Bargain or Burden? I bought the Wolfcraft 1600 Mobile Bench to find out [video 566]
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- Опубліковано 21 бер 2024
- If you’re in the market for a mobile workbench that’s a step up from the £/$/€100 plastic offerings but don’t have the budget for a full-blown Festool MFT then you’ll find the options to be pretty thin on the ground, so I was interested to see the Wolfcraft Master work 1600 Mobile Bench on Amazon at £275**; interested enough to buy one and take a closer look. Enjoy!
N.B. Happy to confirm that the hole spacing is on 128mm centres ie still on the 32mm system, though I'm not sure if that makes more sense now, or less... 🤷♂️
Looking for a portable workench? Shop the video here - amzn.to/4clsH3I
*UK price including VAT at the time of purchase. Americans, please note that Wolfcraft do not have formal U.S. distribution, any item you see on Amazon.com is there by a third party and does not reflect OEM pricing in the UK/EU*
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Other videos and playlists of interest:-
MFT & MFT-related Playlist - bit.ly/MFT-related
Basic Builds Playlist - bit.ly/BasicBuilds
My Last Build & Install - bit.ly/MyLastBuild
Ikea Curtain track DIY MFT - • DIY MFT with Ikea Curt...
Backyard, Budget DIY MFT - • Backyard, DIY MFT on a...
Portable Bench Build - • Portable Bench Build [...
Ultralight Portable Bench - • Ultralight Portable Be...
Extrusion Confusion - A Guide To MFT Hardware - • Extrusion Confusion - ...
3 MFT jigs, 3 MFT tops - • 3MFT tops, 3 MFT jigs ...
SauterShop VarioBench - • SauterShop VarioBench ...
MFT top replacement - • Festool MFT Replacemen...
Square Cuts: MFT or Rail Square? - • Square cuts: MFT or Ra...
LR32 MFT - • I Make an MFT top with...
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Useful links:
Browse the 10MW Everyday Workshop Essentials list here - amzn.to/3KLNIaM
Visit my Amazon store here - 10MinuteAmazon.com
Wolfcraft Master work 1600 Mobile Bench - amzn.to/494ewNI
Keter folding workbench - amzn.to/3vecTPK
Stanley Fatmax workbench - amzn.to/3v6fJGx
Bora Centipede (large) - amzn.to/4ci8Kei
Bora Centipede (small) - amzn.to/3IIJ5xC
Bora folding MFT top - amzn.to/3IG5xYh
UJK multifunction bench with trestles - amzn.to/43oWFQc
Festool MFT/3 - amzn.to/48Zvkpb
Dashboard PWS - www.dashboardpws.com - Навчання та стиль
![3 Quick Fixes for Wolfcraft's MFT [video 568]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3qCU8dzIJ_c/mqdefault.jpg)
![3 Quick Fixes for Wolfcraft's MFT [video 568]](/img/tr.png)
![5 Quick Tips to keep your Tracksaw - and you - Happy [video 553]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ifFmIHMAoeI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Portable Bench Build [video 426][Gifted/Ad**]](/img/n.gif)
Well....I don't really care much about the Wolfcraft bench, but I fur sure want to see you transform it to a genius piece of functional equipment using some of your Millardify pixy dust magic skills and creativity (and I bet I'm not alone). 🙂
😂 Just popping out to tesco to get some! 😆 👍
Cue the Wolfcraft Mk2 version in a few months time 😋
Tescos? Braver than I! Never went back and was loyal to Sainsburys after being assaulted and threatened in a Tesco one of the firat times I went. The calibre of people is noticeably lower and this was in Banbury which is a relatively nice area by UK standards. Yes, I'm spoilt, but... I hope the pixy dust is in stock.
Send it back. It will help them get the message…
Thank you very much, Peter, for this video. I was able to buy that model for 249 € including shipping (in Germany). It lifted my basement workshop to another level. I mainly do cross cuts with it, using the Festool track, a selfmade fence and the UJK Expanding 20mm Dogs also shown in your video. They do actually sit tightly in that table. But I can only confirm that I rarely have seen a product with so much wasted potential. Would love to see your upgrade ideas, especially regarding the annoying profile in the frame. I would not be surprised if such a video had many views in Germany.
