Kapex / Sysport / MFT?

[shed9]

Took delivery of this earlier today;



Put it all together;



And here is what it's for. I needed a stand for my Kapex and as its a shop based tool and I don't envisage it moving there didn't see much point in the UG stand. I also used it as an opportunity to create a Sysport.



This is just a test fit for now and I need to build in some drawer runners and machine a suitable top. I'm thinking of making an MFT style top as this gives me some extra bench space when the Kapex is not fitted with wings. I've sized the length of the bench to take the UG wings either side and with the extra space behind the Systainers I can use this to store the wings when not in use. There is good access either side of the bench so I don't need it to be movable - when I get the shop floor finished (note the mess and test patched of epoxy paint) I'll probably bolt it down eventually.

The alloy is 45x45 and the dimensions in mm are 3450 x 900 x 630 (WxHxD). My source was KJN in the UK.

The mid section is sized to accept anything from a Mini to a CT48 with storage above for blades, etc when I fit a shelf in. I did think of sinking the Kapex in and having a three tier top (if that makes sense) but I like the idea that the extruded aluminium gives a very level surface to reference from. I'm also toying with the idea of going a route other than the UG wings s this will allow more scope on the bench surface but for now the UG wings seem the quickest and easiest option - anyhow I can use a couple of Sys 1's for now either side of the saw for long lengths.

I'll post an update when I start to get the drawer runners and top installed.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated  [smile]

 

[VW mick]

Hi shed9

That's really cool .i like that a lot wish I had enough space for something like that

Does that alli section have  a t slot ?

 

[shed9]

Hi shed9

That's really cool .i like that a lot wish I had enough space for something like that

Does that alli section have  a t slot ?

Hi VW mick, thanks for the feedback. The alloy does have t-slots and they will fit the usual Festool clamps, albeit with a bit of slop. I've used 45x45 profile which has a 10mm slot. The 8mm slotted profile should fit the clamps with less slop but the highest square profile that goes to is 30x30 and that was not rigid enough for the bench.

 

[Nippychippy]

That's going to be smart great job [big grin]

 

[VW mick]

You have got me thinking now ,

 

[GarryMartin]

Looking good.

There's a 40x40 profile with an 8mm slot in the ITM range rather than the BR range - did you not consider trying that, or was it still not rigid enough? It's the one I'd been considering for some builds...

http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/8mm_Slot_ITM_Profile.html

 

[Davej]

Motedis also have a 40mm section with 8mm slot.  Last time I looked they were cheaper than kjn by approx 20 percent.
Dave

 

[shed9]

Looking good.

There's a 40x40 profile with an 8mm slot in the ITM range rather than the BR range - did you not consider trying that, or was it still not rigid enough? It's the one I'd been considering for some builds...

http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/8mm_Slot_ITM_Profile.html

Motedis also have a 40mm section with 8mm slot.  Last time I looked they were cheaper than kjn by approx 20 percent.
Dave

Hi both, I suspect there will be little difference in stability between the 40 and 45, however I've used the Bosch Rexroth quite a lot in the past and been really happy with it, hence the use of it now. I'm tempted to throw some ITM samples in my next order to compare - I'll post some pics if I do.

Also I'm aware there are cheaper suppliers, I think you pointed me to Motedis before Davej, but I've had nothing but exemplary customer service from KJN and on that basis they will keep getting my business.

 

[Kev]

Did you consider adding more front to back supports so that you could avoid the corner braces across the front?

I wish we had a cost effective supplier in Oz. This stuff is stupidly expensive over here. Annoying when you consider how much of the world's bauxite probably comes from Oz [sad]

 

[shed9]

Did you consider adding more front to back supports so that you could avoid the corner braces across the front?

I wish we had a cost effective supplier in Oz. This stuff is stupidly expensive over here. Annoying when you consider how much of the world's bauxite probably comes from Oz [sad]

Hi Kev

Yes I did think of running more struts top and bottom to allow for the braces to go in line as opposed to on the front face but this added to the cost by over 20% and until I figure out how much space I have when I include the drawer runners this may be a moot point, basically I'm going to wait, fit the drawers and if it looks like I can get more space by losing the front facing braces then I'll order more alloy and brackets.

I know what you mean about the cost of the alloy relative to where the ore is mined, although I suspect the cost is probably in the processing as opposed to the base material.

