MFTC portable workshop

[Timtool]

You can use any size of wheel you like, i used a 200mm wheel because i initially used the sysroll wheels, same as on the CT vacs. But they are from hard plastic, giving you a rough and noisy travel. So i had to buy similar sized rubber wheels. My first prototype had 260mm inflatable wheels, but they were too heavy and maintenance intensive requiring frequent pump ups.
If you want more ground clearance i would suggest raising the bottom of the carcass, this only impacts the height of the bottom drawer. the MFTC has a standard workbench height of 900mm, same as an MFT so i would avoid making it much taller!

 

[GBCarpentry]

Oh!  [embarassed] Well I was in the hardware store today with work and they had 260mm inflatable wheels, so I bought them and just fitted them. Oh by the way, I'm 6 ft 2 and I don't own an mft. I'm so happy that it's mobile. I can always change them if it also becomes a problem for me. Thanks for your input.

 

[JoggleStick]

... the MFTC has a standard workbench height of 900mm, same as an MFT so i would avoid making it much taller!

Hmmm, I don't know about this 'standard bench height' comment.

Yes, 900 mm is an ideal working height for people of a specific height- but that ain't me... You see, I'm 6' 2" tall and as a working height 900 mm (roughly 35 3/8") is just plain uncomfortable. At 900 mm I find I am in a constant stoop and develop a back ache or strain over an extended period of time. I decided long ago I would not stoop to work, if I didn't have to. Everyone has their own ideal work height; a work height that is comfortable to work at for an extended period of time without undue strain. And it is a very personal choice.
For me I have settled on 1050 mm as my standard bench height.
This is both for the workshop and on site.

Every bench, infeed and outfeed table, etc in my workshop is at 1050 mm. This uniformity of height has greatly improved my workflows and at this height I can work comfortably for much longer and do not 'tire' for an extended period of time.

I have a love/hate relationship with my MFT. I love the concept, and really love the design elements- being the top itself and T rail extrusions and of course the interaction of clamps, etc... but for me the table is too flimsy to be at true workbench, it is too small to handle sheetgoods, it is too low to be comfortable to work at for an extended period... So I have taken the design elements and incorporated them into all my other (self-built) work surfaces.
And indeed, that is what Timtool has done with this magnificent bench.
It is a cracker of an idea- but I just wanted to say if you are going to build your own workbench- of any type- you should build the bench to your preferred work height....
Not the other way round and try an conform your work practices to a 'standard' height that may not be ideal for you...
Sorry, I got a bit long winded getting to my point....

 

[Timtool]

@Jogglestick, it's very true that each has their own ideal height. On a workbench i was told that that height is about at your wrist height, on average 900mm is the ideal standard height that works with most people. But if you are the only one working on it then you may as well adapt it to yourself, i build goldsmith workbenches for a living, there is a standard height but people frequently ask custom heights. They sit at it all day and the worktop must be at shoulder height when sitting down, otherwise you destroy your back.

Oh!  [embarassed] Well I was in the hardware store today with work and they had 260mm inflatable wheels, so I bought them and just fitted them. Oh by the way, I'm 6 ft 2 and I don't own an mft. I'm so happy that it's mobile. I can always change them if it also becomes a problem for me. Thanks for your input.

Actually inflatable wheels are a fine choice, the problem i had was that the supplied axle rod was heavy duty full steel, weighing close to 2kg! Now i got an axle from Festool that is hollow and weighs close to nothing. Every gram counts!

 

[semenza]

@Jogglestick, it's very true that each has their own ideal height. On a workbench i was told that that height is about at your wrist height, on average 900mm is the ideal standard height that works with most people. But if you are the only one working on it then you may as well adapt it to yourself, i build goldsmith workbenches for a living, there is a standard height but people frequently ask custom heights. They sit at it all day and the worktop must be at shoulder height when sitting down, otherwise you destroy your back.

 OK, now that sounds interesting ......

  Top of the shoulder?  So they raise their arms up on top and rest their chin?

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OK, just googled it. Looks like it is designed so that the work is directly in front of their eyes , and they sit in a curved cut out. I was picturing them having to hold their arms up on the surface.

Seth

 

[Paul G]

Timtool, Love your design and will buy plans, but I'm curious if I can get both imperial and metric plans? I can get either and am undecided yet which materials I would like to build this from (which impacts the imperial or metric decision).

Also I noticed the tool list on your site, can I do without the table saw and use my track saw? Also are there specialized router bits I need? Looking forward to building this.

 

[Timtool]

Timtool, Love your design and will buy plans, but I'm curious if I can get both imperial and metric plans? I can get either and am undecided yet which materials I would like to build this from (which impacts the imperial or metric decision).

Also I noticed the tool list on your site, can I do without the table saw and use my track saw? Also are there specialized router bits I need? Looking forward to building this.

Sure you can get both versions, just add a message in paypal.
The track saw can replace the table saw, i used my track saw for some parts that required plunge cuts, but as i built it in my workshop it was just faster to use the panel saw.
And then i built the MFTC so i could use my track saw more, before that i had no real set up to use a track saw efficiently.

