An 8020 Work Bench

Qwas

Retailer
Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
636
Someone was asking about a work bench made from 8020 extrusions. I have just completed my work bench made from them. Here is a picture.

[attachimg=1]

I have the details and lots of pictures posted here at talkFestool. No use posting it twice.  [smile]
 
Very nice!!

I read through your post at TalkFestool, but thought it'd be easier to post this here.

I think this is the corner connector you were looking for.  Coincidentally I was cruising 8020's offerings on eBay yesterday and probably looked at 200 items.. remember this as soon as I saw your up-close picture.  There wasn't a lot of info, but here's a linky:
http://cgi.ebay.com/80-20-T-Slot-Aluminum-40-S-Joining-Plates-Lot-BT-10pc_W0QQitemZ330421935577QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ceeae9dd9

They call it a "40 S Joining Plate".  There weren't any individually on eBay, nor could I find them on their site.  But I'm sure a dealer would know what they are.

[attachimg=#]

What are those tool trays you've got attached?  They look like an "office" tray (true?).  Where are they available from?

If you could estimate, how much did this bench cost you to make (extrusions, MDF, bolts, etc)?

That protractor thing you have on the MFT with pins lining up the holes is pretty neat.
 
That corner connector has the same problem, it closes off the slots and you can't slide anything into the slots.

The tool trays were posted by Bench Dog about a year ago. They can be bought at Walmart for just a couple dollars.  Here is the link.

I've got about $200 in extrusions, $30 for 4 legs, $32 for the MDF top. All the hardware and bolts were spare parts laying around.

I made that protractor about 18 months ago and never found a use for it. I was glad to put it to use and it is very accurate (easy to do when it's 19 inches long).
 
Qwas said:
I have the details and lots of pictures posted here at talkFestool. No use posting it twice.  [smile]

Actually, I've been unsuccessful trying to join there because what is believed to be blocking twice now by my ISP for the registration confirmation email, and as a result cannot view the pictures you've got over there.  [sad]

Has anybody else had this problem registering at TalkFestool?  My ISP is Bell Sympatico.  I just sent them another "Contact Email" at TF describing this problem, further explaining that I had received the second attempt to receive the confirmation email on my BlackBerry only where they should be showing up on my Desktop PC as well, but the site won't allow me to confirm from the BlackBerry.  Even if I try to forward to my desktop from the BB, it still never arrives. [mad]
 
Kevin,
You should be able to see the pictures without registering. It was something that was recently (2 months ago?) changed.

I'm sorry to hear of your problems registering. I will be sure to bring it up with the powers to be over there.  [wink] I'm not sure about your registering problem but I'm sure it will be looked into.
 
Kevin D. said:
Qwas said:
I have the details and lots of pictures posted here at talkFestool. No use posting it twice.  [smile]

Actually, I've been unsuccessful trying to join there because what is believed to be blocking twice now by my ISP for the registration confirmation email, and as a result cannot view the pictures you've got over there.   [sad]

Has anybody else had this problem registering at TalkFestool?  My ISP is Bell Sympatico.  I just sent them another "Contact Email" at TF describing this problem, further explaining that I had received the second attempt to receive the confirmation email on my BlackBerry only where they should be showing up on my Desktop PC as well, but the site won't allow me to confirm from the BlackBerry.  Even if I try to forward to my desktop from the BB, it still never arrives. [mad]
Kevin,

I haven't seen the email, but...  

Are you saying that you're trying to forward mail from your BlackBerryto to your PC and it's not working?  This sounds like it may be some sort of BlackBerry email problem rather than a registration problem.  

In any case, I activated your account.   Give it a test.  If you're still having problems, shoot me a FOG PM and I'll dig into it.

Regards,

Dan.
 
Nice work man!

Very timely as I'm just finishing up my 8020-based workbench, I'll post pics soon!

Note that I took a little bit of a different route with mine as I wanted it to be telescoping width-wise so that I could rip full 8' sheet with ttrack to use as parallel guides on either end, and because I didn't care about being able to clamp to the edges. For that reason I used smaller (more importantly: lighter-weight!) extrusion to create an internal frame with the big 1530 stuff on the front and back long rails. Because of this, I didn't have to deal with the corners as you did because my side rails butt into the front/back rails.

Question: any particular real why you went with the 4040 size? I think it's even bigger (and heavier) than the fractional 1515, and heavier than the 1515Lite. My biggest issue with the 8020 is how heavy it is - which seems like overkill in our applications. The new 3030 series is a lot more "spindly" than the older profiles and is very light for the size (obviously will flex more under load, but for this application that's pretty much a non-issue). It also has a 5/16" slot in the top (read: fits Festool clamps) but I don't know if the *internal* size of the slots are big enough to accept the clamps or 5/16 carriage bolts - which can be used with the 1515 series and the 4040. I may get a short piece of 3030 just to play with it.

I will definitely be adding one of those tool holders as I'm notorious for not putting things away and knocking them onto the floor!

