Jumbo MFT of my own!

[AccurateSystems.biz]

Well for years I have been building larger MFT's for my customers and finally decided to build my own.

   Since the birth of my son this is the only woodworking project i have been able to find time to get to.
Now, it's not as impressive as the other beautiful projects I've seen on this forum, but it will give me the much needed space to work.
   For all of you with little shop space. My shop also doubles as my garage which has a full sized Chrysler and and only 3' space of storage around the parking spaces. The tools used to be piled up in the middle of one spot along with many miscellaneous items. This allows me to have my MFT always set up and ready to use plus plenty of JUNK stored and mobile.

Here is a little bit about  it:

The table has a 10" gap under it for reaching under with clamps. This also doubles as Systainer 1 and 2 storage and can be cleared out for double the glue up space or staining rack or what have you.

This space also houses my Vs 600 Dovetail joiner and it's templates for which I never really had a safe space for.

On one end, I have a reel for butcher paper,  to be rolled over the top and cut to stain or do glue-ups on.
The other end has a notched section to wheel my CT33 with boom in the back Left. and still have room for a CT22 and CT mini next to it out of the way.

The bottom is storage for up to a systainer 4 in height.

The Base is recessed in about 3 1/2" for knee room and on the back this base is were I keep a variety of clamps close at hand.

The best thing I did was spend the money on those great double locking Poly Casters!

Let me know what you think.

Chris

 

[Dan Clark]

Chris,

That looks very nice!   Ummm... Ya know, I don't think anyone would complain if you reposted with larger pics.  Personally, I'd like to take a closer look.

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Tezzer]

One of the things that has totaly blown me away on this site is the homemade MFT tables and Chris yours is a stunner. What i wouldnt give to have one like that... Well done  ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[Tezzer]

Chris,

TI don't think anyone would complain if you reposted the pics with lager versions.  Personally, I'd like to take a closer look.

Thanks,

Dan.

Ill second that. Love to see the biggest possible.

 

[Doug Anders]

Sweet...you could probably drop a table tennis table on top of that for double duty...!

 

[AccurateSystems.biz]

That Ping pong table is a great idea actually.

I did try to post the images larger, but am not sure how.  I used photoshop to size the images, but the forum screen won't allow them to post.

Is the total number pictures size not to exceed 175 KB or individually?

If so, any suggestions on how to shrink the file size, but keep the visual size large enough to see detail.

Chris

 

[Daviddubya]

...If so, any suggestions on how to shrink the file size, but keep the visual size large enough to see detail.

Chris

In Photoshop, use Save for Web.  That option will reduce the resolution to 72 dpi and shrink the file size, but keep the image size from changing, unless you crop the photo first.  Then post the file you saved with the Save for Web option.  That should do the trick - I think.

 

[Dan Clark]

Chris,

Check out the FOG Photo Tutorial:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=292.0.  It's a great reference for processing and posting pics to FOG. 

How do I know it's great?  Well, (ahem) I wrote it.  I'm not only a great writer, I'm modest too!  ;D

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Is the total number pictures size not to exceed 175 KB or individually?
If so, any suggestions on how to shrink the file size, but keep the visual size large enough to see detail.
Chris

Here's the way it works with attachments:
Each individual attachment can be up to 175 KB
You can attach a total of 500 KB per post
You can attach up to 5 attachments per post

I suggest you post photos that are about 800x600 in size.  That seems to be a size that provides enough visibility for most members.  The photos you posted range from about 63 KB up to about 80 KB.  You can definitely upload photos of about that same KB level but in the 800x600 size.

There are many options for resizing photos.  I happen to use a nice little free program called Irfanview, which makes it really easy to open a photo, crop it, then reduce its size.  Here's a link to download Irfanview: http://www.tucows.com/preview/194967

For more detailed instructions, see the excellent tutorial that Dan wrote.  He's being quite modest, but it really is a great tutorial!!

It would be great to see larger versions of your photos.  If you do it, please modify your original post by deleting the smaller photos and replacing them with larger ones.

Looking forward to seeing the photos!

Matthew

 

[Dave Rudy]

I'm not only a great writer, I'm modest too!  ;D

Dan,  Is this a "verifiable" claim?  LOL

Dave

 

[Dan Clark]

I'm not only a great writer, I'm modest too!  ;D

Dan,  Is this a "verifiable" claim?  LOL

Dave

Absolutely!  Everyone who knows me comments on my modesty.  (Along with my good looks and intelligence, of course.)  ;D ;D ;D

Dan.

 

[John Stevens]

This is not meant as a criticism, just a note on design considerations for people who are reading this thread to gather options on large MFTs:  anything stored under a MFT is going to get covered in sawdust very quickly.  And when deciding what to store under a MFT, always consider how much room you want for clamps and for getting your hands on any handles or knobs that are under the table.

