MFTC portable workshop

[Rob in Vancouver]

Greeting folks

Firstly, I'm new to this forum and I want to thank all posters for the immense amount of knowledge they have put up on here, without you guys I would be in some serious trouble

Is it possible that the MDF portion of these plans should be 3/4 inch and not 1/2 inch?  If I'm not mistaken the Festool table comes in 3/4 inch thick MDF?
Another reason why I ask is because the Lee Valley clamping set specifies that the table should be 3/4 inch thick....its possible I'm confused so I apologize for the question if it does not make sense.

I want to buy this clamping set from Lee Valley Tools and I'm worried that it will not be compatible with plans that call for 1/2 inch thick MDF?  If I modify the plans and use 3/4 inch MDF will it be ok?  I understand that it will be heavier....

Here is the set I'm referring to.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/Page.aspx?p=70681&cat=1,71990

Please confirm either way.

Thanks

 

[micknc]

Rob,

Welcome to FOG.  I'm also a relative newcomer, but I did just complete the MFTC and used 3/4" MDF for the top.  It works fine, just a little heavier.  I think Tim stated in a prior post that it was simply a weight issue.

 

[alexbravo]

Hello there,
paid by Pay-Pal there has 03/01/2015, I still have not received anything!
On vacation?

 

[dutchie]

Perhaps this is something for you Timtool > http://www.woothemes.com/woocommerce/

Fairly easy to set up (free) webshop software which supports digital downloads as products and PayPal out of the box...might save you some hassle manually sending out all the files!

 

[Rosivertsen@gmail.com]

Anyone from Norway that have built the MFTC ?
I bought the plans a few days ago but are having problem finding the hardware, especially the T-tracks. Shipping from US or UK  makes them very expensive, so i'm trying to find them closer to home.

Any suggestions to where i can find reasonable priced t-tracks and Accuride 3832TR 350mm / 14" for the drawers?
(Shipped to Norway)

 

[wow]

Anyone from Norway that have built the MFTC ?
I bought the plans a few days ago but are having problem finding the hardware, especially the T-tracks. Shipping from US or UK  makes them very expensive, so i'm trying to find them closer to home.

Any suggestions to where i can find reasonable priced t-tracks and Accuride 3832TR 350mm / 14" for the drawers?
(Shipped to Norway)

This seller seems to have a lot of choices but I didn't see the 350mm one. Here is a link to the 450mm one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SLIDE-TOUCH-RELEASE-450MM-Price/dp/B008RF7U6M/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421020666&sr=1-10&keywords=DZ3832-

They are £29.71 for a PAIR with free UK delivery. I don't know if that's a good price, nor do I know what shipping to Norway would add, but maybe it's an option for you? If it seems like a good start I'd contact them about getting the exact ones that you want. I assume there would be some quantity discount as well?

 

[jemzik]

Bought mine t-tracks from Fine-tools.com, they are based in Germany .

 

[moody]

Anyone from Norway that have built the MFTC ?
I bought the plans a few days ago but are having problem finding the hardware, especially the T-tracks. Shipping from US or UK  makes them very expensive, so i'm trying to find them closer to home.

Any suggestions to where i can find reasonable priced t-tracks and Accuride 3832TR 350mm / 14" for the drawers?
(Shipped to Norway)

Closest to you would be in Gothenburg I think, http://www.woodworking.se/index.php

 

[Mitchewd]

Well, I finally finished my version of Tim's Cart.  So far, this thing is working very well...

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I modified Tim's excellent cart design to focus around the TS55 Saw.

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Each drawer is focused on providing access to tools and jigs used during sawing operations; clamping, marking and measuring, rail guides, and the saw itself.

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The top drawer has a foam-fitted array of my most-used clamps and my tape measure.  I will add compartments for fasteners in a few...

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Close-up of the top drawer....

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The Veritas Clamping Kit is the BOMB!

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I think I am going to make a separate insert for the rail guide - I don't like this one; there is wasted space here...

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The Saw fits neatly at the bottom...

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The bottom drawer is custom-fitted to hold a sliding tool rack and a french cleat tool rack with an attached magnetic rack from ace hardware, of all places...

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Here is the full setup, great for cutting and minor hand tool work.  Thanks to Tim for his excellent design! 

To all: follow his directions exactly, there is little tolerance for error.  The only thing I would change is the top cutout - it lets dust into my top drawer and I need to design a fix...I should have caught this issue when I made my modifications.  Every mod you make needs to be well thought-out.

 

[Vondawg]

Really nice and thought out.

 

[John Beauchamp]

My MFTC is almost done, still have to decide about systainers or drawers. I set it up for systainers but I only have 4 and they are for tools that won't go out on jobs most of the time. I followed Tim's instructions as close as possible (great instructions) but had to make a couple small mods as I couldn't find the exact parts he used. I will probably use this one as a prototype and give it away when I build another one. Now that I know the relationship between the parts It will be easier to change a couple things. Like others I was tempted to go 3/4" on the top but since Tim has been using it for awhile I figured he would have changed it if it didn't work. Until I use it I won't know if I want it bigger or heavier. Still don't know what the drawers or systainers will weigh when added and filled. I have about $100 in the metal things and maybe $40 in wood. I had all the wood laying here in leftovers so don't really know exact price. I got the wheels at Harbor freight  $7.50,  slides at CS Hardware $9 and the t-track at peachtree $55.  I will post pictures when I get the drawers in. If you build one I suggest having all the hardware in hand before starting so you can modify as needed without re-doing something.

 

[Scorpion]

Can someone show a pic of the "drawer" bottoms? Are you routing/cutting out provisions for the feet for the T-Loc style? What keeps the systainers from sliding forward?

 

[John Beauchamp]

There are four rectangular holes that match the feet on the systainers.  It's all in Tims plans  well worth the money.  (About $10)

 

[Mitchewd]

Pretty simple, really.  Tim's plans are spot-on and worth the buy.  There are 50 pages of detailed drawings and step-by step instructions.

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[Scorpion]

There are four rectangular holes that match the feet on the systainers.  It's all in Tims plans  well worth the money.  (About $10)

My curiosity led me to ask the question. 

I've probably read this thread a dozen times and inspected everyone's work in it twice that.  I've enjoyed his website too. Very impressive. Plans ordered, I'm building one!

On more question? Was the MFTC XL ever completed?

 

[Francis_Beland]

Here's my version of the MFTC. I didn't need to exit my basement so I put small caster wheels. Since my "workshop" is 6' X 6', I needed something really small when not needed. It's made exclusively out of baltic birch. Somebody from another woodworking forum CNC'd me the top with a t-track slot so I can put a fence (see third picture). I still need to do the finish (I'm open to suggestions), add slides for more systainers and add the shelf underneath to put tools.

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[Mitchewd]

Excellent work!  That looks very clean; try a plain Danish oil for finish.  A couple coats will give it a warm glow and still be a workable surface.

 

[grawil]

Does anyone know of a source for a good set of leveling feet? I cannot find anything like what the plans describe from my usual sources in Canada.

 

[carrera4s]

Does anyone know of a source for a good set of leveling feet? I cannot find anything like what the plans describe from my usual sources in Canada.

I also could not find any feet, so I simply used 4 x M20 bolts and nuts.  I drilled a 22mm hole into the bottom of the feet and then carefully freehand routed a recess for the nut and glued it into place.  The bolt new simply screw up and down in the nut.

 

[Alan m]

wow 6'x6' is very small. I assume you only store the tools in there.
you must have some nice storage ideas