I would like to use this opportunity also to say thank you for the way you do your videos in general. Really appreciate your decent, respectful and authentic style.
Thank you! That's very kind of you to say, and very much appreciated! Best wishes from London! Peter
When I saw you pull this out and mentioned the price my heart jumped with Joy. Great affordable as I couldn’t justify paying Festool prices for hobby woodworking. By the end of the video my heart had sunk. Someday someone will get it right .
That was my exact same reaction.
@@tonysutton6559 Thanks for the video. I was hoping this would compliment my MFT, but sadly I don’t think it will.
I think "fixing it" approach can be interesting, however, depending how much time and struggle you go through, I think the ROI will go down fast. If you decide to go through with the modding, it would make for an interesting video to take the base cost of this, the cost of the addons, and labor to see if you actually saved money.
I’ve had mine for over a year, I fitted a bench dogs rail system with some modification of the aluminium (kept cutting till it fit) I’ll replace the top once it needs with an 18mm one, I use pump clamps removing the head each time which whilst isn’t ideal, I’ve kind of gotten used to, I’ve also got a T slot to bolt to the front but haven’t as yet fitted it.
It’s a lot more stable than my festool table at work, and my back is happier with the additional height. I think I would buy it again if I lost it
Bearing in mind that you'd like to change everything but the legs, good money after bad.
I bet you could source your own top and extrusions with T track for less money.
For entertainment value, do both.
I’ve made mobile benches and workshop MFTs and the stumbling black is always the legs. For the reasons you say, I wouldn’t be changing everything on this, just the parts that make sense. 👍
Hello. Keep it and improve it. I can see 3 easy fix. Chamfer the holes so the clamps fit. Get some hard wood on the side with proper t slots fixing the clamping issue profile issue and tiping issue. And redrill a 96mm patern. Regards. Charles
Honestly - Good Money after Bad. All of the issues you highlight here made this a return for me... I shouldn't have to virtually rebuild an item so that, eventually, it does the job I purchased it for in the first place.
This table might be best transformed into a router table w/ perhaps dog holes at the perimeter for the occasional mft purposes.
A lot of wolfcraft and similar brands stuff is like this. Very nearly a great substitute for something from a much more expensive brand, with decent enough build and materials. But then they almost seem to deliberately cripple it in some needless way when it wouldn't have been more costly to not ruin it.
It is so bizarre that it almost seems like the only reason could be to get people close enough to something good that they get hooked on the idea, and end up upgrading to the more upmarket manufacturers tool.
I wonder if companies like wolfcraft are a cunning marketing strategy for festool &co.
I know I have fallen into this trap of being so frustrated with a wolfcraft tool that I have ended up talking myself into upgrading to the expensive brands a couple of times in the past.
It really is uncanny
Are both companies are part of the same group?
I was really excited for about 45 seconds about this bench. Thank you for saving my money.
Answers so many questions. Thanks for doing this video Peter.
Glad it was helpful, thanks! 👍
One could simply redo/replace the top, and using the UJK Parf Guide System to make the holes (probably more expensive than the whole table here! Or some other hole drilling jig). But then you have to ask yourself "would the end result be worth the effort?". I suspect for some folks the answer is yes, but I'm not sure.
If only the folks that make those wonderful extrusions would make corner kits that held legs; well then. We could make up our own as we see fit!
Wow this video is very timely for me. I’ve just bought an MFT tabletop and planning to adapt your portable bench approach for myself. I’ve done no woodworking for just over six years, so building a new bench will be my starting point for so many projects at home
Go on give it a go, you know you want to improve it, and to be honest after that review, i think anything you change will be an improvement !
Hopefully wolfcraft will watch the video and create a version two! Id buy one then.
Thanks for you excellent videos Peter. Youre the first YT channel i check out when im looking at new vids on the many I'm subscribed to.
Yes you should mod it! Just because I got one too and have the same issues and I would love to get your ideas before starting this just on my own.
