Bench

What a great job. Perfectly thought out and executed design. Thanks for sharing.
 
I'm currently planning to build a workbench. I haven't been able to figure out a design, but man, you hit it on the spot!
What does it look like underneath the table top? Where does the dust shavings go?

Fingers crossed your able to find some pictures :)

Either way, thanks a lot for sharing!
 
Mick,

With your design is it possible to get to the underside of a bench dog if you needed to screw it in place (as one might wish to do with a Parf Dog or Festool's clamps)?

Also, in the UK can you or anyone else give an approximate cost (not mates rates) for the CNC work? Perhaps a quote per hole or per square metre of 96 mm spaced holes.

Many thanks.

Peter
 
Peter Parfitt said:
Mick,

With your design is it possible to get to the underside of a bench dog if you needed to screw it in place (as one might wish to do with a Parf Dog or Festool's clamps)?

Also, in the UK can you or anyone else give an approximate cost (not mates rates) for the CNC work? Perhaps a quote per hole or per square metre of 96 mm spaced holes.

Many thanks.

Peter

Peter the top is just screwed down at the moment as I got a bit impatient to get it finished .but was thinking of making it hinge up from the back edge and I've some rather nice gas struts left over from a job .I do also need to think about dust going through into the drawers. but also there is a bit of wasted space in that area
 
jbasen said:
Very nice!

Are the domino slots on the legs used to support large work pieces?

Jbasen ..sorry for late reply .yes that's exactly what they are for and the ones on the inside of the leg will take a festool clamp .but I've yet to sand down some dominos .as they are a bit tight at the moment .think I will sand them down and add some heat shrink to the protruding part .as a softener and also to identify them
 
VW mick said:
jbasen said:
Very nice!

Are the domino slots on the legs used to support large work pieces?

Jbasen ..sorry for late reply .yes that's exactly what they are for and the ones on the inside of the leg will take a festool clamp .but I've yet to sand down some dominos .as they are a bit tight at the moment .think I will sand them down and add some heat shrink to the protruding part .as a softener and also to identify them

Great idea.  Thanks

One thing I've thought about doing, but it would be tough with my home made MFT, is to have a removable bottom far enough below the MFT top that it won't interfere with the Crestron clamps.  This "bottom" would have a 4" dust port and if I hook it up to my big extractor would turn the MFT into a full downdraft table.  As I said, it would be tough to do on my table but I'm just throwing it out to everyone else in case it helps someone.
 
One thing I've thought about doing, but it would be tough with my home made MFT, is to have a removable bottom far enough below the MFT top that it won't interfere with the Crestron clamps.  This "bottom" would have a 4" dust port and if I hook it up to my big extractor would turn the MFT into a full downdraft table. 

Avoid shavings in the drawers and get down draft at the same time. I've thought about this for a while ago as well, but I came to the conclusion that it would use too much space to properly work, as downdraft table should have an aeorodynamicly constructed area below the table, effectively making the air suck equally-ish all around the table. That's atleast what I've read. If someone actually tried this I'd be intrigued to hear about it.

Of course, one could do as you say - place a bottom just enough down to allow clamps and have a dust port, however, I'd say its function would be to clean the inside out whenever it fills up. This way you avoid the dust in the drawers. Rightfully, there would be a certain amount of downdraft just near the dust port.
 
That is a fantastic bench!  I have the same thought as Peter about access underneath, with the drawers, it just seems like it would be difficult to get under. 

Now as for dust, if you are using Festools only, it may not be a huge issue, but maybe the top drawer could have a clear piece of acrylic to stop dust, but still see inside. 

Maybe you could take pictures with each drawer open, because I really like the layout of the clamp drawer.
 
[attachimg=1]

This is the top drawer .haven't done anything with the others yet .but they will prob be hand tools and . One for abrasives ..
 

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Not delved into the jigs and tool section for ages, only just noticed this - What they all said up there ^, that bench is just superb  [smile]

 
Beautiful job and well though out.  I have been planning a similar unit but smaller for a roll around bench.  I too have access to a CNC machine for the top which is critical. 

One question, where did you source your T-track, and what size?  I think Lee valley track will accomodate the Festool clamps, but not sure if they're are others.  I've reveiwed Seths post about track compatability from some time ago. 

Again, great job!

Thanks! 
 
Schwartzy said:
Beautiful job and well though out.  I have been planning a similar unit but smaller for a roll around bench.  I too have access to a CNC machine for the top which is critical. 

One question, where did you source your T-track, and what size?  I think Lee valley track will accomodate the Festool clamps, but not sure if they're are others.  I've reveiwed Seths post about track compatability from some time ago. 

Again, great job!

Thanks! 

I got the T track from rutlands .dont know how to post a link
 
Incra do "T" track which is perfect for Festool clamps. In the UK I get mine from The Woodworkers' Workshop but there must be zillions of places in NA.

Peter
 
[big grin]
VW mick said:
Hi guys
Have been waiting until it's finally finished but .thought I'd preview my [attachimg=3][attachimg=1][attachimg=1]
It needs a bit more sanding and a coat of oil [Inline mode=1][attachimg=2
[/quote]

Absolutely brilliant design and build, congratulations...
 
Cochese said:
Any chance we could see what's in the 2nd and 4th drawers? Your clamp solution has me begging for more good ideas.

Sorry the 2nd and 4th drawers are empty at the moment but will end up with hand tools I think .will probably be another year as I've a couple of festools To get then I'm going to have a look at my hand tools .might do something temporary in the meen  time
 
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