"Ideal" height of MFT cabinets.

[Lucky Dave]

Just got my second MFT 3 and am starting to plan two rolling cabinets for them. My first question is what height should I plan for the MFTs.

Read an a FWW article a few years old that says "Ideal" height for power (heavy muscle) work is between wrist height and elbow height.  Ideal height for more careful work is between elbow and mid chest. "Precision" work height is mid chest and above.

Will be using MFT cabinets separately and together for sawing, routing, sanding, clamping/glue up, etc. I think most of what I will be doing falls into the more careful category rather than the power category.

I am 6 1 with elbow height of 42".  Has anybody build a cabinet anywhere near this height?  Does anybody have other suggestions?

If 42" is correct then I think I will also have to plan for a much, much lower assembly table.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Dave

 

[EcoFurniture]

I would make them the same height as , let's say your table saw, as you could then use the MFT as an infeed/outfeed table. Other then that, the standard height is just perfect!

 

[image132]

Ecofurniture,

Do you use your MFTs like that? If so I'm surprised you didn't take the legs off, doesn't the legs being folded like that make it hard to use the screw in knobs?

 

[jonny round boy]

doesn't the legs being folded like that make it hard to use the screw in knobs?

Chris,

Do you use the screw in knobs? I don't know anyone who does...

 

[image132]

doesn't the legs being folded like that make it hard to use the screw in knobs?

Chris,

Do you use the screw in knobs? I don't know anyone who does...

I guess I must be special then 

I can understand why most people don't but I find it helps a lot with the wood lifting when clamping. Yes I know the clamps have adjustable tension via the allen key screw but I think the knobs help...

 

[Brice Burrell]

I guess I must be special then 

I can understand why most people don't but I find it helps a lot with the wood lifting when clamping. Yes I know the clamps have adjustable tension via the allen key screw but I think the knobs help...

Chris, you're right, that's why the clamping elements come with the knobs.

 

[image132]

Chris, you're right, that's why the clamping elements come with the knobs.

Now I always thought there was a reason for that  [tongue]

 

[CutsTwice]

I'm six foot and I put mine at 39 inches. It made a huge difference in reaching across with the TS55...my back thanked me afterword.

 

[gkeas]

I'm 6'3" and all my surfaces are 40".  I can still reach across a full 4' sheet and cut.

 

[Sparktrician]

Why not dummy it up at various heights and see which one works best for your specific circumstances?  Mine are at standard height and work fine for my 5' 10" height.  I can see them being a bit high for some assembly work (for me), but that's pretty rare and not a real problem.  I do like being able to use them as infeed-outfeed tables with my table saw. 

[smile]

 

[sancho57]

doesn't the legs being folded like that make it hard to use the screw in knobs?

Chris,

Do you use the screw in knobs? I don't know anyone who does...

I do JRB I use them to attach jigs to the MFT.

 

[sancho57]

I guess I must be special then  

I can understand why most people don't but I find it helps a lot with the wood lifting when clamping. Yes I know the clamps have adjustable tension via the allen key screw but I think the knobs help...

Chris, you're right, that's why the clamping elements come with the knobs.

I never used them for that. But Im going to start. I have noticed how the elements tend to raise the wood.
Going to have to throw a couple of knobs on my WC so they'll be there when I need them

You just solved one of my mysteries of life….

Now If I can find out why there are 10 hotdogs in a pkg and hotdog buns only have 8.

My life will be complete  [doh]

 

[peter halle]

If you have a lifting problem when using the clamping elements there is an adjustment screw.  That might help you.  Otherwise use the knob.

I have a solution to your hot dog situation.  Buy bun length dogs.  They come 8 to a package.   [poke]

[attachimg=#]

Peter

 

[rljatl]

Just got my second MFT 3 and am starting to plan two rolling cabinets for them. My first question is what height should I plan for the MFTs.

Read an a FWW article a few years old that says "Ideal" height for power (heavy muscle) work is between wrist height and elbow height.  Ideal height for more careful work is between elbow and mid chest. "Precision" work height is mid chest and above.

Will be using MFT cabinets separately and together for sawing, routing, sanding, clamping/glue up, etc. I think most of what I will be doing falls into the more careful category rather than the power category.

I am 6 1 with elbow height of 42".  Has anybody build a cabinet anywhere near this height?  Does anybody have other suggestions?

