I got the corded version, out of interest yes...the cordless would have been nice but already invested too much into Milwaukee lol it's a great saw though, no regrets at all
Love it, love it, love it, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I liked previous MFT tables, but just didn't suit me in my mini workshop, but never thought of what you have created and this is just perfect, THANK YOU!!!
Thank you man, that's awesome. Yeah, my retractable rail won't be for everyone but, with an mft type bench in a small space, it's a solution that really works. I bought a benchdogs.co.uk fence for it too. Perfect combo.👍
Thanks Kieth. Been rolling round my head for a long time this one. Seeing Peter use his Festy hinged rail so efficiently so often inspired it tbh. Loved your gates btw mate.👌
Yip. Top marks on this one. Gotta say the ingenuity to complete this on a budget is just so inspiring. I've just finished adapting the table saw fence that you have to 1400mm wide that has my guide rail attached to it. It uses a set of clamps to raise & lower the guide. Accuracy is okay & within a mm by needs refining to ensure that its square. Still some refining to be done & I've got the time to make it work as I don't have the budget for a table saw.......
Thank you. I was very close to splurging on more profile for the v-wheels but thankfully, the mrmdf tracks work well. Your fence/rail combo sounds interesting. I think I get what you mean. Would love to see it if you're on fb or Insta. 👍
love your in depth videos , thanks to your reviews I have taken the plunge if you'll excuse the pun and purchased the Mafell track saw with 2 1600 mm rails and an additional 800 mm , absolutely love it but now you're showing me how to make full use of it using the bench dog system , thought I was pretty clued up on new systems as I've been in the industry since my apprenticeship in 1976 how wrong am i, you can never find stop learning , pleased to say you're taught an old dog many new tricks , keep up the good work love learning new things all the time .
Absolutely brilliant. The pin! I own a Mafell saw (love it) and rail (love it, a lot better than a Festool rail) and get by with dogs on a MFT style bench. Works very well for both Mafell parts, but the total setup for some kind of use could be better. This gives inspiration to work on that, thanks!
That's so sweet. I heard Peter Millard mention this set up, and just happened to stumble on the vid finally. I'm putting together a 10° off vertical station 2400x1500, currently a grid, but pondering making it MFT like to gain some speed. I can see how this could also be adapted to make an adjustable ripping guide.
Was about to order a Festool spare part to create a foldable MFT3 style arrangement, but love your addition of sliding it down. And you gave me confidence in being able to get it square, which is the most important thing in the end. Great work, thanks!
That's great, thanks man. It doesn't convey in the videos very well but I did spend a good while on little adjustments for accurate, repeatable square. Doable and worth spending time to get right. This setup is a joy to use now.
This is the first video of yours that I watched. As I watch only history and woodworking videos, I wonder how good YT’s computer programmes are. Anyway, very impressed. I’m a (serious) amateur woodworker for over 45 years and for a short while had a sideline small business making and selling high end Arts and Crafts furniture. I’ve got a pretty large workshop with everything that I need but I did sell my mitre saw a few years ago as it saw little action. I now crosscut on the table saw - which is fine but has limits; if I go pass those limits of size, then I use the track saw after careful measurements. I only have one bench which is 8’ x 3’ and 4” Thick. I was thinking of building a a jig using aluminium extrusions and the Z style of two hinges with the fence part being around 5’ long. That way, I take it from its place (in an old office tambour cupboard in which I have fitted several vertical sliding “shelves” on which jigs hang and which I pull out as needed. When not needed, my OCD requires me to shut the tambour and keep dust out. Anyway, I would take it out and place on top of the insulation board which is what I use as a sacrificial surface. I’m sure everyone has different situations and needs slightly or majorly different solutions but the great thing is that your solution gives my ideas. Well done, by the way, on a well produced video. The quality of the work being shown is the most important thing but good production does make it much easier to watch