Cheers,
CList
 
BTW, I didn't read the thread you mention on making an MFT top, and I've never owned (or even seen) one in person, so I don't know about the spacing, but... I've read several people here mention about using the LR-32 and a 20mm boring bit to make one, and that's the method I've used for mine. It goes pretty quick, but even with the vac going on the router it makes a lot of fine MDF dust. Of course the boring bits aren't cheap, but you don't have to get a festool one, you can find 20mm hinge boring bits for a little as $20.

I've spaced my holes with 4 holes on the LR-32, which = 5.04" what's the spacing on the MFT?

Cheers,
CList
 
CList said:
BTW, I didn't read the thread you mention on making an MFT top, and I've never owned (or even seen) one in person, so I don't know about the spacing, but... I've read several people here mention about using the LR-32 and a 20mm boring bit to make one, and that's the method I've used for mine. It goes pretty quick, but even with the vac going on the router it makes a lot of fine MDF dust. Of course the boring bits aren't cheap, but you don't have to get a festool one, you can find 20mm hinge boring bits for a little as $20.

I've spaced my holes with 4 holes on the LR-32, which = 5.04" what's the spacing on the MFT?

Cheers,
CList

The hole spacing on the MFTs is 96mm on center.  So three LR32 increments.  Based on your measurement you went 4 increments, so you're at 128mm (5.04")

If one can find it, I'd think a 20mm downcut spiral bit would be the way to go...  Keep the top edge nice and crisp.
 
Dan Clark said:
Kevin D. said:
Qwas said:
I have the details and lots of pictures posted here at talkFestool. No use posting it twice.  [smile]

Actually, I've been unsuccessful trying to join there because what is believed to be blocking twice now by my ISP for the registration confirmation email, and as a result cannot view the pictures you've got over there.   [sad]

Has anybody else had this problem registering at TalkFestool?  My ISP is Bell Sympatico.  I just sent them another "Contact Email" at TF describing this problem, further explaining that I had received the second attempt to receive the confirmation email on my BlackBerry only where they should be showing up on my Desktop PC as well, but the site won't allow me to confirm from the BlackBerry.  Even if I try to forward to my desktop from the BB, it still never arrives. [mad]
Kevin,

I haven't see the email, but... 

Are you saying that you're trying to forward mail from your BlackBerryto to your PC and it's not working?  This sounds like it may be some sort of BlackBerry email problem rather than a registration problem.   

In any case, I activated your account.   Give a test.  If you're still having problems, shoot me a FOG PM and I'll dig into it.

Regards,

Dan.

Hey that's great Dan.  I just went over to TF, and now I can see the photos as well as be able to post.  Much appreciated.  And just to clarify, it was the Desktop PC that would never render the confirmation email, despite my Blackberry receiving it which the Blackberry should be receiving any emails directed at my email address, of which I only use the one email address for both.

Sorry for the thread stealing, but I really did want to see what Qwas had to show, and I guess I was frustrated that since you had be a member at TF to see the pictures, I thought I'd voice my issue, which is now resolved.  Thanks again Dan. [smile]

Qwas, I really like what you did, and have been formulating ideas on how to modify my 1080 in certain manners, and your work was of interest.  Sorry for the miny thread steal, but I did it also to inform that unless you are a member over at TF, you can't see the images in the posts of your work, and that was part of what I was trying to share as well.  Thanks Qwas.
 
Wood_Junkie said:
CList said:
BTW, I didn't read the thread you mention on making an MFT top, and I've never owned (or even seen) one in person, so I don't know about the spacing, but... I've read several people here mention about using the LR-32 and a 20mm boring bit to make one, and that's the method I've used for mine. It goes pretty quick, but even with the vac going on the router it makes a lot of fine MDF dust. Of course the boring bits aren't cheap, but you don't have to get a festool one, you can find 20mm hinge boring bits for a little as $20.

I've spaced my holes with 4 holes on the LR-32, which = 5.04" what's the spacing on the MFT?

Cheers,
CList

The hole spacing on the MFTs is 96mm on center.  So three LR32 increments.  Based on your measurement you went 4 increments, so you're at 128mm (5.04")

If one can find it, I'd think a 20mm downcut spiral bit would be the way to go...  Keep the top edge nice and crisp.

I've used Festool's 20mm in my 1400 to make a couple hundred holes and it works great.  The cut is smooth and clean and the bit shows no sign of slowing down.
 
Sorry to continue the hi jacking but in case anyone missed it:

Anyone in the world should be able to view images on both the festoolownersgroup and talkfestool without being a member based on changes to their original policies - if there isn't either an unintentional problem, a prescribed prohibition, a computer browser issue, or a viewer security software issue.

Look away at your leisure!

 
CList said:
Question: any particular real why you went with the 4040 size? I think it's even bigger (and heavier) than the fractional 1515, and heavier than the 1515Lite. My biggest issue with the 8020 is how heavy it is - which seems like overkill in our applications. The new 3030 series is a lot more "spindly" than the older profiles and is very light for the size (obviously will flex more under load, but for this application that's pretty much a non-issue). It also has a 5/16" slot in the top (read: fits Festool clamps) but I don't know if the *internal* size of the slots are big enough to accept the clamps or 5/16 carriage bolts - which can be used with the 1515 series and the 4040. I may get a short piece of 3030 just to play with it.

