I noticed that - its like a continuation error but one where it didnt provide closure for the viewers brain! 😂 even the shot of the van outside didnt show the rear doors. 😫😁 all good. Im over it now though. 😆👍
Peter I’m so glad you posted this. You are a great asset for UA-cam viewers like me. I’m in California but we still have issues like upstairs jobs much of the time. Mostly 2 story houses and condos here. I’m always looking for best options for work surfaces. I love the sys mft boxes. But this idea is very useful. You may see it on my channel in the future. Glad I subscribed to you way back when. After I saw your videos on cordless paint sprayer. Brilliant.
Thanks David - you have a great channnel! If you wanted to keep the weight down you could forget about the legs and use trestles. Then you could cut down the frame, reduce weight there too.
@@10MinuteWorkshop thank you for your kind words regarding my Channel. And thank You so much for the sub. I am so appreciative. I’ll think about your ideas about the weight. Great idea. You do such a great job with your video editing. By the way.
Hi Peter, I’m just finishing up my workbench, after following your plans that I purchased. Made a couple of mistakes, as we all do occasionally:-), but getting there now. Unfortunately I had to make mine out of the cheaper hardwood ply you can get from B&Q, which although it does the job, isn’t great quality. The only issue I have come across with that, is that once the legs were constructed, and the table is stood up, there is a lot more flex in the ply, so you get some flex rocking if using the bench to hand sand. Otherwise, I’m reasonably pleased with my first attempt. Many thanks for the great design.
Cheers Steve. Yes, anything with folding legs will have a bit of ‘wracking’ like that. When I was first designing it I tried a couple of drop-down stays that helped stabilise the legs - might be worth a try??
Great build Peter, looks a really useful bench for a trade user. For myself in the garage, the more I see on all the mft tops, bench dogs, and rail squares I'm thinking this is probably now something I need 😁😔😬
I find the MFT’s limitation is its wobblieness under heavy use like planing and heavy chiseling. That said, a number of years ago I made a simple cutting/work surface about this same size for making trim and other small cuts for indoor use, which is a huge time-saver over running back outside every time I needed to make a quick cut at the chopsaw. Mine is a simple, bit of MDF on a flat frame - no legs, made for use directly on the floor/ground (size and weight reasons). Peter’s version is a great conclusion to my extremely basic solution! His fold away legs are light and compact, yet allow it to be used low on the ground (very helpful in remodel situations) AND the legs enable that extremely helpful shelf plus guide rail stowage. And then his solution includes all those other extremely well conceived features. Great project tool Peter, thanks for sharing it!
You just gave me an idea, if we use magnets for the folding track hinge, make a grid of magnetic dog holes around the edges of the table, with magnetic dogs on the track hinge. Giving you lighting fast and accurate ways to line up your track perfectly. Even maybe chamfer the edges of the outter dog holes to allow them to guide the dogs in with fussing with trying to line it up to fit perfectly.
Watching your videos has given me a renewed interest and also spurred me on to create my own 'portable' mft workbench based around Stanley sawhorses. I had contacted Mick at Cnc formattics (not realising they no longer produced them) before Xmas, but heard nothing, so ended up getting one from Lasersmith in Scotland. Anyway, thanks Peter. 👍🏻👍🏻
Very nicely done Peter 😁. I'm trying not to repeat the previous 400 comments... but... that is a thing of beauty 😁. Extremely well thought out and executed. Top job. It just needs a 10 minute logo cnc'd in to it to make it perfect 😁. Thanks for the video Peter.... now go and lock your van 😂🤣😁👍.
I can tell the extra effort going into the fliming aspect now that you stopped your day job peter. Great work. Either that or you've hired a film crew. Also, maybe route in a shallow magnetic dish into the right hand side to keep screws together whilst working on something.
The 4x8 Paulk is in two sections. If I didn't already have a 2x8 maple cabinet bench I would go for a 2x8 by itself, as it works well for me. Looking forward to your take.
Peter, Nice job, looks very interesting. Yes I took up the plans for the wheeled MFTC and also never got around to it. Looked at the Stanton Bench, which sits on the top of a work top or table, not so good on the Walnut dinning table. I designed my own based on using a pair of metal saw horses with wood beams between, then 2 or 4 panels that join together for a the top with an apron like the Stanton Bench. I think your design is simple, light-ish but certainly simple to slide in the van or estate car. To set up and get to work is simple. Great Job.
Thanks Barry! Yes, I’m nit a fan of worktops on trestles personally - I find I need to move the bench around - but separating out the legs would make things much simpler and lighter. Just not really my thing. 👍👍
I’m super impressed by what you made. There are quite a few “why didn’t I think of that” moments. The front lip would have saved me. But that release wire? Now I won’t feel like I’m picking a lock every time I need 2 legs to collapse at the same time.
Very nice Peter. One change I would do for myself because I would want to have more things in the storage compartments. I would have them removable so I would not have it weighing to much for me to carry with all the things I would have stored in them. I would have the peanut fittings on the storage compartments to attach to the bench. The two storage compartments would be attached to each other. Thank you for the great idea. I have been wanting to make one for a while & I like yours the best compared to the others out there. Thanks again Peter for your great videos & all the time you put into them
Thanks John! That’s a really good idea, and that’s the beauty of something like this. Because it’s made of plywood not aluminium, then it’s easy to adapt to your needs or requirements! 👍👍
Another awesome shop video. 👍 I built a Paulk style bench for my shop but it became a permanent fixture. I agree it’s only a portable design if you’re determined enough to force it to be. 😀 your design is quite nice.
Fantastic! This is just the design I've been looking for and haven't got round to (or don't have the skills to) design myself. I'm sure I'll be making one of these at some point. Thank you.
This is not a "good idea or proof of concept" What it is a well thought out design equally well built and a ultimatley a finished product, can't wait to see version 1.01 and beyond Great work Peter
Peter why not put additional holes in the top and the plywood case to to lighten it up even the legs could probably take some lightening holes and still be sturdy. Everything helps.
