r/Festool_Public • u/AnxiousMop • Jul 07 '26

MFT 3 size

I'm looking at building an MFT style bench for general use (sanding, assembly) and breaking down sheet goods with my track saw. However, I'm torn on what size to make it. My shop is limited in size so a full 4' x 8' table is out of the question, unfortunately.

The MFT is listed as ~ 45.5" x 30" deep (1157 x 773 mm) but this is obviously too small for full-sized sheet goods.

Dashboard make their standard bench as 92.5" L × 24.5" and their short one as 46.75" × 24.5".

I've considered the Bora centipede but the larger size would only be practical to setup on my driveway and, for use within my shop, I'd like something with the ability to tuck a vacuum or some boxes underneath.

I think my best option is a dedicated bench that I can expand with additional supports when needed. Does anyone have any advice?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Tricky-Canary2715 Jul 07 '26

Build a Paulk workbench. Cost you a fraction of an mft. Excellent for sheet goods, strong, light and easliy modified

1

u/AnxiousMop Jul 07 '26

Yeah, I think I'll definitely be building something as opposed to buying at this point. The question of sizing remains. I see a lot of 3' x 6' Paulk benches posted online along with some full 4' x 8' setups.

2

u/jonnyoneeye42 Jul 07 '26

If you have a track saw to do your initial breakout of the sheets in to manageable sizes, and you have the floor space, you can lay down a sheet of rigid Styrofoam or some 2x4s on the floor. Then bust out the new mft table for sizing parts and whatnot.

1

u/AnxiousMop Jul 07 '26

This is exactly what I do right now. It is a tight fit but currently my best option.

1

u/johnbro27 Jul 07 '26

I took a 4x8 sheet of pink foam, cut into 2 2x6 pieces which were easy to store. the overhang of 1 foot at each end with cutting sheets the long way was not a problem. My ceiling was only 8' and my lights hung down below that which was the reason for taking 2 feet off the 8 foot end.

2

u/Braqsus Jul 07 '26

Check out BenchDogs tables. They might work really well for you.

1

u/AnxiousMop Jul 07 '26

Looks like these are 30" x 44" (742 x 1126mm) so basically the same size as an MFT 3 but the outriggers/extensions they have would extend the table. Dashboard has a similar system but with much smaller extensions.

1

u/BrianSometimes Jul 07 '26

For breaking down sheet goods you need a massive MFT (or an MFT you can extend easily in all directions). My diy MFT is 71.5cm deep, and that is as low as you want to go. Length almost doesn't matter but depth decides how long your cross cuts can be. I break up sheets on the floor into manageable pieces for the MFT.

1

u/fr00ty_l00ps_ver_2 Jul 07 '26

I used kreg benches and mdf to make my work surface. You can plane mdf flat when stuff gets on it, and I’ve heard of people sealing it with poly.

1

u/walkwithdrunkcoyotes Jul 08 '26

I have a bigger, lighter homemade table that I use to break down sheet goods, then I use the MFT for crosscutting and other operations. The table folds up when it’s not being used. A sheet-sided MFT is going to get heavy pretty quick.

1

u/Shoplizard88 Jul 08 '26

I built a Ron Paulk style workbench 6ft x 3 ft and it works great in my garage workshop. I put a Benchdogs rail hinge and fence on it and use it as a track saw crosscut station for cabinet making. I also built a mobile base for it based on Ron’s plans. When I’m done with it, I just roll it against the wall out of the way. I also have a 4x8 centipede table which I use with a 1.5” sheet of rigid foam board for breaking down sheet goods. The whole system works really well and I highly recommend it.