Author Topic: MFT 3 ideas for small shop (Read 28299 times)

TheSergeant · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2018, 02:11 PM »

THese are some great mods. The fact that they're necessary really frustrates me. I've owned 3 MFTS, which all gone now, as I made an MFTC that is much, much better. These mods also really highlight the major issues with the MFT3 and the need for a major redesign/upgrade. $720 for something that you have to modify the heck out of is crazy. I'm tempted to go off on a rant here but won't.

Excellent work OP for adapting the system to suite your needs.

Mgildersleeve · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2018, 06:19 PM »

A great upgrade. Nice work.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2018, 08:18 AM »

@TheSergeant What mods do you think are necessary?

The MFT is a portable work table that facilitates using the tracksaw at a job site. No modifications are required for that.

Did you expect to use the MFT for a different purpose?

cubevandude · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2018, 01:11 PM »

Quote from: Hal M on March 24, 2018, 09:54 AM

Quote from: cubevandude on March 24, 2018, 08:59 AM
I really like this idea. I do not have the Festool hinge for the track as I have a Makita. Does anyone have an idea how to make a hinge to work with this if they do not have the Festool setup as shown?

I spent a little time on 8020 working up a hinge with a plate. After using the Festool plate and hinge I never ordered anything. You might consider ordering the parts from Festool parts catalogue. I can’t seem to copy the link from my iPad but google Ekat Festool. Lookunder Workplace organization then MFT3.

Do you think something like this would work? 15 Series Universal Standard Structural Pivot
https://8020.net/shop/4356.html
I see your pieces are 10 series though.

Hal M · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2018, 01:16 PM »

Quote from: cubevandude on March 25, 2018, 01:11 PM

Quote from: Hal M on March 24, 2018, 09:54 AM
Quote from: cubevandude on March 24, 2018, 08:59 AM
I really like this idea. I do not have the Festool hinge for the track as I have a Makita. Does anyone have an idea how to make a hinge to work with this if they do not have the Festool setup as shown?

I spent a little time on 8020 working up a hinge with a plate. After using the Festool plate and hinge I never ordered anything. You might consider ordering the parts from Festool parts catalogue. I can’t seem to copy the link from my iPad but google Ekat Festool. Lookunder Workplace organization then MFT3.

Do you think something like this would work? 15 Series Universal Standard Structural Pivot
https://8020.net/shop/4356.html
I see your pieces are 10 series though.

I am happy to reach out to my 8020 salesman and ask him for an idea for the hinge if you would like this week. I used the 10 series because I was trying to minimize space.

cubevandude · « **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2018, 01:30 PM »

I would appreciate that. I do see these are available in 10 series also. A plate on the top with a way to attach the track and it might work.
10 Series Universal Structural Pivot Nub, Part Number: 4186
10 Series “L” Structural Pivot Arm, Part Number: 4149

Here it is assembled:
10 Series Universal Standard Structural Pivot, Part Number: 4156
https://8020.net/4156.html

Sean KS · « **Reply #36 on:** March 25, 2018, 10:41 PM »

I think this pivot would be an option as well.

https://8020.net/shop/14011.html

It would allow you to attach and hinge the Festool rail without any further modifications.

The one thing I don’t know is the height from the top of the linear bearing to the top of the MFT. The pivot I’m recommending could be too tall. Not sure, and I don’t have an actual MFT to check? It’s just shy of 2in tall when the Festool rail is lowered for a cut.

Hal M · « **Reply #37 on:** March 26, 2018, 06:58 AM »

Quote from: Sean KS on March 25, 2018, 10:41 PM

I think this pivot would be an option as well.

https://8020.net/shop/14011.html

It would allow you to attach and hinge the Festool rail without any further modifications.

The one thing I don’t know is the height from the top of the linear bearing to the top of the MFT. The pivot I’m recommending could be too tall. Not sure, and I don’t have an actual MFT to check? It’s just shy of 2in tall when the Festool rail is lowered for a cut.