I had a Wolfcraft work mate style bench for years. Due to the workshop space, I left it outdoors. I was amazed at how long it lasted. I ended up making new tops. It would work every time for doing those outdoor jobs. I am talking 30 years. I gave it to a friend building a camper van conversion. Yes, the dog holes and fixings come from a pre MFT or bench dog time. So perhaps they are loyal to their fans base.
If the holes are spaced at 128 mm then the holes should match up with a conventional 96 mm top at 384 mm spacings ((128 * 3) = (96 * 4) = 384). Then a larger top with 96 mm hole spacing could be placed on top and anchored with something like the TSO Power-Loc connectors from Axminster (although the price of these has doubled in the last few years). I have in mind something like a 1200 mm by 800 mm top, which together with a Benchdogs Rail Hinge should have sufficient width to cut a 610 mm board.
That bench had so much potential, hopefully they see this And make design changes.
Ask Woodcraft to sponsor the retrofit series .... they might learn something and produce a better product in future.
Initial excitement soon vaporised away. What a missed opportunity Wolfcraft have made, the market was there for them and I’d have seriously considered one. It would have been easier to manufacture using readily available materials. Oh well - excitement over. Great vid as usual best wishes Mike
Good video share yet again Peter. Thanks. Saved me again.
Good to hear, thanks! 👍
Great overview of the good n bad there mate. Considering this wolfcraft is about £220 and an mft3 basic is about £560 - and that you're in the YT game - making it a project could be good. Proper mft top for sure. I'd see about adding a cross member to eliminate sag on the 18mm mft top too. And a t-slot front of course. You could even see how good you could make it using the difference in price from a proper mft3. Love that sort of "upscaling " as they say over yonder.👍
Cheers bud! The wolfcraft is £254 at Screwfix, and yes, fixing it would make a good vid; we'll see! 👍
I think Peter should give it to you, and you can work it up. This is right in your wheelhouse.
I started woodworking with this Bench and still using it. It’s a cool budget Bench. What I find most annoying is the grid layout of the holes. When using M5 T nut Bolts to attach a clamping apron, you get a good moxon replacement
I would certainly modify it 👍 just because it's portable it's gotta be worth it
I bought one a year or so back, I like it very much and it has proven quite useful however it has all the foibles you've outlined! The top is very susceptible to moisture and bubbling I'm finding. I will be replacing the top with 18mm moisture resistant and with an array of MFT dog holes. I also have a selection of the metal horse trestles, loads of folks do these, with a series of 2 x 2 framed and ply topped with MFT dog holes. Also a lot less cost........
Totally agree, and thanks for taking the time to comment and share your experience! 👍
Thanx for the thorough 10min view
11/10 for sticking the video recommendation thumbnails IN your edit. I'm on a tablet in mobile mode and the overlays are simply not displayed at all. I appreciate that it takes extra effort to do this and want you to know it's not wasted. Thanks!
Thank you! Really appreciate you taking the time to let me know the effort isn't wasted! 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop You're most welcome, it's literally the least I can do. If I can intercept you as I pass through dirty old London on my way to Wales next time I visit Spain then I'll buy you lunch somewhere, too. Deal? :-)
I think youre spot on. Not for someone who has any accessories.
I also have the Wolfcraft 1600 and replaced the top by a custom one integrating a router plate to attach my makita cordless router when I need and add some aluminium rails for router accessories.
I find it really great also if there are some drawbacks.
Can you send pictures I like to adapt mine as well. I have a desire to fit a new top and an mft hinge.
@@meijdaar I don't think I can add pictures here in the comments.
Strikes me that like many other companies they fail to work with makers who could iron out the negatives.
Yep, ain't that the truth! 👍
That bench was what got me into buying Festool gear. I thought I was a great value for money, but it was just so wobbly that I had to return it and switch to a Festool MFT. Haven't doubted the decision one second since.
Add a larger mft-top with sides like your stationary bench.
That would solve most of it's problems and possibly even make it really good :)
Great review, as ever. And yes - I have no idea why Wolfcraft seem so determined to kneecap themselves like this...