Cheers,
CList

Good question that I should have explained. I wasn't concerned about weight or portability, and wanted a sturdy bench. I would have liked to stay away from the 40 lite series but I never see the standard 40 series on sale. I don't like the looks of the fractional series with all the little grooves in the profile.

Yes, the standard spacing is 96 mm, my MFT measures at 96.2 mm
 
Kevin and Peter,

No problem hijacking the thread. I'm glad to see we were able to help someone out.  [big grin]
 
Peter Halle said:
Sorry to continue the hi jacking but in case anyone missed it:

Anyone in the world should be able to view images on both the festoolownersgroup and talkfestool without being a member based on changes to their original policies - if there isn't either an unintentional problem, a prescribed prohibition, a computer browser issue, or a viewer security software issue.

Look away at your leisure!
We support Peter 100%.  talkFestool and FestoolOwnersGroup share common policies on this - we are open groups whose primary purpose is to share information and ideas (and maybe a little humor  [smile] ).   It is your choice - visit, join, post, and/or just hang out where you most feel most comfortable.  No walls!

Sorry for further hijacking this thread.

Regards,

Dan.
 
Kevin D. said:
Qwas said:
I have the details and lots of pictures posted here at talkFestool. No use posting it twice.  [smile]

Actually, I've been unsuccessful trying to join there because what is believed to be blocking twice now by my ISP for the registration confirmation email, and as a result cannot view the pictures you've got over there.   [sad]

Has anybody else had this problem registering at TalkFestool?  My ISP is Bell Sympatico.  I just sent them another "Contact Email" at TF describing this problem, further explaining that I had received the second attempt to receive the confirmation email on my BlackBerry only where they should be showing up on my Desktop PC as well, but the site won't allow me to confirm from the BlackBerry.  Even if I try to forward to my desktop from the BB, it still never arrives. [mad]
I also used Bell Sympatico as my ISP and had no problems registering at TalkFestool (a year or so ago).
 
Good job!

I haver had some 8020 extrusions clutering up my storgae space for about 5 years.  Maybe this will motivate me to do something with them.
 
I rarely go there, but I couldn't wait to get to WalMart this morning!  Picked up a half-dozen of those hanging mesh trays (couple smalls, couple longer).  I was going to start, tomorrow in fact, making some more add-on boxes and MFT add-ons.  These are certainly a lot simpler and actually more space efficient don't lose space for the thickness of plywood). 

I did some test fitting on my 1080s.  The trays hang quite nicely off the side track profile.  They're just 'hanging", but wouldn't fall off unless you bumped them pretty good.  They do NOT fit on the top lip.  It is about 1/2MM too thick. 

The side profile is a sweet convenience, as you can just hang them in place, without having to slide them down the length of any side.  In other words, the height of the tray's lip is shorter than the space in the MFT profile, so you can just attach it anywhere.  I will probably use a bolt, as they'll be "permanently" attached since I don't move the MFTs.

Thanks Qwas for posting about your bench build, which led to the older thread by Benchdog related to those trays!  I found it funny someone mentioned they would make good Qwas "dog house", as one of the shorter trays is 90% going to be the spot for my Qwas dogs.
 
Glad to help W_J. That's the whole purpose of these forums, to benefit from each other.  [big grin]

W_J, we don't believe you for minute. I know you fairly new but there is a saying around here. It never happened if there's no pictures.  [big grin]
 
Qwas said:
CList said:
Question: any particular real why you went with the 4040 size? I think it's even bigger (and heavier) than the fractional 1515, and heavier than the 1515Lite. My biggest issue with the 8020 is how heavy it is - which seems like overkill in our applications. The new 3030 series is a lot more "spindly" than the older profiles and is very light for the size (obviously will flex more under load, but for this application that's pretty much a non-issue). It also has a 5/16" slot in the top (read: fits Festool clamps) but I don't know if the *internal* size of the slots are big enough to accept the clamps or 5/16 carriage bolts - which can be used with the 1515 series and the 4040. I may get a short piece of 3030 just to play with it.

Cheers,
CList

Good question that I should have explained. I wasn't concerned about weight or portability, and wanted a sturdy bench. I would have liked to stay away from the 40 lite series but I never see the standard 40 series on sale. I don't like the looks of the fractional series with all the little grooves in the profile.

Yes, the standard spacing is 96 mm, my MFT measures at 96.2 mm

It was actually my bad for not reading the whole thread on the other forum before posting. Once I saw your desire for low deflection I understood what you were looking for. My design goals have more to do with portability and flexibility than stability, hence my lighter-weight frame (I'm using FatMax saw horses for legs!)

I also agree about the smooth extrusions sides being nicer.... I would go so far as to say sexier. I happened to get lucky with the 8020-Garage-Sale thing and got two 96" 1530 rails in the special "smooth" format, and at reduced price because they had a couple of holes in the side. I think there were only 8 pieces left when I got them about a week ago.

Cheers,
CL
 
Back
Top