How to Make an MFT Table Top with LR 32

[@TheLastPharm]

Well thought out approach to making a new mft top. I do have one comment to add. Once you have the the holes drilled in the jig and you want to cut the jig to size so that it fits in the table, it is imperative that the sawn edge adjacent to your 5mm holes fits snugly along its length to the inside of the table frame. In this way you’re guaranteed that your hole grid is parallel and perpendicular to the table sides, in addition to the holes being at 90 degrees to one another. This is a particularly important when your jig has a poor fit in the table frame and is off by a mm or more. Makes a big difference! Once again, great video and I’m going to give this a go myself!

[@garethgordon9141]

Excellent video. I was thinking of buying the UJK part guide (I am in the UK) but I have owned an LR32 system since 2008 - Duuuh, talk about hiding in plain sight. Thanks for opening my eyes, it never crossed my mind to use in this way. Thanks for your effort and input. 🤓👍🏻

[@christopher_hawn]

Genius! I never thought of replacing the guide rail on my MFT with the “holey” one, let alone mounting it lengthwise. I had a set-back today in my product development cycle where I had to figure out holes in a piece 37” x 5-1/4” wide. I was envisioning a huge jig to hold them in place, but decided to watch this video to see if it gave me any ideas around this conundrum. And boy, it delivered! Thanks so much for this fine video. Can’t wait to get into the shop tomorrow!

[@lucianocase6982]

instablaster

[@shootsandscoots]

thanks. i like the use of the wooden systainer box to aid in supporting the cut-off.

[@Deltro61]

You look mighty young to have such nice tools! I've been involved in woodworking for 40+ years and still can't afford Festool stuff! From what I can see you're quite talented, and have a very promising future ahead of you! Good luck!.

[@bighands69]

You need to try and find another area of woodworking that pays better.

[@lapisredux]

@@bighands69 like selling mdf boards with holes in to other woodworkers.

[@bigmess201]

Hello from Germany! I really enjoyed your skills, your very well sytematic and smart way to do things, your talent to explain and show things! Keep on with that! That combination of skills, knowledge and absolute good presentation can be your future and get you far! All thumbs way up!

[@agent7agent759]

actually you can accomplish the same technique with the kreg shelf pin jig which has 32mm a part holes with 5mm dia holes and you can buy the drill bushing kit from leevaley and it comes with 20mm drill bit , that how i do my table tops when i have to replace one

[@ffangoria]

Roman Charazian How about doing a video on your technique or explain how its done. Thanks

[@TheRangeControl]

+Kirk Frei that would be nice for us just learning. Anyone can "sharpshoot", we need instruction.

[@deanmartin7593]

Would a router and a panel pilot bit not be quicker? Just use the original top as the template

[@Deltro61]

This is what I did, works fine and you can extend the top after the initial holes are made if you want to go larger than the standard MFT top.

[@DonJohn87_YT]

Man I wish my parents had this amount of quality tools while I was growing up :)

[@toolify]

Ha! I wish my parents had this amount of quality tools too.

[@DonJohn87_YT]

I see now that you're 23, I thought you were WAY younger :P Ironically people used to say that to me as well

[@toolify]

Good problem to have, right? :)

[@DonJohn87_YT]

Toolify In the long run yes, though I found it quite annoying at times so I grew out my beard :P

[@comingsoon4657]

You are not the only one. For sure more than 90% of capitalism countries men will be same like you. and I am walking with you too. :)

[@lindland1]

nice good tip would a 3/4 in wood bid make a hole large enough. Making a l shape work bench with that the mtf hole spacing in it

[@toolify]

+Andrew Lindley - Yeah, 3/4 inch holes should work fine! Most bench accessories are available in 20mm and 3/4" diameter.

[@buzzbabekim]

Very good idea and video…and you are so young…well done!

