Miniature Sawhorse Topper for Systainer Toolbox

stvrowe

stvrowe

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Joined
Jan 27, 2007
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I made a miniature sawhorse topper for cutting, routing, sanding, etc.  This unit can be used stand alone, on top of a Systainer Toolbox, or with the toolbox mounted on a CT dust extractor depending on the working height desired.  I primarily intended to use this in the house for flooring installation but think this will be used in many more projects than just flooring.

The construction is from 12mm Baltic Birch ply with 4mm Dominoes for the joinery.  I purchased a roll of the Festool non-skid strip to use on the top sawhorse rails and am quite pleased at how well it holds the material.  I also put rubber cabinet door bumpers on the bottom of the sawhorse assembly and on the tool box feet to prevent slippage in any mode.  The holes on the side were intended to provide the ability to clamp material to the surface using the Festool clamps but, this doesn't work very well as the clamp tends to tip.  The center supports do provide the ability to clamp if desired but, the use of a longer clamp is necessary.  I think if I were to do this again, I would use shorter center rails so the 120mm clamps could be used.

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Very cool!!  A way to have the Sys-MFT effect but on top of the Sys- Toolbox.

Seth
 
That is a great idea.  It not only gives a good portable work surface with a lot of possibilities for more clamping devices to be used other than Festoys.  And you still have access to a lot of tools without having to reach into other areas around you.  I have one of those Festoy open tool boxes and it gets a lot of use.  With a top like yours, i could make use of a couple more of those boxes.  Hope you don't mind if I ste....... er, ah, make use of your idea in my own shop.  Especially when i have to move outside to do some of my preliminary cutting. 

One of the problems I run into is when clamping to the side of my MFT's for planing an edge, it sometimes seems like i need three hands.  You have covered that problem with the side cleats. The setup looks better every time I look at it.
Tinker
 
Very nicely done. i like how you made the recesses for the handles.

One potential problem i see - how do you keep sawdust out of the toolbox?
 
Well of course the toolbox could start out empty and be used to collect dust especially when using a jig saw for cutting.

Great idea!

Peter
 
I forgot to mention that I intentionally left the bottom open to the tool box not to collect sawdust but as  means to collect/carry out small offcuts.  This way I don't need a trash can in the room.  It also provides cross bars to use clamps.
 
Steve Rowe said:
I forgot to mention that I intentionally left the bottom open to the tool box not to collect sawdust but as  means to collect/carry out small offcuts.  This way I don't need a trash can in the room.  It also provides cross bars to use clamps.
Click to expand...

This makes a lot of sense. GREAT idea!!!
 
Update - I have completed the flooring in my first room with the sawhorse topper and it worked great.  The working height when planted on top of a CT Midi (a recent recon purchase) was perfect.  As expected, the small cutoffs fell into the toolbox and it did collect some sawdust.  The four cross rails held the longer cutoffs without impacts to the floor.  It also served as a platform to hold the saw when not in use.
 
That's a great idea and a good implantation of the idea.  It is very likely that I will build something like it.  Thanks!
 
Welcome back Frank!  I have been wondering / worrying when I hadn't seen your friendly presence here.

Peter
 
I have one of those deep boxes and have yet to use it for anything wood related.  I am copying your idea most def.  Great post! 
 
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