Absolutely brilliant! And for those of use whose partner continues to insist that our workshop be able to fulfill its secondary function as a garage for their car, this type of "portable" MFT bench could be just the thing since it can be knocked down and hung on cleats on the wall when bringing our partners precious steel baby in out of the weather. And once the cars are pulled out, the bench can be rapidly setup for getting down to the real use for a space large enough to park two cars indoors and that is to build furniture! And since I wouldn't have to "port" this bench more than a half dozen meters or so, it could be a bit bigger if I wanted with a rail hinge and a front apron with either T-slots or dog holes. Plus if I put some type of caster on the legs and a couple of sections of French cleat on the back of the bench top, I could roll it over to the wall, and tip it up so the cleats engage their mates on the wall. Throw a latch at the top to hold it flat against the wall, a quick fold of the legs, and my workshop would be ready to receive her overnight guests.
Also…I always found that customers were impressed whenever you use something like that. I had something similar but not as posh. I did some work for a policeman once who was fascinated with the racking set up in my van. He recommended me to a colleague who knew all about my van when I got there!😂
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. 😆👍
I have almost finished building it from the plans I purchased. With just a couple of changes to get the workbench taller. The plans are fab. Easy to follow and well worth the money.
@@10MinuteWorkshop here's a link to them hope that's ok remove this if it's not. I did the 1400 top so no cubbies. That ment I could offset the heights of the legs so one fits under the under. photos.app.goo.gl/bwdWTRQxEQLBGeSn9
@@timrawlings1511 Looks fantastic, thanks Tim! If you have any final photos of the bench standing, I’d love to post them to Instagram - if that’s OK with you of course. Or if you’re on Instagram yourself then I’ll repost, if you let me know you’re username. Thanks! 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I will do I don't do Instagram feel free to post them. Waiting for bits from Amazon to finish it and free time I will get back to you with finished picture s problely next week
Bought the plans, enjoyed the build, didn't enjoy forking out a small fortune for the birch ply! My bench is very nearly finished and I'm very pleased with the result. One thing I'm scratching my head about is when I fold the legs in they overlap in the middle. I've double checked all measurements and they appear correct - leg length 665mm, bench height 750mm, overall bench length 1438mm, legs right up against the end edges. Can't for the life of me what I've done wrong. I suppose I could trim them but I'd loose about 15mm height. The only thing I can think of is the hinges lay differently.
You might put a round magnet on that cubby hole top. and hot glue another magnet on the bottom of a box to hold screws and such. Then later you can pull out the box, put the lid back on and it holds your box of screws handy. Plastic lid on the box. Or you could get fancy and make a wood box.
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??
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 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.
Outstanding video! Start with problem, show the solution and then follow up with clear demonstration of how to build the final product and finally tips on how to use it. If only all practical UA-cam videos were the same. Great inspirational design, I've already started putting pencil to paper to design my own. Thanks Peter. Can't count how many hours I've wasted watching videos named 'Essential Must Have Tool', that start with someone sawing a log, only to get to the end to find they've created a Mongolian Candle Snuffer! 😬
Great video Peter. Congratulations on finally completing a great build. I think this Mick guy is going to be very busy with orders. And he offers the sacrificial strip as well. Good in him.
@@10MinuteWorkshop. Well, once the shop is up & running & after insulation, wall coverings & paint, I will build the framework & then ask Mick if he can do to exact dimensions for the mft top. This could be a very exciting early Xmas present. Have a great weekend Peter & speak soon. G
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.
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 😂🤣😁👍.
Nice design, glad you addressed the weight issue I couldn't help but chuckle as you were moving it about (panting) but you fitted everything you need into it, which is the point of a custom table, good work (Wheels Peter wheels)
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.