I actually considered that hinge. My concern was getting more than one connection to the rail so it had a better chance of keeping the rail square. I also thought the wider profile would help it stay square in the vertical plane in the bearing. After using it for a while it may make no difference. I will ask my sales rep today if he is working.

Jig · « **Reply #38 on:** November 27, 2018, 05:28 PM »

Hal M: Thanks for thinking this up as I am ready for this modification to my MFT table. I had forgotten just where this tread was and looked for ever! You can only imagine my frustration of searching the FOG high and low..........!!

Thanks for sharing all your efforts!

Jig

John1102 · « **Reply #39 on:** November 27, 2018, 06:12 PM »

Great idea! 8020 parts are great!

tmm286 · « **Reply #40 on:** November 29, 2018, 12:03 AM »

If you have the CNC file you should Contact the guys at Vonmod - http://vonmod.com/ . They have a huge CNC for a modest fee I'm sure they would crank one our for you in a material of your choosing.

I work for a GC in Denver and contract them frequently for custom work. I recently picked up an MFT and it's already my plan to ask them to make me a new top when mine wears out as I don't feel it's worth my time to do it myself.

cubevandude · « **Reply #41 on:** November 29, 2018, 08:31 AM »

I was wondering if anyone has made this out of the 8020 aluminum instead of using the festool hinge? I ended up going with the UJK Technology Dog Rail Clips and Veritas SS Parf dogs for my Makita saw and Slab top.
I don't have any easy access to 8020.

Grev · « **Reply #42 on:** November 29, 2018, 08:33 AM »

Quote from: tmm286 on November 29, 2018, 12:03 AM

If you have the CNC file you should Contact the guys at Vonmod - http://vonmod.com/ . They have a huge CNC for a modest fee I'm sure they would crank one our for you in a material of your choosing.

This has been covered in other posts .. but just in case you don't have the .dxf files, you can get them via TSO Products for free. TSO offers files for several different sizes of tops, while Seneca woodworking only has the MFT3 replacement top file. Good luck.

Seneca woodworking MFT file

TSO Products MFT files

tmm286 · « **Reply #43 on:** December 16, 2018, 06:40 PM »

Thank you!

I assumed they were floating around. Appreciate the link though! My current MFT top is taking a beating at the moment. Still got the whole other side though.

simonh · « **Reply #44 on:** December 17, 2018, 03:28 AM »

That's pretty slick use of the 80/20 stuff.

thedevme · « **Reply #45 on:** January 18, 2019, 12:38 PM »

Quote from: Hal M on February 18, 2018, 04:53 PM

Quote from: neilc on February 16, 2018, 09:46 PM
Great ideas! Do you have part numbers or a link to the 80/20 linear unit you used?

The 8020 parts were:
Linear bearing 6424 (it came with several shims, maybe 20+. I used 4).
https://8020.net/6424.html

Extrusion 1020 - cut to 9”
https://8020.net/1020.html

I bought a couple of T-nuts. 25-3382
https://8020.net/25-3382.html

I used a couple of 1/4-20 carriage bolts that I filed down to use to attach the linear bearing to the table with a couple of hex nuts. I need to order a T-nut and and maybe a couple of socket cap bolts to replace them. Would make it easier to remove the linear bearing from the table. I couldn’t find anything better locally.

Hope that helps.

@Hal M First of all, thank you for sharing how you built it. I was curious if you ever updated this with the T-nut and socket cap bolts? If so would you mind sharing how you did it and possible show a pic.

