New pair of Kapex extension benches

[nclemmons]

I've had a Kapex on a Kapex MFT for years.  Just moved into a new home and shop and decided to rethink how I wanted to build out a bench,.

The design was based on a mobile base I made a couple of years ago for my Shaper Origin - small and mobile with systainer storage and a MDF top with 20mm hole grid.  It's referenced here - on reply 9 - https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=festool-how-to;topic=mft3-users.msg547589#msg547589

On this setup, I went a bit wider to house three stacks of Systainers on each side of the Kapex, a lower shelf and an MDF top with a t-track.  The two side benches lock to the MFT using KD bolts and dogs in the MFT dog holes.  See a couple of photos below

Top includes a t-track with adjustment block that aligns to the Kapex fence.  I found the tape in in/mm from FastCap and it was an easy install. 

Used all Sys AZ drawers with adjustment holes drilled on 16mm spacing to give me more flexibility when installing the Systainers.  The top is about 24 1/2" deep and each side is about 4'10" long giving me 6' cutoff length from the Kapex blade on each side.  Total width is about 12'.

The lower rear section behind the Systainers on each side has adjustable shelving for items I seldom need but want to store out of the way.  With the top overhang I can reach long items from the end if needed or in 3 minutes disconnect the bench from the MFT and roll it out.

This design also lets me position the two benches in an open area of my 3 car garage for larger project assembly.

Benches are below cabinets on the back wall of a 3-car garage.

[attachimg=1]

Benches attach to the MFT table with two brackets that use bench dogs in the MFT table and a Knock-down fastener from under the benches.  This pulls everything square but makes for very quick detachment for movement

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

I chose to go with a 'no-fence' approach for cutoff repeatability and simply use a sliding guide in a t-track.  This t-track is Festool clamp compatible, sourced from McMaster-Carr

[attachimg=4]

Bench uses dust collection from the central unit, plumbed with fittings from Rockler using their 2.5" clear pipe and blast gates.

[attachimg=5]

I have a SketchUp plan if anyone is interested.

Neil

 

[Rick Herrick]

This is very cool.  Really like the entire setup.  Thank you for posting. 

 

[ChuckM]

Those wall cupboards are a great feature in your shop. Of course the sawstache shroud and thin sacrificial fence didn't escape my attention. [big grin]

 

[ear3]

That's fab!  Presumably the side cabinets really stiffen the MFT as well.

 

[ChuckM]

I've had a Kapex on a Kapex MFT for years.  Just moved into a new home and shop and decided to rethink how I wanted to build out a bench,.
Snip.

Question: In your new shop set-up, are there any benefits of using the MFT table at all?

 

[CeeJay]

Very nice Neil!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sancho57]

Neil thats awesome. Ive been thinking about the miter saw station I was going to build for my shop. It was simular to yours. But yours is mine on steroids. Im going to use it if ya dont mind. Except mine is going to be stationary no wheels.    [not worthy]

 

[brentgrizzle]

Wow!  Really cool setup.  How does your dust collection work on the Kapex?  Have you compared your setup to having a dedicated CT extractor to the kapex?

 

[nclemmons]

I think it works well.  The DC is about 8’ direct run from the Kapex and I find it to be better than in my old shop where it was maybe 25’ away with multiple angles to navigate.  I have a CT26 and a CTSys in the shop but really wanted the main stationery tools to be connected to the DC.

So far I like it.  I have the DC controlled via a Belkin smart plug, so I can control it via Alexa or my iPhone (Homekit) which has worked well for me.  My full shop air compressor is similarly controlled that way as well.

Neil

 

[nclemmons]

Those wall cupboards are a great feature in your shop. Of course the sawstache shroud and thin sacrificial fence didn't escape my attention. [big grin]

Thanks Chuck.  You have a good eye!  The sawstache helps a lot - I think it also came from FastCap.

The cabinets make a huge difference.  I have a similar number on the sides of the garage. 

 

[nclemmons]

I've had a Kapex on a Kapex MFT for years.  Just moved into a new home and shop and decided to rethink how I wanted to build out a bench,.
Snip.

Question: In your new shop set-up, are there any benefits of using the MFT table at all?

I debated doing a dropped shelf between the benches rather than the MFT, but I had the Kapex MFT and the home-made extensions and decided to keep them.  I have a farm about 3 hours away and there are times when I may want to bring tools there so I decided keeping the smaller MFT might make sense.

Also, I do like the lower shelf that spans the leg braces that I made for it as well as for my larger MFT. 

Thanks for the comments!

 

[nclemmons]

That's fab!  Presumably the side cabinets really stiffen the MFT as well.

Edward - yes - much more sturdy since they become one unit.  The wheels are double locking casters so there is really no movement in the table at all.

 

[Cheese]

Nice setup Neil...real nice. [big grin]

I like the dogs used for registration to make sure the side benches are firmly in place and aligned. That way the tapes are always accurate.  [smile]

Like the stache...I've been threatening for 5 years to install one...I need to get off of my duff.

I'd argue that with the Kapex tied into the central DC system, that provides better dust retrieval than a dedicated Festool vac.

 

[nclemmons]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - if you do the stache I ended up making a rigid frame from 1/2” x .005 brass stock that the Stache is then riveted to.  I could not get it to hold a proper ‘U’ shape to capture the dust without the supplemental wraparound brace of brass.  Food for thought.

It does make significant difference in funneling the dust, BTW.

 

[ChuckM]

The brass piece sounds like a good solution. When I made mine, I overlapped the whiskers.

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for the tip [member=167]neilc[/member]  [big grin]

Do you you remove the standard Kapex boot and use just the stache instead?

Did you use the 2" or the 4" version?

 

[ChuckM]

2 is too short; 4" or longer and trim if necessary. Consider having an extra original rubber shroud for working with thick stock.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=167]neilc[/member] very nicely done set up.

What dust collector are you using?

thanks

Ron

 

[nclemmons]

[member=167]neilc[/member] very nicely done set up.

What dust collector are you using?

thanks

Ron

It’s a Laguna - 1.5hp.  Works well though I think with my new 12” Jet jointer/planer that I might want a bigger bin. 

 

[nclemmons]

Thanks for the tip [member=167]neilc[/member]  [big grin]

Do you you remove the standard Kapex boot and use just the stache instead?

Did you use the 2" or the 4" version?

It’s 4”.  I’m out of town but will share photos when I am back on Monday of how I did the attachment.

Kapex boot was removed. 

Neil