A different workbench

[Erik Christensen]

I was all ready to build a classic workbench like some of the really nice ones posted recently; but then I decided to head in a different direction. I have several nice books (most recommended here) on workbenches and was going to build a 34” x 8’ maple top, round dog bench with twin screw tail vise and quick release face vise. I had the hardware in my cart and was almost ready to click the purchase button, when I ended up in another forum where several well written posts advocated a different design more suited to power tool users like me.

So I made this about a month ago. It has had some use, but not much, as a room remodel has been using up most my shop time. It has some significant trade-offs vs a traditional bench but so far I kinda like it. The bench is still far from complete – I have to figure out how I am going to setup the storage on each side – some shelves, two drawers with no face that can be pulled out from either side, etc; plus I have to make jig that functions like a board jack in the 2 front tracks.

It must weigh 500# yet rolls easily (though a 2 person job to steer) on the 4 woodcraft lockable casters which when locked makes this thing act like it bolted to the floor. While time will tell if I keep this or dump it on CL and build a nice classic bench (don’t really have room for both) one thing I do like – unlike the gorgeous benches I see here this one took only 2 weekends to build.

[Philip Johnson]

I like it....there have been some really good looking benches posted on here lately but I think yours maybe be more useful. I like the idea of lots of tool storage and a bench made for power tools. I gotta sleep on this idea and think about it for a bit. Tell us more about where the plans came from and the top, where did you get the edge for the festool track to clamp on.

Phil

[John Mark Lane]

Interesting. What's the top made of? What are those tracks on the sides and what do you use them for? What made you decide to use those half-posts (for lack of a better word) on the corners? Very interesting bench, and as I'm about to start my own in a couple of weeks (soon as I get the flooring down), I'd sure like to hear more about it....

Mark

[Philip Johnson]

John it appears to me the tracks on the edges are for the festool tracks to attach too as I see a festool track saw hiding there. Since I just purchased the track saw I too would like to know more about where he got the track attach edging.

Phil

[Dave MacArthur]

Interesting. Looks kind of like an EZ "PowerBench"? I like the idea of a power tool based bench, and like those above am interested in hearing some more of your thoughts on this and why you decided on this style?

[Mark Woodmark]

Looks very interesting. I see potential for many add ons due to its size. Just how large is the top?

[Van Huskey]

Thats very cool. I am planning a work bench with a router table, downdraft table and Kreg clamp table all in one, neat to see someone else go a different direction. I would also like to know more about the constuction, mainly the top.

[Tony Bilello]

Traditional and classic workbenches are great for traditional and classic woodworkers. Power tool woodworkers need workbench's more suited to power tool needs. Two different animals.
I think you made a wise decision and it looks great also.

[Erik Christensen]

The MDF top is just 3 of the festool MFT tops with the center one shaved down to fit. When time come to replace it, I am going to make it out of a single MDF piece and just use my shelf pin jig from festool to make the holes with a router.

I had a MFT 1080 table and the long front 1080 rails became the side rails of the workbench and then I got a REALLY long rail set from festool - 2 meter rails - (item
number 488-555). I'd like to say this was all my idea but I got the basic top concept from a PDF on the festool site. You can find in FAQ section for the MFT (I'd put the whole URL here but not sure if that is allowed).

getting_the_most_from_the_mft_multifunction_table. pdf

I choose a different base and top support mechanism - mine has the 4 corners firmly supported on 4x4 posts and the rails sit on a very precise lip cut into the 2 plywood beams that provide support in the middle section. I screwed up the design on locating these support beams - they 'should' have been located at the junction of the two adjoining top pieces but I did not think of that in my layout. The top pieces are edge joined with domino's that are unglued - plenty of support - I had to run some overhead cables after the bench was done and walking on the top i could not see a bit of flex m(I am 200#).

The guide rail that comes with the MFT 1080 is too short to go length wise but I had a second 1400mm rail when I bought the shelf pin setup so I just swapped out the attachment hardware and the 1400 rail works just fine - again not my idea - got that from the pdf too.

What encouraged me to give this a whirl is I had a lot of the stuff already - an MFT 1080 that I did not use as much as I could due to it's small size (I understand it was designed to be job site portable but I never used it that way) and I had an 2nd 1400mm rail laying around. What I really like about the bench is it is MDF & plywood, not a gorgeous piece of hardwood furniture like some here make, so I have no qualms at all about hammering the crap out of it if that is what the job requires.

[Greg Plowman]

Very neat, I'll be rebuilding my secondary workbench that my Dovetail jig and FMT pro sit on pretty soon and am interested in hearing more about this bench.

[Paul Raymond]

nice- definitely a modern answer to an old question. i like it.

paul