Does anyone have experiences of, or comments on, MFTs? I just recently made one, and I am finding it very useful, and a lot of fun. If not a replacement for a traditional bench.
I have seen them around, and in various catalogs, but never seriously looked into them. I recently went down the Ron Paulk rabbit hole, and while he is pretty much at the opposite end of the woodworking spectrum from what I do, I was taken by the mobility of his gear, as I like to do dusty work outdoors on nice days.
There are a lot of expensive gizmos with MFTs, but you can get pretty full use of the system, even if you don't have a perfect top, just by figuring out what you really need, and prioritizing a few holes for extreme accuracy. Many of the remaining holes are proximity dogholes and can be drilled with usual workshop accuracy, or a few jigs. It also isn't necessary to pepper the whole surface with holes, for all applications.
If one has other hand skills, or other skills, one can optimize the accuracy of jigs attached to the dog holes, with a few strokes of a plane, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on fences and multitudes of specialty dogs. 3D printing can also make make a lot of accessories that will function just as well as the billet Al ones.
Other than portability, the one I have made replaces the need for a large format table saw for dealing with panels.
MFTs are popular enough in Europe, that pre-drilled, MDF tops are widely stocked.
Some channels to check out:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmartWoodshop/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@NewBritWorkshop
https://www.youtube.com/@10MinuteWorkshop/videos
The photo does not clearly show the hundred plus holes drilled in the top.
MFTs Multi Function Tables
Posts
Re: MFTs Multi Function Tables
Edited #2Tom, I built one about 2 years ago, partly to use for work-holding for power tools (e.g. sanding and routing), and partly as an outfeed for the jointer and tablesaw/slider.
The top is laminated hardwood from the local tool centre. I had someone with a CNC machine up a template for me ...
There is an end vise made of a Record #52 1/2 ...
It helps also serves to house many of the power tools. The end of the bench has a flip-up extension ....
A machinist vise is fitted with dogs ...
Holding awkward angles ...
Article here on work holding: https://www.inthewoodshop.com/Powered%20Tools%20and%20Machinery/MFT6.html
I built a hinge and fence system from aluminium for a Festool saw (brand new 20 year old model!) ...
Hinge build here: https://www.inthewoodshop.com/Powered%20Tools%20and%20Machinery/MFTRailHingeFenceMk2.html
Accurately and quickly set up mitres ..
A good place to use the long shooting board (here to clean up mitred edges for a case) ...
Very handy unit, but it does not come close to replacing my slider.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Re: MFTs Multi Function Tables
#3The plunge router is the way to go for the holes. I drill mine using the PARF guide. The nice thing about the PARF guide is it is OK for building other things, like adding Festool guide holes to my Makita, or make the 30mm guide you used to drill the wholes, or you can drill them with the Festool guide if you want to. It does a lot of things, but drilling MFT in anything other than MDF is a little tedious.
I have 3 milling machines so why I bought a PARF guide (laziness I suspect), is a whole other question.