Author Topic: MFTC portable workshop (Read 990205 times)

fritter63 · « **Reply #60 on:** March 18, 2013, 12:37 AM »

Frickin brilliant Tim!

Metisse · « **Reply #61 on:** March 18, 2013, 07:02 AM »

Quote from: epicxt on March 10, 2013, 03:50 PM

Wow! This would fit into my workflow perfectly since I pretty much do all work on site. Please update this thread when you have the sketch up file available in imperial units!

You may well be aware of this so forgive me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs!

In Sketch Up select the menu item Window. Then select Model info. In the pop-up box select the units tab and you can adjust the measurements used to whatever you like. Fractional and Architectural will render imperial measurements and you can also adjust the precision.

It will still leave you with the problem of a drawing that effectively uses materials in metric sizes but you may be able to tweak it to use the closest imperial size available to you.

Regards

Peter

Timtool · « **Reply #62 on:** March 18, 2013, 07:37 AM »

Yup the problem is the sheet material, that is what i want to adapt my plans for. I want to keep everything in metric but adapt the parts made with imperial sheet goods.
The difference isn't big as it usually less than a mm, but still!

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #63 on:** March 18, 2013, 07:53 AM »

Quote from: SRSemenza on March 17, 2013, 10:50 PM

Quote from: Timtool on March 17, 2013, 11:36 AM
Quote from: sean_hogan on March 16, 2013, 09:28 AM
Any one built one yet? I would love too see the pictures, defo on my too do list it's perfect for me

It's only been out for a week, but a few buyers already told me they were gonna start next week, some even told me they were gonna have the parts CNC'd with he sketchup file!
I'm still working on an imperial add-on, is it true 1/2 inch mdf is not commonly available?

The big boxes and at least one independent near me do not carry stock 1/2". But I have no trouble getting it if I order through my primary independent lumber dealer.

Seth

1/2" plywood is readily available in small quantities but 1/2" MDF is often only available as a special order, unless there is a distributor nearby.

Tinker · « **Reply #64 on:** March 18, 2013, 07:56 AM »

I am trying, little by little to use metric when building to match up with my MFT's. I use a tape with both mm & imperial on it.
I cannot picture in my head in mm's so the double scale tape is still a necessity for me.
Whether a plan is in mm's or imperial has no significance to whether i buy or not.
for me it is whether the plan is adaptible to my shop or to a project I have in mind.
i am sure it is easier to adapt an idea to whatever the measurements on the plans are.
I am even more certain that it is a LOT of work to change the scale on a plan.
Especially after so much thought and work went into the original plans and construction.
Tinker

fastbike · « **Reply #65 on:** March 18, 2013, 12:21 PM »

I can walk into my local Lowes and Home Depot and get 1/2" mdf. I know there are regional differences.

irishroey · « **Reply #66 on:** March 19, 2013, 07:31 PM »

Just purchased the plans and can't wait to get started will post pics of the progress

Timtool · « **Reply #67 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:45 PM »

Just finished the plans and sketchup model adapted to imperial sheet goods! I also fixed a detail in the standard plans.
I will send the imperial version to all US residents who have already bought the plans. And the fixed version to the others
Someone is also working on a German translation!

epicxt · « **Reply #68 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:58 PM »

Sweet! Will get on purchasing these plans!

Gary N. · « **Reply #69 on:** March 22, 2013, 01:50 AM »

These are really great plans Tim but I have a question. Is the 1/2" MDF heavy enough for the top? Would it be too heavy if it had a 3/4" top. I plan to use this bench as my 3rd MFT in my shop or take it on-site when a bench is required.
Gary

dlyons41 · « **Reply #70 on:** March 22, 2013, 07:31 AM »

Tim, The plans are much appreciated and I look forward to receiving the imperial version. You make reference to the template but I haven't been able to find the template as an attachment or part of the original PDF. Thanks again, Doug

colevalleytim · « **Reply #71 on:** March 26, 2013, 05:25 PM »

Well done, I bought the plans, really helpful

thanks

Timtool · « **Reply #72 on:** March 26, 2013, 06:13 PM »

Quote from: dlyons41 on March 22, 2013, 07:31 AM

Tim, The plans are much appreciated and I look forward to receiving the imperial version. You make reference to the template but I haven't been able to find the template as an attachment or part of the original PDF. Thanks again, Doug

You are right! I overlooked that, the template i planned to make was just to draw the curved lines on the sides. I will add it and post a link here.