Yes Tsch Tscht Tisckt you left your van doors wide open. Glad I was not the only one who noticed. All kidding aside, I do like this design as most of us do not need a full Paulk bench or work table and really don't have the space for it. As you point out, Scott Brown's design is more portable but still thick and a bit unwieldy . Your design was clearly conceived by a cabinet maker. so it is very refined . Love the cubbies. My fave thing about the design is the thickness profile. This can easily be hung on a garage wall and lifted into action quite easily. I would only need to perhaps flip the under table upside down so it has some sort of edges to prevent things from falling off the lower shelf. I might beef that up a bit for more tools to be held in place. Seeing as not ALL my tools are cordless I probably would install some sort of electrical strip to plug things into ...especially battery chargers.... mind you today the batteries are 4-5ah and can last a very long time especially for DIYers. In all this concept bench does resolve alot of design issues and space issues for me and will probably be the basis for my own take on a hangable table that can also fit in normal SUVs. Cheers and Peter please do shut those van doors next time..
Haha - No I Didn’t! 😂😂 Yes, the beauty of this being all plywood is that these kinds of changes and adaptations are easily made - much harder to do if it was an aluminium framework! 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop The only challenge are those pesky bench dog holes and pegs.... not so easy to source here in Canada. I think there's some kits to create them but then once you're done the kit will sit there collecting dust unless you plan on making MFT tables for everyone you know.
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 !!
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. 👍👍
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.
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.
Nice job. I like this. Ive been researching portable benches for cabinet installs and this ticks all the boxes. I think I'll make one on the CNC with Ultralight plywood.
Hi Peter , another great video , thanks for sharing , I absolutely love your attention to detail , one thing I have learned from watching your channel is when you can make up small jigs and templates out of your leftover material , this ensures for perfect joins and sizing and it’s costs you nothing , awesome table
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! 👍
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.
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.
In addition to leaving your van doors open, when you came inside your workshop and sat down, the label on the window that you obfuscated on the outside was clearly legible on the reverse.
Googling the first two lines brings up lots of stuff including Google maps and trade website listings for his business. One of them is Peter's squarespace website which has this address in the footer of every page so I guess he is pretty chill about leaking this info. More mysterious is why the front was blurred given this.
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 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
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! Honestly, couldn’t believe it - it had been a beautiful day the day before, but it was so Misty in the day I had time to shoot it! 🤷♂️ At least it was atmospheric! 😆😂😂
Great video, I ordered a top from the new link you posted and highly recommended him. Delivery was super quick and excellent quality. Great video, really enjoy these.
Brilliant Peter, It was only this morning I was thinking about making some sort of template for an MFT for folks to buy but CNC beats it hands down. Great video. Thanks for all your time and thought given over to this. I’m hoping I never need to buy a table saw. 👏👏
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. 👍🏻👍🏻
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 Ray! Yep, if you don’t need the ‘all in one’ approach then you could reduce the depth of the frame to ~75mm or so and still keep the end cubbies, and have the frame notched for the trestles. I don’t like working off trestles personally, as I always find I need to move the damn thing, but that’s just me! 😂👍👍🤷♂️
Peter, I just had a wild idea regarding making the bench more portable. How about a detachable two wheeled dolly that goes on one end? Think of a hand truck. The wheels could be any size but the bigger they are the easier to negotiate rough roads and if big enough, you could more easily take it up stairs. Seems to me the the two wheels would be on a short axle that would fit into grooves, slots or some way attach to the bench and then detach just as easily when you have arrived at your destination. You would of course steer from the end without the wheels and he wheels would go on the narrow side of the bench. IE, if your bench is 600mm wide and the part directly below the top is say 200mm deep, then the wheels go on the 200mm part. The part where you have the guide rail stored is what I am referencing.
Thanks! Yes, all kinds of options - I think I mention in the video that if you routinely need to park away from the site then a small dolly could be useful. 👍👍
Nice bench Peter. Something you might consider is adding 2 more handles one on each end. That way, just in case there are two of you on the jobsite, then lifting this thing up narrow stairs or a long hike away would be easier with two people.
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.
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 🙏
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! 👍👍
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.
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 always a pleasure to tune, I particularly love the statement of making a work bench that fits your needs. I have bought plenty of benches but they don't quite fit what I need. I think the bench I need is a Frankinbench.
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!
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.
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.