Thanks very much for that Theo. Interesting. That's the thing, we have our challenges presented by work or projects and negotiate some sort of best practice for the kit and space we have. I'm in a single garage at the mo. A design space if you will while I finalise pieces for a furniture collection. Then on to a proper unit to produce hopefully. Desperate to not head back to site work/construction! Glad you enjoyed the video. This was a product of necessity for me given the space. Really happy if it provides some sort of inspiration for others. All the best.👍
@@BischBaschBosch well, I wish you every success in your venture. I was MD of a large business until I left to set up my own business in the same sector. It was successful because I knew the business sector and chose what customers (from my old company) to follow me. All financial institutions in the City of London. In truth, that was no great problem as they knew me very well and I knew that they were willing to pay for the high quality they demanded and that they paid on time. I got up-to 40 employees and then had a heart attack: time to sell and retire. Anyway, during that time, I got talking to a client who was from the US and we ended talking about my hobby which was building arts and crafts furniture. He was a great fan of mission and prairie styles (which derive from the UK arts and crafts movement). I ended up making him a couple of bits and he put me in touch with fellow ex-pats. From that grew a business. It was never going to be huge because that circle of a dozen or so people were limited but it was profitable. Then came a turning point. A person outside that circle saw a cherry bookcase that I had made and said that she would like one but in a different height/width and in oak. So, I drew some sketches, showed samples of different finishes in oak; she said yes and I took a 25% deposit. We made the piece and delivered it - only for her to say that it didn’t look like she though it would. Okay, I said, I will try to sell the piece elsewhere and, if I sell it for less than the price I quoted her, the difference would come from her deposit. Anyway, I sold it for the same price; she got her deposit and I thought this game of making to order had too many pitfalls. So, I closed that business, effectively when I sold my major business. Again, I hope you meet success: however, I don’t think I know of any cabinet maker who could honestly say that they make a decent living out of their work. Overwhelmingly, they have branched out into teaching woodwork or tool supply; the only guy I know who focuses solely on cabinet making told me that he reckons he earns less than the NMW and the only reason he can continue is that his wife is a solicitor and earns the money. There are very few people on the UK, it seems to me, willing to pay a reasonable price for a bespoke jewellery box or bookcase or table or whatever. They think they do until you quote the price and then they say “but I can get something from Oakfurnitureland for so much less”. All that doesn’t touch upon the prices you can get great stuff for through auctions. I recently bought a beautiful 1820 longcase clock for £80; a lovely mirrored sideboard of arts and crafts style for £120 - I couldn’t buy the timber for that. If I had advice, it would be to start by copying a style from the past (such as arts and crafts or Art Deco or mid-century teak) and marketing that far and wide. People do seem prepared to pay for a style in current vogue. Meanwhile, in the background, develop and market-test your own designs. As with any business, keep your overheads down (such as staying in your garage for as long as possible); get money up-front and be prepared to say no to work (if it doesn’t make you money; after all, turnover is for vanity; profit is for sanity). I won’t go on any more. I’m sure you have thought a lot about it and, providing you are super determined, go for it. But, prepare for the worst and appreciate the best. If you do happen to be interested in business advice (as opposed to cabinet making advice), then I’m happy to help out. I’m doing that for another company on an ad hoc basis (not in woodworking).
Thanks mate. Go for it. Works a charm with my set up. Just leave yourself a little play in the rail fixings for dialing it in and it's pretty straight forward.👍
That's a great set up you have designed and built. Excellent idea. Just one thing I noticed. The final check you made with the Vernier to prove squareness is not a true test. You are only really proving how parallel your cut is over the length of the board. Imagine your track was way off, lets say 100 deg not 90, then you would still get an accurate 33.98mm reading from your Vernier as the cut is still parallel. But like I said ....... great system !