Hal M · « **Reply #46 on:** January 18, 2019, 09:45 PM »

Actually I never ended up changing it. I have not taken the bearing off very often. I had actually forgotten that I was going to change them.

dlu · « **Reply #47 on:** January 19, 2019, 12:09 AM »

Part numbers for the Festool MFT rail hinge and front support and the MFT frame profiles, in case anybody is looking:

497022 Support - front rail support
497023 Support unit - rear rail support and hinge
472862 Profile - MFT short (side) extrusion
472862 Profile - MFT long (front and back) extrusion

thedevme · « **Reply #48 on:** January 19, 2019, 12:44 AM »

Quote from: dlu@canishe.com on January 19, 2019, 12:09 AM

Part numbers for the MFT rail supports and profiles, in case anybody is looking:
497022 Support - front rail support
497023 Support unit - rear rail support and hinge
472862 Profile - MFT short (side) extrusion
472862 Profile - MFT long (front and back) extrusion

You mean in addition to the ones from 8020?

dlu · « **Reply #49 on:** January 19, 2019, 01:53 AM »

Quote from: thedevme on January 19, 2019, 12:44 AM

Quote from: dlu@canishe.com on January 19, 2019, 12:09 AM
Part numbers for the MFT rail supports and profiles, in case anybody is looking:
497022 Support - front rail support
497023 Support unit - rear rail support and hinge
472862 Profile - MFT short (side) extrusion
472862 Profile - MFT long (front and back) extrusion

You mean in addition to the ones from 8020?

Yes - those are the Festool numbers for the hinge and front support for cross cutting on an MFT.

thedevme · « **Reply #50 on:** January 25, 2019, 05:59 PM »

@Hal M Thank you I got my parts and implemented with no issues even used socket cap bolts instead to make it easier to remove from the MFT table.

Jack01 · « **Reply #51 on:** February 01, 2019, 09:40 PM »

Hal
Great project, Impressive.
I'm not familiar with 80/20 are they comparable to MFT side tracks( T channels) ?
Can I buy the 2 Guide Rail support from festool and use it on 80/20 tracks.?

Jack01 · « **Reply #52 on:** March 27, 2019, 10:57 AM »

Quote from: tmm286 on November 29, 2018, 12:03 AM

If you have the CNC file you should Contact the guys at Vonmod - http://vonmod.com/ . They have a huge CNC for a modest fee I'm sure they would crank one our for you in a material of your choosing.

I work for a GC in Denver and contract them frequently for custom work. I recently picked up an MFT and it's already my plan to ask them to make me a new top when mine wears out as I don't feel it's worth my time to do it myself.

Did you get in touch with Vonmod ?
I am also interested in getting MFT top .

Hal M · « **Reply #53 on:** March 28, 2019, 03:31 AM »

Quote from: Jack01 on February 01, 2019, 09:40 PM

Hal
Great project, Impressive.
I'm not familiar with 80/20 are they comparable to MFT side tracks( T channels) ?
Can I buy the 2 Guide Rail support from festool and use it on 80/20 tracks.?

By comparable, they are very sturdy and straight. They channels do not line up exactly but I have seen online where people make there own mft tables using 8020 extrusions. You can about build anything with them.

I am sure you can buy the guide support pieces from Festool.

Good luck.

koenbro · « **Reply #54 on:** March 29, 2019, 12:00 AM »

Brilliant ideas, thank you. I have just ordered the 8020 parts to make my own.

ChiknNutz · « **Reply #55 on:** August 13, 2019, 08:45 AM »

The 8020 stuff is great for the structure, another option for linear guides and related stuff is IGUS. Similar to the 8020 guides, the IGUS drylin linear rails have no moving parts and are good for dirty environments. https://www.igus.com/drylin/linear-guide. Just providing the info in case folks don't know about them.

promark747 · « **Reply #56 on:** May 23, 2020, 09:37 PM »

Another shoutout to Hal M for the great idea. I just did the same thing to my custom 80/20 MFT and it's awesome.

Hal M · « **Reply #57 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:03 PM »

Thanks.

I did notice today that finally it seems to not slide up and down quite as easily as it used to. I think a tiny bit of dust got in it. Pulled it out and blew it off and it’s back to just like new.

Hope it works out well for you.