What is a Festool MFT Table?
In a nutshell, the Festool MFT table, or MFT/3 to be precise, is a multifunctional table that is designed to be used with their track saws (such as the new TS 55 Req), routers, jigsaws, and other tools.
If you’d like to know more about the MFT/3, here’s a quick video that shows its basic use. There are plenty of testimonial videos online, and I also plan on reviewing it.
Why a Festool MFT Table?
I have a smaller work area than I used to. As such, there simply isn’t room for a table saw. I *could* fit a portable jobsite table saw in here, but it’s a hassle to move around, store, and use. Plus, jobsite saws are messy. Even with a dust extractor hooked up, dust and debris go everywhere.
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My hope is that the MFT will help reduce the hassles associated with using a small table saw and miter saw in my small space. As it is now, there are so many hassles that I avoid certain projects.
I already have a TS 55 track saw that I purchased a few years back, but I haven’t used it in a while. Why? Because I don’t have the space to lay down 2 x 4s when I want to break down a sheet of quarter sheet of plywood. I could find a very long extension cord and try to do things outside, but it’s a huge hassle moving tools back and forth.
A while back Festool sent over a router to be tested in conjunction with their CMS router table, and while I’m not all too crazy about the router table, the router is amazing. I fully intend to use the router and my track saw to build some quick plywood boxes as soon as the MFT arrives.
The Festool MFT/3 looks like it should fold up and store away with ease. It should also be able to handle most of my backburnered projects.
Since I already have a Festool track saw, router, and numerous guide rails at my disposal, the MFT multifunction table is a no-brainer. I’ve known this for quite some time, but today was the breaking point when I finally decided to order one.
Why Tool Nut?
I was about to place my order from Amazon, but for some reason the shipping estimate was Friday 1/17. Today’s the 14th, and I should have been seeing a free 2-day shipping estimate. 3-day shipping or longer typically indicates non-UPS or non-FedEx shipping method.
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I gave the folks at Tool Nut a quick call at about 5:30 pm. They picked up on the second or third ring. I asked if they ship the MFT via UPS or truck freight and they said UPS. I was still on Amazon so I added the MFT to my cart (via Tool Nut) and checked out right then and there.
Actually, Tool Nut is the 3rd party Amazon seller I purchased my Festool track saw from back in 2011. I still remember that my order arrived on a Saturday, and the green T-loc latch of the saw’s systainer was nowhere to be found. I called them up, and they were as friendly as could be. While on the phone I found the latch inside the systainer, so no replacement or spare parts were needed. While I don’t order all of my Festool tools via Tool Nut, that experience left a lasting impression.
I have had issues with damaged and defective Festool systainers from Amazon in the past, and so these days I try to order them from Tool Nut through Amazon whenever possible. I figure that they sell a greater quantity of systainers and are more familiar with them, and so theoretically they know to treat and package them better.
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(I ordered my incoming Festool MFT/3 from Tool Nut via Amazon.)
Now, if you excuse me, I have some cleaning up to do. The MFT legs fold down, but not to the size of a stamp. I figure I have 3 days to clear a spot for it.
John S
I highly recommend http://bobmarinosbesttools.com – he packs things incredibly well. I actually just grabbed an mft/3 myself and am really pumped about it – it is very, very impressive.
fred
Thanks for providing this source. I may give them a try. Since Festool prices are fixed – it all comes down to who provides good service, free shipping and perhaps no-sales tax. I’ve bought Festool products from Coastal Tool, Hartville Tool and Tyler Tool – and have been satisfied with them too.
Stuart
I tend to order from Amazon despite the sales tax they now collect in my state. In this case, my main reason for ordering from Tool Nut is the customer service and potential for fewer headaches.
When I bought my Festool sander, most of the consumables came from Tool Nut, except for a custom assortment that I ordered from Tool Home.
Matt
I’ve heard others say that an MFT/3 wouldn’t be large enough for breaking down full sheets. Like you, my shop space is small and I don’t have a lot of room – dealing with full sheets is a pain. I’m really looking forward to hearing how the MFT/3 works, I’m close to purchasing the TS55R and am going back and forth between coupling it with a CT26 or an MFT/3.
Stuart
I work with quarter sheets when possible. With full-size sheets, I would get them rough cut at the lumberyard or home improvement store.
My Festool first purchase was for the TS55 and CT26. I considered the MFT/3 at the time, but considered dust collection to be much more important.
RKA
Matt, the MFT3 can be had with a discount when bundled with the TS55 saw. The dust extractors can be bundled with many of Festool’s offering to get the discount. Keep that in mind if you know you’re going to be purchasing more Festools and want to maximize any available discounts.
From a practical standpoint the TS55 and MFT3 are a really nice pair. If you have a shop vac you could connect for dust extraction, I would recommend going that route and consider a dust extractor later.
Dutchie
Don’t forget to get yourself some bench dogs/qwas dogs/precision dogs to compliment it! I’m personally especially fond of the so called ‘rail dogs!’ Never been so easy to cut perfectly square…
Stuart
There are a few things on my radar – Festool’s MFT stabilizer legs, Veritas’s MFT clamping components, and Veritas’s “Parf” dogs. I’m trying to take it slow for now.
