SysPort workbench (MFT & CMS) + CMS based Router Table

[mattfc]

Working on making my MFT and CMS more mobile for the workshop/garage

I am using the same system as for my KAPEX Workstation built using plywood and aluminium profile systems from KJN Profiles, aluminium cost about £8.50 a linear meter for the 45mm x 45mm profile. Its pretty easy to use, KJN cut the profile as part of the above cost to the lengths you require so its just a case on drilling and bolting (bolts are self tapping M12 with a TORX 50 head). The slots are 10mm, so the 12mm ply is routed to slot into the profile groove.

The drawer slides also bolt into the grove, I use a bolt through the slide with a t-nut in the channel, means its quick to slide the runners to whatever spacing you require

Building the base frame

Base frame almost complete (took about 4 hours)

For the 6 uprights that support the CMS and MFT, I have a core screw to be able to level the top with other worskhop equipment

Getting there...

Full extention runners. The boxed in space under the CMS has slides for my addition CMS modules.. so its a mini ModPort!

Even has drawers on the otherside

Same system for my drill press, need to make the 2 drawers for the underside (as per the KAPEX workstation)

KAPEX and SYSPORT MFT side by side (plus lots of mess to sort)

I am also building a CMS based stand alone trolley based on this system.. shorts to follow soon

 

[Alan m]

great job matt.
cant wait to see more.

how much do it cost in total for the aluminium

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Really nice planning and execution, Matt.  You'd be a good addition to the "Sysport Class".

 

[tjbier]

That is great Matt!
Perfect for  shop/home use, what do you think you had into the whole thing $ ?
I like it! [thumbs up]

 

[Ocram]

Wow, this looks good.  [big grin]

 

[mattfc]

In terms of execution, I did the design using Microsoft Visio (am a corporate worker by day). The stick man type isometric picture is important to to make sure you count the right number of pieces. I could have done this in Sketch-up I guess but would need to learn how to use it, so this worked fine (I did see there is already some profile inn the 3d warehouse. The stuff I used is Bosch Rexwroth

The costings are as follows:-

Item	£	$
19.85m of Aluminium	£205	$325
Castors	£44	$70
60 core bolts	£29	$46
Ply 2 sheets 12mm WPB	£32	$52
12x 350mm drawer slides	£72	$115
Total	£382	$608

So not cheap but will last, is configurable, can still change it a bit, wont rust or warp, very easy to bolt additions on. I have found that planning it out is very important. I have a blade to cut Alu on the KAPEX but wouldn't want to do lots of it, so have worked out all the lengths first and KJN cut it. They are pretty accurate, I would say to at least 0.5mm

 

[Alan m]

thanks matt
i know you think it is expensive but i thought it would be a lot dearer. 400 pounds isnt bad when you think that you can re use 90 % of it. add bits.
i might build something like this

 

[mattfc]

thanks matt
i know you think it is expensive but i thought it would be a lot dearer. 400 pounds isnt bad when you think that you can re use 90 % of it. add bits.
i might build something like this

I agree, I don't think its too bad either, total cost in vat and delivery of all the components to make what you see in the pics (exluding runners and plywood), the drill press and a router table which I will do a progress post on soon was just over £600.

The cost of getting good quality timber to build it all wouldn't be hugely less, since the alu is 50% of the cost, runners etc soon add up which you need either way. I just prefer the rigidity and fixed nature of alu (no warping etc) for this sort of thing. Plus its light.. I could quite easily lift the complete subframe and had to to get some of the bolts in.. I would struggle with wood. Also having all the pieces of alu cut to size as part of the cost is a major time saver!!

 

[justinmcf]

looks like a great job.
400 quid well spent.

if i could get my hands on some free aluminium, i would have a crack at his myself.

thanks for sharing, justin.

 

[tjbier]

Thanks Matt, that price here is 1 sysport, so I think you did great!

 

[festoller]

Thanks a lot Matt! A very inspiring design!

I was in the middle of building a Kapex Workstation (timber) and your design got me thinking if it actually wouldn't be better to use Aluminum like in your Kapex Workstation project. Did you use the same software to design the Kapex Workstation and could you post the drawing and parts list?

I don't use my MFT outside of the workshop very often, but there were some projects I had to. Is your MFT and the CMS screwed to the Aluminum frame or could it still be taken off in a few minutes?

 

[mattfc]

Thanks a lot Matt! A very inspiring design!

I was in the middle of building a Kapex Workstation (timber) and your design got me thinking if it actually wouldn't be better to use Aluminum like in your Kapex Workstation project. Did you use the same software to design the Kapex Workstation and could you post the drawing and parts list?

I don't use my MFT outside of the workshop very often, but there were some projects I had to. Is your MFT and the CMS screwed to the Aluminum frame or could it still be taken off in a few minutes?

Please see below pictures, plus I have included a couple of the KAPEX fixing, its leveled using the 4 threaded bars (the KAPEX platform is suspended) and then once at the exact height, locked into place using the quick connectors)

Mock up of KAPEX platform

Actual platform

 

[cerv]

Matt,
Very well executed!  By the way, how did you do ISO with Visio?  Is there any stencils out there?  I pretty much use Visio when designing my own roller table. 
Cheers.

 

[mattfc]

Matt,
Very well executed!   By the way, how did you do ISO with Visio?  Is there any stencils out there?  I pretty much use Visio when designing my own roller table. 
Cheers.

I did the iso by freehand, visio doesn't do much (other than to be able to set a line at 60/30 degrees)

 

[cerv]

I see.  Well, it came out really good.

 

[b_m_hart]

pure hawtness.  If I ever have the space, I'll definitely do something like this.

 

[mattfc]

And the first pictures of the dedicated router table with the Wixey digital routout

Still need to put the drawers in underneath, they will store my OF1100 and OF1400 plus router bits

Mounted on a post for easier reading

 

[mattfc]

I don't use my MFT outside of the workshop very often, but there were some projects I had to. Is your MFT and the CMS screwed to the Aluminum frame or could it still be taken off in a few minutes?

No it just rests, my precise measuring paid off, it a tight fit, has to be dropped on perfectly vertical. It's quick to take off, then just bolt the legs on. Took a while to get the legs off as there is a nyloc bolt. But if you were just popping off for a quick job I wouldn't bother, could probably convert it back in 5 mins or so

 

[wintu]

very nice !!!!!!! anybody know where to get same profiles in the states? i will nee to build kapex workstation soon

 

[Theshipstore]

Wintu   You could go do a search for 8020 on EBay and use their store to see what you need. This is a location for alot of their job left overs. I order from them often you Will lamazed at their inventory of goodies. The have T slot Alum rail in fractional and metric. They carry the 4545 and the 4590 series rails used above

Sal