Great video as always Peter and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I am rubbish DIYer / wanna-be-woodworker but I have no garage or shed to setup a workshop. So usually work in the back lane of my house during the summer on a wee project. but my setup lacks precision. This table top with an entry level plunge saw maybe what I need to allow for better quality project outcomes. Thanks again
Wow Peter , love it , i was thinking ,two of those and a bridgeing infill and you would have a full joiners bench . I have had occasions where i had to make bespoke windows on site . In Sandgate high st , i worked on a church conversions , one of the four units became a dedicated work shop ( with overnight security of course ) i had to make gothic arch windows , bullseye windows and the exterior door frame with side light window . I was in 7th heaven , i did the job about 18yrs ago . I undercoated all the woodwork in metallic primer , as the building is on the seafront.
Very nice! You can consider poplar or sika ply is the weight is an issue! What I like most is the simplicity of the build and the economics of the wood utilization, not like some “Californian” dude out there with his self proponte infomercial videos. Love the content Peter, never disappointedT Thank you 🙏
Well, that's just bloody ridiculously good. A colleague and I have to fit some worktops where I work with no workshop space, this or something very similar is about to be made!
Great portable bench Peter, I’m retired now, but if I was still doing service calls I wouldn’t be writing this, I’d be out in the shop making one. Great job have a great weekend
Weight. Always the PITA for us. I built something very similar, out of mahogany, same folding leg hardware. But it's a bit shorter and longer and a wee bit narrower - for holding my astronomy kit while at a dark sky site. I think I was allowed to use it once or twice for that then the wife requisitioned. sign. Now it's a printer and lamp stand in the living room. I like cubby holes you did. Nice touch.
Lovely and well thought out. As its portable i think I would add routed rounded corners in case it came into contact with a wall or door. I will be looking at making one myself. New to the channel today. Just discovered you. Great stuff
Thanks, and welcome! Yes, indeed - this is just the ‘bare bones’ of the bench, I’d expect folks to take it and add their own touches to it, wether that’s drilling it out to make it lighter, fitting corner protectors, or round overs - great idea, btw! 👍👍
Thats looks just the job for my new garage. I've got too many hobbies so it has to be a car workshop, a motorbike work shop, a bicycle workshop and also a woodshop, all in a 7x5m garage! This will allow me to pull out and pack away when ever I need to. It also poses a problem of needing a bench to build a bench, but I haven't got a bench, and so it goes round and round. I guess I'll be making it on the floor then! I'm off to your Etsy shop to get the plans! Thanks!
Thanks Ross! I enjoyed shooting the intro; was dismayed at first with the weather - the previous day had been glorious - but I actually quite liked the misty atmosphere! Not quite a London pea-souper, but something a little different! 👍
Brilliant!! I imagine those cubby lids and sacrificial strip could work loose over time/repeated use. Might I suggest rare earth magnets to help secure them. Great vid. Forever a fan.
Thanks! Yea to the sacrificial strip - but it’s sacrificial, I’ll just make another. And no, the cubby lids are fixed with Buttonfix fixings, they’re super-strong! 👍👍
Nice build. A much better alternative to the portable Festool workbench. Interesting new peanut connectors. I wonder if that will be another $1200.00 tool???
Thanks! The Peanut connectors are a jig & router system, jig & starter set is ~£400, mini jig coming in the new year that should reduce the cost of entry significantly. See recent videos 429, Peanut 2 connector - ua-cam.com/video/AjS2cAiQyzY/v-deo.html For details of the system and where I think it fits, and video 432, Bedside cabinet - ua-cam.com/video/aJNzOZCHrGU/v-deo.html for a more detailed build. More to come in this system in the new year. 👍👍
Very tidy bench Peter, cant help but think your allready thinking of improvements! I'm halfway through my work bench build not quite as eligant as yours but it will work for me. Just need the guys at Benchdogs to make a rail square for the metabo track!
Simply awesome Peter. It was definitely worth the wait, fantastic design. I may just have to build one for myself. Might need two though as I find myself quite often breaking down full sheets 🤔
This is an excellent design and something that I think I could do. I enjoy watching the Ron Paulk videos but his benches are something that I shall never be able to make and don't have the room for anyway. I have a top which just sits on two plastic saw horses but this is a big step up. The storage bins are an excellent idea and then the final reveal for the storing the Bench Dogs fence was brilliant. I attempted to buy the plans but according to Etsy the plans are sold out. Not sure how you sell out of digital downloads but no doubt that will be fixed. My only query would be obtaining half a sheet of birch plywood. I am only at the level of purchasing wood, etc. from B&Q.
Hi Peter, I really like the design. You have obviously put a great deal of thought into it. I have a Paulk style MFT top which is 1200 x 600mm which I use with a couple of cheap Stanley saw horses. It's good, but one thing that does annoy me is not having the option to clamp work to the front of it.
Hello I thought of two things to improve the bench. The first is that you can put any kind of wheel on one short side to make it easier to transport the bench? When you watch the video, it seems quite heavy. The second is that you could put wheels on the legs as well or make the lower shelf so that it prevents? This makes the bench itself easier to transport and move when working.
Hi Jan, and thanks! I do mention a wheel-set or trolley in the video. Not a fan of wheels on legs, personally, but that's mostly because I rarely work on even ground! 👍
1400 width instead of 1200 may give you the capacity to process 4ft wide sheets probably. Its 1st video of yours where I felt much more can be done on this. I have learned much from you
Just bought the plans :-) Great little bench, nifty little idea. Look forward to building this soon, it will come in very handy on site. Not to mention being only a fraction of the size of the Festool solution I've been eyeing for a while. Many thanks for another great video!
Ok. So I just commented on another video of yours about my domino and how I wanted the MFT3. And as I started watching this I thought this would be a great workbench for me to set up when I use my domino to clamp things down. But using that square and other rail..... That could come in REALLY handy. Off to go watch those videos.
Like you style of fast and fu..., scratch that, showing all the essentials. Perhaps some door magnets will keep the legs folded up neatly? I could also think of adding a (foldable) fence(?) to the intermediate boad so things don't fall off at the far end. For the weight issue you could take some licence from race cars where everything is fitted with holes. The strenght is mostly from the outer edges of members and holes put in between will cut down on the weight but don't affect sturdiness.