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
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. 👍👍
Be nice if you could find a US manufacturing partner for the MFT style top. I see you didn't use a Kreg jig for your pocket screws, so sad. I grew up in a town just north of their HQ and some factory located a flyover state in the US. Also, another option for fastening the top, one that I often use with particle-type boards is the pocket hole drill bit, which has a built-in counter bore, and pocket hole screws with the washer head. Solves both problems you're trying to prevent pretty easily.
I’ve never used pocket-holes before, and Trend supplied me with the jigs for review - seemed like a good match 🤷♂️ Yes, I could have used a panhead screw for the top, never thought of that and tbh slipping a washer underneath a regular screw does the same thing - pocket hole screws are really expensive here in the UK, FYI. 👍
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!
I have been reluctant to put an MFT in my shop due to space limitations. This workbench completely changes that equation. I am going to see if such a bench would work in my shop.
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!
Birch plywood is a bit on the heavy side. Have you considered poplar plywood? It's a lot softer and will be taking some dents, but I find it surprisingly light.
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
![Torsion Box Router Bench Build 2 [**Gifted][video 478]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q-Vyq4ShHT0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Torsion Box Router Bench Build 2 [**Gifted][video 478]](/img/tr.png)
![Backyard, DIY MFT on a Budget [video 490]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xIi-I04ocVM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ultralight Portable Bench [video 434 ][Gifted/Ad**]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oEiiVAiBvt0/mqdefault.jpg)
Absolutely brilliant! And for those of use whose partner continues to insist that our workshop be able to fulfill its secondary function as a garage for their car, this type of "portable" MFT bench could be just the thing since it can be knocked down and hung on cleats on the wall when bringing our partners precious steel baby in out of the weather. And once the cars are pulled out, the bench can be rapidly setup for getting down to the real use for a space large enough to park two cars indoors and that is to build furniture!
And since I wouldn't have to "port" this bench more than a half dozen meters or so, it could be a bit bigger if I wanted with a rail hinge and a front apron with either T-slots or dog holes. Plus if I put some type of caster on the legs and a couple of sections of French cleat on the back of the bench top, I could roll it over to the wall, and tip it up so the cleats engage their mates on the wall. Throw a latch at the top to hold it flat against the wall, a quick fold of the legs, and my workshop would be ready to receive her overnight guests.
Also…I always found that customers were impressed whenever you use something like that. I had something similar but not as posh. I did some work for a policeman once who was fascinated with the racking set up in my van. He recommended me to a colleague who knew all about my van when I got there!😂
It’s the little things! 😆👍
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. 😆👍
I have almost finished building it from the plans I purchased. With just a couple of changes to get the workbench taller. The plans are fab. Easy to follow and well worth the money.
Thanks Tim! Sounds great; how did you raise the height - staggered legs? Show me some pictures when you’re done, OK? 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop here's a link to them hope that's ok remove this if it's not. I did the 1400 top so no cubbies. That ment I could offset the heights of the legs so one fits under the under. photos.app.goo.gl/bwdWTRQxEQLBGeSn9
@@timrawlings1511 Looks fantastic, thanks Tim! If you have any final photos of the bench standing, I’d love to post them to Instagram - if that’s OK with you of course. Or if you’re on Instagram yourself then I’ll repost, if you let me know you’re username. Thanks! 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I will do I don't do Instagram feel free to post them. Waiting for bits from Amazon to finish it and free time I will get back to you with finished picture s problely next week
@@timrawlings1511 Thanks Tim! 👍
Bought the plans, enjoyed the build, didn't enjoy forking out a small fortune for the birch ply! My bench is very nearly finished and I'm very pleased with the result. One thing I'm scratching my head about is when I fold the legs in they overlap in the middle. I've double checked all measurements and they appear correct - leg length 665mm, bench height 750mm, overall bench length 1438mm, legs right up against the end edges. Can't for the life of me what I've done wrong. I suppose I could trim them but I'd loose about 15mm height. The only thing I can think of is the hinges lay differently.
You might put a round magnet on that cubby hole top. and hot glue another magnet on the bottom of a box to hold screws and such. Then later you can pull out the box, put the lid back on and it holds your box of screws handy. Plastic lid on the box. Or you could get fancy and make a wood box.