I have no doubt you could take this and make something great, but I do have to ask why... Once you add 50/60 quid for an MFT top to the £275 you paid, you're already pretty much up to the £350 to get the UJK, although I appreciate the legs aren't attached.
As you've already shown, the kind of person who would be in the market for something like this can already build something better for mucn less. For a long time, I just used an MFT top with two bits of 38mm CLS screwed to the bottom so I could seat it securely in a pair of cheap plastic Stanley saw horses. A little later, I added an apron around the edge to help keep it flat and give me a 90° clamping surface. Then, with the addition of a couple of bungie cords, I could pop the saw horses inside when I was done and carry it away.
I obviously have something more permanent set up in the workshop these days, but I still use that occasionally if I need a portable bench.
Sooooo close. I could live with the awkward way to make it stand on it's side since I don't move out of the shop much and the price is very attractive. The extrusions for the side are just disappointing and coupled with the limited t-slot and odd dog hole layout I would pass on it. It does seem like there is a true market out there for a middle of the road bench that hasn't been filled. Thanks for the honest description of the bench.
Thanks for the video , Peter I had looked at this myself and come to the same conclusions. Wolfcraft really missed the fundamentals of good design. I know many people in France that I’ve asked them to rethink that design and make it useful, especially with the sides . It just doesn’t make sense.
Actually priced up, making my own version of this, and at the same price as what they’re selling it for, but with all the usefulness of the MFT table for half the cost.
I like it as a platform to modify. Depending on how far that lip protrudes, a t track slot, screwed into the extrusion might give you a chance of a 90 deg edge. As for the top, I'd just make a proper one at either 96 or 100mm.
This is one of those products that, if enough people email the company, they might change it.
Now I have to see if I can get one over here.
Hey Peter, thank you very much for this Video. I own this bench and I love it (even if barely use it). I use the slots for using the clamps and that works fine. 20 mm is the usual hole diameter here in Germany, so all my bolts and stuff fit fine. The 128 mm space between the holes is not unusual: 4x System 32 ;-) At 96 mm you would have a Collision between the holes and the slots with the slots. Maybe your railsquare would fit if you put one of the Bolds into the 45° thread? Can´t see it exactly on the video. T-rails would be a great add-on and I am curious to see what other ideas come from the community.
Really nice review. I thought about this thing, too but stopped after noticing the hight of 863 mm. That means it wouldn't match with the stand of the CSC SYS. You could get it in Germany for a bit under 300 € (the Festool MFT /3 Basic starts about 670 €). That is a big differnce, but you could buy a small Keter Master Pro for under 80 € (it is only 755 mm high)
This thing was also on my list, but in the end I went with the Bora Centipede, I am really satisfied with it. It looks flimsy but it can really carry A LOT (even up to 1000 kg I think). I recently made a pergola and 5 large beams laying on it so I could cut them with my plunge saw, went great! What's also great about it, it does not have any sides so it's easy to clamp from the sides instead of the holes.
Yes I would think modifying it is the only way forward. I'd be disappointed too. I was considering it but will be making my own now based around my toughbuilt c700s
That’s exactly what I did Paul. The only issue I found was the c700s are quite big, making the bench bigger at 100cm deep and 150 long.
Thank you Peter for this review! I wish I had seen this before I purchased it. I would love to see how you upgrade it or modify it. We are alot of people who has it but can’t get rid of it.
I must say it’s stable that’s good but the design is so bulky and terrible when using it I always end up using other things.
Great video Peter thank you. If that was me I will change the top and put a normal MFT top on it. simples 😊😊😊😊
Cheers Carl! Yes, that’s the easy solution. But who would want that in a video?. 😂😂
Had a few Wolfcraft products over the last 40 to 50 years. some hits and some misses. I do like the Keter-style benches for pulling out int garden or taking to friends and family for DiY jobs. As a result, loads of acquaintances have bought one or two. But I do like this Wolfcraft and will compare and contrast cost with getting something like the Parf kit for making your own. Your review is brilliant and has made me hesitate before buying. Thanks
Thanks! 👍
PETER, there is nothing that compares to the cost and practicality of your own backyard MFT table. Its brilliant and affordable!
