The BF/MFT Workbench Build - Part 1

Ryan · Oct 24, 2019

So I've had this design in my head for a while and have been wanting to build it ever since I built my last systainer cart. Essentially, it's just a 4' by 8' MFT table built from...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

casmurbax · Oct 24, 2019

Another great project Ryan.

I am amazed that you work so closely to the cars in the garage.

Good to see your kids out there helping you.

John

LegacyIndustrial · Oct 24, 2019

Ryan, your film-making skills are A+.
Excellent documentation.

mcdye · Oct 25, 2019

Wow. Very cool and great video editing.

neilc · Oct 27, 2019

Nice design. Like the pockets for inserting the FT clamps.

Look forward to the next update!

bottom feeder · Oct 27, 2019

Excellent work.

Stuart in MN · Oct 27, 2019

I enjoy the heck out of your videos.

Ryan · Oct 28, 2019

Thanks fellas... I don't do them very often because they are so much damned work and slow me down in the shop, but this is a really fun project... It just keeps getting bigger and more involved, but I really like building shop stuff.

gahrajmahal · Oct 29, 2019

You can't say you're not a woodworker/carpenter any more.

Steve from Socal · Oct 29, 2019

Ryan said:
Thanks fellas... I don't do them very often because they are so much damned work and slow me down in the shop, but this is a really fun project... It just keeps getting bigger and more involved, but I really like building shop stuff.

Where is part II,

I hope this ain't a cliff hanger end of season kinda deal

Didn't have any idea of what the "sustainer's" were until I watched the other video. Your video production is good, the details are there and the content moves well. In watching a lot of videos the subject meanders, you did a nice job keeping it concise.

Steve

shalamo · Nov 4, 2019

That’s a great looking bench. I have some extrusions that I got from work and have been thinking about building a work bench for my garage, thanks for the inspiration! Maybe now that it’s getting cold I’ll finally get started on it.

Jeff95TA · Nov 5, 2019

We've used 80/20 to build a prototype for work, and I've done a stress analysis of an 80/20 work platform for a local company. It's an awesome product. Great job on the design and video!

mike_aa · Nov 6, 2019

Superb craftsmanship and design! I especially like the laminate drawer fronts and the use of extrusions for handles. Super clean look.

Thanks for sharing! Mike

username2 · Nov 8, 2019

or you can do my cheap and dirty route.

shorter-uprights palette racking, sacrificial masonite top, throw a couple of metal map cabinets underneath. Done.

187 speed · Nov 8, 2019

Glad you decided to go with the name I suggested on Instagram, it really suits it. I know these videos are a ton of work but I know to some of us they are much appreciated and very impactful. Just as an example I had no desire for a table saw in my shop until your unisaw video and guess what, there is now a restored unisaw in my shop. So thank you for the time and effort your putting in.

Ryan · Nov 10, 2019

187 speed said:
Glad you decided to go with the name I suggested on Instagram, it really suits it. I know these videos are a ton of work but I know to some of us they are much appreciated and very impactful. Just as an example I had no desire for a table saw in my shop until your unisaw video and guess what, there is now a restored unisaw in my shop. So thank you for the time and effort your putting in.

That was you?!?! Thanks man!

skamin · Nov 15, 2019

Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed the videos and looking forward to what future additions you make to the bench to make it work for you. Can you share where you purchased the extruded aluminum handles from?

Stan

Ryan · Nov 20, 2019

skamin said:
Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed the videos and looking forward to what future additions you make to the bench to make it work for you. Can you share where you purchased the extruded aluminum handles from?

Stan

Here ya go:

https://www.orangealuminum.com

Dogan Bora · Jan 18, 2020

As I read your posts on the MFT build I noticed one of your remarks around the 8020 system: 8020 Actually has an Autocad Designer Plug-In, with a dimensional accurate 3D Library of every part. You can build a 3D *.dwg file of your entire project and use the drawing to get a BOM list. You only need one of their local dealers if you need some serious milling, such as drilling their mechanical dowel connectors. Cutting and regular drilling should be no problem for you. My local dealer can also sell and install actuators, pneumatic hold downs and laser measuring devices for their corporate clients who use 8020 as QC, Instrument calibration or development test bed.

Cheers

emilywilsonmba · Jan 20, 2020

Good Job

capww8 · Feb 8, 2020

Came across this today on toolgyd, and thought of this project.