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.
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.
Well thought out! The only think I would add is a removable wheel set on one corner to help in transporting. Thanks Peter!
Thanks! Yes, that’s always an option, or a skateboard-style dolly. 👍👍
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.
Outstanding video! Start with problem, show the solution and then follow up with clear demonstration of how to build the final product and finally tips on how to use it.
If only all practical UA-cam videos were the same. Great inspirational design, I've already started putting pencil to paper to design my own. Thanks Peter.
Can't count how many hours I've wasted watching videos named 'Essential Must Have Tool', that start with someone sawing a log, only to get to the end to find they've created a Mongolian Candle Snuffer! 😬
Thank you! But damn - there goes my ‘Essential must-have bench accessories’ video! 🤷♂️😂😂👍👍
Great video Peter. Congratulations on finally completing a great build. I think this Mick guy is going to be very busy with orders. And he offers the sacrificial strip as well. Good in him.
Cheers Gary! Yes, I hope Mick is kept busy - don’t know how it does it for the money tbh. 🤷♂️👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop. Well, once the shop is up & running & after insulation, wall coverings & paint, I will build the framework & then ask Mick if he can do to exact dimensions for the mft top. This could be a very exciting early Xmas present. Have a great weekend Peter & speak soon. G
The Professor of the small workshop does it again ,Its a great build Peter ,well done !!!
Thanks Adrian! 😆👍👍
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.
Me gusto mucho tu diseño y lo compacto que es para trasladar al trabajo. Gracias por la idea Peter.
¡Gracias! Mis mejores deseos desde Londres. 👍
Excellent. Well done Peter.
Thanks Nico! 👍
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! 😂 👍👍
That was slick but you said about the wobbly floor. That was really good I'll have to use that one.
Nice design, glad you addressed the weight issue I couldn't help but chuckle as you were moving it about (panting) but you fitted everything you need into it, which is the point of a custom table, good work (Wheels Peter wheels)
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! 👍👍
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.
Thanks! Paulk bench is great if you have the space. 👍👍
Yes Tsch Tscht Tisckt you left your van doors wide open. Glad I was not the only one who noticed. All kidding aside, I do like this design as most of us do not need a full Paulk bench or work table and really don't have the space for it. As you point out, Scott Brown's design is more portable but still thick and a bit unwieldy . Your design was clearly conceived by a cabinet maker. so it is very refined . Love the cubbies. My fave thing about the design is the thickness profile. This can easily be hung on a garage wall and lifted into action quite easily. I would only need to perhaps flip the under table upside down so it has some sort of edges to prevent things from falling off the lower shelf. I might beef that up a bit for more tools to be held in place. Seeing as not ALL my tools are cordless I probably would install some sort of electrical strip to plug things into ...especially battery chargers.... mind you today the batteries are 4-5ah and can last a very long time especially for DIYers. In all this concept bench does resolve alot of design issues and space issues for me and will probably be the basis for my own take on a hangable table that can also fit in normal SUVs. Cheers and Peter please do shut those van doors next time..
Haha - No I Didn’t! 😂😂 Yes, the beauty of this being all plywood is that these kinds of changes and adaptations are easily made - much harder to do if it was an aluminium framework! 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop The only challenge are those pesky bench dog holes and pegs.... not so easy to source here in Canada. I think there's some kits to create them but then once you're done the kit will sit there collecting dust unless you plan on making MFT tables for everyone you know.
I’m pretty sure Benchdogs.co.uk shop globally, but you can always shoot them an email and ask. Don’t forget the offer code for 5% discount! 👍👍
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 !!
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. 👍👍
Super nice design! Simple, practical, and very usable. These types of builds always take the most planning. Best way to go!
Thanks! 👍
Very practical design Peter. Well thought out.
Cheers Stew! 👍👍
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. 🙌👍👍
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! 🤷♂️👍
Simply brilliant Peter.
Thank you! 👍👍
Thanks Peter, I've just ordered an MFT from Formatic-CNC.
Nice! 👍👌💪
Peter, excellent videos. Bought your bench dogs, stop block and rail. Wow! Thanks for your wealth of info.