Thanks Graeme. You're not wrong about the rip test in theory. I would say though that the rail was set square to the dogs/holes and the first cut checked with squares for 90. Then I do the rip. Assuming square set up, it's a good way of showing repeatability. I should have done a 5 cut though. All the best.👍
Cheers Jacob. In hindsight, I really wish I'd planned the whole bench build so this could be more integrated rather than sticking out the back. Works well though so no complaints. Good luck with your bench chap.
Nice one Paul. The v wheels work well. Work best in aly profile though. I do mean to upgrade mine to using profile runners at some point. A good hinge and a front pin is the important thing to keep things aligned once up.👍
Great stuff, been wanting to do something like that on my bench. Always thought I chose the wrong saw when I bought a maffel and track but that's a great idea 👍
The accessories for the the Festool ecosystem do make investing in Mafell a tougher choice for sure! That said, the Mafell will run on festool rails so, the option is there. Been very happy with mine. 👍
Like your thinking there, tidy. I made/still making a mobile bench based on Timothy wilmots design but utilising 3060 & 2040 profile. I've been looking into buying something but this is a great idea. Keepm up!
Wilmots mobile bench is great. Would be fantastic in those profiles! Haven't used any of the 30mm profiles but if they do one with an 8mm slot, would be worth using on your bench as the guide rail clamps can slot in them. Opens up some nice options. (Sorry if you've already considered this). All the best.👍
@@BischBaschBosch yeah your right, it does have an 8mm slot. Although I did have to tickle a bit off of some of my older festool clamps which wouldn't slide. Newer ones were fine. I'm big fan of the profile though. Like anything it's a bit of a learning curve along with a bit of trial and error. All the best mukka
Nice idea to have it always at hand! Maybe you could route a slot in the worktop for a replaceble zero clearance insert so you never have to worry about ripout.
That’s genius 👍. I’d like to try something similar, my bench is against the wall, so, having seen another comment about using a swing door double action hinge I’ll have to look into that.
Nice - wish you'd get together with Benchdogs uk. I like the 20mm hole system as I think it can be used to make practical small workshops work for hobby people/ UK garages.
Thanks. I have a good informal relationship with Ralph at Benchdogs. Fair to say we've had a modicum of collaboration before (b-collars). You're right. The 20mm hole system really lends itself well to those tight on space. Really helped me. All the best.
@@BischBaschBosch No problem! I saw your post and this video is really exceptional. I still plan to build something similar myself, when I find the time ;)
Nice one Sam. Yeah, seen a couple of diy versions of this. Really needed mine to roll out of the way when not in use though as it backs on to my table saw. Needs must 'n all that. What did you use to hinge your guide rail out of interest?
@@BischBaschBosch so I back to backed some hinges so it z folded and adjusted to height and then as bench was against was just listed up and kept against was
Nice one Steve. If you make sure to find a good hinge and build in a little adjustment, it'll work a treat. So nice to be able to just pull it up and get to work.👍
Absolutely love the stuff you post. Always great, practical ideas. The Festool hinge isn't great as it has some play in it (from new). Unusually for Festool, it's not a great design.
Ah...totally forgot to mention that in the video. At first, I used the the m8 nuts that come with the guide rail dogs from benchdogs.co.uk. In the end I went with m5 flat sliding t-nuts for 2020 aly profile.
Very cool idea. I’ve got a Mft that I bought used awhile back and never use it. I wish I could do this with my setup but it needs to be wider for wider crosscutting. I wonder if I could make it with a removable fence somehow. 55” long rail. Thanks again.
