Would you be interested in a Height-Adjustable MFT? Let us know!

[Administrator_JSVN]

Festool is constantly refining and optimizing product designs to suit the needs of our customers.  We are considering the development of a height-adjustable MFT and would like your feedback.

Complete our online survey to share your opinions and insight on the option of height adjustment on the MFT Multifunction Table and how you would best make use of it. This gives you the opportunity to be directly involved in influencing the design process. The survey is open to everyone, regardless of country.

Feel free to use this thread to discuss the subject and ask questions but please be sure to complete the survey so we can capture your valuable input.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I'd want one, if only to be able to use the MFT as an outfeed/infeed table or as support for pieces on a drill press, etc.  

If I could use it as a scaffold (a la the Vika bench) that would be awesome too.

 

[RONWEN]

Especially if it's backward upgradeable.

 

[dbworkshop]

Good idea.  I could see myself adjusting it lower for doing cabinet assembly and higher for tasks like routing.  The only thing is that it needs to be as stiff as the current model MFT.

Not to  [dead horse] but, I need a CMS long before I need an adjustable MFT.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I really don't see the need.

It is a certain height for a reason, it works with the other stuff (kapex/mft/3/kapex extensions).

I guess whatever floats your boat though.

 

[fdengel]

I would see the primary benefit as being able to match the height to other NON-festool supports and tools in order to make it more flexible when working in combination -- such as using sawhorses to support things off the end of an MFT, maybe?

 

[jmbfestool]

I totally agree!  I dont see the need in height adjustment.  Like Warner said it works with the Ug Kapex extensions.  I would prefer if they made some new legs for the UG left and right arm supports adjustable at the moment you just move them in and out to adjust the height but its very small  having the ability to adjust the length of the legs on the Ug arms would be brilliant!

I think making the MFT height adjustable would just increase the weight and I don't seen any benefits really for me

JMB

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The comments are good so far, thanks. Just make sure that we capture your opinions using the survey, even if your opinion is that this functionality would not be beneficial.

 

[AdamM]

My back would love an adjustable MFT!  I'm currently brainstorming on a way to put my recently acquired 1080 on stilts.  [smile]

Don't worry Shane, I filled out the survey too. [tongue]

 

[Frank Pellow]

As I said in the survey: "I already do adjust the heights of my MFTs by employing a set of custom fitting shims under the legs.  Right now, I have three different sets of these shims, each set raising the MFT to a different height."

 

[Nespresso]

My back also would stop screaming after a long day in the garage.  I would also be able to turn my MFT into a nice infeed table for my table saw. 

 

[grobin]

Being able to adjust so its level on uneven ground would be great.  Adjustment to match non-Festool tables is a major use for me.  The idea of being able to use it as a scaffold has appeal but I don't know that I ever would.

 

[Alan m]

i like the idea of an adjustable mft but dont see the need for it to be infinitly variable. i think a few selectable heights might work ok and have a leveling foot under each leg to allow for uneven floors.

ridgidity will be a big factor with this.

 

[Wonderwino]

My back would love an adjustable MFT!  I'm currently brainstorming on a way to put my recently acquired 1080 on stilts.   [smile]

Don't worry Shane, I filled out the survey too. [tongue]

Roger Savatteri raised his MFT180s by placing inverted flower pots that had a recessed base under the legs, raising the tables about 6".  They were quite stable.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Great idea.  I have been thinking about making a small "benchtop bench" to place on my mft or cabinetmakers bench to raise the work to near eye level for detail work such as dovetails, inlays, etc.  When I have a chair standing, I need to work in a range of about 40 inches, something like this would help a lot.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....I think making the MFT height adjustable would just increase the weight and I don't seen any benefits really for me

JMB

I can see some usefulness in an adjustable table but adding weight isn't a good thing in my book. 

 

[Jamie_MA]

Outfeed from Planer and Bandsaw would be nice to have in. Scaled height setting and secure locking mechanism would be a plus. Backward upgradeable would be tough but a certainly a nice touch also.

 

[bhendrix]

I would absolutely love adjustable height MFT.  Here is my reply to how I would use them and what else I would like to see:

How I would use them:

1 - Infeed and outfeed tables for table saw
2 - Infeed, outfeed, AND machine stand for portable planer, like the SYSPLANER.   [tongue]
3 - Assembly/work table - lower for taller cabinets, etc, higher for close up work
4 - Adjustable paint/finish table (would love to have protective cover, too)
5 - Alternate to MFT/Kapex.  Larger Kapex table would provide larger area for tools and wood.  This would provide more stable platform for Kapex with right and left extensions attached.  The extensions could be supported from the table sides and an outrigger from the crossmember between the MFT legs up to the extension.  Put this MFT on wheels and you now have mobile saw station with extensions.

What else I would like to see:

Wheels!!  Quality locking casters (like those on systainer cart or sysport would be welcome additions.

Interconnection:  the ability to lock MFTs together (even at different heights) and move as a unit would be welcome.  The ability to precisely align holes between adjacent MFTs.

Lower shelf spanning between cross members on the legs for storage.  How about a CT on the shelf under a mobile Kapex station.  Faster, easier, smarter.   ;D

Ease and uniformity of adjustment:  would be nice to adjust both left legs (or both right legs) with a single adjustment/crank.  Should be able to make quick, precise (more or less) height adjustments.

Storage cart for multiple MFTs. Cart could be an MFT, too.

I already own three MFT.  If these modifications were available, I would modify all three I currently own, PLUS buy and additional two.  If no retro-mod is available, I will buy additional three new.

 

[BigHonu]

I do not own an MFT yet, though my $.000002

Generally speaking, I like to keep things as simple as possible as the more complex something gets, the more likely it is to fail.  Festool seems to show a consistent ability to engineer well thought out tools.  So I am less inclined to be worried about short or long term reliability issues.

So, I would be interested ias long as the impact to the MFT's portability and stowability (is that even a word?) is minimal, and provided that the table remains sturdy.  Adjustability makes it a more versatile tool IMO.

 

[Dan Clark]

Shane,

I would love to get a new MFT, but I don't want one that can't match the height of my old MFT 1080.  If I could get a set of adjustable legs for my old MFT, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. 

One of the massive benefits of the Festool system is its flexibility - the ability to mix and match a set of tools and accessories to custom-fit a specific set of needs.  But then you have standard height MFTs.  That doesn't fit the Festool ethic.  The MFT's need to become more flexible to fit in with the system.

Another issue is individual height.  I think that Christian is somewhere north of 6' 6".  I'm a bit south of 5' 6".  You think he and I would feel comfortable using the same bench?  Yes, he can bend over and I can stretch a bit.  But you think we'll be comfortable? 

Height Adjustable MFTs, especially if we can retro-fit old ones, would be great!

Regards,

Dan.