Thank you! SOme folks do prefer to buy though! 🤷♂️ 👍
Thank you for pointing out the short comings of this bench. The price compelling, but the problems negate the price benefit. I guess you get what you pay for after all. Keep up the great work. Your videos are great.
Thank you! 👍
It would be great to see you modifying it Peter. It’s an interesting table and if the changes you make improve on it then all the better. The most concerning part for me is the loose bench dog holes. I use my mft (the Axminster portable top) specifically so I can have perfect 90 degree cuts. Loose bench dog holes just introduce inaccuracy and you would be better off going back to dealing with tables saw with annoyingly inaccurate fences 😂
Exactly! And that's the saddest part - it could have been so, so useful, and they could have had the 'premium budget' folding bench market to themselves! 🤷♂️ 👍
A waste of time and money to refit the thing, I think. There are collapsible tables out there that you could use for the frame, and I bet you could find one with an adjustable height feature that would suit you better. Slap some extruded aluminum t-tracks all the way around, set a mft table top inside, and you'll be set. I have a really solid, and flat 2' x 4' resin collapsible table for under $80 that would work perfectly for the job. I think that I'll give it a whirl one day. Thank you for the content. Much appreciated. (609.6 x 1219.2 - GBP 64.65 :-)
No sorry won't be buying one these. Thanks for the video Peter concise and informative as usual. Look forward to seeing the mods.
Great review of the table. I’m sure you could modify it to make it work better for you but at that point I think you’ve largely spent a fair amount for a set of legs - and even those are taller than you prefer
Was loving this and already thinking about buying one....for about 2 minutes until you started showing the issues 😂
Nice review Peter, thanks.
And it had such promise as well! 😂🤷♂️
@@10MinuteWorkshop right! I was like "what's not to love!". Oh wait, they didn't actually think anything through...yeah that's a bummer. 😂
i have one and would agree with everything you say. Its a shame because I like it, its well made.
Great review as always. My thoughts, as you have the tools and knowhow, adjusting the wolfcraft mft to be more compatible with std spacing and t rails etc is probably worth the effort. For others with more limited tools/options probably not.
Your review came in good time for me. Im now more likely to dig deeper and splash out on festools version.
All valid points Mr 10 Minute. I would send it back personally. It seems that Wolfcraft have encountered a number of design forks in the road and taken the wrong path despite there sign-posting readily available in the public domain. How much effort would it really have been to get that aluminium extrusion right and the correct drill pattern on the top. Mft is a system so to deliberately design the bench to be at difference with that system is just inexcusably bizarre to my mind. Some application of research with design skill and they could have a far superior product at the same price point, or possibly less by reducing 22 to 18mm on the top. Wolfcrazy.
Thanks Pete for this review. You are the man of MFT and what you say about this bench certainly tells me to stay away from this one. Wolfcraft had one job... And failed!
Great review, thanks Peter! It's never going to meet your needs, regardless of the mods you do to it. Send it back and look for something more suitable without the need to spend more time, effort and money... it's the job of your work table to save you hassle, not provide it.
I don't have that specific model, about a decade ago I picked up a Vika 2-in-1 Workbench, it came in handy from time to time, it had MDF with dog holes in one side, and on the other side it had this sort of expanded metal looking layer of plastic, that was meant to be stood on, so you could use it either as a work surface or a scaffold. It was heavy, but well enough made. The height wasn't the most ideal for me, using as a work bench, so it rather quickly got relegated to use cases where I didn't have a better worksurface available. Usually if I'm going to be doing something messy and outside, then I'll dig it out for that. On the plus side, it folds up flat, and had a carry handle to make transportation easier. Though on the down side, the plastic surface on the back for the scaffolding made it very odd to clamp things to it, that did not employ the dog holes because of the expanded metal shape, it had voids and then plastic, sometimes you'd get a good hold, other times it could slip off. Would I buy it again? Probably not, but having something I don't mind beating on a bit, then being able to stash away is kind of nice too.
