The queeste for a Perfect Workbench

[FestFan]

Does anybody have an alternative for these 2 workbenches:
Skil X-bench 3100 (http://www.amazon.com/Skil-3100-12-X-Bench-Workstation/dp/B0010ODQ1U)
Wolfcraft 1200 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddiy&field-keywords=Wolfcraft+mastercut&x=0&y=0)

To me they seem like the almost perfect setup, only; they are made by inferior brands that are not well known for quality. The Skil isn?t even available in Europe.

What I would like to see in a workbench is the combination of the next properties:
- Transportable like the Skil X-bench
- Ridgid like a Walko
- Versatile like a MFT
- Accurate as an Incra

I want to be able to make use of a relatively large work surface that can house a router, belt sander and circular- and jigsaw (NOT at the same time of course ;D). Part of it has to be made out of replaceable sheet material, the other part (that houses the machines) out of a composite or aluminum. And the combination of a CMS and a MFT just doesn?t cut it for me. Too expensive and too hard to transport and store.

Anybody knows another look-a-like one except for the Skil and Wolfcraft? Anybody has experience in building their own workbench out of aluminum profiles?

 

[Frank Pellow]

I firmly believe that you cannot purchase the "perfect"  bench.

You need to make one yourself based upon your own unique requirements and working style.  That is what I did and you can see the result in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/my-woodworking-bench/

I waited a long time before I built my bench because it took a long time to determine just what my requirements are.

By the way, I am still thinging about the "perfect" portable bench for me and , someday, I plan to build it.  Until I dicovered that the Walko benchtop does not stand well to being outside in the rain (see the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tool-reviews/mini-review-of-my-new-walko-3-bench/) , I thought that a Walko would form the base of my "perfect" portable bench.  

 

[FestFan]

Frank,

Thanks for reply. For sure: There is no such thing as "the perfect workbench". I'm looking for the next thing closest to it. It has to be out there, I know, all I have to do is find it.

I too have seriously considered the Walko 3 and 4, however it lacks the ability for housing any machinery and the surface is too small. On the plus side; it is ridgid, easily storable and transportable. For me personally: it is not perfect.

The traditional workbench you built (nice job by the way), has a nice large worksurface, but I can't see myself pulling it in a trailer or the shed everytime.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Now that my Walko has failed the 'leave outdoor' test [sad],  I am thinking  [scratch chin] of basing my portable workbench on the pair of heavy duty foldable aluminum saw horses that are being used in the picture below to support a section of a dock that I am building:

[attachimg=#1]

Right now, I have placed a quickly constructed out of scrap lumber inserts on the top of the two sawhorses, but they can easily support something more substantial.

 

[wnagle]

Frank,

I recently made a mailbox post assembly for a friend out of MDO.  I used Norm Abrams plan which calls for MDO for the hollow post and the newspaper box.  This is the first time I've used it but It is pretty tough plywood.  Both 1/2  and 3/4 inch cut pretty slow with the ts55 and seemed to made out of some pretty hard wood.   It is supposed to be waterproof and what they use for the green signs on the freeways.  

I wonder how well it would hold up if you used it to make a new top for the walko?  Maybe someone else here has some experience with it could chime in.  In the mean time, I will put some out in the elements and let it weather unpainted and see how well it holds up.  It just may be the right stuff.

Here's a picture of the mailbox post.

 

[Alaska Ranger]

I created a "ranch style" over-the-driveway-sign for my business ten years ago out of MDO.  Three 4 x 8 sheets for a 4 x 24 foot sign.  Painted, it has held up perfectly in our super-harsh environment.

 

[harry_]

MDO rocks!

 

[PaulMarcel]

I've heard of things being made in MDO but never used it.  Didn't know it was supposed to be waterproof.  Definitely good to know.

BTW, Wayne, nice post (as in the project, not your write-up  [big grin])

 

[nickao]

It's definitely not water proof. It is Weather resistant and water resistant. Try setting it in a vat of water for a day or two unpainted and see what happens.

