Mft3 or this work bench

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Phoned my local Axminster this morning to enquire about the bench and they have one left so I scooped it up its the one that was on display in there store so is already build up one less job for me  [big grin] so i'l be picking it up over the weekend or early next week along with a jet osolating edge sander that also had a cracking discount  [big grin] happy days

 

[Roseland]

I have both an MFT3 and a home made sturdy bench.  They each have their uses. 

The MFT is brilliant for cross cutting square quickly, and if you're really stuck a vice can be added:http://www.axminster.co.uk/sjobergs-smart-vice-502365

The home made bench, made from an idea in Fine Woodworking, is constructed of laminated 3/4" ply and is massively stable and heavy; just what you want for planing.  But I don't think it could get out of my workshop!

Andrew

 

[Doug S]

Very jealous of your new bench, never had a proper bench myself, always just mdf topped assembly type tables.

Main reason is I have always intended to build my own but probably won't find time for that until I retire!

Doug

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Very jealous of your new bench, never had a proper bench myself, always just mdf topped assembly type tables.

Main reason is I have always intended to build my own but probably won't find time for that until I retire!

Doug

That's the main reason I have bought one as I never seem to be able to find the time to build one, looking forward to picking it up.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Mark

Good luck with the new bench. It took me over a month before I got used to cutting directly on my bench when it was new. It is now nicely distressed and looks better for it.

Peter

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Thanks Peter I'm sure it'll look distressed in no time  [smile]

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

First little project on the new bench making a T.Rex chalk board for my sons room [big grin]
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]

 

[AndyUK]

Nice one.
The bench looks a good 'un. 

 

[Tinker]

The choice of bench will depend on your type of work.

The MFT3 is really portable, makes an excellent track saw station and is one of the best bases for jig work (with Parf Dogs of course !). However, it is not stable enough for hand planning, it has no vice nor any after market option that I am aware of.

The Axminster bench is a (relatively speaking) cheap and cheerful example of its class. It is really solid, has a pair of excellent vices and will be perfect for planing and all the hammering and chiselling that you can manage.

When I wanted a bench similar to the Axminster one I made it from scratch. It was not difficult at all and from your FOG name it appears that you have more than enough ability to design and make one of your own. Mine cost about £200 and much of that was for the ball bearing drawer runners which are perhaps not really needed. I bought Veritas vice bodies from Axminster and I have been very pleased with them.

If you then decide that you want a track saw cutting station then all you need is a pair of trestles, a third of a sheet of 18 mm MDF and some cleverly placed 20 mm holes (and Parf Dogs - of course !).

Peter

Thanks for the info Peter, I would love to build my own bench but simply don't have the at present, I like the portability of the mft and the options it opens for cross cutting and sanding. I would not have considered the Axminster bench at its rrp just shy of £1k ( it's there premium monster bench)but at the min it's in there clearance sale at £578 which is only slightly more the the mft3 paired with a set of clamping elements and I like the option of the hand tool work it would allow.
I know there 2 completely different animals and would love both but only money for one work bench at the moment just which one? [scared]
Options are to go with the workbench and pair my Dewalt saw horses with an mft style top or plumb for the mft and one day build a larger bench, 1st option gives the best of both worlds 2nd just ties in with the Festool system which I am heavily invested in tool wise and would double as an out feed table for my small table saw.

For a long time, when planing, even tho i have 3 MFT work benches, I needed better stability.  I had a couple of old Work-Mate clamping benches that I have kept.  Those benches worked fine for planing, especially if i set two of them in tandem if i had to plane a long board.  I just clamped one WM at each end of the board.  In good weather, I still sometimes take the two W-Ms outside to do planing. 

I also have used a sheet of plyscord with a couple of 2x's screwed to the bottom of the sheet and then clamped in the jaws of the WM's.  It makes an ok temporary work bench.  If I need more stability, I just clamp a couple of 2x's along the edges.  Those WM's worked fine when, once in a while, i got a winter project (either for the Boss who feeds me, or for a regular customer) of building sets of shelves or other interior projects.  They also worked as temporary benches for light scaffolding.

They also served very well when I was in mason biz and sometimes used as a metal brake when doing my own flashings.  If I needed extra length for bending a sheet of copper, or aluminum, I just added a couple of 2x's and clamped the sheet metal between the extended "jaws".  That worked great.

Whichever way you decide to go with only one bench, there are very inexpensive backup benches that can be gotten to increase your productivity.  What you cannot buy, your imagination can supply.
Tinker

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Thanks Andy, the Bench is a nice piece of kit I would say the top is well made and very solid the legs and other under carrage are all nice solid timber but the connections arnt the best there doweled and have through bolts but it's not as solid as I'd like when I get a bit more time I will remove the top and domino all the leg parts and cross members as well as using some pocket hole joinery to connect the legs to the top its self which I think will make for a much more sturdy construction.
Thanks for the input Tinker, I have a similar set up I use with some Dewalt sawhorses and timbers and also an Mft style top. The Axminster bench will forfill all my bench work needs in the workshop, I may still get an mft3 or an Mft kapex in the future if funds allow but I think I will be able to get by now with my new and mobile bench.

 

[AndyUK]

Thanks Andy, the Bench is a nice piece of kit I would say the top is well made and very solid the legs and other under carrage are all nice solid timber but the connections arnt the best there doweled and have through bolts but it's not as solid as I'd like when I get a bit more time I will remove the top and domino all the leg parts and cross members as well as using some pocket hole joinery to connect the legs to the top its self which I think will make for a much more sturdy construction.
Thanks for the input Tinker, I have a similar set up I use with some Dewalt sawhorses and timbers and also an Mft style top. The Axminster bench will forfill all my bench work needs in the workshop, I may still get an mft3 or an Mft kapex in the future if funds allow but I think I will be able to get by now with my new and mobile bench.

In the mean time if you have a couple of long enough sash clamps you could use them on the inside of the legs to keep the frame nice and tight until you domino them.  [wink]

 

[mike_aa]

Glad to see your happy with your bench! 

Great looking T-Rex!

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Thanks Andy, the Bench is a nice piece of kit I would say the top is well made and very solid the legs and other under carrage are all nice solid timber but the connections arnt the best there doweled and have through bolts but it's not as solid as I'd like when I get a bit more time I will remove the top and domino all the leg parts and cross members as well as using some pocket hole joinery to connect the legs to the top its self which I think will make for a much more sturdy construction.
Thanks for the input Tinker, I have a similar set up I use with some Dewalt sawhorses and timbers and also an Mft style top. The Axminster bench will forfill all my bench work needs in the workshop, I may still get an mft3 or an Mft kapex in the future if funds allow but I think I will be able to get by now with my new and mobile bench.

In the mean time if you have a couple of long enough sash clamps you could use them on the inside of the legs to keep the frame nice and tight until you domino them.  [wink]

It's not all that bad to be fair just could be better if it is a problem i'l crack the clamps out  [wink]

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Glad to see your happy with your bench! 

Great looking T-Rex!

Cheers Mike I think my son will be very happy with it he's dinosaur crazy at the min, the bench is very nice mate and will be even better once i'v done some tinkering and added some dominos  [wink]

 

[Tinker]

Glad to see your happy with your bench! 

Great looking T-Rex!

Cheers Mike I think my son will be very happy with it he's dinosaur crazy at the min, the bench is very nice mate and will be even better once i'v done some tinkering and added some dominos  [wink]

Ah yes, it's what will give purfecshon