Author Topic: BF/MFT Build (Read 29982 times)

AtomicRyan · « **on:** October 13, 2019, 08:39 PM »

I’ve still gotta lot of work to do and plan to make a video of the build when I’m done, but figured you guys would get a kick out of this early look... essentially, it’s a 4x8 80/20 based MFT table with lots and lots of systainer ports.

punkmft · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2019, 09:14 PM »

Dope!

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stickman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2019, 09:51 PM »

I will be building something similar in the next few months. Really looking forward to your video/more info. Yours came out really well.

neilc · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2019, 11:12 PM »

Great job, Ryan! You definitely have the bug!

Look forward to the video and hopefully more details on the bill of materials and potentially plans.

Already looking at the casters on it and wondering about them -

neil

Svar · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2019, 11:18 PM »

Quote from: neilc on October 13, 2019, 11:12 PM

Already looking at the casters on it and wondering about them -
neil

Footmaster, GD series.
http://www.footmaster.net/products/list.asp?bic_code=Leveling&small_code=GD

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2019, 05:34 PM »

Finished the large end cap drawers today...

StanB · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2019, 08:41 PM »

@AtomicRyan what are you using for the drawer fronts.

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2019, 09:03 PM »

3/4” Baltic birch faced with arctic white laminate... I just used some extruded aluminum for drawer pulls.

They are close to 45” wide and all I had on hand was some 100-pound residential slides, but I put two slides on each side of the bottom drawers. They don’t rack at all, but time will tell if they hold up to the weight. I figure each drawer will weigh around 75 pounds once loaded.

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2019, 10:43 PM »

I decided to dedicate one side of the bench to sys 4s and above... As such, I had a little room for 4.5” drawers. This is gonna work out nicely I think.

Also, super tempted to do kaizen foam.

Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2019, 12:35 AM »

Oh snap

Did you use Orange Aluminum drawer pulls?

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AtomicRyan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2019, 01:11 AM »

Quote from: Dusty.Tools on October 22, 2019, 12:35 AM

Oh snap

Did you use Orange Aluminum drawer pulls?

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I did.... The extrusion I used wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but they seem to be the only game in town with reasonable prices.

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2019, 01:13 AM »

And wow - that’s a great looking drawer system you built!

Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2019, 01:14 AM »

Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 22, 2019, 01:11 AM

Quote from: Dusty.Tools on October 22, 2019, 12:35 AM
Oh snap

Did you use Orange Aluminum drawer pulls?

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I did.... The extrusion I used wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but they seem to be the only game in town with reasonable prices.

Yeah their prices are hard to beat!

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Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2019, 12:07 PM »

Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 22, 2019, 01:13 AM

And wow - that’s a great looking drawer system you built!

Thanks

I wrote up my build on ToolGuyd - https://toolguyd.com/building-tool-cabinet-drawers-journey-to-an-organized-workshop-part-4/

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AtomicRyan · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2019, 10:13 AM »

This is silly, but... How about a vintage dog hole placed machine lamp? It’s actually pretty handy...

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2019, 11:33 AM »

Oh... Also, you can see part 1 of this build here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/2019/10/the-bf-mft-workbench-build-part-1/

I'm hoping to have Part 2 out within a few weeks...

Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2019, 03:06 AM »

Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 24, 2019, 10:13 AM

This is silly, but... How about a vintage dog hole placed machine lamp? It’s actually pretty handy...

Nice lamp! Did you buy it online?

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AtomicRyan · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2019, 08:33 AM »

Quote from: Dusty.Tools on October 28, 2019, 03:06 AM

Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 24, 2019, 10:13 AM
This is silly, but... How about a vintage dog hole placed machine lamp? It’s actually pretty handy...
Nice lamp! Did you buy it online?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a restored 1940s era Craftsman (I think?) machine lamp.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2019, 08:44 AM »

Ryan,

It's cool to see what you've accomplished here. I can't imagine ever having the shop space for something like this but I enjoyed seeing the thought process behind all of the 8020 construction. Some day I'll build with aluminum profiles but I can't commit to them until I know I won't change my mind on what I want out of them.

You started in on the Festool path the same time as me and I really liked watching your first video you did at the time. It all seemed so complex at the time but looking back a few years after tackling my own projects it really is simple stuff once your wrap your head around all these german tools. Funny how that works.

I come from a mechanical background too, mostly motorcycle related, and am having fun with the woodworking journey. I'm just about finished with plantation shutters for the house and every step of the way has been something new and challenging that I haven't attempted before. Lots of head banging on the wall but it has been worth it.

I recall you stating this all was meant to ultimately be for kitchen cabinets for the house. Are you still pursuing that goal?

Gregor · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2019, 04:22 PM »

Nice build. The only real issue I have with 80/20 (or similar compatible aluminium extrusions) is the price.