I remember those! Had legs that swivelled around so you could use it as a hop-up / platform, or they extended to make it into a small bench. Neat design - I think they were quite expensive though? Good to hear it's still working and useful though! 👍
Might be worth a look at the toughbuilt table or the Stanley fatmax equivalent.
The wolfcraft looks like a project to get sucked into!
Would be interested to see you upcycle the wolfcraft 😁
Whew, I’m actually glad that Wolfcraft didn’t lure me away from my MFTs (yes, plural). I’m surprised. My knowledge of Wolfcraft is that they make a fine, useful and accurate product at a reasonable price. I guess we’ll call this one a less than stellar achievement. Thanks for letting us know.
Thanks! It isn’t actually a decent bench, but the choices they’ve made seem to be specifically to prevent you from using commonly available standards-compliant third party accessories. 🤷♂️👍
Wow, fantastic review Peter 🙌 many thanks for your detailed insights, really throws the wolfcraft table into the mix., but unfortunately back out again., as too many compromises for me.. even at that price point.
great video, cheers Rob
Cheers Rob! 👍
Wonderful, about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike 😀My DIY MFT is 25mm thick - I had to route out the back of all the holes with a 45 deg cutter - works fine tho.
Yep, that's the solution - but if it's the solution, it should come with the holes pre-chamfered! 👍
I think seeing a "I bought this and modified it by doing......" are always interesting, I would defo watch it.
I’d send it back and as you say you can buy the extrusion by the mile! Possibly easier to build exactly what’s right for you with knowledge of all that’s out there than to try and adapt.
Would adding a T slot track on the side work. Is the profile right to use existing extrusion? Maybe a strip of wood and an Aluminum T slot?
I can relate to the temptation to fix the Wolfcraft bench but it seems to me that in the end the only useful part of it - for you at least - is the set of legs. I'd send it back and focus on your portable benches. Or finding a source for folding legs. Also, having recently perforated my benchtop for MFT-style use, I realizled that another reason tops thicker than 19mm also prevents use of locking dogs such as used on rails and tightened from below.
You were right to begin with, build your own!
Good evening Peter, a good, honest and succinct review, thank you. What a shame. If someone from Wolfcraft see's this, I can see a mark 2 version in the not too distant future. I am surprised that Wolfcraft can make what appear to be some fundamental errors, having been in the woodworking game for as long as I can remember. Come on Wolfcraft, pull your socks up!
In the USA we have the Bora Centipede. The 2x4 foot table with a folding MFT type top is about $200-300 USD. Available with either 20mm@96mm spacing or 3/4-inch@4-inch spacing. But the Wolfcraft looks great, all it needs is a different top, and the addition of enough 8020 to kit it out. And when you're done you've spent MFT money for a non-standard table. One last thought, I also have two Stanley Workmates, both gifted (FREE!), I"m actually thinking about replacing the standard tops with Festool type top slats. And a Workmate also does double duty as a Moxon vise.
This is actually offered on Amazon for $923, which is definitely no bargain!
Bit of fettling would sort it, it's a good price. I'd replace the MDF like you say and sort out a front track. It certainly looks sturdier than a mft
The hole offset choice and lack of 80-20 style rail all the way around are egregious oversights, the other items you mentioned are quibbles that may or may not matter. I think it’s worth throwing a little DIY its way to see what you can come up with.
Good review. Sad so many shortcomings of the design. As you said, the aluminium profile would be better if a normal 8020 style extrusion, or at least flat sides for clamping.
I love my Wolfcraft one-handed clamps, but cannot see getting this workbench.
Another great video Peter. I have a few bits and pieces of Wolfcraft stuff (dowel jig, 'stanley' knife, drilling guide) and have always found them very well thought through and functional. So I can't believe how far off the mark they are with this bench. It seems very odd that that they've clearly spent time and effort trying to resolve issues which they had needlessly designed into it. As you say, it feels a bit like it was designed by separate teams (a committee?). It should have been a game changer for those not wishing to spend Festool money. What a shame. I'll carry on with my Keter plastic bench with my homemade MFT-type top plonked on top.