Quote from: Gneyenhuis on March 22, 2013, 01:50 AM

These are really great plans Tim but I have a question. Is the 1/2" MDF heavy enough for the top? Would it be too heavy if it had a 3/4" top. I plan to use this bench as my 3rd MFT in my shop or take it on-site when a bench is required.
Gary

I used 1/2 purely because of weight reduction, i tried to grabble every gram i could left and right. I have no issues with this thickness and it works out fine, possibly for the benchdogs you may want to have more depth for accuracy. But i am not convinced it will make a grand difference.
But i looked under mine, and technically nothing stops you from making the rabbet deeper to hold 3/4th material. It won't interact with any other parts.

sean_hogan · « **Reply #73 on:** March 29, 2013, 05:24 PM »

Tim not sure if its been asked, do you know the total weight of the mft withouth the systainers and exstension tables ?

some1 like me · « **Reply #74 on:** March 30, 2013, 03:44 AM »

I also bought plans (Combo) and by this chance may I mention the price. 18€ including VAT.
Tim put a lot of time, knowledge and effort into those plans and I would pay even more for them, because they are worth every $ or €.

Thanks again Tim for great plans.

Marko

jeep jake · « **Reply #75 on:** March 30, 2013, 04:52 PM »

Has anyone in the US had issues getting material/hardware for this? I want to make one bad but just want to make sure I could find all the hardware easily.

Timtool · « **Reply #76 on:** March 30, 2013, 05:31 PM »

Quote from: jeep jake on March 30, 2013, 04:52 PM

Has anyone in the US had issues getting material/hardware for this? I want to make one bad but just want to make sure I could find all the hardware easily.

There is someone in the US about halfway through the build and sending me pics almost daily, when he is done i will post an article on my website detailing the hardware he used.
Does anyone know of a cheap T-track source besides the incra? Over here i can just get them at a local hardware store where they sell them cheaply as curtain rails.

I forgot to take weighing device to the workshop today to check the weight, but i will find out tomorrow!

downtheroad · « **Reply #77 on:** March 30, 2013, 11:12 PM »

Quote

Does anyone know of a cheap T-track source besides the incra?

I got 3 48" t-tracks from McMaster-Carr that fit the Festool screw clamps fine. They were $11.55 a piece. I also got my wheels from them at $15.20 a piece. They were 8" x 2" polypropylene core with rubber treads for a 3/4" axle.

Michael Garrett · « **Reply #78 on:** March 30, 2013, 11:35 PM »

What about the axles? I see they carry those also.

downtheroad · « **Reply #79 on:** March 31, 2013, 12:04 AM »

Quote

What about the axles? I see they carry those also.

I haven't decided whether to use a rod or tube yet. Tubes would be less weight. I would use self-locking external retaining rings to hold wheels in place.

livelygv · « **Reply #80 on:** March 31, 2013, 11:15 PM »

The plans you prepared are brilliant. I have already completed the basic cart and given it a coat of white (boring) paint. The top will be 30 mm shorter since I boo booed on the ripping up of the valuable bbirch ply. As for the rest of the material, it was already "in inventory". The t track (from Lee Valley) does not fit the festool clamps so the clamps will be modified to fit the track. I don't believe the accuarcy of a MDF top drilled with ANY technology will hold up to the rigors of constant insertion of bench dogs. Your table will by used in conjuction with a fence system similar to the one Ron Paulk designed for his cross cut table.

Connollyir · « **Reply #81 on:** April 08, 2013, 09:43 AM »

Quote from: sean_hogan on March 29, 2013, 05:24 PM

Tim not sure if its been asked, do you know the total weight of the mft withouth the systainers and exstension tables ?

Tim,

I would also be interested in the loaded/unloaded weight. Is the height the same as the MFT, and will they connect together the same way?

This design is literally a godsend for me and I already purchased your complete plan package. I currently have a barn that I use for a shop and will be moving everything to a basement soon (forced move unfortunately). I use a hand truck to move my sys stacks and tools onto the job or shop and I am always interested in making fewer trips!

Do you think the unit will stand up to repeated moves up and down stairs and loading in the back of a truck? I will probably keep it loaded and use in conjunction with my MFT as my shop workbench as well.

The design is brilliant and very well thought out - would be hard to make it any better. Will probably make a secondary modified to carry the extentions instead of a work top.

