Help Me Design a Kapex Miter Station

[Bugsysiegals]

Now that I’ve a Kapex, stand, and extension wings, I’d like to build a 12’ (3,658mm) wide miter station. Since my wood shop is in the basement, I need benches/cabinets which are no wider than 4’ (1220mm) so I can move them out of the basement if I ever move in the future.

I’m considering to build three 4’ (1220mm) 8020 work benches with wood cabinets on casters which roll underneath or three 8020 cabinets on casters which also serve as work benches since 8020 has far less deflection than 3/4” plywood. 

If I make a 8020 cabinet/workbench, being on casters creates questions regarding leveling and fence system/setup.  Regarding fence system/setup, I’m not sure whether it makes more sense to have the work bench tops ~110mm shorter than the Kapex so the Kapex extension wings can be used/removed when not needed (can be shimmed if needed) or have them the same height as the Kapex (leveling legs rather than casters probably needed) and use some other fence system which can be calibrated and easily removed or trenched into the top.

So ... which method sounds best or do you have some other ideas which might be better?  Do you have any improvements, similar builds which have been documented that you’d recommend, etc.?

 

[jstout]

Manor Wood has a workbench design that seems to match a lot of what you're trying to do. I believe he uses the Festool rail guides to align and level the different "components". You can see the design here and watch videos of the build here.

 

[cblanton42]

If you are also using the UG cart there's something to be aware of. the Kapex mounts to the UG cart by attachng four locking feet to the bottom of the Kapex with a total of 8 screws.  Those 8 screws and 4 feet will need to be removed to keep the Kapex at the correct height as these raise the saw up.  If you do a lot of swapping back and forth that could get old.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Manor Wood has a workbench design that seems to match a lot of what you're trying to do. I believe he uses the Festool rail guides to align and level the different "components". You can see the design here and watch videos of the build here.

Thanks, I’ll give it a look!!

 

[Bugsysiegals]

If you are also using the UG cart there's something to be aware of. the Kapex mounts to the UG cart by attachng four locking feet to the bottom of the Kapex with a total of 8 screws.  Those 8 screws and 4 feet will need to be removed to keep the Kapex at the correct height as these raise the saw up.  If you do a lot of swapping back and forth that could get old.

I wondered if I could mount the Kapex to the miter station with the feet still attached.  Since I’ve yet to build the miter station, I can build the work bench / cabinets at a higher height to account for this offset unless there’s something I’m missing?

 

[cblanton42]

Sure!  You should be able to design your station to allow to keep the feet on with no problem, I just wanted you to be aware of the difference in height before you got too far in the build.  That would suck to find out "too late".

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Sure!  You should be able to design your station to allow to keep the feet on with no problem, I just wanted you to be aware of the difference in height before you got too far in the build.  That would suck to find out "too late".

Absolutely, I've read 108/110mm deck height which has been in my head but if I keep the feet on, which seems like the right thing to do, I've to take a new measurement ... thanks for reminding me!

 

[rmhinden]

I built a mobile stand for my Kapex based on the design that [member=13565]WPeters[/member] did, see:
https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=festool-tools-accessories;topic=efficient-mobile-kapex.msg306307#msg306307

Video and lots of pictures.

Works well for me.  I updated it recently to replace the doors with shelves for Systainers (I don't keep a dust collector inside).  I usually only leave one of the wings on, but can add the second one if needed.    The Kreg track and stops work very well.

Bob

 

[Rick Herrick]

This is a very nice stand.  Just thinking that it could be done also without the wings if you have the UG extensions.  Going to think about that a little.

 

[nclemmons]

Here’s one I just finished - I have the extension wings I made hanging on the back side of the Kapex MFT for when I need to go mobile.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/new-pair-of-kapex-extension-benches/

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Wow, these are all amazing and give some excellent ideas to consider!

Here’s one I just finished - I have the extension wings I made hanging on the back side of the Kapex MFT for when I need to go mobile.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/new-pair-of-kapex-extension-benches/

Ouch, the full size MFT/3 basic is only $100 more ... was it simply space that made you choose the mini?  I've not tried yet but assume the Kapex can slide into the holes and eliminates the step of having to use bolts/knobs on some other bench?  I suspect it doesn't work this way with the feet attached?

 

[nclemmons]

I had it in a previous workshop and actually bought the MFT/Kapex when the Kapex was first released, before the other base options were available.  It was both space and the fact that the Mini MFT is lower allowing the deck of the Kapex to align with the MFT, and all the other FT tables.

The smaller MFT base does have holes that fit the feet of the Kapex.  It just rests in them and is captive, with optional bolts to secure it down.  The feet of the Kapex are not removed if that is what you were referring to.

Further, this gives the option of a shelf below the Kapex where I store my Shaper Workstation. 

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Ok, I'd not realized the height was lower, that makes sense.  I mean the feet which attach to the bottom of the Kapex for mounting it to the mobile cart.  I doubt these fall into the holes and even so, as you pointed out, the height would no longer match the other benches.