[@tonyb2955]

A great video series, I really love the quality and the pacing. You have some very nice tools, but even more talent, not just at woodworking, but also as a presenter. Thank you, will subcribe to the channel

[@brysenshiloh8044]

Dunno if anyone gives a shit but last night I hacked my friends Instagram account using Instaplekt. You can find it by Googling xD

[@EcoMouseChannel]

Let's hypothetically say that I want to make my own "pre-punched" track like the LR32 rail, but I will use my mill to make the holes equidistant. What would a good measurement be if I don't want to use millimeters? 32mm is just a we bit further than 1.25" and if I did things on a 1" spacing, could that yield a useful hole set-up for other projects down the road? What would my MFT hole spacing be? Would that mess me up for shelving pin alignment down the road? Reason why I ask, is that I'd like my woodworking bench holes to mirror my welding/fab table's holes of 5/8" (or 16mm) on a 2" grid pattern. That way I can use similar set-ups, and the same clamping tools on each table.

[@toolify]

+Eco Mouse - For shelf pin alignment you would want 32mm - nearly all cabinet hardware I know of relies on the 32mm spacing. The MFT hole spacing is 96mm (3x 32mm). But why not just make yourself a few different rails?

[@cece8844]

Eco Mouse

[@lynardburt5992]

MFT is the center of a pegboard square of a 5 x 5 or I'v heard 4" centers for each 22mm holes

[@augnkn93043]

"What would a good measurement be if I don't want to use millimeters?" You could try centimetres or metres. Kilometres would be silly though.

[@MrPatdeeee]

I have watched your fine video 3 times now, but still I am a bit confused. IE: How do you insure where the FIRST hole is from the edge of the top. It would seem, (I am probably wrong) that ALL your holes are spaced correctly with each other; but are they in the SAME spot overall as the old top? What am I missing here? For I do not see that step being covered. Thanks, patdee

[@toolify]

Thanks for asking, and watching 3 times :) You're right, I didn't cover this part in the video. What I did is take a pencil and trace out the shape of the old/original top when I had it on top of the new one (basically the setup 6:28 of the video). When cutting the new top to final dimension, I laid the guide rail along these pencil lines. That's how I ensured it matches up - might be off by a few thou, but I think it's good enough.

[@TheRangeControl]

Any chance of adding links to the 5 mm bit & dowel pins? Also: I'm a noob and found the going back & forth between the template & new board a bit disorienting. It would have been nice to have completed the template, before working the new surface. I'm not sharpshooting. It's just feedback from a rookie. Thanks for all of your guidance.

[@toolify]

+TheRangeControl - Hey, thanks a lot for your feedback. First, here are links to those two items: 5mm bit amzn.to/1XC4pW4, dowel pins amzn.to/1XC4c5i I really appreciate you raising this concern. I admit it's a challenge to balance between educating folks that are new and want to learn the craft, while keeping it interesting and retaining the attention of those that have "seen it all". Technically as this is one of my older videos, I would like to think I am improving in the new content - but please do let me know if you ever feel this way about any future work. Should you have any further questions about any project, don't hesitate to leave another comment, or even hit me up for a Skype video chat if text chat doesn't cut it. My Skype username is toolify. Best wishes to you on your woodworking journey. -Kriss

[@TheRangeControl]

+Toolify I love the commitment, Kriss!!! Godspeed you in your Production endeavors.

[@TheRangeControl]

+Toolify Also, the 1400 is my first router. Do you have any recommendations for the 5 mm bit and dowel pins?

[@toolify]

+TheRangeControl - 5mm bit amzn.to/1XC4pW4, dowel pins amzn.to/1XC4c5i

[@TheRangeControl]

+Toolify Thank You

[@ckkelby]

Kriss, awesome job dude! Fantastic idea and I think I'll try it out for my MFT/3 sooner than later. Thanks for posting!

[@AtlHunter]

Great technique.... well done! Any suggestions for using the LR32 for perfectly spaced/parallel/perpendicular holes on a larger or full size sheet of MDF (for a larger top)?