Well, I'm glad I already have a MFT3. If this had come out before I bought mine, I surely would have bought it and got upset with myself, then bought the Festool. Ask me how I know.
I would very much like to see what can be done to resolve the issues mentioned. The price and the weight are big factors to purchase, just needs a fix for the other issues mentioned
Hi Peter, Looks good but disappointing shame that the standard dogs don't fit snugly and no where to fit F clamps as well as T track and t bolts don't fit the track well. May be worth changing the top for a MFT top. As always a great and honest video Take care
Ouch! I just discovered Amazon US is asking $923 USD! So, you can't recommend it and we can't afford it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this product and mobile bench options in general.
Thanks! I do mention in the description that Wolfcraft don’t appear to have US distribution, so whoever’s putting these out on Amazon.com is what we would call a ‘chancer’ 👍
Important that you buy your MDF Sheets from a "known" good quality supplier 👍😀 Recently bought a sheet of 18mm thick MDF from a BIG Box Store and there was nothing Medium Density about it 😱 .... more like LOW Density as it machined terribly with tearing of the end grain (metaphorically speaking) and was so porous that painting it was a nightmare. Also if you didn't seal the "end grain" almost immediately, the thickness would swell to 19mm+ just from the current damp'ish atmosphere.
I would be interested to see a modification video for sure, Peter. If you added Festool-style extrusion, would it bump out the width enough that the table stands on-edge? Pity about the Wolfcraft attempt, some of their other stuff isn't bad, like their clamps.
Thanks Peter, I will definitely not be buying this product. My feelings are that you would be far better off making your own bespoke folding table using aluminium extrusion for the frame and then your own custom MDF MFT style top. All the various fixtures and fittings are available from the usual sources (amazon, aliexpress, banggood). I have made a non folding version for my workshop, but this has prompted me to maybe come up with a folding design. Really appreciate your channel💪🏽
The funny looking support blocks could be modified to add saw track and or hinge or poor mans moxon... could be printed or remade in wood at a push. The slots in top bug me am thinking its for attaching a mitre saw but could be wrong... So tempted to buy one! damn;-)
Most things seem to need a tweek, straight out of the box these days, Peter. I assume [i know.] that portability is its selling point. But if you're gonna spend that much + tweeks and extra costs then a bespoke bench built from scratch is probably the better way to go. There's too many 'not-quite-right' niggles to please many people some of the time...
I considered buying one of these, but - luckily - decided against it. I fully understand your pros and cons. In my point of view the easiest solution to most of the issues is to add a simple outer frame (made of a wooden sheet material?) to the aluminum frame. Depending on its design this frame will solve the tilting issue and add a flat and perpendicular surface with t-tracks to the table. What a waste of material that you have to replace the table top!
Ya, won’t be getting a wolfcraft any time soon, I see so many channels with complaints on the price of festool, but as an everyday woodworker I can’t complain, at the end of the day I’ve got great production, but more over I’m not as fatigued as I was struggling with inferior products, I’d like to see a head to head challenge with someone using bargain brands vs festool
I actually own a wolfcraft bench mostly as like you said i was looking for a budget friendly option. But you did hit the nail on the head with its issues. I think the main thing would be looking at how to add t-track to it, as i do think its size/portability is a great idea. its just the functionality needs to be tweaked to get the most out of it. Technically i have the other iteration of the workbench that allows you to use it as a router/jigsaw/table saw (i do not trust it enough to use it as a table saw yet by adding you own power tools to the removable plate)
Thanks! That's the 2600 model that takes the inserts, I've been told it's not available in the UK. 🤷♂️👍
Ah very strange as i am a UK resident but i did get it a couple of years back defintiley didn't pay what google seems to say they go for (£600+) think i only paid around £350 at the time. The base frame appears to be exactly the same as the one you've shown, but the wolfcraft t-track style edging goes all the way round. Would be really interested in ways to make these a more viable and accurate addition to a workshop@@10MinuteWorkshop
Wolfcraft is really just for the hobby/DIY market. They still have a few factories in Europe but most items on their catalog are outsourced to low production cost countries. The design they say they do is merely branding. The technical design is done by the actual manufacturer somewhere in Asia but reviewed and controlled by Wolfcraft. They have more people in marketing than in engineering.
