I was thinking about building a MFT style table, but I don't really want to have to worry about using dogs and hold down fasts (none of which I currently have), and was thinking about making a torsion table box but with T nuts under the surface that I can use to attach jigs and other things using 3/8 bolts or threaded rod.
Some friends have told me that's not the way to do it, as no one does it like this. I'm not trying to be original, I just want to build something that works for me and I can make cheap knobs and hold downs. Plus, it might reduce the need for a large side vise (as used with dogs to hold material). I have a vise on another heavy bench that does most all of my vise needs.
Are there things that I haven't thought about here? It seems good to me, but I'd hate to build this and then say to myself "what was I thinking".
I know many will ask, "what do you want to use the table for..." which is a valid query. Basically, I'd use it to
- mount jigs such as my pocket hole tool.
- Hold 2x4's flat as I square up a frame for assembly
- any other material hold down using bar clamps with end cut off and 3/8 bolt welded on (yes, additional work, but I like doing this).
- Putting in threaded rod to old material "in the air" for painting/gluing.
Thanks.
Jeff