[@westsidewil]

Very slick. Bookmarked this video.

[@mhurlburt44]

Great video!!! When you placed the new MFT top on the Jig did you just set the depth stop on your router so it would not drill int your jig?

[@toolify]

I'd set the depth just past the first surface. It will drill into the jig a few mm, but that doesn't pose any issue.

[@Harley2004Fatboy]

Great video, getting ready to order the Festool hinge boring bit. What speed setting did you use on the router?

[@toolify]

Harley2004Fatboy Slowest speed. 10,000 rpm

[@Syedabbass61]

Do

[@XaeroR35]

Do you have any creative way to do this if you dont already have the MFT? I have LR32 but no MFT top and want to build a larger worktable using the MFT spacing for a few different reasons.

[@fredericsangiorgi9507]

Clever approach!

[@jimfarrissey2755]

what bit did you use for the final 20mm hole? Great vid by the way.

[@toolify]

It's Festool's 20mm hinge boring bit. Part # 491072. I had good results with it.

[@malcolmpoole9993]

Did you get a sloppy hole using this bit? Some have said that this bit produces a slightly oversized hole, and when inserting dogs there is a slight amount of a wobble in the benchdogs. Apparently the ideal hole diameter should be aprox 19.8mm for a snug fit.

[@microdoulo2250]

WHAT TYPE THE BITS DO YOU USED FOR MAKE MFT3 HOLE? COULD U SEND ME THE NAME WHERE CAN I BUY?

[@toolify]

See the description, but it’s this one amzn.to/1OFVJN7

[@AaronGeller]

Did no one catch what he did at 5:31 when he wrote "32x"? using the LR 32?

[@derekcrosier4088]

Have you had any variance from square using this process? Have you tested this over longer lengths? Thinking about doing this, just want to make sure its going to be exactly square.

[@misterm7086]

I appreciate all the effort and time that goes into making a video. I really do. With that said, if I’m able to afford a collection of Festools, then I’d easily spring the for the Festool MFT table. Just saying. Anyhow, keep up the good work kid!

[@puntabachata]

Or pay someone to laser cut it... 😂

[@Tinker1950]

Well, as long as you already have the Festool equipment (and who does), this is a quick, efficient and cheaper alternative to Peter Parfitt's Parff Guide sytem for doing the same job.

[@vova_rn]

Nice work, Kris!

[@daniellesybrant4668]

what type of 20mm bit are you using?

[@toolify]

Hi Danielle, the 20mm bit is linked in the description :)

[@singlefather01]

Great. I was looking for information like this.

[@JoshuaCorley]

love the video mate keep up the good work

[@mr.dpfaquariums4560]

hey great job ...you got skills . keep up the good work kid

[@Noddi1964]

Very clever. Thanks for sharing

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Dear Sir, Although a clever approach, given that you already have an MFT; it would seem simpler to use the existing board & use it as a template???. There would be no need for LR32 rail & all the gubbins that goes with it. Clamped together you could use the old one to guide you drilling the holes with a Forstner bit of the right size. But keep up the wonderful ideas going; you are doing great.

[@toolify]

+Vladimir Krapotkin - You're right. Using the existing board as a template would certainly work fine. This is just an alternate approach, perhaps useful if the existing board is worn out to a condition that renders it unsuitable as a template. Thanks for the comment!

[@mirockswoodshop]

+FastEasySmartTOOL But this method works for another bigger nonstandard sizes

[@wafflestoast5228]

Could someone explain to me the importance of having all those holes? What purpose do they serve? I see a lot of those on workbenches and while I'm sure they do something, I'm unaware

[@toolify]

The holes allow the use of accessories and various items, such as: clamps, bench dogs, plane stops, and more. Basically they make the workbench a lot more versatile. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGOtYaavbtCnecUm28s as an example of one use case.

[@wafflestoast5228]

Toolify Thanks, appreciate it!