Maybe some holes in the frame and legs would help with the weight. Otherwise me likey ! I use an MDO top on an old Rousseau table as the out feed for my job site sawstop. It's heavy too.
Brilliant! I love it. I'm thinking of changing my workbench plans. Thankfully I haven't started cutting. Happy accident, I had to change the chuck on my drill because the run out was terrible, just got the replacement which is perfect. So now I'm waiting on a few parts. Today? 🤞🤞 Maybe next Thursday. Oh and I'm making two benches that are 1200 by I'm not sure. I originally wanted 4ft by 3ft so together I'd have either a 4x6 ft surface or in an L configuration 3x8ft which would make breaking down a full sheet super easy. Now I don't know. I'm sticking to at least 1200mm in length but I keep changing my mind on the width. I'm not sure I need in the 900mm neighborhood. Also mine are, or maybe were, just torsion box tops (3 inches thick) that drop down on and lock to, Keter collapsible tables. More to carry but very mobile, very strong and have built in storage. Plus I already have them.
Nice one Peter. This looks really good and well thought out. I can see that this has the potential for all sorts of modifications to fit different circumstances. 👍👍
Unfortunately the comnpany mentioned in this video (Formatic CNC) appear to have stopped making MFT tops. Many other companies make MFT-style tops to order, or you can adapt an off-the-shelf MFT 1080 top (1080 1165 x 725) or MFT/3 top (1102 x 718) to fit. Or make your own, of course, with one of the many commercial jigs available. 👍
thats a bummer because i ordered one off them on the 9th of this month and am still waiting for it. thought it might have been with me by now to be honest. really hope i dont have to start any sort of process to get my money back off them. if only i had know this before i ordered.
just wanted to update this with the outcome. i sent an email asking when my order would be dispatched and waited. 4 days later i got a email back simply saying that a refund had been issued and would be in my bank soon. nothing else. no explanation or anything. all it said was "Your order from Formatic CNC has been refunded." A simple 'Sorry' would have been nice... but i suppose at least i got an easy refund. I then went to ebay and ordered a top from there. 3 days later its sat in my living room waiting to be fitted..................Now im happy !!
Blimey Peter, have you got a film crew now?😳 Fantastic build, I've loved following the process of designing this. It must have taken you days to edit this video!
Haha, thanks Leo! No, sadly, due to ‘circumstances’ referred to on Insta earlier in the week, this was shot and edited yesterday. But of a long day, mind. 🤷♂️👍
Glad I'm not the only one that thinks the Paulk bench is ridiculous for a 'mobile' thing. More of semi mobile. Smart guy I assume but never actually see any use of everything he builds. Every other wood channel show their stuff in use. Him not so much. Just always showing how it's 'smart' Really like the bench though Peter. Simple design but effective
I'm glad to see you weren't temped to title this video "the ultimate portable bench" the amount of ultimate whatever's on utube i almost don't watch any ultimate videos 🙄 by the way looks like a very well made, thought out bench, also the places you recessed for the screws with the washers below them, would the pocket hole screws been useful? and a couple of ball catches between the legs and frame would help to keep them in locked down position?
Haha, I was so, so tempted! 😂 Thanks! Yes, ball catches, magnets, a simple toggle latch would keep the legs together. The toggle latches I had were a bit short 🤷♂️ I thought about pocket hole screws for the top, but on reflection I preferred to see where they are! 👍👍
I love these various MFT vids that you produce Peter. 👍👍 I ended up buying a MFT top from Ralph ( thanks Peter and Ralph) to make a mobile workbench. I do however plan on running a length of MFT worktop along my workshop ( shed!!!) wall, about 3m long so I am planning on purchasing MR MDF from local merchants and then clamping Raplh's worktop to the MDF i purchased and using it as a template to use with drill and router flush bit to accurately replicate the MFT pattern on a larger scale. Hopefully I don't mess it up 😂 Thanks Peter
Got the rail and the benchdogs square with the associated dogs, The fence is in the shopping cart too. Any ideas for alternatives to the peanut fixings for the legs to provide some sort of stability rather than just hanging the shelf there? Splashing out on a fixing system to be able to build a bench is a bit lavish I'd say. I understand why you chose to use it though. Thanks
Hi Colin. There’s all kinds of ways to do this. Keku fixings, Buttonfix type 1, dummy drawer front fixing, keyhole hanging plates, french cleats, dowels or dominos if you can arrange them vertically. If I didn’t have the peanut connectors I’d probably use vertical dominos, glued-in on one side. 👍
Thanks Peter, spot the cabinet maker! ....I had to Google the dummy drawer front and the keku fixings! Thanks for the alternatives. Domino's glued in on the upright edge of the leg cross brace?
Yep. Haven’t got the plans I’m front of me, but the ends of the shelf are 45mm I think, so on the 70mm leg crosspiece you’d need to add 25mm at the base, to get the vertical dominos or dowels in. 👍👍
Sorry Colin, just thinking this through and remembered you actually need a single thickness on the crosspiece for the legs to fold in against the shelf when stowed, so you’ll need a flush fitting of some sort eg the keyhole hanging plate, or the Buttonfix type 1. 👍👍
Nice build. MFT3 weighs 28kg so this isn’t any lighter. A lot cheaper though although I imagine the hardware top and the rail must be setting you back at least £300.
Absolute genius! Just what I need and plans purchased. I bought a CNC MFT top from UK and paid almost as much to get it shipped to Finland but I still thought it was a fair price compared to buying the real thing here. Been wondering for months the best way to incorporate it to a bench I can put in my outdoor storage as I have no shop and would need to work outside. This fits the bill perfectly and I am intrigued to see the weight reduction trials. Will you do a video on it? Thanks again.
This bench is interesting - been looking for a folding (portable is less necessary) bench for use in my reduce size workshop. So the question is - is there enough 'mass' in the bench when knocking joints together? I guess I'd have to triangulate the legs to stabilise when hand (Jack/finishing) planing.
