New workbench

[Bacms]

Hi everyone,

It has been pretty clear to me over the past few weeks that my current setup of plywood board on top of saw horses needs to be replaced with a proper workbench.

However, due to space limitations, I need it to be both an MFT/track saw table and an assembly table. I saw that Axminster has the plans on how to build exactly this and was wondering what are people opinions on their plans (https://knowledge.axminster.co.uk/tag/power-tool-table/)? I will probably modify the plans so I can add a bench vice to one of the legs. Also, what are the materials people recommend for this? Would joinery redwood suffice for it? And just I bulk up the size provided by Axminster?

 

[Doug71]

I recently built a new assembly/tracksaw/MFT type workbench roughly based on the Paulk Workbench https://www.fastcap.com/product/paulk-workbench

For the top I used 3 MFT tops from here https://www.cncdesign.co.uk/tables-mft-tops.html

It works really well, I like the fact I can keep the top clear by putting tools in the gap underneath the top.

Doug

 

[Bacms]

Do you have any pictures of the completed setup?

 

[Doingupthehouse]

I built mine a couple of years ago with a CNC'd MFT top from ebay - excellent quality by the way. I built it as a torsion box, but the bottom skin is cutout between the webs to allow sawdust through and access to any dogs etc from underneath. The section at the vice end is filled in between the webs to make is solid. The whole thing weighs a ton and doesn't budge at all, even when heavy planing. also built a hinged flap to give me extra working space when needed.

If you go down the torsion box route, it's essential to build off a completely level surface - I used wooden bearers on top of my table saw to build it.

Here's a couple of pics of the build, on showing the open web underside. The top is just MRMDF lipped with solid wood. The webs were glued and pocket holed to the skins.

It really has been a good bench and wasn't too hard to build and its also still completely flat - although I did add another central support at the front for good measure. When the MFT section gets worn, I can simply unbolt it and flip it over.

Simon