[@jeremiah3543]

Very impressed! Did u come up with this method yourself? You are very talented. And very young at that!

[@toolify]

Yup, it's my own method. Thanks!

[@mirockswoodshop]

Good way to do it with 32system. I need to do the same but I have no such guide and need to do it in another way. Template way which I find in the web is not good because each step you increace possible mistake. Your method gives global coordinates but not step by step mistake. It is very cool advantage. Though you can do just 32mm× stepped holes. I want 100mm step and will try to find my own way to do it without template but saving accuracy

[@ron1martens]

Nice presentation. I want a second mft table top for cutting sheet goods. I'm thinking the height would be 900mm. I like the attachment for the router. I have he fence with the holes but not the assesory for the router. I have the of 1400 router not the smaller one. Should still work.

[@MichaelMeis33]

now, if i could just figure out a way to sell my kid I could afford all these cool festool tools lol

[@retailsavvyplus]

I own 16 pieces of Festool...I miss my kids so much some days...😂

[@misterfee6467]

IMAO just ask this kids dad he seems flush

[@svidmar1]

Excellent video, David! I noticed the small table-top you used to support the work. I assume the top item is a SYS-MFT Tabletop Systainer. What's below it? (What did you stack to get it level with the MFT/3 tabletop)? Thanks.

[@toolify]

Hi.. my name is Kriss, but I see why you thought I was David :). The stack consists of 1x SYS-3 and 5x SYS-1's on a SYS-Cart, but any height equivalent of 7x SYS-1's will work.

[@kb8olf]

Great video! Guess it was all I needed to convince myself that I need to go and purchase the LR32 system. Thank you! By the way! You got a name?

[@elispam674]

Good information and method. Will order the 20mm bit at lunch and hope to try this as soon as it comes in. Are you using typical MDF or something like MEDEX? Have you had luck with other materials for the bench top?

[@toolify]

I used standard home depot MDF. Hadn't heard of MEDEX before - it does looks neat, but I wouldn't know where to find it. Have not tried other materials yet, but I'm tempted to give it a shot with some nice birch plywood... maybe for the next top.

[@elispam674]

Thanks for the response. Was also wondering if you have any suggestions for creating the mounting holes in the right spot?

[@toolify]

Eli Spam I assume that by mounting holes you mean the four holes at each corner for the threaded inserts securing the holy top to the table (correct me if I'm wrong) - I actually didn't bother with the threaded fasteners on my version and put wood screws directly into the MDF, after all I don't expect to take the top on/off much. Should you insist on making the DIY version just like the real thing, I think a good way to mark the spots is to get the holy top on the MFT first and mark the locations through the existing holes from the underside of the MFT. I hope that makes sense.

[@miguelromero1]

Wow good job dude

[@lkeen383]

Very impressive great job. Cool system.

[@Technogodd]

Your the Man my friend !

[@graphein9334]

Nice job, Kriss, thanks. Your comment, re: dust collection, I've been impressed with a cyclone dust separator Stumpy Nubs put me on to. Last project, I emptied a five-gallon chip and dust collection bucket five times and *still* didn't need to change a Festool bag. And you catch fine particles--the ones that aren't good for you. Best,

[@diycentral]

Awesome as I would like a top (only) that I can make to any size and lug around with me more easily that the complete MFT system. I hear you say it would take you about an hour now that you have the steps down. But how long did the first one take? I will multiple that by three so I know how long it will take me :p

[@toolify]

Well, I looked back and I've got 3 hours of raw video footage for this thing. I'd say end-to-end it took me about that long, although the act of filming can be quite time consuming on its own. Good luck :)

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

That's a great how to cm idea showing how to save some money. Now if only I could afford festool haha.

[@bighands69]

Buy the parf jig there are no excuses.

[@dougsinden6881]

brilliant, but why not just take the old top off clamp it to new piece and punch through with a bearing trim bit?