May be helpful to some to see a similar approach documented in a bunch of photos and print

https://toolguyd.com/adding-side-panels-to-modular-tool-cabinet-dusty-tools-shop-organization-part2/

MikeK · Oct 6, 2020

I love the BF/MFT and plan on building a smaller version for my basement workshop. My basement is below grade and fully enclosed. The only access is the stairwell that goes to the ground floor, so everything I bring into the shop has to navigate down the stairs.

I have two areas set up for woodworking. The 4.5 x 5 meter enclosed area is for the large shop tools, such as table saw, band saw, and jointer/planer that require connection to the dust collection system. The second 4.5 x 5 meter area adjacent to it is for assembly and smaller power tools, such as the Festool equipment, that have localized dust collection.

I want to build a smaller version of the BF/MFT and might be asking lots of questions here. I found a source in Germany for similar aluminum extrusion and fittings, but need a complete parts list before I can submit it for a quote. I won't be asking for a parts list, since it would not match up with the German (item24.de) source, but I do have some general technical questions.

Here is my first question:

At 5:12 in the first BF/MFT video, you are attaching two sections of 8020 at 90 degrees to the long base section. Does drilling the two access holes for the hex key in one spot of the 40x40mm extrusion adversely affect the strength of the base section?

MikeK · Oct 6, 2020

I decided to create a workbench on the item24 website and submit it for a quote. The end product of the configuration software was a complete design, with a bill of materials, engineering drawing for each piece, showing all of the holes, and assembly instructions.

My workbench is smaller than Ryan's because it has to fit in my basement. The MDF top will be 1x2 meters. There are six bays for drawers or slides on the sides, and drawers on the end for layout tools. The spacing for the drawers on the sides are for the Festool Systainers.

This company will sell the extrusion in 3 and 6 meter lengths, as well as custom lengths. I chose the complete package, which will come with all of the extrusion cut to length, drilled, and tapped, as well as all of the assembly hardware as shown in the image below. Some assembly required.

MikeK · Apr 28, 2021

As an update, I finished my MFT workbench and doubt that I could be happier with it. Many thanks to Ryan's work; otherwise, I would not have known where to start.

Here is a link to a detailed build thread on a UK woodworking forum. Make sure you have Adblock enabled!

MFT-Style Workbench - UKWorkshop.co.uk

My original variation of Ryan's design had two cross supports for the top, but after thinking about the abuse I will give this workbench in the future, I added two more and spaced them to ensure they were between the rows of dog holes.

I used 19mm Valchromat instead of MDF for the top and finished it with two coats of hard wax oil. The cost of CNC work in my area is expensive, so I used the UJK Parf Guide Mk2 system to drill the 200 dog holes in the top. Valchromat is easier to work with, comes in several colors, and does not have the dust hazards associated with MDF. It is very dusty when cutting or milling, but it won't kill you...or so they say.

Max · Apr 28, 2021

Mike - very nicely done! Fellow GJ folks - his write up is superb and the link is well worth following.

MikeK · Apr 28, 2021

Thank you, Max!

Balor · Apr 29, 2021

Sehr schon

MikeK · Apr 29, 2021

Vielen dank!

chriskenison · Jan 20, 2022

Sweet build! Can you tell me specifically what part is on the top of each side - the part that your hinged cross track is attached to? Would really appreciate it!

Thanks,

MikeK · Jan 20, 2022

chriskenison said:
Sweet build! Can you tell me specifically what part is on the top of each side - the part that your hinged cross track is attached to? Would really appreciate it!

Thanks,

Thank you! The Festool FS 1400/2 Guide Rail is attached to the Dash Board Guide Rail Bracket:

Guide Rail Bracket Set | Dash-Board Portable Workshop

Elevate your precision with our unique Guide Rail Bracket Set. Patented design for your Festool, Makita, and Dewalt. Upgrade your workshop today!

dashboardpws.com

I keep the Dash Board Guide Rail Bracket on the workbench and remove the FS 1400/2 when not needed. The brackets are easy to install and set up, so I could remove them as well, but instead I lower them below the top surface of the Valchromat top so I can use the entire surface for assembly.

Here is another image of the hinge side of the guide rail and the fence.

