Personally, I’d go for a torsion box with a mft hole system on a scissor lift.
Personally, I’d go for a torsion box with a mft hole system on a scissor lift.
That is an excellent setup, Mike! It certainly connects all the dots for me as I'm a huge believer in adjustable height work surfaces.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Oh lord, I didn’t need to see that...
Wonder if you could mount it on Zambus casters?
You could build it on a scissor lift cart. Or just by the Barth.
https://rangate.com/products/barth-lift-table-300
My experience is similiar to Dick Mahany's. Add to that - cutting boards square which are too wide to do easily on the table saw.
Jon,
I will be redoing my assembly table soon. I've considered MFT vs T tracks and I've decided to go with T tracks along with holes that will accept Festool quick clamps.
In my view there are advantages to both. With MFT the big one is defined distances which makes setting up stops, etc much simpler.
I would be concerned that you can get a clamp in a two layered top.
Mike Farrington channel on YouTube has a video of setting up an assembly table using the Parf system. I believe that's what is pictured above.
I don't use BLO on MDF anymore. I prefer a poly/mineral spirit +/-turpentine mix.
IMG_0546.jpg
This was much cheaper than the Barth table. Not finished here but I ended up with MFT holes on half the table. Torsion box with MDF and 3/4 HDF on top. Laminate on top of that. Glue doesn't stick to it. Quick clamps work great.
This is pretty sturdy but not really a neanderthal bench.
IMG_0545.jpg
thanks Robert. Since you’re going w Festool clamps, your top will be 3/4”?
what is the polyurethane / mineral spirit/ turp recipe? I’ve used one called boat soup for gunwales, etc which is 1:1:1 linseed oil, turp and marine varnish. Takes forever to dry unless you add some Japan drier. Add a dash of pine tar and it smells great.
Marty, I really like how you used the laminate on your solution...I may need to ponder that myself for my potential bench-top replacement.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Thanks Tom.
Since the Parf Mk2 is now back in stock it’s time to fish or cut bait. It seems the choice of top comes down to holes for clamping vs. use with track saw. The way I’m understanding it, if you want to include the Festool clamps it needs to be a single layer 3/4” thickness.
If if I just want dog holes for clamping (where the Parf or a MFT type top isn’t really necessary), do the hold fasts fit in double layers (or thicker) tops?
Just discovered your question, Jon. Yes to your questions and the HDF (as well as the MDF) came from Paxton lumber in Denver. Not cheap and likely overkill with the laminate. The laminate was an after thought or I would have just used MDF all around. I ordered the laminate from Home Depot.