Walko Compact Portable work Bench mini review

Hey Gang!

My sincerest apologies for holding you off. When I was working with the Walko the forum was offline for some reason so I could not post. Since we moved into the new apartment we have been off line from internet - they forgot to send out a modem and it did not arrive before we left for Canada.  >:(

Upon arriving in Edmonton we found our hosts to be off the grid as well and then we headed out for Jasper for some hiking (splendid, as was the weather). So, still no luck on the internet.

At the time of writing this I am in Red Deer, AB, on a borrowed computer and off to Calgary and Banff.

Though I now have action shots of the Walko on my desktop back home we will not be back until Friday the 15th of August and we haven't got the modem. We probably might be able to pick it up on Saturday provided it has arrived and since I have some touch ups to do on the Kitchen I might be able to hook up and deliver. I will make it a priority as apparently the Walko will be available in North America.

Thanks for the reminders Roger and Michael, special apologies to Tinker for the delay - sorry friend - and Matthew: no worries - the hijacking of the thread was inevitable due to the circumstances (FOG being offline, then me being offline - and then me being abroad and offline). And hey, that Megaphone looking photo is hilarious -  :D!

In short the Walko and the MFT800 got their equal share of tasks done. In the end the MFT800 turned into a storage solution for the small items and the Walko got used even more. There is a small learning curve and I haven't figured out all the things the Walko can do for me but it is versatile for sure. 

This is my first browsing the FOG for two weeks and I am glad to see things are happening around the forum, keep it up!
:)
Henrik, the wanderer.
 
Henrik,

You are in the Canadian Rockies! Enjoy your time and don't worry about us. The Walko is going to be available soon but none of us are going to die in the meantime (if any of us do, we won't be needing it anyway). You are in a most beautiful part of the world. Enjoy.
 
Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits said:
Forgive the poor quality of the second image; the camera bag is over six feet away so the wide angle lens and flash were "out of reach". ;)

For the better part of the mini review, the action part, the mdf tops will be mounted and the proper gear used for documentation. Now that I got started I think I will grap a quick coffee and get right to it.

Stay tuned.
Click to expand...

Cool tool.  I saw this video over at youtube of it. Pretty amazing, but I don't think you can get it in the states. (don't flame me, I could be wrong)

 
I have watched this video a number of times. Too cool. If I was Festool, I would be trying to buy this company, or at least teh rights to the Walko.
 
Pretty nice ... the pdf detailed info found here walko specs and some other spec show festool clamping elements being used.  At 100 lbs, it does seem to be a solid item.  Anyone know about accessories?  899 for the set up and how much for the extras seen in the U-tube video?
 
I believe your looking at 850 U.S.D. for the pro model, that is the larger one, with the works.
 
Henrick,
Glad to have you back.  What a great trip.

Somebody above (earlier post) just mentioned the Walko is 100#'s.
you have the smaller version.  What does it weigh.

there was a day when i could pick up 100#s and do it again and againandagain....................  no problem, back when i was 38.
Now I'm 39 (for nearly the 39th time around), 100#'s is more of a hastle than i & herniated discs care to think about.

Since you have given Walko a workout on redoing your kitchen, how about some pics of your project.
I recall you mentioning a very small working space.
The Walko and MFT 800 sound like a great combo, even if the 800 is the horizontal storage space.

Tinker
 
Tinker,

If you check walko spec sheet you'll see the frame for the large unit is 53# and the smaller one 42#. I don't think this includes the weight of the tables or supports the way it reads.
 
These tables are truly amazing, and I just wish I had the stay-in to keep such a large inventory around. Unfortunately, the bench just hasn't gotten the traction it deserves.  The objective of this promotion is not only to reduce inventory, but MORE importantly, get these awesome tables into the hands of end users. The comments that I have heard, read via my mail, and seen in various forums are wonderful.

There are so many factors that play into "forecasting" inventory levels that again, it is important to let the U.S. know that these tables are more than just a workbench; they incorporate so well in the "system" and although it may sting a bit on my end, I wanted to take some price sensitivity out of the equation if some of you are intrigued by these benches, but just couldn't get off the "price fence."

