So, I'm just building up a set of tools, and of course, I'm doing it in the interim between the MFT1080 and MFT3. Starting with a limited set of tools and a crappy work surface, but buying things I needed along the way, this workbench is turning out really well.
I can't take credit for the top slabs; I bought the plans, hardware, and slabs from Lee Valley. The slabs were treated pretty roughly in shipping, but overall I was impressed with the quality of them. The dog holes aren't 100% exact like I would expect from a MFT3, but they are at least square, just slightly wider lengthwise than widthwise.
This was built with the DeWalt 735 planer, the TS-75, and the OF-1400. To attach the top to the legs, I used my new Domino for the first time. That was really nice. (the tenons aren't glued - the top floats on the trestle)
I'm still finishing up the side skirts with dog holes and adding an end vise, then I will probably throw some tung oil on the base for a little protection and looks. Lee valley doesn't know exactly what the top is finished with, but it is some sort of lacquer. I may end up doing a top flattening procedure (the movement of the maple has caused a 16th or so of crowning) and might do tung oil over that since it is easy to just throw some on top of scratches and whatnot.
The center channel is 1/2" of paduk which was about the same cost as maple - I like the contrast of it and the maple.
(pictures on the way...)
I can't take credit for the top slabs; I bought the plans, hardware, and slabs from Lee Valley. The slabs were treated pretty roughly in shipping, but overall I was impressed with the quality of them. The dog holes aren't 100% exact like I would expect from a MFT3, but they are at least square, just slightly wider lengthwise than widthwise.
This was built with the DeWalt 735 planer, the TS-75, and the OF-1400. To attach the top to the legs, I used my new Domino for the first time. That was really nice. (the tenons aren't glued - the top floats on the trestle)
I'm still finishing up the side skirts with dog holes and adding an end vise, then I will probably throw some tung oil on the base for a little protection and looks. Lee valley doesn't know exactly what the top is finished with, but it is some sort of lacquer. I may end up doing a top flattening procedure (the movement of the maple has caused a 16th or so of crowning) and might do tung oil over that since it is easy to just throw some on top of scratches and whatnot.
The center channel is 1/2" of paduk which was about the same cost as maple - I like the contrast of it and the maple.
(pictures on the way...)