When painted MDO becomes even more durable. It is even better than metal for outdoor signs if painted properly.MDO has to be painted.

There is also HDO which is even better than MDO and used for concrete forms or outdoor road signs. HDO needs no painting as well.

 

[RONWEN]

Frank,

I recently made a mailbox post assembly for a friend out of MDO.  I used Norm Abrams plan which calls for MDO for the hollow post and the newspaper box.  This is the first time I've used it but It is pretty tough plywood.  Both 1/2  and 3/4 inch cut pretty slow with the ts55 and seemed to made out of some pretty hard wood.   It is supposed to be waterproof and what they use for the green signs on the freeways.  

I wonder how well it would hold up if you used it to make a new top for the walko?  Maybe someone else here has some experience with it could chime in.  In the mean time, I will put some out in the elements and let it weather unpainted and see how well it holds up.  It just may be the right stuff.

Here's a picture of the mailbox post.

Very nice job Wayne!  You must be home & not in Texas now?
I'll have to check out the MDO -- do the box stores sell it?

 

[wnagle]

Ron,

Thanks for the compliment Ron.  I don't think the box stores carry MDO.  I got mine at a local lumber yard here in OHIO where I'm gonna stay!  The Texas gig is done.  I'm gonna have to see if the can get HDO as Nickao mentioned.  I've never heard of it, but it sounds more durable for sure.  I plan on using the MDO to build my sharpening station since I'm suing water stones and everything gets wet.  As I mentioned to Frank, I'm going to put some samples out in the weather unpainted and see how long they hold up.  Ohio weather isn't quite as harsh as where Frank is but it will still provide some good info.

 

[RONWEN]

The HDO sounds great from the specs -- super waterproof.  http://www.olypanel.com/common/pdf/Highway%20HDO%20Prod%20Lit%20-%2011-07.pdf  It's probably very expensive however for smaller projects like (indoor) sharpening stations maybe the MDO is the way to go.  Did you buy a 4'x8' sheet of the MDO?

 

[peter halle]

MDO is a great product.  I recently had to redo an exterior sign that was backed by MDO.  It was painted, was 15 years old.  The core was rotten about 6 inches down, but the face was perfect.  Usage in the horizontal position should outlast your lifespan in a shop.  Probably 20 years outside.  Just my observations and opinions.

Peter

 

[wnagle]

Ron,

I bought  a sheet of each 1/2 and 3/4 MDO for the mailbox project and have a good bit left over, but I'll be buying more for the sharpening cabinet and some other projects.  Both were 60.00 a sheet.  The 1/2 inch is pre primed white and the 3/4 is brown waterproof paper ready for paint.

I didn't see the price of the HDO but it comes in 1 inch thick as well.  That might make a nice out door top for Franks Walko bench!  Just add dog holes and seal the edges.

 

[RONWEN]

That price isn't near what I expected.  I wonder about the HDO???

 

[nickao]

They sell MDO at Menard's here in town which is the equivalent to a Home Depot.

I really don't think HDO is needed for any of us unless someone is making a highway street sign for a government agency or pouring concrete and want forms for repeated use. I think it is like 125.00 - 250.00 a sheet retail. There are different types of HDO, here is some of the stuff I consider overkill for anything we usually would do:

http://www.greatnorthernlumber.com/mhdo.htm

Here is some stuff my CNC buddies use for signs(this is not for carving usually, but flat signmaking):

http://www.greatnorthernlumber.com/highway.htm

 

[wnagle]

Pretty cool stuff Nickao!

 

[Alaska Ranger]

I second the idea of HDO being overkill, based on my experience with MDO, as above.  

But I am wondering about the appropriateness of MDO for the top of a workbench.  Remember, its face is paper.  A tough, effectively waterproof paper if properly painted, but a more-or-less fragile surface nonetheless. One that does just fine as a sign, but I am leery - though more than willing to be shown wrong! - of its durability as the face of an item that will see more nicks and scrapes and burrs and gouges in one week than a sign will in five years.