MFT Cart (Yes Another One)

[davetink]

So after looking at the many fine examples of MFT carts by the really talented people in the FOG I took the plunge and made one. It's still a work in progress. The main thing with my thinking was that I have a nice workbench for planing, etc (you can see it in one of the pictures)[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4][attachimg=5][attachthumb=1][attachthumb=2][attachthumb=3][attachthumb=4][attachthumb=5] so I wasn't too concerned with access to all sides of the MFT rails so I used one end for a tray-like place to store tools I'm using to keep the top clear. The other end has my drills that I use a lot with all the stuff needed for them. I keep my sanders on one shelf ( ETS 150/5 and DTS400) along with a systainer that has sand paper for both. It's about 5 feet long and 33 inches wide (I used 16" full extension slides cause I wanted to be sure the lids stayed open without holding them). I added 2 more casters under the middle uprights to prevent any sag.
I am challenged with pictures so if Seth or Peter can help out that would be great. Thanks for looking.

 

[Billy stray]

How many have you made so far ?

 

[davetink]

This is my first.  It may not be right for everyone but it fits the way i work.

 

[bdiemer]

Brilliant...

 

[rustym]

Looking good! I can't wait to start building one of those myself.  I plan to put a router table on one end.  So many good ideas on the FOG and so many willing to share those ideas.

Rusty

 

[thumbsmasher]

I am about to embark on a similar journey.  Can I ask where you got the casters from, the size, and if you like them?

Thanks

 

[davetink]

The casters are the 3" red wheeled ones at Home Depot for $7.97 each. The slides are 16" full extension from CSH for $7.70 each.
Yes i like them for the price and they work pretty well. Have used them on other projects.

 

[Billy stray]

This is my first.  It may not be right for everyone but it fits the way i work. I only asked because you said "another one" but now I get it

 

[Billy stray]

I like those red wheels from home depot also I've used them myself, I bought a set & didn't even realize until I locked them that the swivel locks too, that's key !
Can't beat the price  [big grin]

 

[Acrobat]

Great job, only thing I can see a potential issue is, can you clamp anything vertical anywhere? The sides are not possible with the tables, can you clamp along the front? I don't do a lot of it but it does come in handy on occasion and I'd be struggling otherwise.
Apart from that looks like you've put quite a bit of time and effort into it and it's come out well.

 

[Kev]

OK ... nobody calling him out of the fluffy pink handle ... hmmm ?? [eek]

 

[Sparktrician]

OK ... nobody calling him out of the fluffy pink handle ... hmmm ?? [eek]

Only you, Kev.  Only you... 

[popcorn]

(I use fuzzy round yellow ones on mine, and for exactly the same reason...) 

Edited to add photos.

 

[davetink]

Acrobat-- The drawer pulls get in the way in front. I remove the drill caddy (2 star knobs) and use the end for verticals.
Kev--- I can't count how many times I cut my head and forearms on that bloody sharp end of the protractor. Now that you've got that pinkness in my head I may have to change it out....HaHaHa.
Seriously thank you all for looking and thanks for your kind comments.

 

[BrianJA]

OK ... nobody calling him out of the fluffy pink handle ... hmmm ?? [eek]

Only you, Kev.  Only you... 

[popcorn]

(I use fuzzy round yellow ones on mine, and for exactly the same reason...) 

Edited to add photos.

I thought that the ball was so you can find it at the mall parking lots. 

 

[Sparktrician]

OK ... nobody calling him out of the fluffy pink handle ... hmmm ?? [eek]

Only you, Kev.  Only you... 

[popcorn]

(I use fuzzy round yellow ones on mine, and for exactly the same reason...) 

Edited to add photos.

I thought that the ball was so you can find it at the mall parking lots.

If that were the case, I'd be driving someone else's MFT home... 

[scared]

 

[canadamike]

Very nice design on the MFT bench! I need to build something similar, did you follow any particular designs or what did you use to dial in your drawer sizes?

Also, your other bench looks great -- did you build it? If so, nice job. Please post a couple pics of your hand tool bench when you get a moment,

Mike

 

[davetink]

My handtool bench is a LaChapelle Kriens 96" bench bought from Garret Wade in the early 1980's. I don't believe they make them any more.
As far as measurements on my MFT cart I mostly relied on the many great designs you can find on the FOG (just search MFT cart). On my design I wanted the finished height to match my router table that I use as an extension when needed. I then measured the casters and the MFT top and what was left was the height of the cabinet. then it was a matter of some LR32 work, assembly, and then starting at the cabinet bottom fitting the slides for the systainers I wanted in
A big mistake I made was when doing the LR32 holes for the slides the bottom hole came out too far from the bottom so I wasted space under the bottom systainer. I may have been able to fit another sys2 above a sys4 if I didn't make this mistake (I don't have any more sys1's that would fit).
I did want the tray for the TS55 in the top right though as you do need to put it down between cuts. other guys have different ideas how to do this.
As far as the width between the dividers--the systainer part is a given. The center section was made to fit the Dewalt storage bins with room to store extra boxes of screws on the sides. I had a rough idea of how big I wanted the space on the left top to put stuff down on when working so it all kind of fits and the final measurements just ended up what they were.
Hope I wasn't too wordy there but.....