Please let me know if this is not the part you described.

chriskenison · Jan 20, 2022

MikeK said:
Thank you! The Festool FS 1400/2 Guide Rail is attached to the Dash Board Guide Rail Bracket:

Guide Rail Bracket Set | Dash-Board Portable Workshop

Elevate your precision with our unique Guide Rail Bracket Set. Patented design for your Festool, Makita, and Dewalt. Upgrade your workshop today!

dashboardpws.com

I keep the Dash Board Guide Rail Bracket on the workbench and remove the FS 1400/2 when not needed. The brackets are easy to install and set up, so I could remove them as well, but instead I lower them below the top surface of the Valchromat top so I can use the entire surface for assembly.

Here is another image of the hinge side of the guide rail and the fence.

Please let me know if this is not the part you described.

chriskenison · Jan 20, 2022

Sorry, I wasn't very specific in my question, but I appreciate the quick response!

I am in the process of building a wood table (not aluminum), but love the idea of this! I was thinking I might attach the aluminum side rails you have on your table (what the Guide Rail Bracket is actually attached to) to the sides of my table. I just don't know what to call that part and I've looked without success on the sites you mentioned in your article.

MikeK · Jan 20, 2022

The side rails are aluminum extrusion. In the U.S., this type is commonly called "80/20", which is shorthand for 80mm x 20mm extrusion. Here is the link to one popular U.S. vendor.

Shop 80/20 | T-Slot Aluminum Extrusions | Building Solutions

Buy T-slot aluminum profile extrusions, fasteners, hardware, accessories, and custom machining services for your full project. 80/20 build your idea.

8020.net

My top rails are 80mm x 40mm extrusion with six 8mm channels. The other pieces are 40mm x 40mm with four 8mm channels.

Here is the 8020 equivalent of the extrusion I used for the top rails.

40-4080

40mm X 80mm T-Slotted Profile - Six Open T-Slots

8020.net

Here is the 8020 equivalent of the extrusion I used for the other pieces.

40-4040

40mm X 40mm T-Slotted Profile - Four Open T-Slots

8020.net

My original plan for the workbench was a wooden frame and the Festool MFT/3 side rails attached to the top, similar to what you described. I can buy the Festool MFT/3 rails in 2-meter sections and would need three sections. When I saw Ryan's BF/MFT thread on the Festool Owners Group (FOG) website, and later his four build videos on YouTube, I decided to build my workbench out of aluminum extrusion.

Please let me know if this answers your question.

rhoyer · Oct 9, 2022

Hi, I'm just about to buy some 40-4080 off a local guy who had some extra from a project and am going to assemble the top frame of a table like the bf/mft that I can eventually put on a wooden cart. I see you used end clips for all of the 4040 connections and connecting the 4040 to the 40 side of the 4080 but do you also use the end clips to connect the 4080 sections together? If so, do you use 2 clips per joint, one in each of the end holes and into each of the tracks of the other extrusion?

Thanks!

-reed

MikeK · Oct 9, 2022

rhoyer said:
Hi, I'm just about to buy some 40-4080 off a local guy who had some extra from a project and am going to assemble the top frame of a table like the bf/mft that I can eventually put on a wooden cart. I see you used end clips for all of the 4040 connections and connecting the 4040 to the 40 side of the 4080 but do you also use the end clips to connect the 4080 sections together? If so, do you use 2 clips per joint, one in each of the end holes and into each of the tracks of the other extrusion?

Thanks!

-reed

If you are asking me, then yes, I use a clip for every 4040 section that makes a **** joint to another extrusion. For the 4080 extrusion at the top, the shorter end pieces have a **** joint on each end that mates with the longer side pieces. There are two clips for each end of the 4080 extrusion, for a total of eight clips to join the four pieces of 4080 extrusion.

Here is a closeup showing one corner of the 4080 **** joint. There are two clips for the short section of horizontal 4080 extrusion and another clip for the vertical 4040 extrusion. It's not clear in the photo, but there is a 7mm hole drilled in the channel that allows a 5mm hex driver to reach the cap screw that is part of the clip.

cortes · Aug 12, 2024

I'm pretty late to this thread, but didn't want to start a new one. I saw in your video that you used base plates for your casters/feet. I have eight of those feet that I want to use them on two tables. I found a base plate out of steel that's $32 a piece. Did you used something similar? My initial plan was to just attach the foot directly to the rail using three of the four holes and some t-bolts. Your base plate solution looks stronger, but I don't want to pay $128 per table for the brackets. Another approach would be to get some aluminum plate and mill it myself in my mainly woodworking shop.

The BF/MFT Workbench Build - Part 1

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