[@AlainPilon]

+Doug Sinden I was wondering the same thing! And use a flush trim bit to do the edges

[@dougsinden6881]

yeah thats what i meant

[@123HURST]

A new Festool MFT replacement top costs approximately $135 U.S. so $15 for a replacement is quite a bargain assuming you don't have to buy the 55" LR32 rail and router hardware.

[@bighands69]

By the parf jig for about $200.

[@joegavin5300]

Great video, I truly enjoyed watching it! So my question is, did you bevel the 20mm holes after drilling and the outside edge of the MFT table top? If so, what did you use for your router bit?

[@toolify]

Thanks! I didn't bevel the holes (they're not usually beveled), but did bevel the outside edge. Used this router bit: amzn.to/2kDVdpB

[@dougsinden6881]

MFT tops are made from HDF not MDF, much more expensive but is it necessary after all when you can rip the arse out of a bit of MDF and run a new one out at the weekend, but $100 ? whats that £50?

[@bensheffy6665]

I HAVE FOUND WALLY!!!!! WOO HOO!!!

[@cjthomas007]

Nice video!

[@mirockswoodshop]

Hello Kriss, I invite you to criticize my way to do such precise drilling of tabletops.

[@dingoeatswolf3663]

Great video!. Was thinking about buying some expensive rulers to do the same thing that others had developed (for this purpose), but now I can justify buying the more expensive LR-32 system.....oh yeh, and I can also do the adjustable shelf thingy with it as well... ;-D Thanks and best wishes, Dolf

[@emmmie]

If your rail setup on the mft/3 isnt perfectly square to your dowel holes, all the big holes will not be either. I'm talking 100% perfect. I'm sure yours is plenty accurate. But maybe it's safer to use the "sacrificial method" which consists of making two parallell guiding lines of holes cc96mm and then using dogs fastened to the rail in those holes and making the real holes in between and then cutting the guiding holes off while cutting the sheet to mft-size.

[@jimmybean6090]

Magnus Ericsson )

[@backyardcnc]

well CNC is very affordable especially when you consider the price of Festool ;-)

[@Marcus_Caius]

Shopbot Desktop CNC router 18x24 7,700US comes close to 10,000 for me plus shipping. The festool tools Kirss is using + accesories are under 4,000CA that include a CT 26 E

[@TheLevitatingChin]

Instead of all this setup and messing around why not just use CNC?

[@toolify]

Ant Thompson Will you let me borrow yours? ;)

[@11211lcb]

I have several decades of experience on you but when I need a new MFT top I will simply use the existing MFT top as my template. Clamp it on top of the new blank, mount a 1/2" diameter top bearing flush cut bit in the router and start plunge cutting those holes.

[@enelgaragedemartincho]

Hey Kriss how are you doing? Did u know about this attachment for the of 1400 and of 1010 ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gorHqHWFq9OeasU

[@toolify]

+martin chavarria - Yeah, I've got that. FYI it will only fit the OF 1010

[@enelgaragedemartincho]

+FastEasySmartTOOL I use it for my of 1400. And works too.

[@toolify]

+martin chavarria - Oh, shoot. Yeah, you're right. Now I remember scouring through forums once upon a time trying to figure out why it's not officially endorsed for the OF 1400. I'm guessing it's a potential weight concern with the larger model. Good stuff. Great video!

[@enelgaragedemartincho]

+FastEasySmartTOOL thx

[@MrWizards1974]

A multi function table table top?

[@markkoons7488]

Do you still monitor the comments here? If a DIYer used your technique to layout and bore a larger bench top, are parts available to hinge a piece of track without a MFT frame? I hope this isn't really obtuse of me but I've never even seen a MFT table in use. In fact, it is 110 miles to the nearest Festool dealer from where I live in Wyoming. Thanks for this posting. You've done us all quite a service.

[@toolify]

Yep, I monitor the comments. I've given this a lot of thought (was chasing down the design of a DIY MFT at one point), but it's not a trivial design task. Festool sells the official parts from EKAT Service Catalog... might be an option to consider, but the parts are still expensive.

