Thread: A Real Workshop

Originally Posted by Scally

Yes Sawdust maker, and more colourful supports than what are really in my shed.
I was worried that no one noticed the Bra Bar.
Glad to see that someone looks at the photos.
cheers

Terrific thread. Guaranteed more than one was wondering "What the hell goes on in that shed anyway!?"

Glad i read back a bit. Must say an interesting read & substantial build.

I decided to use some of my Snakewood for the drawer fronts.

No drawer pulls to get in the way so I shaped a curve to look like somewhere to pull the drawers.

Initially I cut the shape on the bandsaw then smoothed them over on a Big Boy sander. If I wanted them identical I could have used a bearing guided bit in the router but I liked the idea of them being a bit different.

I bought a pack of Soft close drawer guides, 500mm long and started attaching them to the bench.

Them made the top drawers for each section. These will be for hand tools.
Below them will be the drawers for the Festool sustainers.

Jut for you pmcgee the last pic is oiling one of two benches for a beach wedding. Sometimes I do wood work in the shed.

Now for a top for the workbench.

I fitted a thin MDF panel between the top and the drawers. Later I would like to add dust extraction and/or a downdraft to all or part of the bench.
At the moment the mdf panel just keeps dust off the drawers.

The top is ~19mm film/form ply. It is a stiff plywood and I like the smooth surface.

I routed a rebate for the ply and rounded the corners using a template.

It all looks pretty neat..........another flat surface to pile stuff.

Next job is to create the Festool MFT grid of holes.
I bought a 20mm router bit, but can't work out how to get an accurate 96mm grid.

Anthony at Ideal Tools is looking into a template for me which would be great.
The idea is the template would have 30mm diameter holes that I would be able to use with a 30mm collet on the router with the 20mm bit.
Sounds perfect.

If that doesn't work, I guess it is Plan B.
I don't have a Plan B, yet.

Maybe I could use a Woodpeckers Shelf Pin Template?

could you do it on the drill press?

Originally Posted by Scally

Next job is to create the Festool MFT grid of holes.
I bought a 20mm router bit, but can't work out how to get an accurate 96mm grid.

Anthony at Ideal Tools is looking into a template for me which would be great.
The idea is the template would have 30mm diameter holes that I would be able to use with a 30mm collet on the router with the 20mm bit.
Sounds perfect.

If that doesn't work, I guess it is Plan B.
I don't have a Plan B, yet.

Maybe I could use a Woodpeckers Shelf Pin Template?

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

could you do it on the drill press?

Maybe we should ask one of our CNC forumites to to machine an MDF template, say 300 X 600, with a 96mm grid pattern of 30mm diameter holes AND ask one of our giddy () wood turners to turn some 20/30 mm stepped pins to locate the jig on holes already bored and then step the jig along the bench top?
I'd be happy to do it the old way and make the template with a Forstner bit but CNC would be more accurate?
We could then make this available to all on the forum?

fletty

Brilliant idea Fletty
but I don't know anyone with a CNC machine.

I like the 300 x 600 template size. Enough length to minimise any wobble and you can do more holes before moving the jig.

The 20/30 stepped pins are very smart. I'm glad your brain is still working.

I thought about using the drill press Sawdust Maker but it is too heavy to move along the bench.

If my bench top was smaller I think I could work from either side to be able to drill the full width of the board.
The drill press would give me straight holes and a straight line.
But I still need to rely on my accuracy to get the holes all exactly 96mm apart and to get them square.

How big is the grid you need?

I have a cnc machine, can cut 1300x600mm size pieces.

Located in Hamilton.

Oops, l meant to push 'like this post' but, either way ...... GAME ON!

fletty

Hi pippin88 that sounds very promising.
I am at Warners Bay so could easily make it to Hamilton!!

The critical detail is the 96mm grid of 30mm holes.

I found the attached plan online.
The details are the same as Fletty described in the above post.

Does it have all the details you would need?

The template only needs to be big enough to do part of a complete bench top.
Maybe you could make a few as I expect others would be interested in a template. So I would suggest either 600 x 300 or 600 x 400. That way you would use a full sheet of MDF.

Let me know if you are keen and we can get in touch. Think about a reasonable fee too.

Scally,

How far from the edges do you want the holes (centre) - 96mm or something else.

I'm thinking a raised lip on one edge will improve alignment accuracy. If the use of the lip is not desirable, the template can be flipped.

I have plenty of 12mm MDF on hand.

I think a drilling bushing would be very worthwhile (eg https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&s...A9onUY8ZgmEdFg)

I think a reasonable fee would be payment in kind. I don't have a lot of the traditional wood working machinery and, for instance, running a few pieces through a thicknesser may be handy in the future. Also, other forum members have helped me in the past and I like the concept of paying it forward.

Also, I know the festool is on 96mm centers, but is that actually necessary / optimal. From what I can see, there are not jigs / accessories that span multiple holes, but rather things use one hole. Maybe 100mm or another spacing would be optimal.

Just food for thought, with the cnc I can space the holes 100mm or 73.91mm just as easily.

Scally, fletty, pippin88
I'd be very interested in a 96mm grid template made with a good CNC! About how much do you think I'd need to kick in for it?
Not sure of my template bushing sizes for the hole sizes...will check in the morning.
Cheers