Have a look on youtube for the versatable, the company who made them is out of business but the design is pretty easy to copy/modify. I have one and think it is extremely stable in use but can still be folded away
Only just saw this video and tried the links for the MFT tops but seems that the price has gone up quite a bit from what you mentioned in the video, lowest I've seen on the website seems to be from £65 now.
Hi, I'm sorry, I meant to put a note in the description about that, thanks for the reminder - it's now been amended. Long story short, basically nobody ordered the £40 MDF option, everyone was going for the MRMDF or Birch ply versions so Formatic dropped the plain MDF in favour of the lightweight Poplar ply. 👍
Hi Peter. Your plans for this bench have presented some interesting challenges since I purchased them about a month ago. As I was finishing the assembly of the bench and was thinking about storing the saw rail underneath I realized that my 55 inch rail was probably not going to fit. But it did-- precisely. It leads me to a question. In looking back at your video, you were storing what is probably a 32 inch rail under the top. I would probably be better off with a shorter rail, especially since most cuts could be made with a shorter rail. If I were to purchase an inexpensive 55 inch rail, what would be the optimal length to cut it down? I'm having a great time with this bench. Thanks for the design.
Thanks Tommy - appreciate the feedback! The rail was one that I’d cut down for a project, and it was about 1100mm - so close to the 1080 rail, or ~43 inches. If you were cutting one down, then I guess the question would be wether you wanted to do anything useful with the offcut? You can’t do much with anything less than ~450mm (18”) which would leave 950mm (38”) or so which is probably long enough on a bench that’s 600mm deep. As always though, it depends on your plans. Hope that helps give you a few pointers! Peter 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Good suggestion Peter.👍🏼 I'll be ordering the rail soon. Anything special in cutting the rail? In another video didn't you cut a rail with a chop saw? No harm to the blade I guess, cutting this aluminum.
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Hi Peter, this will almost positively be too late but you have left your van with the doors wide open and all your tools inside.
Not any more they’re Not! 😂👍
Totally the only thing I could think about the whole time 😂
No one's allowed outside so it's ok
Door are still open and there’s no longer any tools in it? :p
I noticed that - its like a continuation error but one where it didnt provide closure for the viewers brain! 😂 even the shot of the van outside didnt show the rear doors. 😫😁 all good. Im over it now though. 😆👍
This is the first time I've ever seen a fence like that, for a MFT. So awesome!!
The Professor of the small workshop does it again ,Its a great build Peter ,well done !!!
Thanks Adrian! 😆👍👍
Peter I’m so glad you posted this. You are a great asset for UA-cam viewers like me. I’m in California but we still have issues like upstairs jobs much of the time. Mostly 2 story houses and condos here. I’m always looking for best options for work surfaces. I love the sys mft boxes. But this idea is very useful. You may see it on my channel in the future. Glad I subscribed to you way back when. After I saw your videos on cordless paint sprayer. Brilliant.
Thanks David - you have a great channnel! If you wanted to keep the weight down you could forget about the legs and use trestles. Then you could cut down the frame, reduce weight there too.
@@10MinuteWorkshop thank you for your kind words regarding my Channel. And thank You so much for the sub. I am so appreciative. I’ll think about your ideas about the weight. Great idea. You do such a great job with your video editing. By the way.
Hi Peter, I’m just finishing up my workbench, after following your plans that I purchased. Made a couple of mistakes, as we all do occasionally:-), but getting there now. Unfortunately I had to make mine out of the cheaper hardwood ply you can get from B&Q, which although it does the job, isn’t great quality. The only issue I have come across with that, is that once the legs were constructed, and the table is stood up, there is a lot more flex in the ply, so you get some flex rocking if using the bench to hand sand. Otherwise, I’m reasonably pleased with my first attempt. Many thanks for the great design.
Cheers Steve. Yes, anything with folding legs will have a bit of ‘wracking’ like that. When I was first designing it I tried a couple of drop-down stays that helped stabilise the legs - might be worth a try??
@@10MinuteWorkshop thanks Peter, didn’t think of that 👍. I’ll see how I go, it’s not a major problem at the moment. Many thanks.
Great build Peter, looks a really useful bench for a trade user. For myself in the garage, the more I see on all the mft tops, bench dogs, and rail squares I'm thinking this is probably now something I need 😁😔😬
Cheers James! Ha. There are always more things to buy! 😆👍👍
I find the MFT’s limitation is its wobblieness under heavy use like planing and heavy chiseling.
That said, a number of years ago I made a simple cutting/work surface about this same size for making trim and other small cuts for indoor use, which is a huge time-saver over running back outside every time I needed to make a quick cut at the chopsaw. Mine is a simple, bit of MDF on a flat frame - no legs, made for use directly on the floor/ground (size and weight reasons).
Peter’s version is a great conclusion to my extremely basic solution! His fold away legs are light and compact, yet allow it to be used low on the ground (very helpful in remodel situations) AND the legs enable that extremely helpful shelf plus guide rail stowage. And then his solution includes all those other extremely well conceived features.
Great project tool Peter, thanks for sharing it!
Very practical design Peter. Well thought out.
Cheers Stew! 👍👍
You just gave me an idea, if we use magnets for the folding track hinge, make a grid of magnetic dog holes around the edges of the table, with magnetic dogs on the track hinge. Giving you lighting fast and accurate ways to line up your track perfectly. Even maybe chamfer the edges of the outter dog holes to allow them to guide the dogs in with fussing with trying to line it up to fit perfectly.
Watching your videos has given me a renewed interest and also spurred me on to create my own 'portable' mft workbench based around Stanley sawhorses. I had contacted Mick at Cnc formattics (not realising they no longer produced them) before Xmas, but heard nothing, so ended up getting one from Lasersmith in Scotland. Anyway, thanks Peter. 👍🏻👍🏻
Very nicely done Peter 😁. I'm trying not to repeat the previous 400 comments... but... that is a thing of beauty 😁. Extremely well thought out and executed. Top job. It just needs a 10 minute logo cnc'd in to it to make it perfect 😁. Thanks for the video Peter.... now go and lock your van 😂🤣😁👍.