John S
The list of accessories one might want is pretty extensive… But now that I have one MFT, I have to warn you… You just might want a second one 🙁 🙁 🙁 Then you really will fully support any and every sheet you might encounter. Just try to forget it is 1k later…
Allen
Holy Jebus, $625 for a flat spot ? Woodworking skills are improved by your use of ingenuity.
Stuart
A flat spot that enables parallel and perpendicular cuts with ease.
Allen
I guess I’m not their target audience, nice to look though.
fred
I like my TS55REQ very much for breaking down sheet goods – but then switch to my old Unisaw (has a sliding table) for accurate and repeatable crosscutting. My table saw, jointer, router table, drill press and scroll saw are all in a basement shop (accessed through a double-wide stairway and Bilco Doors) – but my mitersaw, surface planer and band saw are in a garage shop – and I break down sheet goods prior to bringing them into the basement. I toyed with the idea of buying an MFT for the garage – but wasn’t sure. Do you find that yours produces accurate and repeatable results – say for making a series of drawers or cabinet fronts?
Stuart
Mine’s still en route, but from what I’ve seen, once adjusted and calibrated it should be accurate and repeatable enough for cabinetry. I watched a LOT of videos and read numerous testimonials and reviews in the past two years and again recently before finally pulling the trigger.
fred
Thanks
Maybe an update – once you’ve had a chance to use it for a while?
My 40 year old Unisaw is still pretty much dead on – but a table like this might add some new options.
Stuart
Truth be told, I would probably want a Unisaw instead of an MFT, but I imagine that if I ever have the space for a table saw, the MFT will still prove to be useful for certain things.
Stuart
Sorry Fred, my initial review will have to wait…
Instead of the 495462 MFT/3 that comes with accessories, Tool Nut sent the basic one, 495888. I spent a few minutes on the phone with them and was told to email the sales manager, and am now waiting to hear back.
Seems they had a few going out at once and maybe someone who ordered a basic MFT/3 will be getting the fully featured one.
I know they’ll make it right, but argh! I wanted to get some initial testing done this weekend.
Update: A mint condition rail and accessories are being taken off the floor model and will be heading out with UPS this afternoon. If I’m not happy with the condition, they’ll send replacements. They wanted me to have everything complete as soon as possible, which is what I want to.
I’ll update once everything arrives.
(As of now, I am still happy I ordered via Tool Nut. If I ordered from Amazon, I wouldn’t have gotten the table until tomorrow anyways, and they wouldn’t have been so helpful with the resolution.)
Stuart
Update: the accessories weren’t exactly mint to my standards, and I was worried that I would forever blame any inaccuracies or miscuts on the slight wear or damage here and there that I observed. The sales manager at Festool Products sent new replacements a day later, and the entire situation was resolved favorably.
Evan Wiens
I would love to hear an update on your thoughts about the table, and what justifies the price for a beginner woodworker.
Stuart
Honestly, it’s not a good buy for beginner woodworkers. It’s really best used in conjunction with Festool power tools and guide rails, which certainly aren’t for beginners. Most Festool tools should NOT be a beginner’s first purchase, in my opinion.
I haven’t used it as much as I had hoped to (yet), but it’s seen some good use and the only reason I haven’t used it more is because of a serious lack of project time.
The MFT is a great accessory bench, and I suppose it can be used as a general purpose folding workbench, but depending on what you want to do there might be cheaper options that work almost as well.
What kinds of tasks or projects were you hoping to use it for?
Evan Wiens
Wow! Looks like we got quite a response out of my question, thanks for all the advice!
I probably should have given you a little more info when I first asked the question. I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself as a beginner as far as skills. I have quite a bit of experience in terms of construction and basic furniture making. What I want to get more into is the finer side of woodworking and possibly some side jobs for things like trim work and basic contract work. Why I called myself a beginner was because I am pretty much starting from scratch with buying tools. I am finishing up my college degree and no longer live at home, so I no longer have use of all the tools I had available to me there.
I recognize the table would not make since without there other tools. I would plan on buying it with their track saw. Another thing that is important to me is portability and tools that can be used for more than one purpose. That why I think this setup might make the most sense for me.
Stuart
Well, I sort of spring boarded from your question into a related but different one.
The MFT works very well with the track saw. Speaking as someone who works out of a small space, the MFT’s portability is quite nice. It definitely beats having to clear a bench or work on 2×4 risers on the floor. It’s easy to hide out of the way, although I had to dedicate a tool box in order to keep most of the accessories portable.
If you wanted to use it for hand planing and fine joinery, I’d tell you that it can be used, but isn’t the best solution.
Oh, and what justifies the MFT’s price… For me it was the ability to more quickly setup cuts. Parf dogs (a not-too-pricey 3rd party accessory) can be quicker for 90° cuts, but the accessories that come with the complete kit, such as the protractor/miter gauge head, are indispensable.
The MFT is pricey, but there isn’t any way that I know of to mirror its functionality with less expensive 3rd party solutions.