Thanks! 👍
Peter it’s obviously had a lot of thought! Very well done and it will serve you well for along time. Cheers
Brilliant, ordered MFT top straight away.Plan to fix it to my workbench.Thanks!
Excellent, and thanks! 👍👍
Nice job. I like this. Ive been researching portable benches for cabinet installs and this ticks all the boxes. I think I'll make one on the CNC with Ultralight plywood.
Thanks! And yep, ultralight version coming soon! 👍
Thankyou for sharing your video Peter, a very clever bench design.
Thanks Stuart! 👍
Hi Peter , another great video , thanks for sharing , I absolutely love your attention to detail , one thing I have learned from watching your channel is when you can make up small jigs and templates out of your leftover material , this ensures for perfect joins and sizing and it’s costs you nothing , awesome table
Thanks! 👍👍
Your best video yet! You have completely changed my design idea for my bench top. This is better than an MFT!
Thanks Mark! And wow! 😆👍👍
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! 👍
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! 😂👍
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.
In addition to leaving your van doors open, when you came inside your workshop and sat down, the label on the window that you obfuscated on the outside was clearly legible on the reverse.
Googling the first two lines brings up lots of stuff including Google maps and trade website listings for his business. One of them is Peter's squarespace website which has this address in the footer of every page so I guess he is pretty chill about leaking this info. More mysterious is why the front was blurred given this.
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! 👍👍
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! 👍
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! 👍👍
Very nice and looks really handy. Oh I do love the morning fog.
Thanks! Honestly, couldn’t believe it - it had been a beautiful day the day before, but it was so Misty in the day I had time to shoot it! 🤷♂️ At least it was atmospheric! 😆😂😂
brilliant idea made well could be the best thing since the old black and decker work mate well done
Thank you! 👍
Great video, I ordered a top from the new link you posted and highly recommended him. Delivery was super quick and excellent quality.
Great video, really enjoy these.
Brilliant Peter,
It was only this morning I was thinking about making some sort of template for an MFT for folks to buy but CNC beats it hands down. Great video. Thanks for all your time and thought given over to this. I’m hoping I never need to buy a table saw. 👏👏
Thank you! 👍
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! 😂👍
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. 👍🏻👍🏻
Way to go Peter love your videos! All the best from Sweden.
Thank you! And best wishes from London! 👍👍
Great as always. It’s pretty interesting you measure so often in mm and here also kg. 👍
👍👍
It’s the French metric system. As everyone knows, here in England we love all things french.
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! 👍👍
This is brilliant, I might adapt something like this to the Hooked on Wood bench I’ve been working on.
Go for it! 👍
Absolute genius design !! Thanks so much Peter.
Thanks, glad you like it! 👍
A Millard Bench. Very nice.
I have seen many good ones but yours fits in UK houses which makes it appealing
Yep - that was the main reason for the build. 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Could you drill some 2" holes in the legs and frame to get the weight down?
It shouldn't effect the strength.
This could be the solution for me, I have some Stanley work horses so could adapt this design to use those as the legs. Great video.
Thanks Ray! Yep, if you don’t need the ‘all in one’ approach then you could reduce the depth of the frame to ~75mm or so and still keep the end cubbies, and have the frame notched for the trestles. I don’t like working off trestles personally, as I always find I need to move the damn thing, but that’s just me! 😂👍👍🤷♂️
Very good video. I liked the longer format. You were able to explain everything.
Thanks Mike! Yes, sometimes you just have more to say. 🤷♂️👍👍
Peter, I just had a wild idea regarding making the bench more portable. How about a detachable two wheeled dolly that goes on one end? Think of a hand truck. The wheels could be any size but the bigger they are the easier to negotiate rough roads and if big enough, you could more easily take it up stairs. Seems to me the the two wheels would be on a short axle that would fit into grooves, slots or some way attach to the bench and then detach just as easily when you have arrived at your destination. You would of course steer from the end without the wheels and he wheels would go on the narrow side of the bench. IE, if your bench is 600mm wide and the part directly below the top is say 200mm deep, then the wheels go on the 200mm part. The part where you have the guide rail stored is what I am referencing.