Thanks Frank! Duh! Missed a trick with the logo - don’t think of that! 😂 👍👍
I can tell the extra effort going into the fliming aspect now that you stopped your day job peter. Great work. Either that or you've hired a film crew. Also, maybe route in a shallow magnetic dish into the right hand side to keep screws together whilst working on something.
Thanks! Ooo magnets! Hadn’t thought of magnets - you could recess them into the underside! Nice one, thanks! 👌👍👍
Fantastic compact design with everything needed on board! 👌🏽
Brilliant idea and awesome build, mate! 👍🏽
Cheers Bill! Been a long time coming, but happy it’s here - finally! 😂👍
The 4x8 Paulk is in two sections. If I didn't already have a 2x8 maple cabinet bench I would go for a 2x8 by itself, as it works well for me. Looking forward to your take.
Nicely done, all the extra hardware gives it good functionality 👍🏻👍🏻😎😎
Thanks! Yes - it’s not a bad bench as it is, but the hardware makes the difference. 👍👍
Now, that's smart. Your videos are among the few worth playing @ 1 X speed. Thank you.
Haha - compliment of the day, thanks! 👍👍😂
brilliant idea made well could be the best thing since the old black and decker work mate well done
Thank you! 👍
Peter, Nice job, looks very interesting. Yes I took up the plans for the wheeled MFTC and also never got around to it. Looked at the Stanton Bench, which sits on the top of a work top or table, not so good on the Walnut dinning table. I designed my own based on using a pair of metal saw horses with wood beams between, then 2 or 4 panels that join together for a the top with an apron like the Stanton Bench.
I think your design is simple, light-ish but certainly simple to slide in the van or estate car. To set up and get to work is simple. Great Job.
Thanks Barry! Yes, I’m nit a fan of worktops on trestles personally - I find I need to move the bench around - but separating out the legs would make things much simpler and lighter. Just not really my thing. 👍👍
I’m super impressed by what you made. There are quite a few “why didn’t I think of that” moments. The front lip would have saved me. But that release wire? Now I won’t feel like I’m picking a lock every time I need 2 legs to collapse at the same time.
Thanks! Yes, those release catches always call for a third hand! 😂👍
Very nice Peter. One change I would do for myself because I would want to have more things in the storage compartments. I would have them removable so I would not have it weighing to much for me to carry with all the things I would have stored in them. I would have the peanut fittings on the storage compartments to attach to the bench. The two storage compartments would be attached to each other. Thank you for the great idea. I have been wanting to make one for a while & I like yours the best compared to the others out there. Thanks again Peter for your great videos & all the time you put into them
Thanks John! That’s a really good idea, and that’s the beauty of something like this. Because it’s made of plywood not aluminium, then it’s easy to adapt to your needs or requirements! 👍👍
Peter it’s obviously had a lot of thought! Very well done and it will serve you well for along time. Cheers
Thanks Peter, I've just ordered an MFT from Formatic-CNC.
Nice! 👍👌💪
This is brilliant! You really have thought of everything!
Thank you! Critics might say that I’ve had plenty of time to be thinking about it! 😂👍
Another awesome shop video. 👍 I built a Paulk style bench for my shop but it became a permanent fixture. I agree it’s only a portable design if you’re determined enough to force it to be. 😀 your design is quite nice.
Thanks! Paulk bench is great if you have the space. 👍👍
Very good video. I liked the longer format. You were able to explain everything.
Thanks Mike! Yes, sometimes you just have more to say. 🤷♂️👍👍
Fantastic! This is just the design I've been looking for and haven't got round to (or don't have the skills to) design myself. I'm sure I'll be making one of these at some point. Thank you.
Thanks! Let me know how you get on! 👍👍
Beware saw horse can go for a gallop. Some have a lot of movement and having tried them, think Peter's self contained legs, like Ron Paulk's work.
This is not a "good idea or proof of concept" What it is a well thought out design equally well built and a ultimatley a finished product, can't wait to see version 1.01 and beyond
Great work Peter
Thanks! Yes, there’ll be an update or two on this, I think! 👍👍
Brilliant, ordered MFT top straight away.Plan to fix it to my workbench.Thanks!
Excellent, and thanks! 👍👍
A possible alternative to recessing a tray would be to set a few magnets into the underside of the top.
Peter, excellent videos. Bought your bench dogs, stop block and rail. Wow! Thanks for your wealth of info.
Thanks! 👍
Thankyou for sharing your video Peter, a very clever bench design.
Thanks Stuart! 👍
Peter why not put additional holes in the top and the plywood case to to lighten it up even the legs could probably take some lightening holes and still be sturdy. Everything helps.
Thanks! Ultralight bench coming soon! 👍👍
Ahhhh finally the long awaited master piece. Looks great!!👌🥳
Maybe a bit heavy but in any case solid. Love the self-locking feet!
Thanks! Yes, a bit heavier than I’d have liked. The Mk2 will be lighter! 😂👍
Great video as always Peter and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I am rubbish DIYer / wanna-be-woodworker but I have no garage or shed to setup a workshop. So usually work in the back lane of my house during the summer on a wee project. but my setup lacks precision. This table top with an entry level plunge saw maybe what I need to allow for better quality project outcomes. Thanks again
Thanks Colin! Let me know how you get on! 👍👍
I have a shop-made MFT but love this design. Simple yet still great features.
Thanks! 👍
Wow Peter , love it , i was thinking ,two of those and a bridgeing infill and you would have a full joiners bench . I have had occasions where i had to make bespoke windows on site .
In Sandgate high st , i worked on a church conversions , one of the four units became a dedicated work shop ( with overnight security of course ) i had to make gothic arch windows , bullseye windows and the exterior door frame with side light window . I was in 7th heaven , i did the job about 18yrs ago . I undercoated all the woodwork in metallic primer , as the building is on the seafront.
