I used pocket holes in the frame to attach my MFT from underneath- less chance of hitting a screw head and trashing your saw blade if you accidentally cut too deep. Also a light waxing makes it easy to keep clean after glue-ups.
I did a similar build but used aluminium extrusion for the frame... mine has sagged in the middle- you might not have this issue as you have glued and not just bolted like me, but might be worth considering a centre support or two to prevent this. Might block the odd clamp but unlikely to be an issue for you.
Very nice job turned out very well there. Hopefully you get great use out of it for many years ahead my friend. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work. Keep making. God bless.
I did the same thing a while ago but used stud timber instead of pine as it seemed more substantial. One thing I would recommend is to use the Axminster chamfer cutter for the holes to help the dogs slide in without damaging said holes.
Great solution and a great find at that price. I'm eager to see how you make use of it as the workspace develops and how you manage the increased worktop height.
There is a video on here somewhere of a guy making very cheap dogs from PVC conduit from Toolstation, could be worth considering to keep costs down a bit.
I purchased a similar top. The holes on mine are 20.2mm, which mean the benchdogs have an ever so slightly play. I set up a fence and did a five cut test. The wiggle room meant the cut was not square enough for me. Bought a TSO square and the same test was square. I think the Festool tops have smaller holes. Would be interested in a five cut test on your table. If you aren't going to have a fixed rail I would suggest highlighting the screw locations. Easy to miss and into if they aren't deep enough or you set the depth of cut too great. Nice build and the tops are great for clamping mid table.
Did something similar but with 2x4's on the longest edges and a smaller support in the middle of the shortest edges with a handle cut out for moving it around. The rail clamps hit the edge on the top and bottom sets of holes if you rotate them, so I cut out some half laps at a few points along the edge to clear the clamp as it rotates, also useful if you want to clamp from the outside of the top. I clamp the top to a bench using the cut outs on two sides and its stays still, not sure if just one side of the bench side will be enough. You've got a better storage solution 👍
Great work. I’ve invested an obscene amount of time into making a Ron Paulk Big Bench which should be done tomorrow. I wish I had done something like this instead. I came over from your podcast, by the way. Keep up the great work.
Nice job! I would have been sorely tempted to attach it with a hinge and drop down legs, that way you’d get a beast of an assembly table as well. If it’ll be going into a small workshop though your solution is great 👍
thats a great idea Matt, i've thought about an MFT so i'll be interested to see your videos on how it fits into your work flow. one which fits on top my bench is a real winner.
Great video Matt. I have there top in mind too. What are those little bench dogs you have there. I guess they keep the sheet slightly raised so you do not cut into it.
Good to see you making an MFT style table again. One question though, with closed sides, how do you fit your rail clamps, where you need access underneath to close the clamp?
I'm another one that bought the same top, hopefully arriving tomorrow. I was wondering whether or not to support the centre to ensure there's no sag. Currently thinking I might as well, if only to put my mind at rest.
Hi Mat👍just a suggestion, you could remove some of the top of your workbench and drop the mft in leaving some of the original timber either end. It will save you lifting it every time you need to use it and would keep both sides of your bench accessible.Its just a thought but may not work for everyone. I hope this is helpful and im looking forward to your workshop build 👍👍👍
pragmatic and direct to the simplest solution as always Mat - are you planning to do a video on how you use it or just let it feature within your future vids and let it's natural usage do the talking?
Maybe, but I think some UA-camrs often make the mistake of not covering something because it's been explained elsewhere already. Its a bit like having a restaurant and not serving dishes which are available somewhere else. People go to that restaurant because they like it and they trust the chef's to do a good job. People go to your channel because they like your content and your way of doing things 🙂
Was looking forward to seeing this video after you spoke about it on workshop banter. Would the addition of a small handle to assist in dropping it on to and removing it from the storage position be a useful extra?
Great simple solution, I’ve had an mft top kicking around the workshop for a while. Now I have a simple idea to make it more usable. On a separate note, how are you getting on with the neighbours? Front room workshops aren’t always appreciated from my experience!
If Matt goes on a date and invites them back to his place, they're going to get very worried when they walk through the door and find power tools everywhere .. 🤣
Your low tech but fully workable solutions are great. I looked at the PARF system from Axminster but it was way too expensive and although a well made & designed bit of kit a bit over engineered for my use. Spending £200/£300 on something I only ever use 1/2 doz times over 10 years is not really an option…...