Regards,

John

 

[John Stevens]

Let me know what you think.

It's beautiful.  I think my favorite part about it is the paper holder at the end--very nice.  I'm soon to build my third (final?) large MFT, and I'm definitely going to use that idea.

Are your casters the 3" size from Woodcraft?  How do they roll in sawdust...or haven't you had a chance to create that much dust yet?  I was going to go with the gray 4" casters from Lee Valley, but I like the look of yours a lot more--they remind me of the old Kryptonics skateboard wheels from back in the '70s.

BTW, congratulations on your new son.

Regards,

John

 

[Roland Chung]

Hi Chris,

Great workbench!  It would be nice if you could post more details and photos.  Quick question-for the rear casters, did you use fixed, swivel or locking.  If they are fixed, did you align them with the length of the bench?

Thanks,
Roland

 

[Ted Miller]

Chris, Very nice table, tons of storage as well...

 

[Bob Marino]

  Chris,

That table looks great - solid, huge and mobile. Thanks for posting. Never met you, but do know your dad and thiink the world of him. Somehow, I sense the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree. Welcome!

Bob

 

[AccurateSystems.biz]

Hi Everyone,

I was able to get back to the image resizing issue I had. Actually more of the issue was with the time, than was with resizing. However the thread from Dan on how to post images was very helpful in getting me in the right direction.

I appreciate all of the good words from everyone on my table.

To answer a few questions I missed over this week:

John,
Actually that is a good point about the space below not protecting your storage from dust. I did take this into account on this build. The space will be primarily be empty during projects. Which will give me room for jigs and in use clamps that will be  close at hand. Then for storage my systainers can be placed out of the way when it doubles as a grocery bag holder for my wife.
Also the distance from the shelf to the bottom of the table is 10" which gives me the room for the quick clamps and my hands.

The wheels are the Woodcraft 3" double locking casters. They all pivot in any direction so no alignment issues. I love them. They roll over dust and the concrete expansion joints like a dream. Not as if much sawdust has hit the ground yet. This week is the week I start my first poker table, so i will work out any kinks that may arise.

Here is a little background on the material I used. I did a demo on an Eddie Baurer store in a mall close to where I live. I could keep any material I could lug out as long as I did it after mall hours. So 3 nights in a row from 9pm - 4am We salvaged alot of display material and lap joint cedar from the ceiling. The MFT's material at the time I thought was solid wood accept when I got it back to my shop realized it was laminated particle board. Amazingly laminated and wrapped. I can't see a seam on the corner.  So long story shorter, I used the cedar for half wall waynes coating in my basement along with my rustic theme bar. I tore the displays apart and used some for this project.

The framework is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" material. The metal bars on the ends are actually heavy duty steel coat rack bars. The metal brackets were part of the displays that I had to rework and flatten to use as support. The one in the middle horizontal position is actually supporting the rest are for looks. There is an L channel on the shelf directly under the MFT. This was used on their 4' display shelves for protecting the edge from wear and tear to the melamine. The Slide out cart was the base to a clothing display I stripped for material on the basement project. 

I build rustic furniture and this material was perfectly straight and reminded me of timber frame construction. So there lies my table.

Sorry for this being so wordy, but I wanted to answer a few posts at once.

The images have have been switched in my first post to show the slide out cart and one of my family. Proud Dad! He is 6 months old and he is alot bigger than that now.

Chris

 

[AccurateSystems.biz]

Bob,

I didn't catch your post at first.

Thank you for the good words regarding my dad. Yeah! I didn't fall to far from the tree. We are both bullheaded!

I have heard many good things over the years about you also. Maybe we will have a chance to shake hands some day.

Chris

 

[John Stevens]

He is 6 months old and he is alot bigger than that now.

Amazing how they grow...and eat...and grow out of clothing.  This trend will continue for the next 18 years or so....

Thanks for the extra info--it'll all come in handy when I get started on the new MFT.  Thanks also for the story about how you got the materials--my hat's off to you for making such good use of salvaged stuff.

Regards,

John

 

[Gary Katz]

Chris,
I thought I recognized you!  Excellent table, sir.  Even better family and DOG! 
I never thought before how useful such a large table would be, but thinking of how my 'little' mft table has become a fixture in the center of my shop, I can now appreciate how much easier life would be if it were BIGGER.  I scabbed together a convertible shelf that spans the leg spreaders--something I thought would be really useful on jobsites and for shows, but boy, I can see that was a juvenile beginning.

Thanks, though I seriously doubt if I can build one as nice as yours.
Gary