Thanks! Wow, sounds like a heck of a job. 🙌👍👍
Very nice! You can consider poplar or sika ply is the weight is an issue! What I like most is the simplicity of the build and the economics of the wood utilization, not like some “Californian” dude out there with his self proponte infomercial videos. Love the content Peter, never disappointedT Thank you 🙏
Thanks Jose! Yes, I wanted to try poplar ply, but couldn’t get any in time. It would make a big difference I’m sure! 👍👍
Well, that's just bloody ridiculously good. A colleague and I have to fit some worktops where I work with no workshop space, this or something very similar is about to be made!
Excellent! 👍👍
Hi Peter not spoken for a while. I spent the entire video worrying about your van with the back doors open. Good to see you’re still at it! Graham.
Here’s Graham! 👍👍
looks very nice
Thank you!
Great portable bench Peter, I’m retired now, but if I was still doing service calls I wouldn’t be writing this, I’d be out in the shop making one. Great job have a great weekend
Thanks! Good weekend to you too! 👍
This is beautiful work and forethought.
Thank you! 👍
such a brilliant idea! I'm going to have to build me one now.
Functional and looks good, cant ask for more than that in a mobile work bench.
Thanks! 👍
Weight. Always the PITA for us. I built something very similar, out of mahogany, same folding leg hardware. But it's a bit shorter and longer and a wee bit narrower - for holding my astronomy kit while at a dark sky site. I think I was allowed to use it once or twice for that then the wife requisitioned. sign. Now it's a printer and lamp stand in the living room. I like cubby holes you did. Nice touch.
Yep. Yours sounds nice - even if the Mrs has taken it off your hands! 🤷♂️👍
Lovely and well thought out. As its portable i think I would add routed rounded corners in case it came into contact with a wall or door.
I will be looking at making one myself.
New to the channel today. Just discovered you.
Great stuff
Thanks, and welcome! Yes, indeed - this is just the ‘bare bones’ of the bench, I’d expect folks to take it and add their own touches to it, wether that’s drilling it out to make it lighter, fitting corner protectors, or round overs - great idea, btw! 👍👍
This is brilliant, I might adapt something like this to the Hooked on Wood bench I’ve been working on.
Go for it! 👍
Thats looks just the job for my new garage. I've got too many hobbies so it has to be a car workshop, a motorbike work shop, a bicycle workshop and also a woodshop, all in a 7x5m garage! This will allow me to pull out and pack away when ever I need to. It also poses a problem of needing a bench to build a bench, but I haven't got a bench, and so it goes round and round. I guess I'll be making it on the floor then! I'm off to your Etsy shop to get the plans! Thanks!
Thanks! 👍👍
What a cracking piece of kit!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎
Cheers Alan! 👍👍
Nice bench could always add some threaded bolt legs if you have an uneven ground just a thought. Great videos!
Thanks! Yes, could do - the kegs are thick enough to take a fat threaded foot. Maybe there’ll be a bench Mk2! 😂👍👍
Brilliant piece of kit
Thanks! 👍👍
Such a neat project Peter 👌on a geeky note that intro was superb love the talking to camera whilst doing various transitions that was seamless 🙌
Thanks Ross! I enjoyed shooting the intro; was dismayed at first with the weather - the previous day had been glorious - but I actually quite liked the misty atmosphere! Not quite a London pea-souper, but something a little different! 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I agree almost Dickensian 😂👍
Yes! Scene of an ‘orrible murder... 😂😂
Hi Peter, thanks so much for sharing this, the concept ist genius and I can’t wait to built one myself.
Cheers Robert! Have fun! 👍👍
Brilliant!! I imagine those cubby lids and sacrificial strip could work loose over time/repeated use. Might I suggest rare earth magnets to help secure them. Great vid. Forever a fan.
Thanks! Yea to the sacrificial strip - but it’s sacrificial, I’ll just make another. And no, the cubby lids are fixed with Buttonfix fixings, they’re super-strong! 👍👍
Nice build. A much better alternative to the portable Festool workbench. Interesting new peanut connectors. I wonder if that will be another $1200.00 tool???
Thanks! The Peanut connectors are a jig & router system, jig & starter set is ~£400, mini jig coming in the new year that should reduce the cost of entry significantly. See recent videos 429, Peanut 2 connector - ua-cam.com/video/AjS2cAiQyzY/v-deo.html
For details of the system and where I think it fits, and video 432, Bedside cabinet - ua-cam.com/video/aJNzOZCHrGU/v-deo.html for a more detailed build. More to come in this system in the new year. 👍👍
Cracking design. Think I'll have to knock one up.
Thanks! 👍👍
Like how it turned out !! This will be an interesting build for me
Thanks! 👍
I’m loving the portable bench
Thanks! 👍
Very tidy bench Peter, cant help but think your allready thinking of improvements!
I'm halfway through my work bench build not quite as eligant as yours but it will work for me.
Just need the guys at Benchdogs to make a rail square for the metabo track!
Cheers Graham! Ah yes - the Metabo track. 😬🤷♂️
Simply awesome Peter. It was definitely worth the wait, fantastic design. I may just have to build one for myself. Might need two though as I find myself quite often breaking down full sheets 🤔
Thanks Richard. Full sheets you say? Then you’ll be wanting a pair of lightweight folding trestles, coming very soon... 🤔👍
This is an excellent design and something that I think I could do. I enjoy watching the Ron Paulk videos but his benches are something that I shall never be able to make and don't have the room for anyway. I have a top which just sits on two plastic saw horses but this is a big step up. The storage bins are an excellent idea and then the final reveal for the storing the Bench Dogs fence was brilliant. I attempted to buy the plans but according to Etsy the plans are sold out. Not sure how you sell out of digital downloads but no doubt that will be fixed. My only query would be obtaining half a sheet of birch plywood. I am only at the level of purchasing wood, etc. from B&Q.
Thanks Robert! Slight SNAFU with the plans, back ‘in stock’ now though! Agree about the Paulk bench - great idea, but on a different scale!
Great video Peter. This in on my built list.
Thanks! 👍👍
Hi Peter, I really like the design. You have obviously put a great deal of thought into it. I have a Paulk style MFT top which is 1200 x 600mm which I use with a couple of cheap Stanley saw horses. It's good, but one thing that does annoy me is not having the option to clamp work to the front of it.