Pretty decent set up you've got going on, Matt! If I remember correctly: you do have a small shed/workspace in the backyard of your new home? Or was that too small to make a workshop in?
Tools I use
www.badgerworkshop.com/toolsiuse
I picked one of these up from Facebook marketplace today from a chap that looked just like you!
Of all the options you mentioned, I think the exact way you made it is the best setup.
I used pocket holes in the frame to attach my MFT from underneath- less chance of hitting a screw head and trashing your saw blade if you accidentally cut too deep. Also a light waxing makes it easy to keep clean after glue-ups.
A light waxing would be great. I varnished mine and wasn't careful enough and now some of the holes are very snug on the dogs
I’m doing the same thing and I didn’t know what to do until I came across your video,I think you have a great idea thanks again for solving my problem
I did a similar build but used aluminium extrusion for the frame... mine has sagged in the middle- you might not have this issue as you have glued and not just bolted like me, but might be worth considering a centre support or two to prevent this. Might block the odd clamp but unlikely to be an issue for you.
Very nice job turned out very well there. Hopefully you get great use out of it for many years ahead my friend. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work. Keep making. God bless.
Thank you Jared
Nice neat solution Matt - I suspect this will inspire a lot of folks to do likewise.
Thank you
Neat idea for both lifting it a bit and storing. I just have a similar plain top so I think I’ll do a shallower version of this!
Thank you
Good idea Matt!
Thank you
Good easy and quick solution Matt, usable straight away. Tony
Thank you Tony
Brilliant as ever .
Thank you
Excellent, my MFT top arrived yesterday. Guess what I'm doing this weekend!
A great use of your weekend
Nice video Matt. Love the storage idea. Regards JP
Thank you
That is a remarkably inexpensive top Matt, thanks for the heads up.
Yes did not seem worth making one when you could get it for that
I did the same thing a while ago but used stud timber instead of pine as it seemed more substantial. One thing I would recommend is to use the Axminster chamfer cutter for the holes to help the dogs slide in without damaging said holes.
Nice idea. I varnished my top and some of the holes have become very snug. I might just use a small round over bit in the router though instead.
@@allthegearuk That works too 👍
Had a chuckle when I saw you using the same numatic vac as me as a dust extractor. 👌
It works great
Great solution and a great find at that price. I'm eager to see how you make use of it as the workspace develops and how you manage the increased worktop height.
Thank you
Cannot wait to see your new workshop when you get fed up with using the living room.
Like it Matt, especially the portability 👍
Thank you
There is a video on here somewhere of a guy making very cheap dogs from PVC conduit from Toolstation, could be worth considering to keep costs down a bit.
I think I have enough now
Great video Matt, thanks
Thank you very much
Cracking idea Matt... Bob in Sunny Weston super Mare
Thank you
I purchased a similar top. The holes on mine are 20.2mm, which mean the benchdogs have an ever so slightly play. I set up a fence and did a five cut test. The wiggle room meant the cut was not square enough for me. Bought a TSO square and the same test was square. I think the Festool tops have smaller holes. Would be interested in a five cut test on your table.
If you aren't going to have a fixed rail I would suggest highlighting the screw locations. Easy to miss and into if they aren't deep enough or you set the depth of cut too great.
Nice build and the tops are great for clamping mid table.
Thank you
nice solution, thanks for posting
Thank you
Did something similar but with 2x4's on the longest edges and a smaller support in the middle of the shortest edges with a handle cut out for moving it around. The rail clamps hit the edge on the top and bottom sets of holes if you rotate them, so I cut out some half laps at a few points along the edge to clear the clamp as it rotates, also useful if you want to clamp from the outside of the top. I clamp the top to a bench using the cut outs on two sides and its stays still, not sure if just one side of the bench side will be enough. You've got a better storage solution 👍
That sounds a good setup
Hi!Good video.
Why do you prefer mdf not plywood?
Pretty nice work, Matt! Really brilliant idea! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thank you. You too
Great work. I’ve invested an obscene amount of time into making a Ron Paulk Big Bench which should be done tomorrow. I wish I had done something like this instead. I came over from your podcast, by the way. Keep up the great work.
