mparka!

 

[JSands]

Paul is a creative genius...kudos...
Festool attracts the best

 

[mparka]

Here is the Sketchup I worked out over the weekend.  Sister-in-law is in town and was forced to play the tour guide role of NYC all weekend so this is fast and dirty and have not built it actually yet.
[attachthumb=#]

Tried to stay in metric for this build.  Left side is for the table top saw to sit and with a built in down draft DC connection.  Right, I want to raise the MFT3 a little higher to have bit of storage space under the work space.  If I measured right, working top surface should be completely leveled between table saw top and the MFT.

The whole thing will be sitting on top of 4.5" (total height) casters for mobility in my small garage.

 

[Alan m]

idea loks good. lets see some pics when its done

 

[mparka]

Forgot to add back side view.  more slot for systainer to fit under the MFT.

[attachthumb=#]

 

[Deke]

mparka, I am very hurt. I posted pics long ago of my MFT as an outfeed for both my contractor saw and prior to that my Bosch 4000 saw. I'll get over it.  [big grin] Here it is:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/mft-and-table-saw-working-together/

Nothing fancy, but it was easy to make little spacers to lift up the MFT to reach the height I needed with the Bosch on it's "Gravity Rise." You seem to be looking for something much more involved. Just my two cents, but I spent a lot of time thinking about this, then decided it was a better option to get a bigger table saw.

 

[mparka]

mparka, I am very hurt. I posted pics long ago of my MFT as an outfeed for both my contractor saw and prior to that my Bosch 4000 saw. I'll get over it.  [big grin] Here it is:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/mft-and-table-saw-working-together/

Nothing fancy, but it was easy to make little spacers to lift up the MFT to reach the height I needed with the Bosch on it's "Gravity Rise." You seem to be looking for something much more involved. Just my two cents, but I spent a lot of time thinking about this, then decided it was a better option to get a bigger table saw.

Deke,

I did see your picture but I don't really have the space for a larger table saw and based on my current projects and work flow (breaking down sheets and mostly cabinet, table building or around the house work where too many things are still original 1966 built) is sufficient with small table saw.  Most of the time, the table saw will work as an extension to the MFT than the other way around.

Also, I have at most 2 hours per night to setup and work on any project.  Anything to reduce setup time is more fun time for me; hence one station with wheels so that I can just pull it away from the wall. 

 

[score0matic]

i would argue not to attach them or to use the MFT as an outfeed.

The 745 is an awesome little saw and the MFT is an excellent work table but it is "small"  and it is used for everything  if you attach the 2 you may find your self frustrated  because you will need to clear the MFT  EVERY time you need to rip a piece.  the 745 is the perfect companion to the railsaw, it's cuts  are beautiful and it can stand daily contractor abuses .  there are 2 great reasons for buying that saw 1. portable 2.small footprint  by mounting this saw you may negate both of these advantages. 
I have several times had to overcome my desire to make mine into more than what it is BEST at.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Couple thoughts on your design.  First, unless you use a steel frame for a base you are probably going to have a problem with sagging so you might want to consider a bigger base unit.  Second your design is long and narrow, which may be good for some operations but will be tough with sheet goods.  You may find that turning the MFT so that the short side backs to the saw to be a better configuration.  You could build a extension wing to the right to make the saw side the same width as the MFT and maybe put a router in there.  Speaking of sheetgoods, how do you plan to break them down?  Lay spoil boards over the whole deal or use a separate station?  Is your downdraft going to be hooked up to a DC or are you using a vac based system?  If your using a vac make sure you build a cabinet for it in the bench.

 

[semenza]

Hi mparka,

A slightly belated welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

I think you have been lurking not trolling 

You will definetly get inspiration, ideas , and good advice here.

Seth

 

[mparka]

Couple thoughts on your design.  First, unless you use a steel frame for a base you are probably going to have a problem with sagging so you might want to consider a bigger base unit.  Second your design is long and narrow, which may be good for some operations but will be tough with sheet goods.  You may find that turning the MFT so that the short side backs to the saw to be a better configuration.  You could build a extension wing to the right to make the saw side the same width as the MFT and maybe put a router in there.  Speaking of sheetgoods, how do you plan to break them down?  Lay spoil boards over the whole deal or use a separate station?  Is your downdraft going to be hooked up to a DC or are you using a vac based system?  If your using a vac make sure you build a cabinet for it in the bench.

I am thinking about putting multiple casters so that it is supported by 6 to 8 casters.  Underside frame is planned to be 2x4 frame with lots and lots of lag screws and wood screws.  Thought about going with an I-frame to support the weight but I got lazy and wanted more storage space under.

I did think about the configuration you are suggesting but the space I have available is long and narrow (half of 2 car garage).  Not enough space for a permanent outfeed table for the table saw side and I didn't want the table to interfere with guide rail mount articulation on the MFT.  Thinking of putting a temporary saw horse based outfeed table when needed.

As for Sheet goods, I'm cutting it currently over a saw horse with 2x4s and an insulation foam.  I don't think I will need to change that anytime soon as it is relatively painless and quick to setup.

As for downdraft table.  I have a HF DC with Wynn canister filter that I am planning on laying a 5" pipe throughout the garage to collect chips from 6.5" jointer and a Dewalt CMS.  Currently must moving the DC around and hooking up to each tool when I use them.

I started cutting the parts for the table based on the drawing above.  Hopefully I can finish cutting during the week days this week and assemble on the weekend.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

More than 4 castors might be a problem if your garage floor is not very flat.  If you stick with your design I would change the side between the MFT and tablesaw to be two sides vs one.  It would help with rigidity and allow you to modify w/o taking everything apart.  Basically make it two cabinets screwed together, your assembly will be easier as well.

 

[mparka]

More than 4 castors might be a problem if your garage floor is not very flat.  If you stick with your design I would change the side between the MFT and tablesaw to be two sides vs one.  It would help with rigidity and allow you to modify w/o taking everything apart.  Basically make it two cabinets screwed together, your assembly will be easier as well.

I did think about putting double wall in the middle but figured a backing for each opening running in the middle of the cabinet (bisecting the depth of the cabinet) would provide the added rigidity.

I am about to excavate the garage floor for geothermal installation.  I will be making sure the garage floor is perfectly level after that so I didn't think the multiple caster would be an issue.

Thanks for your advice so far.