The Paulk benches are great, but I dislike benches on trestles as I always find I need to move them around, and that can be a pain. 🤷♂️👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Agreed!
Great stuff Pete, very comprehensive!
Thanks Michael! 👍
Hello
I thought of two things to improve the bench.
The first is that you can put any kind of wheel on one short side to make it easier to transport the bench? When you watch the video, it seems quite heavy.
The second is that you could put wheels on the legs as well or make the lower shelf so that it prevents?
This makes the bench itself easier to transport and move when working.
Hi Jan, and thanks! I do mention a wheel-set or trolley in the video. Not a fan of wheels on legs, personally, but that's mostly because I rarely work on even ground! 👍
1400 width instead of 1200 may give you the capacity to process 4ft wide sheets probably.
Its 1st video of yours where I felt much more can be done on this.
I have learned much from you
Thanks! 👍
Very well thought out bench
Thank you! 👍
Just bought the plans :-) Great little bench, nifty little idea. Look forward to building this soon, it will come in very handy on site. Not to mention being only a fraction of the size of the Festool solution I've been eyeing for a while. Many thanks for another great video!
Thanks! Let me know how it goes! 👍👍
how do you buy the plans?
This is brilliant, Peter. 👌
Thanks! 👍
Ok. So I just commented on another video of yours about my domino and how I wanted the MFT3. And as I started watching this I thought this would be a great workbench for me to set up when I use my domino to clamp things down. But using that square and other rail..... That could come in REALLY handy. Off to go watch those videos.
Do you have a link for the metal brackets? Or a searchable name for them?
Thanks! There are links to everything in the video description. 👍👍
Like you style of fast and fu..., scratch that, showing all the essentials. Perhaps some door magnets will keep the legs folded up neatly? I could also think of adding a (foldable) fence(?) to the intermediate boad so things don't fall off at the far end. For the weight issue you could take some licence from race cars where everything is fitted with holes. The strenght is mostly from the outer edges of members and holes put in between will cut down on the weight but don't affect sturdiness.
Thanks! Yes, there’s a ‘Swiss cheese’ plan in the making. And a lag catch as well. 👍👍
great, this is what i will build. thanks for this video
Maybe some holes in the frame and legs would help with the weight.
Otherwise me likey ! I use an MDO top on an old Rousseau table as the out feed for my job site sawstop. It's heavy too.
Brilliant! I love it. I'm thinking of changing my workbench plans. Thankfully I haven't started cutting. Happy accident, I had to change the chuck on my drill because the run out was terrible, just got the replacement which is perfect. So now I'm waiting on a few parts. Today? 🤞🤞 Maybe next Thursday. Oh and I'm making two benches that are 1200 by I'm not sure. I originally wanted 4ft by 3ft so together I'd have either a 4x6 ft surface or in an L configuration 3x8ft which would make breaking down a full sheet super easy. Now I don't know. I'm sticking to at least 1200mm in length but I keep changing my mind on the width. I'm not sure I need in the 900mm neighborhood. Also mine are, or maybe were, just torsion box tops (3 inches thick) that drop down on and lock to, Keter collapsible tables. More to carry but very mobile, very strong and have built in storage. Plus I already have them.
Thanks! 👍👍
Great build Peter - a couple of rollerblade wheels bracketed to one end would perhaps make it easier to move.
Thanks Fraser. And yes, all kinds of options for a dolly if some kind. 👍👍
It's wonderful to see your project come together. You have been talking about it a long time :0)
A long, long time! 😂👍
Made the bench today, spot on! Trestles romorrow.
Excellent! I’d love to see pictures if you have the time. 👍👍
Will do in daylight.
Thanks! 👌
@@10MinuteWorkshop Emailed a couple Peter, there's a note re the trestle build too which I think will require remedial action.
Nice one Peter. This looks really good and well thought out. I can see that this has the potential for all sorts of modifications to fit different circumstances. 👍👍
Thanks Rob! Yes, lots of options that can be applied as needed. 👍👍
Excellent
Thanks! 👍
Unfortunately the comnpany mentioned in this video (Formatic CNC) appear to have stopped making MFT tops. Many other companies make MFT-style tops to order, or you can adapt an off-the-shelf MFT 1080 top (1080 1165 x 725) or MFT/3 top (1102 x 718) to fit. Or make your own, of course, with one of the many commercial jigs available. 👍
thats a bummer because i ordered one off them on the 9th of this month and am still waiting for it. thought it might have been with me by now to be honest. really hope i dont have to start any sort of process to get my money back off them. if only i had know this before i ordered.
just wanted to update this with the outcome. i sent an email asking when my order would be dispatched and waited. 4 days later i got a email back simply saying that a refund had been issued and would be in my bank soon. nothing else. no explanation or anything. all it said was "Your order from Formatic CNC has been refunded." A simple 'Sorry' would have been nice... but i suppose at least i got an easy refund. I then went to ebay and ordered a top from there. 3 days later its sat in my living room waiting to be fitted..................Now im happy !!
Superb! I will be making one of these during lockdown! Best and most practical portable bench since the B&D workmate!
Thank you. ;-)
Thanks! Wish it was as light as a workmate though! 👍👍
Blimey Peter, have you got a film crew now?😳 Fantastic build, I've loved following the process of designing this. It must have taken you days to edit this video!
Haha, thanks Leo! No, sadly, due to ‘circumstances’ referred to on Insta earlier in the week, this was shot and edited yesterday. But of a long day, mind. 🤷♂️👍
The Tony Stark of portable benches!!
😂👍
Glad I'm not the only one that thinks the Paulk bench is ridiculous for a 'mobile' thing. More of semi mobile.
Smart guy I assume but never actually see any use of everything he builds. Every other wood channel show their stuff in use. Him not so much. Just always showing how it's 'smart'
Really like the bench though Peter. Simple design but effective
Peter I'm lovin' that sacrificial strip that's routed in ;-)
Thanks! 🙌👍
I'm glad to see you weren't temped to title this video "the ultimate portable bench" the amount of ultimate whatever's on utube i almost don't watch any ultimate videos 🙄 by the way looks like a very well made, thought out bench, also the places you recessed for the screws with the washers below them, would the pocket hole screws been useful? and a couple of ball catches between the legs and frame would help to keep them in locked down position?
