Tracktubes Router Table Option

[Hualicopter]

I am wanting to get a portable workbench as my garage is a strictly 2 car garage with no additional space, and my only area of extra space is a finished basement where most of my storage actually will be. I am contemplating getting an MFT since it's pretty well established with tons of accessories available. That said, I discovered TrackTubes here and really like how portable it is with its breakdown. I don't mind additional setup time (if it even takes more time) since I won't be pulling the table out all the often, but I am wanting to also get a router table option to make drawer boxes easily. Does anyone know if there's something that can attach to the TrackTube setup similar to other extensions? I feel like that is the one deficit of the TrackTubes setup since it doesn't have a full extrusion frame allowing for an attachment on the ends of the table.

 

[Rach]

Quadcorners would allow you to have extrusions all around the table.

I made Ron Paulk’s router table top and attached it to TrackTubes supported by a Bora Centipede stand with the TrackTube attachment kit for that stand. Maybe that would work?

 

[onocoffee]

I wasn't familiar with TrackTubes and just had a look at their website. Those guys are in desperate need of YouTube videos showcasing their product line.

Seems that you have to assemble multiple components from TrackTubes to make a full system. The Festool MFT/3 is a good choice that many people have. If you want a more finished solution (as compared to something like a Paulk-esque workbench), DashBoard PWS is worthy of consideration. It's certainly not the cheapest option but the quality is very high - arguably significantly more robust than the Festool MFT/3. I've got a couple of their accessories and recently got to see the full workbench and it's very impressive.

With the DashBoard, they have outrigger add-ons that make it sensible to drop a router lift into.

 

[Rach]

Another option if you are considering the DashBoard price point is the table from Benchdogs Tools. The stuff I have bought from them is very high quality. Shipping is $250 and if you live in US though, tariffs may add to that cost.

Taylor Tools are now carrying some Benchdog items but I did not see the table.

 

[Hualicopter]

Yea, I really like the DashBoard and Benchdogs Tools tables, but I think they might be pushing the limit. It'll be tough to justify the price point since I'd still have to get a fence and guide rail bracket. I suppose it is a one time investment which makes it hurt a little bit less.

Quadcorners would allow you to have extrusions all around the table.

I made Ron Paulk’s router table top and attached it to TrackTubes supported by a Bora Centipede stand with the TrackTube attachment kit for that stand. Maybe that would work?

Would you go with the Bora Centipede base again if you had to do it again vs saw horses? I feel like the Centipede will be a better base if I am wanting to throw on extensions like this.

And are you using the rail dogs + clips combo? It's an interesting solution versus the guide rail bracket.

 

[Rach]

I would definitely go with the Centipede again. They are fairly lightweight and fold to take up hardly any space. With the tracktubes it is a lot more stable than the original table connection and it’s quicker to remove the table for storage.

I have the clips and rail dogs but I also have the Benchdog guide rail bracket. I use the guide rail bracket exclusively since it is easy to use, very stable and accurate. Taylor Tools is now selling the Benchdog bracket and now the table too. I didn’t see that before.

 

[Hualicopter]

Sweet. Yea I'm leaning pretty heavily towards with the Centipede. Is there a reason to not just get the basic kit? I don't quite get the purpose of having the MFT surface on another set of extrusion that can slide around on the initial extrusions. And it seems like the bracket can still mount on the extrusion in the basic kit, no?

 

[Rach]

If I had to do it again, I would just get the Centipede legs, the TrackTube mft top, the 45 inch TrackTube extrusion, and the TrackTube Centipede knob kit.

The Benchdog guide rail bracket is now almost twice as expensive as I paid for it so maybe the rail dogs and clips. Maybe I would think of getting more extrusions and the corner brackets so the extrusions go all around. You would have to cut them to the correct size.

 

[Hualicopter]

If I had to do it again, I would just get the Centipede legs, the TrackTube mft top, the 45 inch TrackTube extrusion, and the TrackTube Centipede knob kit.

The Benchdog guide rail bracket is now almost twice as expensive as I paid for it so maybe the rail dogs and clips. Maybe I would think of getting more extrusions and the corner brackets so the extrusions go all around. You would have to cut them to the correct size.

Yea the price of the brackets is quite hefty now. Realistically I still plan to get most of my cuts done at the woodshop since I don't have a table saw so I mostly just need the table to do touchup cuts/trimming to fit. Appreciate the help!

 

[Mike Goetzke]

For many years I have worked out of my garage/shop. It's a 2-1/2 car garage that for some reason my wife still wants to park her car in it. I have many so called stationary tools on casters. For several years I have used TrackTubes on saw horses and drop three 32"x48" MFT style slabs to make a 4' x 8' work table. I store the sawhorses and slabs on a rack that uses a cable to elevate it to the ceiling. I can set up my table or put it away in less than 5 minutes. This was a great setup except it's stationary. I always said it was way overpriced but not long ago I bought a Festool STM1800. I love this thing. I drop the slabs off the ceiling rack on it like before but now I can roll the table around and even outside. I know it's a big expense but I wish I got it years ago.