 

[Tinker]

@Jogglestick, it's very true that each has their own ideal height. On a workbench i was told that that height is about at your wrist height, on average 900mm is the ideal standard height that works with most people. But if you are the only one working on it then you may as well adapt it to yourself, i build goldsmith workbenches for a living, there is a standard height but people frequently ask custom heights. They sit at it all day and the worktop must be at shoulder height when sitting down, otherwise you destroy your back.

 OK, now that sounds interesting ......

  Top of the shoulder?  So they raise their arms up on top and rest their chin?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, just googled it. Looks like it is designed so that the work is directly in front of their eyes , and they sit in a curved cut out. I was picturing them having to hold their arms up on the surface.

Seth

That type of workbench would work for me if i had the space.
I have rearranged my shop several times, each time giving me just a little more space.
Of course, more space means "room for more toys"
I dare not create more space just so i can make more use for my Trion.
if i make space for a bench like that, i would load it with toys before it was finished.
If i build it first, it would have to be built in the kitchen  [scared]
oh well, my lastt post spoke of using a crutch.
That is safer than building in the kitchen.  :
Tinker

 

[SnowOwl50]

RickBW

After much difficulty and many searches I was able to find a link to a company that sells the latches (push push latches by Salintina).

There is this online site that sells them:

The latches are two pieces and requires you to buy the parts separately.  Or so it appears. 

Here is the catch:

 

[Timtool]

For all those having trouble finding the adjustable legs i managed to track down the brand.
It's an Italian brand "Camar" and here are the legs, they only sell to large distributors who then distribute them to individual stores. If you google camar legs you can find stores that sell them more easily, if not you could mail camar and find out who distributes them in your country! I like these legs because you can adjust them by hand and they are rather cheap here around €1 a piece.

 

[Fesnewb]

Hi guys. This is my first post here. I have zero carpentry experience but am fairly handy and am a quick study. I have absolutely tons of projects lined up for our house renovation. The more I planned for the house the more custom my ideas became, to the point where it would take longer to tell a tradesman exactly what I wanted than to do the jobs myself. I really got very 'into' the design process of each piece of custom joinery I was coming up with in my head. I got such a kick out of it. I have always taken great pleasure out of other non carpentry items I built and/or pride at coming up with innovative solutions. I quickly realised that I would love to make carpentry/joinery a hobby. I guess I never really did grow out of Lego or meccano after all, so to speak If only I had had the opportunity to study carpentry or metal work in school then I might have found a passion for creating things much earlier in my life and ended up in a different career altogether. Needless to say, once I start acquiring the powertools, Festool will feature heavily.

I found Tims Youtube video for the MFTB weeks ago and subscribed straight away. Loved the idea and its execution.

Besides all the projects in the house I have another woodworking project in the pipeline for my other hobby, Astronomy. I'll be building a new BB Plywood base for my telescope and wanted to make it easily transportable in the car and easily movable across rough ground when observing the stars in some field up the mountains or easily movable up and down kerbs and steps when showing the public the stars at public outreach events in urban areas.

Part of the solution I settled on to achieve those aims is something that I think might be usable on the MTFB for getting it up and down stairs on jobsites more easily. Here it is:

The important part of the video is not the handtruck itself but the stair climbing tri-wheel system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=ULWRV_N9ugY&feature=endscreen

 

[Alan m]

welcome to the fog.
what part of the country are you in.
i like that cart. very good design

 

[Fesnewb]

Hi Alan,

I'm from Bray in Wicklow.

I picked that particular Vid from Youtube because it showed heavy loads on the hand-truck. Neither the trolley chassis itself nor the side-slip rollers of the wheels were the parts of the design that I thought possibly useful for the MTFB. Just the Tri-Wheel system. I think it might give the MTFB when collapsed up and being moved, a wider surer footing with the bottom two wheels in contact with the ground and its benefits for climbing steps is obvious. I've seen triangular tri-Wheel hub made out of pieces of solid wood in other vids.

 

[kostello]

Rutlands 1/2" track fits the festool clamps

 

[JerrySats]

I just ordered the plans , can't wait to build this . Are the extension table plans included too ?

 

[Timtool]

I just ordered the plans , can't wait to build this . Are the extension table plans included too ?

Yup the extensions are included, by the way are you driving a tractor on your profile pic?

 

[JerrySats]

I just ordered the plans , can't wait to build this . Are the extension table plans included too ?

by the way are you driving a tractor on your profile pic?

Good eye , your the second person to catch that , it's a Case wheel loader .

 

[Ohj123]

Anyone know of a UK stockist of the camar legs?
Thanks

 

[Toto]

Hi Tim, just to say that I have received the plans for the MFTC and just amazed at the detail and clarity of the whole document, I am now looking forward to building and will let you know how I get on, Thanks again Tony [big grin]

 

[threedots]

Hi Tim,

I think you're looking more often in the FOG forum than the german ones. So I will ask my questions here.

I've some trouble to find a german dealer for the Camar legs. A request to Camar is still unanswered since several weeks.
Furthermore I'm still seeking for a cheap source for the T-tracks.

I hope you can give some hints for some european sources.