Building a MFT

**derekcohen** · 12th December 2022, 03:17 AM

While I have a Roubo-style workbench and prefer hand tools ...

... and have a Hammer K3 slider to take care of rip- and crosscutting ...

... it has dawned on me that that a MFT (multifunction table) would provide more than just another option for (track) sawing or hand planing - it could provide an ideal small assembly bench as well as a bench for holding small parts for routing and sanding. The balance was tipped when I recently acquired a (new) Festool AT 65EB track saw ... 20 years old but used once or twice at most.

I built a small workbench in solid timber: 1200 x 600mm pine frame and merbau top (all from Bunnings - about $50-6$0 altogether. The top is laminated, ready-made). Although I have a Domino, the construction was traditional mortice-and-tenon. Since the top was not quite the standard MFT size, it was necessary that I drill the 20mm holes. These were to be 96mm apart, as with the Festool MFT. Note that Carbatec sell a similar-sized, ready-made MFT top in MDF by Bora for $125. Buying this does not open the opportunity to make replacements.

There are basically two methods to make one's own: the UFK Parf guide (drill), and the Trend template (router). The cheaper Trend template is $300 in Australia. Fortunately, I was offered the opportunity to make a template by a Nick from this forum, who has a CNC. This went one better than the Trend, by doubling it in size. The template has 30mm holes and is used with a guide bush and 20mm router bit to create the 20mm holes.

The bench top was prepared by ensuring all sides were square, and then the template was squared to the front and right side ...

My old Elu router is at least 25 years old. It used a 30mm Trend guide bush fitted into a custom made adapter ..

The router bit is a Trend 20mm ...

I was also very pleased to see how well the dust collection worked. The Elu did not come with dust collection - this was not important 25 years ago! - and I adapted the fitting from a Dewalt to fit it.

Once all the holes were routed ...

... the template needed to be moved to complete the bench top. This was facilitated by two dogs which Nick had thoughtfully made for this purpose ...

The dogs are fitted into the existing holes to align the pattern ...

The remaining holes were drilled.

It only then occurred to me to check the bench top for flat - I should have done this earlier, although the top was flat when I first put it together. There was a 0.5mm gap at the centre, and I decided to plane it flat ...

The top was then sanded(80 grit) ...

... all is flat ...

The holes received a fine chamfer ...

... and the right side was bevelled at 20 degrees.

The reason for this is that the bench will also act as a outfeed for the jointer/thicknesser-planer and sliding tablesaw ...

Finally, the top received a coat of flat poly to protect it during glue-ups ..

Thanks for watching. I will return once a fence is built, and show the various work-holding methods.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**woodPixel** · 12th December 2022, 12:29 PM

I'd wager Nick could sell those big templates and dogs to us

**markharrison** · 12th December 2022, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I'd wager Nick could sell those big templates and dogs to us

100% !!

There's a ready market for this right now!

**derekcohen** · 12th December 2022, 07:27 PM

I agree. However, also factor in the 20mm router bit and a 30mm bushing.

I have updated some of the details, such as the Bora MFT top at Carbatec ($125, currently on special for $99). How long should a MDF top last? I guess that depends on how you use it. What this space for further build details.

One alternative is the Festool MFT table complete at $1595

Regards from Perth

Derek

**pippin88** · 12th December 2022, 09:57 PM

Derek,

Glad it worked out.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I'd wager Nick could sell those big templates and dogs to us

I am in the lucky position where I earn far more per hour in my day job than I could ever earn from something like this. (Derek did cover material/postage costs).

So my hobbies will thus remain what most hobbies are: huge money pits...

(I was very happy to be able to help out Derek, who has contributed so much here and other places. I've learnt a lot from reading his posts and particularly his website.)

**derekcohen** · 12th December 2022, 10:10 PM

Hi Nick

My thanks to you once again. You did a superb job!!

Today I discovered why there were two extra holes between the holes. I had scratched my head before, not recalling any discussion here. What happened today was that I was planning/deciding where to place a sacrificial strip for the track saw blade. If I placed the track against two dogs, the resulting cut would slice through a row of dog holes. What was needed was an extra set of dog holes (against which the track would rest) between the dog holes! And there you have it - now I can rout these!

I will explain later in pictures.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**GraemeCook** · 30th December 2022, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

... I have updated some of the details, such as the Bora MFT top at Carbatec ($125, currently on special for $99). How long should a MDF top last? I guess that depends on how you use it. What this space for further build details. ...

My MDF topped assembly bench is now ten years old - looks horrible to very horrible - but still works well.

IMG_0058.JPG IMG_0059.JPG

The end flap is incredibly useful and worth thinking about. I added the rigging screws for stability and so I could adjust the angle to precisely 90 degrees.

**derekcohen** · 30th December 2022, 04:14 PM

Thanks Graeme. This has been one other design feature I am planning to do. Great minds and all that.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Charlie_6ft** · 1st January 2023, 10:10 PM

Hey Derek, have you got a post building your Roubo-style workbench? Any more pics - love it

**derekcohen** · 2nd January 2023, 12:02 AM

Hi Charlie

There are two series. This first is building the bench. The second is building the underbench cabinet.

Scan down the respective Index pages ...

Building a Roubo bench (2012): Shop Made Tools

Underbench cabinet - a drawer design and making opus (2020/1): Furniture

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Tonyz** · 2nd January 2023, 08:35 AM

ignorance time....
what does MFT stand for?

**Tonyz** · 2nd January 2023, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Tonyz

ignorance time....
what does MFT stand for?

multi function table

Ive got one of those its got chrome metal legs and a green formica top, it get used for all sorts of stuff. making things, cleaning tool, repairing car parts, repotting table for wifes garden, when you finish one job sweep everything left to one end where rubbish bin sits.

**derekcohen** · 2nd January 2023, 11:52 AM

Yes, Multi Function Table. Made by Festool. Here is a link to their model …

MFT 3 Multifunction Table Set

Regards from Perth

Derek

**woodg62** · 2nd January 2023, 06:43 PM

Somewhat off topic, but do the holes in an MFT go all the way through?
Glenn

**jack620** · 2nd January 2023, 09:38 PM

Yes they do. You can insert F-clamps through the holes.

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