[@andylitchfield]

Bearing cut off the original? Much easier.

[@PabloPaster]

I think if you can afford all these fancy Festool tools you can probably afford a $150 MFT Table Top. The rest of us can only dream.

[@993ts]

Why spend the money on a new top when you can save that money and put it towards another Festool?

[@drice847]

Why spend 150.00 on a tabletop if he doesn't have too.

[@redstihl9027]

How did you afford all that gear??? :)

[@ausguitarist]

jesus thats some expensive kit for a guy your age.

[@judithchristiansonneegrimm1857]

Indeed, but hey, some kids have cash and spend it on drugs and partying. I like this kid :). Also, I bet you his mom and or dad may also partake in the woodworking!

[@bighands69]

I think he is 23 years of age by now about 25 or 26.

[@johnchapman1231]

can't work out why you did that

[@daio2444]

Fuck me is this kid related to sheldon off the Big Bang theory😂😂😂😂😂

[@Tuckered_]

I see a pattern here...."If i could afford 1100.00 worth of Festool I'd just buy me a table..."

[@HannesPowerLoad]

Funny! You're a cool guy with really good ideas! Aaaaand a great desirable tool collection. I like your videos and this is truely a channel i can subscribe blindfold cause i can guess what comes next! The Wood robott (-:

[@KoenBrader]

Genius!

[@rvvince3296]

SUPER !!!!

[@forestflare6816]

Great top but that base is crap! It moves around more than a cheap folding table from wally world. I really think Festool failed with this product. I own the domino XL, TS75 and ETS 150 so I know they are capable of making good quality products. But the MFT isn't one of them.

[@dartincruz7481]

well maybe if i have all thats tools :)

[@vRSPagey]

How can a 12 year old kid afford all that Festool gear? 😂😂😂

[@trevordawson1947]

Dıdnt see any poınt ın the jıg.Just mark ıt off and away you go.

[@pf5658]

My only question is. How does a young kid like that afford all this Festool tools?

[@chevyimp2808]

Not sure who your target audience is The lr32 jig alone is 500 smackers before you even..I start.. Top. Bearing copy router using the original table is the most likely cost effective solution for 99% of professionals..

[@andybawn1]

How to change a $15 piece of MDF into a $150 piece of MDF just spend $5000 on Festool tools!!! EASY Or you can take the top off your MFT table and use it as a template?

[@Selkian]

$150 top? 2024 in the UK we can buy a full size precision drilled MFT top for £50. I have priced all options. Nothing comes close to buying a ready made top.

[@mildot5482]

I didn't get your method. . You drill cut drill cut .. Sorry

[@martinmackett2758]

I think I will spend $50 on a new top and save myself $2000 on all those tools

[@dogstar5572]

So you need one to make one

[@AaronGeller]

You’re replacing an older one

[@z67orglub]

brilliant video thank you ... I just finished to replace my old table top and it worked perfectly ... very impressed , keep the good job ! you can see in the backround the old top .... really needed to be replaced !! carousel.dropbox.com/photos/cc/BvVlUxV6BNKH461

[@reidklassen5096]

this kid has RICH parents

[@toolify]

actually, I just have a job

[@AaronGeller]

@@toolify some people can’t comprehend that Festool is attainable all while they spend the same amount on other things of their choosing. I have a job and that pays for my gear.

[@backyardcnc]

My Shopbot CNC router table is much easier and faster ;-)

[@toolify]

+backyardcnc - Agreed, but I've gotta go through a lot of MFT tops to justify buying a CNC with a large enough cutting area

[@zaneh6224]

If you don;t have $3000 of Festools to make this try the UJK PARF system www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-parf-guide-system-102278

[@thomasschreiter3683]

Wow, another Amazon-Promotion-Channel with the most expensive and brandnew Festool-stuff…