I am also making my own sysports to keep things mobile and organized in the shop. Ill be sure to send you pictures of the results for your website.

Thanks again

-Ian

Timtool · « **Reply #82 on:** April 08, 2013, 05:30 PM »

Sorry about that, i forgot to post the weight!
Mine weighs about 32kg empty, about 70lbs, more than i thought because of the wheels it feels very light.
I don't know the loaded weight though, and it's the same height and length as an MFT.
If i would be loading it in the bed of my truck and up/down stairs i would probably take the systainers out to make it more convenient and make the support pieces on the front higher and maybe cover them with something soft to avoid scuffing stairs

I also got pics from the first finished MFTC from someone in the US!

I'm waiting to hear more details and write more info on how he did it and the hardware he used on my website to help others.

Connollyir · « **Reply #83 on:** April 08, 2013, 10:35 PM »

Quote from: Timtool on April 08, 2013, 05:30 PM

Sorry about that, i forgot to post the weight!
Mine weighs about 32kg empty, about 70lbs, more than i thought because of the wheels it feels very light.
I don't know the loaded weight though, and it's the same height and length as an MFT.
If i would be loading it in the bed of my truck and up/down stairs i would probably take the systainers out to make it more convenient and make the support pieces on the front higher and maybe cover them with something soft to avoid scuffing stairs

I also got pics from the first finished MFTC from someone in the US!

I'm waiting to hear more details and write more info on how he did it and the hardware he used on my website to help others.

Tim,

Taking the tools out wouldn't help me, I am trying to find a solution for having to move my tools in and out of my shop on a daily or bi-daily basis. I do this already, which is not too bad because I have a loading bay, but where I will be moving I have about 100' (~30m) from where I park to the door and a flight of stairs to negotiate with all my tools and material.

The good news is its a straight shot, but probably 12-15 treads. I am going to build a V shaped trough fitted to the stairs to slide the sheet goods down, it will be made out of 4' (~1m) sections for storage. I like your idea because it combines tool, work surface, and mobility to move anywhere.

The weight doesn't concern me too much, its roughly 15lbs (~7kg) heavier than a stock MFT, my load would probably include a CSX (2lbs, ~1kg), RO 90 (3.3lbs ~1.5kg), 4-drawer sortainer with nailer (10lbs, ~4.5kg), and compressor (25lbs, ~11.5kg). Total load about 110lbs, which I can easily lift or slide onto my bedslide.

I plan on attaching UHMW plastic to the wheel side of the supports to help it slide better.

-Ian

timberwolf · « **Reply #84 on:** April 15, 2013, 10:56 PM »

Anyone in the US making this have a source for hardware? Specifically, the push-push locks.

GBCarpentry · « **Reply #85 on:** April 16, 2013, 03:22 PM »

Well I've done most of the woodwork on the MFTC but I'm having problems with finding the ironmongery as well, but I'm in the UK. Ttrack and push catches and 100mm adjustable legs. Any help? Any other UK members making this?

Timtool · « **Reply #86 on:** April 16, 2013, 06:32 PM »

For the latches you should find them in your country by googling "salice push latch"
For the tracks and levelers it's harder for me to help, you can do with any type of leveler if you adjust the plans where necessary. I used what i could find locally.
Glad to see more MFTC's are in the build!

nyman_666 · « **Reply #87 on:** April 23, 2013, 12:13 PM »

Going to buy the ts55 next week so this would be a nice project!

rickbw · « **Reply #88 on:** May 06, 2013, 12:26 PM »

Tim,

I'm in the begining stages of building the MFTC. The plans are great - Thanks. Did you ever post the template referenced in an earlier post? I cannot seem to find it and I am ready to cut out the sides.

Timtool · « **Reply #89 on:** May 07, 2013, 05:06 PM »

Quote from: rickbw on May 06, 2013, 12:26 PM

Tim,

I'm in the begining stages of building the MFTC. The plans are great - Thanks. Did you ever post the template referenced in an earlier post? I cannot seem to find it and I am ready to cut out the sides.

Hi Rick,
I attached the template to this post, i keep making improvements to the plans so any previous buyers who want the "latest" can always mail me to get them. But it would be silly to keep sending the latest version to everybody every couple weeks!
The German translation is now also available, i am going to send it to all previous Germanic buyers in the coming week.

there are also new images of user made MFTC's on my site!