Super. Nice n basic.
Thank you
Great video - keep it up!
Thank you
I got my worktop from them. Very good top and not too bad a price seeing as it was a bespoke size.
I did not know they did custom sizes. That’s interesting
@@Badgerworkshop , ah, I made a mistake there. I bought one of their portable MFT tables. Sorry, I got the bespoke one from Formatic CNC.
Brilliant!
Thank you
Nice job!
I would have been sorely tempted to attach it with a hinge and drop down legs, that way you’d get a beast of an assembly table as well.
If it’ll be going into a small workshop though your solution is great 👍
I did say that
thats a great idea Matt, i've thought about an MFT so i'll be interested to see your videos on how it fits into your work flow.
one which fits on top my bench is a real winner.
Thank you. I think it will be very handy
Mate I love this and I've just looked it up and they are amazingly cheap. I think I might have to get one of these myself nice video cheers Matt
They are good value
Great video Matt. I have there top in mind too. What are those little bench dogs you have there. I guess they keep the sheet slightly raised so you do not cut into it.
That’s exactly what they do
I really think you need more support on underside MDF will sag with time
Good to see you making an MFT style table again. One question though, with closed sides, how do you fit your rail clamps, where you need access underneath to close the clamp?
I don’t have rail clamps
I'm another one that bought the same top, hopefully arriving tomorrow. I was wondering whether or not to support the centre to ensure there's no sag. Currently thinking I might as well, if only to put my mind at rest.
Yes no harm in adding one
Hi Mat👍just a suggestion, you could remove some of the top of your workbench and drop the mft in leaving some of the original timber either end. It will save you lifting it every time you need to use it and would keep both sides of your bench accessible.Its just a thought but may not work for everyone. I hope this is helpful and im looking forward to your workshop build 👍👍👍
That would not work for me
Garden bench. MFT top.
Badge is going up the garden Parf.
Very good
pragmatic and direct to the simplest solution as always Mat - are you planning to do a video on how you use it or just let it feature within your future vids and let it's natural usage do the talking?
Im sure 10 Minite workshop explains it much better than I ever could
Maybe, but I think some UA-camrs often make the mistake of not covering something because it's been explained elsewhere already. Its a bit like having a restaurant and not serving dishes which are available somewhere else. People go to that restaurant because they like it and they trust the chef's to do a good job. People go to your channel because they like your content and your way of doing things 🙂
I have one of those and agree it’s great (and relatively cheap). Will the bench fit through the door now when it’s warm enough to work outside?
I won’t be moving it in and out
Was looking forward to seeing this video after you spoke about it on workshop banter. Would the addition of a small handle to assist in dropping it on to and removing it from the storage position be a useful extra?
You could add one
When are you building your new workshop badger?
Don’t know yet
Great simple solution, I’ve had an mft top kicking around the workshop for a while. Now I have a simple idea to make it more usable. On a separate note, how are you getting on with the neighbours? Front room workshops aren’t always appreciated from my experience!
They are at work
Matt even with your machines connected to vacs your lounge is going to get very dusty mate. Are you going to build a new badgers den out back?
I am
Is that a workshop or your living room?
If Matt goes on a date and invites them back to his place, they're going to get very worried when they walk through the door and find power tools everywhere .. 🤣
Don’t forget the axes
Your low tech but fully workable solutions are great. I looked at the PARF system from Axminster but it was way too expensive and although a well made & designed bit of kit a bit over engineered for my use. Spending £200/£300 on something I only ever use 1/2 doz times over 10 years is not really an option…...
I have been send the PARF system so I will be giving it a go
@@Badgerworkshop gosh a nice freebie! But by the videos ive seen its a long winded process to use but will wait for your review...
Pretty decent set up you've got going on, Matt! If I remember correctly: you do have a small shed/workspace in the backyard of your new home? Or was that too small to make a workshop in?
Too small
@@Badgerworkshop That's a pity, Matt! Well, then keep up the good work from your livingroom!
Did you buy your 18v miter saw or was it given to you?
Given
😎
Got one saved on eBay with a few dogs thrown in
I got mine with dogs too
Have the neighbours complained about the noise yet?
No