Haha, I was so, so tempted! 😂 Thanks! Yes, ball catches, magnets, a simple toggle latch would keep the legs together. The toggle latches I had were a bit short 🤷♂️ I thought about pocket hole screws for the top, but on reflection I preferred to see where they are! 👍👍
That is a fantastic portable bench system. with some fashionable oval holes in the sides it would probably get under 25kg!!
Thanks! I think I’ll go for the ‘Swiss cheese’ approach 🧀 👌
Mobile kitchen bench for campervan!
I love these various MFT vids that you produce Peter. 👍👍
I ended up buying a MFT top from Ralph ( thanks Peter and Ralph) to make a mobile workbench.
I do however plan on running a length of MFT worktop along my workshop ( shed!!!) wall, about 3m long so I am planning on purchasing MR MDF from local merchants and then clamping Raplh's worktop to the MDF i purchased and using it as a template to use with drill and router flush bit to accurately replicate the MFT pattern on a larger scale.
Hopefully I don't mess it up 😂
Thanks Peter
Thanks! Yep, good plan - just make sure that top is clamped down really tight! 👍👍
Great price for that mft top! Handy wee bench as well.
Thanks! Yes, great price for the MFT tops. 👌👍
This 100% "KISS" Keep It Simple Stupid! Great to see the simple solutions!
Thanks! 👍
Orale!.... Necesito uno así para hacer mis cosas. Me gusta tu idea....y tú también.....desearía tener un esposo como tú...jaja
¡gracias! 🙌
Got the rail and the benchdogs square with the associated dogs, The fence is in the shopping cart too. Any ideas for alternatives to the peanut fixings for the legs to provide some sort of stability rather than just hanging the shelf there? Splashing out on a fixing system to be able to build a bench is a bit lavish I'd say. I understand why you chose to use it though. Thanks
Hi Colin. There’s all kinds of ways to do this. Keku fixings, Buttonfix type 1, dummy drawer front fixing, keyhole hanging plates, french cleats, dowels or dominos if you can arrange them vertically. If I didn’t have the peanut connectors I’d probably use vertical dominos, glued-in on one side. 👍
Thanks Peter, spot the cabinet maker! ....I had to Google the dummy drawer front and the keku fixings! Thanks for the alternatives. Domino's glued in on the upright edge of the leg cross brace?
Yep. Haven’t got the plans I’m front of me, but the ends of the shelf are 45mm I think, so on the 70mm leg crosspiece you’d need to add 25mm at the base, to get the vertical dominos or dowels in. 👍👍
Sorry Colin, just thinking this through and remembered you actually need a single thickness on the crosspiece for the legs to fold in against the shelf when stowed, so you’ll need a flush fitting of some sort eg the keyhole hanging plate, or the Buttonfix type 1. 👍👍
Очень классная конструкция!
Brilliant idea.
Thanks! 👍
Nice build. MFT3 weighs 28kg so this isn’t any lighter. A lot cheaper though although I imagine the hardware top and the rail must be setting you back at least £300.
MFT 1080 - the one I have - is 33Kg 🤷♂️And the next bench will be lighter. 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop look forward to it. Love your content. 👍🏼
Absolute genius! Just what I need and plans purchased. I bought a CNC MFT top from UK and paid almost as much to get it shipped to Finland but I still thought it was a fair price compared to buying the real thing here. Been wondering for months the best way to incorporate it to a bench I can put in my outdoor storage as I have no shop and would need to work outside. This fits the bill perfectly and I am intrigued to see the weight reduction trials. Will you do a video on it? Thanks again.
Thanks Alistair! Oh yes, I’ll definitely be shooting some video of the workbench diet, lol! 😂👍👍
This bench is interesting - been looking for a folding (portable is less necessary) bench for use in my reduce size workshop. So the question is - is there enough 'mass' in the bench when knocking joints together? I guess I'd have to triangulate the legs to stabilise when hand (Jack/finishing) planing.
It's solid enough, though hand-tool working was never it's intended use; I'd definitely want to add some leg braces for that kind of work. 👍
Have a look on youtube for the versatable, the company who made them is out of business but the design is pretty easy to copy/modify. I have one and think it is extremely stable in use but can still be folded away
Add wheels like a hand truck.
Only just saw this video and tried the links for the MFT tops but seems that the price has gone up quite a bit from what you mentioned in the video, lowest I've seen on the website seems to be from £65 now.
Hi, I'm sorry, I meant to put a note in the description about that, thanks for the reminder - it's now been amended. Long story short, basically nobody ordered the £40 MDF option, everyone was going for the MRMDF or Birch ply versions so Formatic dropped the plain MDF in favour of the lightweight Poplar ply. 👍
Hi Peter. Your plans for this bench have presented some interesting challenges since I purchased them about a month ago. As I was finishing the assembly of the bench and was thinking about storing the saw rail underneath I realized that my 55 inch rail was probably not going to fit. But it did-- precisely. It leads me to a question. In looking back at your video, you were storing what is probably a 32 inch rail under the top. I would probably be better off with a shorter rail, especially since most cuts could be made with a shorter rail. If I were to purchase an inexpensive 55 inch rail, what would be the optimal length to cut it down? I'm having a great time with this bench. Thanks for the design.
Thanks Tommy - appreciate the feedback! The rail was one that I’d cut down for a project, and it was about 1100mm - so close to the 1080 rail, or ~43 inches. If you were cutting one down, then I guess the question would be wether you wanted to do anything useful with the offcut? You can’t do much with anything less than ~450mm (18”) which would leave 950mm (38”) or so which is probably long enough on a bench that’s 600mm deep. As always though, it depends on your plans. Hope that helps give you a few pointers! Peter 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Good suggestion Peter.👍🏼 I'll be ordering the rail soon. Anything special in cutting the rail? In another video didn't you cut a rail with a chop saw? No harm to the blade I guess, cutting this aluminum.