If 42" is correct then I think I will also have to plan for a much, much lower assembly table.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Dave

I also want to make a rolling cabinet for my MFT/3.  Plan is to include systainer storage in three columns underneath on one side and a spot for my CT26 and other tool storage on the other side.  My shop is so small that I need to use all space as wisely as possible.  An MFT cart with systainer storage and CT26 on board would allow me to roll everything outside in one shot.

The plans so far include using stock melamine shelving for the vertical dividers between columns of systainers.  I'll build "drawers" out of birch plywood on drawer slides like others have done.  The stock melamine shelving that I will use as vertical dividers are 30" x 16"... So,  30" high, plus casters, plus at least two 3/4" sheets of plywood, plus the height of the MFT without legs should equal over 40" high total.  I am 6'3" so that should work out fine.  The top will be about 53" long x 32 3/4" wide.  I believe this will be long enough to include a place to rest my TS75 on one end without being too long for my shop.

I am interested what you have planned.  If you have the time and inclination, please take pictures.  Thanks!

P.S.  This MFT/3 cart is also my excuse to buy a Domino.  [big grin]

 

[Sparktrician]

I also want to make a rolling cabinet for my MFT/3.  Plan is to include systainer storage in three columns underneath on one side and a spot for my CT26 and other tool storage on the other side.  My shop is so small that I need to use all space as wisely as possible.  An MFT cart with systainer storage and CT26 on board would allow me to roll everything outside in one shot.

The plans so far include using stock melamine shelving for the vertical dividers between columns of systainers.  I'll build "drawers" out of birch plywood on drawer slides like others have done.  The stock melamine shelving that I will use as vertical dividers are 30" x 16"... So,  30" high, plus casters, plus at least two 3/4" sheets of plywood, plus the height of the MFT without legs should equal over 40" high total.  I am 6'3" so that should work out fine.  The top will be about 53" long x 32 3/4" wide.  I believe this will be long enough to include a place to rest my TS75 on one end without being too long for my shop.

I am interested what you have planned.  If you have the time and inclination, please take pictures.  Thanks!

P.S.  This MFT/3 cart is also my excuse to buy a Domino.   [big grin]

You might want to look at this thread for ideas on Sysports that support MFT/3s. 

 

[rljatl]

I also want to make a rolling cabinet for my MFT/3.  Plan is to include systainer storage in three columns underneath on one side and a spot for my CT26 and other tool storage on the other side.  My shop is so small that I need to use all space as wisely as possible.  An MFT cart with systainer storage and CT26 on board would allow me to roll everything outside in one shot.

The plans so far include using stock melamine shelving for the vertical dividers between columns of systainers.  I'll build "drawers" out of birch plywood on drawer slides like others have done.  The stock melamine shelving that I will use as vertical dividers are 30" x 16"... So,  30" high, plus casters, plus at least two 3/4" sheets of plywood, plus the height of the MFT without legs should equal over 40" high total.  I am 6'3" so that should work out fine.  The top will be about 53" long x 32 3/4" wide.  I believe this will be long enough to include a place to rest my TS75 on one end without being too long for my shop.

I am interested what you have planned.  If you have the time and inclination, please take pictures.  Thanks!

P.S.  This MFT/3 cart is also my excuse to buy a Domino.  [big grin]

You might want to look at this thread for ideas on Sysports that support MFT/3s. 

Thanks for the link.  Your design is similar to what I have in mind, except that I want three columns of systainers and a drawer for each one.  Think I will use birch ply for everything and skip the melamine entirely.

I do have a question that I have been wrestling with.  If I do buy a Domino as planned, should I use dominos and dadoes?  Would it be stronger to use a dado and dominos for the vertical piece of 3/4 plywood that will run down the middle lengthwise and use rabbits and dominos for both ends?  Also, should I use dadoes and dominos for the vertical pieces used to support the drawer slides?  What is the standard practice when making a cabinet like this?

 

[Sparktrician]

I also want to make a rolling cabinet for my MFT/3.  Plan is to include systainer storage in three columns underneath on one side and a spot for my CT26 and other tool storage on the other side.  My shop is so small that I need to use all space as wisely as possible.  An MFT cart with systainer storage and CT26 on board would allow me to roll everything outside in one shot.

The plans so far include using stock melamine shelving for the vertical dividers between columns of systainers.  I'll build "drawers" out of birch plywood on drawer slides like others have done.  The stock melamine shelving that I will use as vertical dividers are 30" x 16"... So,  30" high, plus casters, plus at least two 3/4" sheets of plywood, plus the height of the MFT without legs should equal over 40" high total.  I am 6'3" so that should work out fine.  The top will be about 53" long x 32 3/4" wide.  I believe this will be long enough to include a place to rest my TS75 on one end without being too long for my shop.