Should I upgrade my crude hacked together shop drawer thingies in the way the OP did I would use the Item Automatic Fasteners, these are not that much more expensive but don't require drilling the extrusions near the end - just screw it into the channel from the end, add the screw through the installed sleeve into the T-nut, slide that into the destination profile, tighten screw and be done with it. Also removeable/reuseable in case you want to restructure, then not having a hole drilled near the end can be a benefit (in case you need to shorten the piece only a little).
You might know these fasteners from your MFS, should you have one.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2019, 05:07 PM »

Gregor - you might be surprised at the cost of the extrusions, I've found that it's the joint hardware that really adds up. Ryan used the same fastener I did on my version, hands down the cheapest option.

My, ahem, mere mortal scale version

has just over 30' of extrusion in it, buying in 8' sticks the cost for 1515 is around $5/LF. With joining hardware I'm probably in it around $250 + casters/plywood.

Matt - to your point on committing to a design, you cannot imagine how many times I've torn something apart and repurposed the extrusions...

RMW

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2019, 05:23 PM »

Thanks fellas. I appreciate the feedback.

As for 80/20 and cost, it’s not cheap... but building something like this is far cheaper then buying an MFT table from Festool. In fact, I think I have less in this BF/MFT than I do my MFT and thus far, it’s proven to be far more flexible. It’s just not portable.

I’m really, really enjoying this thing... and one of the biggest assets is the 80/20 and being able to clamp and add fixtures all over the thing. It’s just really modular.

Rob Z · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2019, 09:40 PM »

Hey Ryan

I like that workbench, and also would love to build one like that if only I had the room. Nice job on your build.

I think I recognize your shop from watching recently your Unisaw video. I just bought a '68 Unisaw and plan to refurbish it.

08G8V8 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 29, 2019, 01:55 PM »

Very nice work! I've been wanting to build a MFT style bench and have been thinking of using 8020 material, but probably start out basic and upgrade features down the line.

I was going to ask how you did the details on the slots to allow for your clamps....then I saw your video describing it. Lots of good info in your video...thanks!

Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #24 on:** October 29, 2019, 06:05 PM »

Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 28, 2019, 08:33 AM

Quote from: Dusty.Tools on October 28, 2019, 03:06 AM
Quote from: AtomicRyan on October 24, 2019, 10:13 AM
This is silly, but... How about a vintage dog hole placed machine lamp? It’s actually pretty handy...
Nice lamp! Did you buy it online?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a restored 1940s era Craftsman (I think?) machine lamp.

Nice! I wondered why I couldn’t find it on Amazon

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Bob D. · « **Reply #25 on:** October 29, 2019, 08:31 PM »

"Nice! I wondered why I couldn’t find it on Amazon

"

Yeah, Amazon doesn't have a time machine...that we know of. :-)

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #26 on:** November 06, 2019, 04:10 PM »

And finally, part 2:

Turns out there's gonna be a part 3... and I think that one will be more interesting than these first two simply because it's about fences, guild rail pivots, met accessories, etc... That's my hope anyhow...

neilc · « **Reply #27 on:** November 06, 2019, 05:06 PM »

Excellent video, Ryan!

What did you determine was the reason for the CNC variability on the first top?

Glad you were able to resolve it with your supplier.

Thanks for sharing! Really like the design and the large drawers / double Systainer approach,

neil

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #28 on:** November 06, 2019, 05:14 PM »

Quote from: neilc on November 06, 2019, 05:06 PM

Excellent video, Ryan!

What did you determine was the reason for the CNC variability on the first top?

Glad you were able to resolve it with your supplier.

Thanks for sharing! Really like the design and the large drawers / double Systainer approach,

neil

Actually, it was my first TWO tops that were inaccurately cut. Both came off of different CNC machines and both were operated by different guys. It was weird and I still don't know what the issue was. The holes weren't consistent or accurate throughout the table top. Some were round at the top of the hole and got oblong towards the bottom and others were oblong all the way through.

Both of those tops were cut from Plum Creek MDF - a really, really high quality product. I thought maybe this material was the problem, but I did some test cuts using my little toy CNC and had no problems at all machining it.

My third top was cut at a lumber yard north of me called Fine Lumber and Plywood. They don't carry plum creek, but sold me a "double refined" sheet of MDF that seemed almost as nice. Their CNC guy really went the extra mile for me and got this thing nailed. The dog holes are consistent and as accurate as I can measure.

The bummer is, I have about $500 in this top now given the cost of all the scrap I created with the two bad tops and the CNC service fees. Live and learn I guess. But I'm happy now.

neilc · « **Reply #29 on:** November 06, 2019, 08:53 PM »

Very weird. Normally MDF should be the easiest wood to cut - dull bit perhaps? Climb cutting? Did you use the same g-code file with the two earlier tops or was it starting fresh with a design and g-code file on each?