Learning Project: SysPorts. Status: Complete!

[nnordrum]

[attachthumb=#]

Finally got my first project done! I learned a TON!

I needed something to learn how to use my new toys (hobby for me--IT nerd by day) and my stack of tools was becoming unmanageable, so I decided to build some sysports.

I started off with 4x8 3/4" birch plywood (thanks honeydokreg!) and ripped it down using my TS55 and the edge guides from the LR-32 kit as a "parallel guide" (works great up to ~400mm).

From there, routed a TON of holes using my OF 1400 and the LR-32 kit. For easy alignment, I put a qwas rail dog on my lr-32 rail, measured with the edge guides, squared up the back with the fence with the work piece and then clamped the rail to the board (inspired by brice's lr-32 + parallel guides method).

Next I made a tremendous amount of poorly aligned 6mm Domino holes That's a tricky beast, but it for sure got easier as I went along. Big things I learned were

• setting the cross stops to what you intend to helps a lot with getting your spacing to line up
• remember to switch the depth guide from 25mm to 15mm when doing the "other side"
• make sure the cross stop pins aren't affecting your mortice angle/depth

Finally, attached some casters on the bottom using my CXS. Used MFT/3 extensively for holding stuff down using quick clamp, screw clamps, clamping elements, and qwas dogs. CT26 kept it all nice and clean.

Only things I didn't use were the RO90/RO150 (and the Halloweenex level!), but it's just hanging out in the shop so don't really care that much. I didn't even glue it because the Dominos were such a tight fit.

Now I just need to order some slides and make the shelves. I'm thinking of taking the casters off and just putting some feet on there as the casters aren't super stable. I can't imagine moving these around a tremendous amount that wheels would be beneficial... thoughts/experience on this one?

 

[AlexThePalex]

About the casters, looks to me like you placed them too far inwards, placing them as far on the outside as possible will make your sysports a lot more stable.

 

[nnordrum]

About the casters, looks to me like you placed them too far inwards, placing them as far on the outside as possible will make your sysports a lot more stable.

Yeah, I moved the ones in the back all the way back, actually even hanging off the back, and it still wasn't super stable, but they are quite top heavy...

 

[honeydoman]

Noah. You should have put bead board on the back panels. It adds style!!!

Well now just don't let those tools sit there. Break um out and now start building bookcases,  tables. '. Wall units. Redo your whole house !!!!  Enjoy

 

[mouppe]

Regarding the wheels, I would attach the two sysports together for increased stability. You could use a latch that would allow them to be uncoupled if necessary.

T-locs looking good!!!

 

[nnordrum]

Noah. You should have put bead board on the back panels. It adds style!!!

Well now just don't let those tools sit there. Break um out and now start building bookcases,  tables. '. Wall units. Redo your whole house !!!!  Enjoy

I still need to put in slides--I always seem to need access to the systainer second from the top

I also ended up ditching the wheels, as realistically I don't expect them to move frequently/at all, so just going to put some feet on there to get them off the ground.

I'm still working on building up to bigger projects. Finally starting to master the Domino, and just added a Leigh D4 to the arsenal of confusing tools planning on using some of my vacation time in December to build lots of little boxes with dovetails.

 

[mwhafner]

just added a Leigh D4 to the arsenal of confusing tools Wink

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. 

The D4 is a great jig, but takes a little getting used to.  Make sure you watch the video and keep the manual handy. 

 

[Chems]

Don't take this the wrong way, its not meant like that but. . . . . .

How do you have that many Festools but this is your first project? Were you using them for something else to begin with, did you think they were server racks or confuse the green colour for alienwear PC's?

In one way your extremely sensible and economical, most woodworkers start off with a crap tools, then spend 3x the amount of a festool upgrading until ending up with a festool tool (I know I have). So in that respect you've hit the nail on the head. Not that we use nails here at the FOG.

IT nerd by day

public static void main(String[] args)
  {
  String string="ekahsdnah\ndren\nterces\n-\nhaon\yeh\n"; 
  String secret = new StringBuffer(string).reverse().toString();
  System.out.println("String after reverse: "+secret);
  }

 

[nnordrum]

Don't take this the wrong way, its not meant like that but. . . . . .

How do you have that many Festools but this is your first project? Were you using them for something else to begin with, did you think they were server racks or confuse the green colour for alienwear PC's?

In one way your extremely sensible and economical, most woodworkers start off with a crap tools, then spend 3x the amount of a festool upgrading until ending up with a festool tool (I know I have). So in that respect you've hit the nail on the head. Not that we use nails here at the FOG.

IT nerd by day

I believe you should either do it well, or don't do it at all. I've bought enough disposable stuff, and I've decided not to buy crap anymore, and I'd rather spend more time learning how to do it right with good tools than fight with crap. Plus, once you see the dust collection...