Not sure if its good after bad but a normal top would certainly make it a better bench you may be able to fix a couple of correctly sized cheeks on the front extrusion and sandwich T track between them providing the T track is not too thick/thin it would not be too hard for a man of your can of larger to sort. I have gone the MJK route but dont particularly like the trestle stands.
Thanks! Yes, I'm no fan of the trestle approach, as useful as they can be. 👍
Sending it back may help the company justify a redesign. Keeping it is not helping them long term. Thanks for all your reviews.
Nice one Peter for the heads up on that pile of crap 👍🏻
Thanks! Actually it really is a solid bench, just a bit of a 'swing and a miss' when it comes to already established standards! 🤷♂️ 👍
Here in the US it cost today $922.98. It was worth the look but for price I’m stuck with a centipede with MFT 20mm portable tops.
Thanks! As mentioned in the description, Wolfcraft dont appear to have any US distribution, so whoever has these on Amazon is what we'd call a 'chancer' and silly to price it so close to the Festool MFT. 🤷♂️ 👍
Hi Peter I have a Stanley bench with dog holes but strangely bench dogs don’t fit in at all! Still a useful little bench but was a little disappointed. I have since used 21mm overflow pipe with a slice up the length and twisted them in but I would not count on accuracy. Thanks for the info!
A virtually identical folding bench is sold in Australia under the Irwin name. One day I'll measure the dog holes with a vernier and see if they can be reamed out to 3/4 inch or 20mm without breaking through the sides of the holes. They had a job, with examples, and they still managed to stuff it up in at least one aspect each time.
Yes the simple answer is to replace the top. I.E. The only useful part worth salvaging is the underframe. So really trestles and a homemade top would be just as good.
'Almost.'. seems the best description for this workbench. To make a design excel and become a preferred product in it's category is so difficult.
Emulating 'the industry standard' might be hindered by patents, prohibitive costs etc. Having said that, this particular design has quite a few blatantly obvious shortcomings. This seems a product that was 'rushed to market' when instead the prototype needed a few more iterations.
If you'd factor in the time & effort to rectify & adjust things, the expensive industry standard version might seem the affordable option after all.
The best features of this table are the legs and their supports. Near enough everything needs to be tweaked, customised or replaced just to be functionally useful and to support standard-size tools. For the ~£250 initial layout, having to do all this modification just to make it useful, makes the initial purchase a lemon. Why not try a mid-entry build from scratch yourself, sourcing the legs and supports independently?
Thanks. That's the saddest part - it could have been so, so useful, and they could have had the 'premium budget' folding bench market to themselves! 🤷♂️ 👍 I've already made a couple of MFT benches and portable benches, I do like the idea of fixing this one just to show how easily it could have been achieved had they done it from the start! 👍
Simple ….. put some wheels on it and convert it to a sweet trolley for Mrs 10MW’s kitchen. 🍰
11/10 for responding to most comments, too. That's genuine engagement that builds a real community and real lasting relationships. You don't need to repomd to any of mine, but I hope you see the first one that does not start with 11 and would be interested to know your thoughts if you have time and desire.
Thank you again. On popular videos comments are more likely to receive a 👍 or a ❤️ just due to the volume of responses; UA-cam doesn't make it any easier either by removing comments from the list that I've already replied to, and while we receive notification of a reply to a comment we've made, we don't get a link to the comment, so it can be quite challenging to have conversations here. But thank you again, for taking the time. P
Just thinking that this is designed by someone who would never use it. Can see the Millard bench in the near future. Something I would buy whatever the price ;-)
Thanks Peter, what a shame it could have been straight on my shopping list 😮💨
Peter - initial thoughts revolve around a skirt with T slot attached via the castings and attached to the new mft top giving a slot and flat surface and a way to store ?? What are you thinking?
I had very similar thoughts, but it would potentially add a lot of weight, and you wouldn't be able to use a standard 'commodity' MFT top as they're not large enough to span the width when you include the corner castings. Looking at all the options though! 👍