 

[Kev]

I know what you mean about the cost of the alloy relative to where the ore is mined, although I suspect the cost is probably in the processing as opposed to the base material.

Shipping is the killer - 3 times the cost of the material from some sources!

Local supply is just opportunistic theft ...

Industry has abandoned Australia ... Little old ladies knitting is probably the the last of it [embarassed]

 

[shed9]

Industry has abandoned Australia ... Little old ladies knitting is probably the the last of it [embarassed]

Alas, industry decimation is quite wide spread over here too. We just don't make anything anymore.

A knitted MFT could be the next evolution, do they do yarn in Festool green?

 

[Kev]

Industry has abandoned Australia ... Little old ladies knitting is probably the the last of it [embarassed]

Alas, industry decimation is quite wide spread over here too. We just don't make anything anymore.

A knitted MFT could be the next evolution, do they do yarn in Festool green?

Being a nude nut, I could go a nice knitted beanie in Festool green ...

[attachimg=#1]

 

[shed9]

With a few dog holes and somewhere to slide a clamp into that hat would fit straight in the Festool system.

 

[wow]

Mind if I ask how much all of the extrusions and connectors cost? You've got a small fortune tied up in that, I think...

 

[shed9]

Mind if I ask how much all of the extrusions and connectors cost? You've got a small fortune tied up in that, I think...

No problem WOW - All in including delivery and taxes was just under £500 (about $845) for the extrusion for this unit. Thats less than an MFT/3 to put it in perspective. Of course I need to fit drawer runners, top, etc and as pointed out by Kev I may end up ordering more extrusion to move the brackets round.

However this is one of three builds. I'm building a large MFT style unit using much heavier profile which was left over from a vertical CNC router build (see "yet another alloy extrusion MFT bench" thread). I'm also building a side extension to a Felder Hammer K3 slider and then of course there's the CNC router as well. All will have elements of MFT style top and Festool compatibility.

 

[woodwreck]

Took delivery of this earlier today;



Put it all together;.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated  [smile]

Although I am a great supporter of 80/20-type material this is a grievous overkill and resulting cost (and weight) and space. You could have a) built it to the depth of the systainers which will be have lousy rear access anyway; b) left the top as an overhang to save both floor space and provide toe-free kickspace access when using the Kapex; and c) avoided most or all of the corner diagonal braces which as someone else has pointed out reduce elevation space. The main frames will adequately suffice alone.

Besides, you still need a second raised surface to support the saw's infeed and outfeed.

You could have used the money wasted on excess  aluminum stock and shipping expense to buy another Festool product like a sander.  [crying]

Numerous design ideas and pics abound at 80/20.com and on this FOG site somewhere.

 

[shed9]

Any advice or suggestions appreciated  [smile]

Although I am a great supporter of 80/20-type material this is a grievous overkill and resulting cost (and weight) and space. You could have a) built it to the depth of the systainers which will be have lousy rear access anyway; b) left the top as an overhang to save both floor space and provide toe-free kickspace access when using the Kapex; and c) avoided most or all of the corner diagonal braces which as someone else has pointed out reduce elevation space. The main frames will adequately suffice alone.

Besides, you still need a second raised surface to support the saw's infeed and outfeed.

You could have used the money wasted on excess  aluminum stock and shipping expense to buy another Festool product like a sander.  [crying]

Numerous design ideas and pics abound at 80/20.com and on this FOG site somewhere.

So basically your input is that I should have done it your way because you don't approve of how I use my own tools?

It never occurred to me to look at other designs and copy them out right, I thought I would do my own thing, that'll learn me  [wink]

 

[SittingElf]

Numerous design ideas and pics abound at 80/20.com and on this FOG site somewhere.

Actually, that should be www.8020.net  not 80/20.com.  Just clarifying.. [smile]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[shed9]

Numerous design ideas and pics abound at 80/20.com and on this FOG site somewhere.

Actually, that should be www.8020.net  not 80/20.com.  Just clarifying.. [smile]

Cheers,

Frank

Thanks Frank, I had been there and have taken inspiration from anywhere I can including here. I appreciate you probably assume this, just adding to the clarity for woodwreck as well.

Can't wait to see your shop and use of all that equipment unfold  [smile]