MFSlab Portable Work Table

[SFSteve]

Hi all, I wanted to share my design for a cost effective, slim-line work-top and tool tray that’s about as easy to transport and store as it could possibly be.

We’re simply using a 1” thick slab of MDF to create this job site or small shop portable table. We haven’t found a project we couldn’t do on it yet. The angled troughs are handles that are angled perfectly to maximize comfort while carrying the slab at your side (Festool logo was just for fun!)

To see more photos, details & CAD drawings, check out my site at www.multifunctionslab.com

http://vimeo.com/106330205

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The tool tray has the exact same hole pattern as the table so the handles align perfectly for carrying both tray and table at the same time. We've added two rabbets to store tracks vertically. And the long troughs are for placing Skill Saws and other tools upright.

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We can do vertical clamping with very adequate stability for routing and many other tasks. The idea behind the side clamp troughs is that you can use pretty much any clamp you like.

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These are quite inexpensive to have made at your local CNC shop (about $175); we have several around to make sure there’s at least one or two on each of our jobsites.

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I’ve routed three tool and screw troughs to keep things below the plane of the work material.

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And, why not? We may as well have a hose holder while we’re at it, right?

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I welcome your feedback on this or, if you make one and create some new features, let me know - we’d like to improve ours! I really enjoy working with this table and just wanted to share the idea with the community.

 

[socaljohn]

LOOOOOOOOVE it!

 

[Massemannen]

oohhh my that´s sccchhhhwweeeet!  [big grin]

 

[EricT]

Very nice, and simple idea.

 

[wow]

And I just *happen* to have a pile of 1" thick 3' x 6' material sitting in my shop.

Steve, how much did you have to pay there in SF to get the CNC work done? I realize that it will no doubt vary regionally, but having an idea might help me or someone else negotiate a better price if need be...

 

[SFSteve]

Steve, how much did you have to pay there in SF to get the CNC work done? I realize that it will no doubt vary regionally, but having an idea might help me or someone else negotiate a better price if need be...

We're having our local CNC shop cut two sheets at a time and he's charging us about $150. And two sheets means you get Two tops and two tool trays. (Cheap!) 

 

[overanalyze]

Sweet!! I love it. Great design and execution.

 

[Samo]

Steve,

Very practical and well thought out design.

We have no time here in Carmel.  I need to order some of your finished slabs for pick up?

Sam

 

[Sparky]

Just wondering being mdf and sitting on sawhorses if you have noticed any sagging in the middle or if it stays pretty flat.

 

[ScotF]

Great idea here...very well thought out. How have you found the top staying put on saw horses. Chasing a top around is not a lot of fun. Is there a way to clamp it down easily? Thanks!

 

[sancho57]

Not a bad Idea. You could even have one made cut to size to fit the MFT.

 

[elfick]

I think this table is dying to be mated to a set of these:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/homemade-saw-horse/

 

[SFSteve]

Just wondering being mdf and sitting on sawhorses if you have noticed any sagging in the middle or if it stays pretty flat.

Hi Sparky, the 1" MDF doesn't deflect as much as you would think but yes there is about 1/8 or so. We haven't had a problem with that. When we do need a perfectly flat surface we simply clamp a 2x4 on edge.

 

[SFSteve]

Great idea here...very well thought out. How have you found the top staying put on saw horses. Chasing a top around is not a lot of fun. Is there a way to clamp it down easily? Thanks!

Actually the table really doesn't move at all with these saw horses but we have started replacing the yellow caps on these horses with 2x4s on edge to get the table even higher so if you wanted to you could run a pocket hole up into the bottom of the table to really lock it all together.

 

[Mdr6407]

Steve,
Is the purchase for the CAD file a digital download or a actual Print?

 

[SFSteve]

Steve,
Is the purchase for the CAD file a digital download or a actual Print?

This is a digital download which can be sent directly to your local CNC shop who will make his special digital file which works with their machines.

 

[Iceclimber]

This is pretty great.

I did just get my MFT tables but so far i have not been willing to use them on sight. I have two of them connected together "one a MFT/3" along with the CMS VL. Being my floors are kinda wack i really don't want to move anything. Plus the MFT is heavy, add to the heaviness that the moving pieces of the MFT/3 are a but fragile and i really don't want to just throw it in my truck. At the least i would feel the need to take the guide rails of. Between my flora and that it seems like more work than i want to do on a weekly basis.

To date i have just continued to take my saw horses, 2x4 and particle board cut table and make things work the way i always did before i went Festool nuts.

Your table seems like the perfect replacement for the particle board that could incorporate many of the shop based functions i am getting used to  with my MFT tables.

Very nice idea that i will really have to consider myself.

 

[NEW2FES]

BRILLIANT!!

I have 2 MFT tops that I bought cheap about 2 years ago. I have used them on saw horses ever since for everything from a TV stand for a 50" plasma to a workbench and there has really been no sag issue.

I actually find them more useful then the MFT itself which I also have. Your added slots are a home run. Where do I buy them??

 

[WoodWhisperer]

That is an awesome work table! For sure I am going to have to make one.  I was thinking of ways to keep the top from flexing. I remember watching a granite fabricator cut a kerf on the underside of the front and back of a sink.  He then put this really ridged  piece of plastic in the kerf cut and epoxied it in. It keeps the granite from flexing during install. This would be perfect for this top!

 

[overanalyze]

That is an awesome work table! For sure I am going to have to make one.  I was thinking of ways to keep the top from flexing. I remember watching a granite fabricator cut a kerf on the underside of the front and back of a sink.  He then put this really ridged  piece of plastic in the kerf cut and epoxied it in. It keeps the granite from flexing during install. This would be perfect for this top!

Good idea! You could even go as far as a truss rod like in a guitar neck.