Festool Parallel Guides and the BenchMark portable workbench

[ezdrive]

I just purchased a set of Festool parallel guides for my TS 75 EQ.  I have one Festool MFT/3 and I am considering purchasing a second without MFT/3 BASIC table.  The problem I see is that I am looking for lightweight solutions to breaking down 4' x 8' sheets of Plywood.  I am no longer able to carry big sheets to my basement shop, and I need a lightweight alternative for the garage.  I ran across this workbench:

https://www.benchmarktable.com/Benchmark_Table_Portable_Work_Table_p/t015.htm

Anyone have experience with this product?  I would like to use it with the parallel guides. 

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Ray 

 

[Alan m]

have a look at the walko workbench.
great for site work or places having to knock it down when finished

i made a cutting frame for just such a job for the garage. its like a stud frame with ply on one side . i sit 2 of these on top of 2 small tressels . ply up its a normal bench and ply down its a sacrificial cutting surface. basic enough construction , just 3x2 s screwed together .

 

[suds]

I have the Walko and it is so simple to cut down a full sheet of plywood.  I have the table fully extended leaning against the wall with two shelves attached.  I simply detach one of the shelves and lay the table on the ground, put the plywood on the table, make my cuts and that's it.  Very fast & simple.  I would suggest the longer guiderail if you cut often.  I have to attach two to get the full sheet cut but I don't use it all that often.  At some point I will get the long guiderail and at that point it will be even faster/simpler.  My Walko also resides in the garage and is a great 3rd table top for quick cuts, setups.

 

[Scarpia]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tool-reviews/benchmark-portable-work-bench/    [wink]

 

[ezdrive]

To all, thanks for the references and suggestions.  I do not believe the Walko system is available in the USA.  Woodcraft discontinued the system and Ace Hardware only sells replacement part for it.  It looked interesting, but a little on the expensive side.  It looks like the BenchMark System meets my needs.

Ray

 

[PeterK]

Is it adjustable in height? Don't see that mentioned on their website. I have the Vika 2-in-1 bench and it has dual heights. More of a work bench than a cutting table. Handy for many tasks as it has 2 surfaces for the top. Just not set up at all for cutting directly on it.

 

[peter halle]

Ray,

I realize that you are interested in a pre manufactured unit, but if you have the parallel guides now and also the MFT/3, you have the perfect combination to create an open web table sized for your situation.  I had always used a pair of sawhorses, 2 2 x 4's and a sheet of 1 inch or thicker pink foam as a cutting table.  Roger Muller posted a series of videos here on his use of the parallel guides and his cutting table and I then built a similar one.  I used about 2/3 sheet plywood and then pocket screws.  All I had to do was rip strips with the parallel guides while sitting on the foam and the cross cut them to length using the fence stop on the mft to get a square assembly.

Just a thought, you could build 2 2 ft x 8 ft tables and devise a way to connect them when needed.  The process of building one is a good example of how to use the parallel guides in conjunction with the MFT and get comfortable also.

Let me know if you want any pictures.  I am going to go to the shop later today just to make sure that it is still there.

And by the way, thanks.  You just gave me another idea!

Peter

 

[Scarpia]

Is it adjustable in height? Don't see that mentioned on their website. I have the Vika 2-in-1 bench and it has dual heights. More of a work bench than a cutting table. Handy for many tasks as it has 2 surfaces for the top. Just not set up at all for cutting directly on it.

There are 4 adjustable feet on the bottom of it. I would guess that there is 2-3"of adjustablility, however the legs won't fold up while the feet are lowered.

 

[ScotF]

Ray,

I realize that you are interested in a pre manufactured unit, but if you have the parallel guides now and also the MFT/3, you have the perfect combination to create an open web table sized for your situation.  I had always used a pair of sawhorses, 2 2 x 4's and a sheet of 1 inch or thicker pink foam as a cutting table.  Roger Muller posted a series of videos here on his use of the parallel guides and his cutting table and I then built a similar one.  I used about 2/3 sheet plywood and then pocket screws.  All I had to do was rip strips with the parallel guides while sitting on the foam and the cross cut them to length using the fence stop on the mft to get a square assembly.

Just a thought, you could build 2 2 ft x 8 ft tables and devise a way to connect them when needed.  The process of building one is a good example of how to use the parallel guides in conjunction with the MFT and get comfortable also.

Let me know if you want any pictures.  I am going to go to the shop later today just to make sure that it is still there.

And by the way, thanks.  You just gave me another idea!

Peter

Pics are always awesome if you get a chance...thanks!  [big grin]

Scot

 

[peter halle]

Scot,

I spent the day recovering from all the fun I had at JLC Live and the Festool Connect event today and planning my week.  I will get some pics and post here unless the OP feels that it is hijacking this thread, in which I will start a new one.

Peter