I am interested what you have planned.  If you have the time and inclination, please take pictures.  Thanks!

P.S.  This MFT/3 cart is also my excuse to buy a Domino.   [big grin]

You might want to look at this thread for ideas on Sysports that support MFT/3s. 

Thanks for the link.  Your design is similar to what I have in mind, except that I want three columns of systainers and a drawer for each one.  Think I will use birch ply for everything and skip the melamine entirely.

I do have a question that I have been wrestling with.  If I do buy a Domino as planned, should I use dominos and dadoes?  Would it be stronger to use a dado and dominos for the vertical piece of 3/4 plywood that will run down the middle lengthwise and use rabbits and dominos for both ends?  Also, should I use dadoes and dominos for the vertical pieces used to support the drawer slides?  What is the standard practice when making a cabinet like this?

One thing to consider if you have three drawer columns is that you'll negate the ability to clamp material vertically using the tracks on the side of the MFT/3 since the Sysport cabinet will extend past the side extrusions.  Also, it will be more difficult to join two MFT/3s together to extend your workspace.  I wouldn't bother using dadoes and dominoes.  The dado will remove material and with it some of the material strength that would be of better use supporting the dominoes.  You might also look at combining pocket screws for clamping strength and dominoes for alignment as the glue sets up.  Remember, this is YOUR Sysport, so make it to suit your needs.  You can't go wrong with a DF 500.  There are plenty of videos on YouTube that will help you understand how to use the Domino machine more effectively.  Be prepared to make boo-boos and learn from them. 

 

[rljatl]

I also want to make a rolling cabinet for my MFT/3.  Plan is to include systainer storage in three columns underneath on one side and a spot for my CT26 and other tool storage on the other side.  My shop is so small that I need to use all space as wisely as possible.  An MFT cart with systainer storage and CT26 on board would allow me to roll everything outside in one shot.

The plans so far include using stock melamine shelving for the vertical dividers between columns of systainers.  I'll build "drawers" out of birch plywood on drawer slides like others have done.  The stock melamine shelving that I will use as vertical dividers are 30" x 16"... So,  30" high, plus casters, plus at least two 3/4" sheets of plywood, plus the height of the MFT without legs should equal over 40" high total.  I am 6'3" so that should work out fine.  The top will be about 53" long x 32 3/4" wide.  I believe this will be long enough to include a place to rest my TS75 on one end without being too long for my shop.

I am interested what you have planned.  If you have the time and inclination, please take pictures.  Thanks!

P.S.  This MFT/3 cart is also my excuse to buy a Domino.   [big grin]

You might want to look at this thread for ideas on Sysports that support MFT/3s. 

Thanks for the link.  Your design is similar to what I have in mind, except that I want three columns of systainers and a drawer for each one.  Think I will use birch ply for everything and skip the melamine entirely.

I do have a question that I have been wrestling with.  If I do buy a Domino as planned, should I use dominos and dadoes?  Would it be stronger to use a dado and dominos for the vertical piece of 3/4 plywood that will run down the middle lengthwise and use rabbits and dominos for both ends?  Also, should I use dadoes and dominos for the vertical pieces used to support the drawer slides?  What is the standard practice when making a cabinet like this?

One thing to consider if you have three drawer columns is that you'll negate the ability to clamp material vertically using the tracks on the side of the MFT/3 since the Sysport cabinet will extend past the side extrusions.  Also, it will be more difficult to join two MFT/3s together to extend your workspace.  I wouldn't bother using dadoes and dominoes.  The dado will remove material and with it some of the material strength that would be of better use supporting the dominoes.  You might also look at combining pocket screws for clamping strength and dominoes for alignment as the glue sets up.  Remember, this is YOUR Sysport, so make it to suit your needs.  You can't go wrong with a DF 500.  There are plenty of videos on YouTube that will help you understand how to use the Domino machine more effectively.  Be prepared to make boo-boos and learn from them. 

Thanks for the info.  I like the idea of using pocket crews with Dominos.  I'll probably go that route.  Re. The three drawer columns....I'd like to have a little extra space at one end to park my TS75 between cuts.  I'll mount the MFT at the other end of the cart so I could use that end to clamp material vertically.  Also, I have regular woodworking bench that I use for that kind of thing.