MFTC portable workshop

[fritter63]

Frickin brilliant Tim!

 

[Metisse]

Wow! This would fit into my workflow perfectly since I pretty much do all work on site. Please update this thread when you have the sketch up file available in imperial units!

You may well be aware of this so forgive me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs!

In Sketch Up select the menu item Window. Then select Model info. In the pop-up box select the units tab and you can adjust the measurements used to whatever you like. Fractional and Architectural will render imperial measurements and you can also adjust the precision.

It will still leave you with the problem of a drawing that effectively uses materials in metric sizes but you may be able to tweak it to use the closest imperial size available to you.

Regards

Peter

 

[Timtool]

Yup the problem is the sheet material, that is what i want to adapt my plans for. I want to keep everything in metric but adapt the parts made with imperial sheet goods.
The difference isn't big as it usually less than a mm, but still!

 

[Michael Kellough]

Any one built one yet? I would love too see the pictures, defo on my too do list it's perfect for me

It's only been out for a week, but a few buyers already told me they were gonna start next week, some even told me they were gonna have the parts CNC'd with he sketchup file!
I'm still working on an imperial add-on, is it true 1/2 inch mdf is not commonly available?

The big boxes and at least one independent near me do not carry stock 1/2". But I have no trouble getting it if I order through my primary independent lumber dealer.

Seth

1/2" plywood is readily available in small quantities but 1/2" MDF is often only available as a special order, unless there is a distributor nearby.

 

[Tinker]

I am trying, little by little to use metric when building to match up with my MFT's.  I use a tape with both mm & imperial on it.
I cannot picture in my head in mm's so the double scale tape is still a necessity for me.
Whether a plan is in mm's or imperial has no significance to whether i buy or not.
for me it is whether the plan is adaptible to my shop or to a project I have in mind.
i am sure it is easier to adapt an idea to whatever the measurements on the plans are.
I am even more certain that it is a LOT of work to change the scale on a plan.
Especially after so much thought and work went into the original plans and construction.
Tinker

 

[fastbike]

I can walk into my local Lowes and Home Depot and get 1/2" mdf. I know there are regional differences.

 

[irishroey]

Just purchased the plans and can't wait to get started will post pics of the progress

 

[Timtool]

Just finished the plans and sketchup model adapted to imperial sheet goods! I also fixed a detail in the standard plans.
I will send the imperial version to all US residents who have already bought the plans. And the fixed version to the others
Someone is also working on a German translation!

 

[epicxt]

Sweet! Will get on purchasing these plans!

 

[Gneyenhuis]

These are really great plans Tim but I have a question. Is the 1/2" MDF heavy enough for the top?  Would it be too heavy if it had a 3/4" top. I plan to use this bench as my 3rd MFT in my shop or take it on-site when a bench is required.
Gary

 

[dlyons41]

Tim, The plans are much appreciated and I look forward to receiving the imperial version.  You make reference to the template but I haven't been able to find the template as an attachment or part of the original PDF.  Thanks again, Doug

 

[colevalleytim]

Well done, I bought the plans, really helpful

thanks

 

[Timtool]

Tim, The plans are much appreciated and I look forward to receiving the imperial version.  You make reference to the template but I haven't been able to find the template as an attachment or part of the original PDF.  Thanks again, Doug

You are right! I overlooked that, the template i planned to make was just to draw the curved lines on the sides. I will add it and post a link here.

These are really great plans Tim but I have a question. Is the 1/2" MDF heavy enough for the top?  Would it be too heavy if it had a 3/4" top. I plan to use this bench as my 3rd MFT in my shop or take it on-site when a bench is required.
Gary

I used 1/2 purely because of weight reduction, i tried to grabble every gram i could left and right. I have no issues with this thickness and it works out fine, possibly for the benchdogs you may want to have more depth for accuracy. But i am not convinced it will make a grand difference.
But i looked under mine, and technically nothing stops you from making the rabbet deeper to hold 3/4th material. It won't interact with any other parts.

 

[sean_hogan]

Tim not sure if its been asked, do you know the total weight of the mft withouth the systainers and exstension tables ?

 

[HaKLc]

I also bought plans (Combo) and by this chance may I mention the price. 18€ including VAT.
Tim put a lot of time, knowledge and effort into those plans and I would pay even more for them, because they are worth every $ or €.

Thanks again Tim for great plans.

Marko

 

[jeep jake]

Has anyone in the US had issues getting material/hardware for this? I want to make one bad but just want to make sure I could find all the hardware easily.

 

[Timtool]

Has anyone in the US had issues getting material/hardware for this? I want to make one bad but just want to make sure I could find all the hardware easily.

There is someone in the US about halfway through the build and sending me pics almost daily, when he is done i will post an article on my website detailing the hardware he used.
Does anyone know of a cheap T-track source besides the incra? Over here i can just get them at a local hardware store where they sell them cheaply as curtain rails.

I forgot to take weighing device to the workshop today to check the weight, but i will find out tomorrow!

 

[downtheroad]

Does anyone know of a cheap T-track source besides the incra?

I got 3 48" t-tracks from McMaster-Carr that fit the Festool screw clamps fine. They were $11.55 a piece. I also got my wheels from them at $15.20 a piece. They were 8" x 2" polypropylene core with rubber treads for a 3/4" axle.

 

[Rocky]

What about the axles?  I see they carry those also.

 

[downtheroad]

What about the axles?  I see they carry those also.

I haven't decided whether to use a rod or tube yet. Tubes would be less weight. I would use self-locking external retaining rings to hold wheels in place.