Drill an MFT top using an MFT top as a template

[seanf]

So I have a CNC drilled MFT top, sized to fit the Festool MFT3, that I use on some trestles as a simple workbench. The holes are all in good condition. I’m now looking at building a custom workbench to fit my space and requirements and want to include the holes in the top. I was looking at the Parf Guide, but it is a pricey investment that would see little use for me after this project, so thought I would gauge people’s opinions on simply using the MFT top I have as a template and using a forstner bit to drill through my new top (most likely MDF of some sort) using each hole as a guide. Am I potentially setting myself up for trouble or does this all seem easy as long as I source an accurately sized, quality bit? And… does anyone have a recommendation for such a bit please?

Thanks

Sean

 

[Spectric]

Odds on your existing MFT top would get damaged and it might be hard to get the level of accuracy you need. The solution I would use is to buy these revision dogs from axminster . Now you can drill pilot holes in the right place without damage to get a 3mm hole at each location. Next issue is drilling these out to 20mm at 90° to the surface.

https://www.axminstertools.com/ujk-...7359?queryID=316b93f8a449072f261cb526e24bba01

 

[seanf]

Brilliant suggestion there, thank you Roy! I see they do also sell the bit from the Parf Guide set. So yes, the question becomes could I repeatedly, accurately drill the holes 90° from the surface of the top. Any suggestions there from anyone please? Otherwise if the solution is just to buy more and more items it may just be easier to invest in the guide

Sean

 

[Spectric]

Many of us thinking about MFT tops and 20mm holes have gone through a similar thought process as yourself. The most accurate 20mm hole would be done either using a router or drill press. The directions I looked at were the template jig where you use a router and guide bush, here you must have the cutter centred otherwise eccentricity could be introduced and errors. Then you have the LR32 Festool system which is very expensive, FC tools do a jig and router sled that allows you to drill a standard tracksaw rail to be an LR32 rail but not viable unless you have other uses for one and then you look at the Parf guide system as not being that bad for the money, especially if you think of the MFT top as a consumable and that you will find many uses for smaller jigs with the 20mm holes. I have one on a woodrat that allows me to present work at fixed angles and you may have an MFT top on the bench but having an apron on the front of the bench allows you to work with the workpiece upright. So it might sound like a bit of an outlay that spends a lot of it's life on a shelf but you can make as many as you like.

One last solution is that you could just buy the tops from Benchdogs,

https://benchdogs.co.uk/collections/mft-tops

but the one top cost around the same as the Parf guide so a decision to be made.

 

[Bingy man]

using @Spectrics method above as long as you can accurately clamp your template mft top to your mdf or whatever then the only other tool would be a decent drill guide to get the pilot holes accurately placed then the s as me approach to enlarge them to 20 mm ..

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I like the idea of using the Axminster inserts to space the holes. But ask yourself how you like to use a MFT - do you really need all the holes, and accurately set out? If you are mainly using a hinged track for sawing, then the holes need to be set up for a fence, and a few holes here-and-there for clamps. Alternately, if you rely on the dogs to position work, the holes need to be exact.

Regards from Perth

Derek