Thanks! Yes, all kinds of options - I think I mention in the video that if you routinely need to park away from the site then a small dolly could be useful. 👍👍
Now, that's smart. Your videos are among the few worth playing @ 1 X speed. Thank you.
Haha - compliment of the day, thanks! 👍👍😂
Nice bench Peter. Something you might consider is adding 2 more handles one on each end. That way, just in case there are two of you on the jobsite, then lifting this thing up narrow stairs or a long hike away would be easier with two people.
Thanks! Yes, good idea! 👍👍
Fantastic work. Really looks like it’s been worth the effort
Thanks! Yes - plenty of thinking time! 😂👍
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!
such a brilliant idea! I'm going to have to build me one now.
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. 👍👍
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! 👍👍
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! 👍👍
I hope you, and your family, are doing well, Peter
Yes, well tanks Matthew! Hope you and yours are the same. 👍👍
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! 😂👍👍
A possible alternative to recessing a tray would be to set a few magnets into the underside of the top.
Very Nice. Thanks for the great ideas and video.
Thanks! 👍
Love the bench. You could put some fixed castors at one end and a handle at the other. Then it would be able to be dragged rather then carried
👍👍
This is beautiful work and forethought.
Thank you! 👍
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.
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! 👍👍
Peter always a pleasure to tune, I particularly love the statement of making a work bench that fits your needs. I have bought plenty of benches but they don't quite fit what I need. I think the bench I need is a Frankinbench.
Oh yes - well familiar with the 'Franken**' school of construction! 😂
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! 👍👍
I think many holes with a 1 or 2 inch hole saw could take a few kilos out of the legs and frame and not impact stiffness or strength much at all.
Yep. Or… Ultralight Portable Bench [video 434] ua-cam.com/video/oEiiVAiBvt0/v-deo.html
@@10MinuteWorkshop yes, I’m playing catch up...still a few years behind!
Excellent video. Very well thought out and a concise design .Thank you.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Your solution may have just changed my entire plan. Thank you so much Peter! I'm buying your plans and I feel I owe you a drink too.
Haha - hopefully changes in a good way! And mine’s a pint, thanks. 😂 🍻
I have a shop-made MFT but love this design. Simple yet still great features.
Thanks! 👍
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. 👍👍
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! 👌👍👍
Well done - giving more to think about. Keep the ideas coming.
Thank you! 👍
looks very nice
Thank you!
I wonder if you could drill some large holes or ovals in the sides to take some of the weight out, a balance between losing too much rigidity though..
Yes, operation ‘Swiss cheese’ is in hand. 👍👍
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.
Great video Peter. This in on my built list.
Thanks! 👍👍
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! 👍
Cracking design. Think I'll have to knock one up.
Thanks! 👍👍
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. 👍👍
Be nice if you could find a US manufacturing partner for the MFT style top. I see you didn't use a Kreg jig for your pocket screws, so sad. I grew up in a town just north of their HQ and some factory located a flyover state in the US. Also, another option for fastening the top, one that I often use with particle-type boards is the pocket hole drill bit, which has a built-in counter bore, and pocket hole screws with the washer head. Solves both problems you're trying to prevent pretty easily.
I’ve never used pocket-holes before, and Trend supplied me with the jigs for review - seemed like a good match 🤷♂️ Yes, I could have used a panhead screw for the top, never thought of that and tbh slipping a washer underneath a regular screw does the same thing - pocket hole screws are really expensive here in the UK, FYI. 👍
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. 😬🤷♂️
I have been reluctant to put an MFT in my shop due to space limitations. This workbench completely changes that equation. I am going to see if such a bench would work in my shop.
👍👍
Looks great. Love the editing as well. I fully respect your effort. No doubt a reflection of all your work!
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?
Birch plywood is a bit on the heavy side. Have you considered poplar plywood? It's a lot softer and will be taking some dents, but I find it surprisingly light.
Yes. I tried to get some poplar but my local yard needed to order ot in and I couldn’t get it in time. 🤷♂️👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop At least it's stronger, AND you get some exercise.
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