You can check out the Festool Junkie Blog Post "Walko Promotion and Inventory Reduction"that just went up for more information regarding the Walko Workbench System.  There is INCREDIBLE PRICING  [eek], and there are a couple new videos that you may want to take a gander at.  ;D

TimmyC
Festool Junkie

Wishing all of you Peace and All Good in this new year!
 
Funny thing is, it's supposed to be a Dutch invention, but I haven't seen one single Walko yet here. Not in the stores (and I've visited a lot) nor with any tradesmen or hobbyists.  ???

It sure is a very nice piece of work, but if the company doesn't put any effort in promoting their product, nobody's gonna know or buy it.
 
If you had to choose between a Walko 4  and a MFT3,  and you could only pick one, which one would it be?
Me thinks the Walko4 is more versatile, so I'd pick the Walko4.  [cool]
 
I have a Walko
If you could have only one workstation which is the best?

If you cut down sheet goods and build cabinets in the field the Walko is a MUCH better product than a single MFT
If you worked primarily with small hardwoods 1xS' than the crosscutting feature of the MFT is a better tool.

I think two MFT's  is better in the field than a single Walko
I think a Walko CAN be better than 2 MFT's

At $650 that is a STEAL

I have said it before here and i will say it again now.  The biggest flaw that an MFT has, is it cannot Crosscut Standard 4'x8' sheet goods (it can't even be used as a work surface for them with out detaching the rail guides and miter).

Craig
 
Charimon said:
I have a Walko
If you could have only one workstation which is the best?

If you cut down sheet goods and build cabinets in the field the Walko is a MUCH better product than a single MFT
If you worked primarily with small hardwoods 1xS' than the crosscutting feature of the MFT is a better tool.

I think two MFT's  is better in the field than a single Walko
I think a Walko CAN be better than 2 MFT's

At $650 that is a STEAL

I have said it before here and i will say it again now.   The biggest flaw that an MFT has, is it cannot Crosscut Standard 4'x8' sheet goods (it can't even be used as a work surface for them with out detaching the rail guides and miter).

Craig
Click to expand...

I used to lug my MFT to site but find it too heavy and cumbersome now (I think I'm getting old)- where I was fitting a kitchenette today there wouldn't have been room for it and that is often the case.  I use two folding metal trestles with mini MFT drilled tops attached in which I use Veritas holdowns, dogs etc. If width is a problem I can skew them and for small items - like laminate flooring just use one.
But the point of my post is not that, it is that I haven't used the rail attachments on the MFT for years.  I just find it quicker to measure and slap the rail down to a 7mm pencil line - accurate enough for my wood butchery - and I hardly ever need to clamp the rail in place.  So I think it would be possible to cut an 8' x4" on an MFT if you put two sheets of insulation board underneath - I use some that is thick enough to support the offcuts;  But its still easier with two trestles.  If Festool would make folding trestles.....  I am always looking to improve efficiency and lug around less stuff - I only have a small (micro by US standards) van - so what does everyone else do?
 
Richard

your post is just right.  The key being about what is easiest to use,  one of the keys to the Walko is you DON'T have to use any foam board when cutting down sheets.    There is still room for improvement in both systems.  the Walko is faster  to get set up on the job-site (provided you have the optional wheel kit installed)  the Mft could be awesome If Festool would introduce a cross cut attachment that would clamp on the side of the table
Craig
 
It certainly is versatile enough but it doesn't appear to have any kind of setup for precise cross cutting i.e. the MFT.  I have the old 1080 and I like how I can align the guiderail with the holes (thanks Qwas for the dogs!)and use it for crosscutting perfect 90's since I don't yet have my Kapex.  I use my MFT more for that purpose than anything else, it's my main cutting station.  Maybe one of each?  [big grin]
 
I've been demoing a W4 for a few weeks and it is big. Heavier than the MFT1080. Having said, there is the obvious benefit of unfolding it to cut a sheet. But the original post was between the W3 and W4, and I think I'd go with the W3. It can fit in the boot of a car, as opposed to the W4, which must go on the roof rack. Wouldn't make much difference to truckers or Van-ites, but the smaller is not necessarily less useful.
 
Those things are pretty sweet!!

I usually just use two saw horses and a couple 2x4's for cutting up sheet goods on site.
 
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