Cheers David. I see no reason you couldn't do it on a 8x4' bench say, for full sheets. I assume as you mention a 55" (1400mm) rail you're using Festool? With a long piece of rail, you'd probably be just as well making it quick release. Have a piece of rail with a hinge mech permanently attached. Set a couple of stops on the back of the bench so when you put the rail/hinge mech back on, the stops locate it exactly where it needs to be. A little drop down pin like mine at the front. Very doable I think. Wish I had room to experiment with a full size option. As you mention fences, take a look at the fences that benchdogs.co.uk do (link below). They can be joined for a full 2+meters, have measurement, flip stops for repeat cuts and a little slim under-rail piece as an accessory. These attach to the bench with dogs so are quick to pop on and off. If anything takes your fancy on there btw, you can use my discount code for 5% off any purchase. Just use BBBYT at the checkout. benchdogs.co.uk/collections/fence-systems?ref=nqpous8w5eme
@@BischBaschBosch thank you very much for the feedback. I appreciate it. I’ll check out the links to see what’s what. I don’t often use my festool for crosscut gas I have a big sled but sometimes i need to. I build cabinets fir a living so your ideas are very helpful. Thanks.
@@BischBaschBosch I've been watching Peter Millard for years and admiring his hinged Festool tracksaw setup and wondering if I could cobble something together for my Makita. Seems I can!!
@@Thebratfudlad Don't see why not bud. Finding a solid way to hinge it is the key thing. Funny enough it was watching Peter's use of his set up that made me go about making this.
Love it - and just the idea I was looking for! Just one observation if I may. Did you consider adding a spring under the bottom of your front locating pin/bar? This would mean you would only need to slacken the tightening thumb screw to either push the bar down or allow the pin/bar to rise up and into the rail slot before tightening the thumb screw again - thereby doing away with the extra thumb screw.
Thank you mate. Yeah, I thought about spring loading both the pin and the rail. I decided against for two reasons. First, it would add unnecessary complexity. I need the things I make to be functional asap to not hold up work. Secondly, my experiment with the pin and spring made it a pain to set the height to the material. With more time I might have got it to work but in honesty, I'm really happy with this set up as is. Best thing I've done for the workshop. Highly recommended if it'll work for you.👍
Hi John. I think I know the one you mean. They have the same sort of lift rail on Banggood. I did give it consideration myself but thought something like this thing I made more suited to the limits of tight space I have. How do you find the lift rail btw?
@@BischBaschBosch BBB, it is very solid and well built but I have not done the project yet in its incorperation to the mft top.i have ordered the front and back extrusion rails. Not here yet. They do not come with the unit parts. Yours on the other hand has many advantages because it will remove completely out of your way and, I feel your accuracy, the way you have constructed it will be just as good. Overall, you have an excellent approach. Thanks again for your videos. //ji John in Oregon
This is perfect and I wish I would make something like this. I have an mft table with an extrusion slide rail front and back I just wish I could find a hinge bracket
Cheers Kieth. Yeah, really pleased with this. Makes setting up for cuts so easy. The right hinge for the bracket is the main issue really. Was really lucky the one from my door was a good quality one with zero play.
Neat. Just a thought, could the pin not just be attached to the track and then register in a hole on the MFT? The pin could be 30mm long and would automatically be at the right hight. Then just use off cut of the same material to stop deflection.
Thanks. Yeah, I don't see why the pin couldn't be attached to the rail instead. Wouldn't quite work with my set up here though as I've made it to allow for the full 52mm cut depth of my plunge saw (Actually got 64mm max height). The pin on the guide rail would need to be about 60-70mm long in that case. I don't have that clearance between the track at the back of the bench and guide rail. If you designed it in from the get go, it could be a good solution.👍
Any particular reason one couldn’t just make a sliding dovetail for the vertical section in the back? Nice ideas, here. Thanks for posting such excellent work!
Thanks Joe. If you were confident you could make a sliding dovetail system, it could absolutely work. The important thing is to make sure there's no wiggle (side to side play) at the back of the guide rail when up on the bench. And of course the pin at the front to counter any deflection.
Cheers. Yes, it's free moving so will drop a little if left. I am able to lock it in place but to be honest, I've never once used the lock. It's so easy just to pull up then drop into position I prefer it free running.
Cheers Brian. I know this works for some people. Peter Millard is a fan I know. I'm not into it personally for 2 reasons: there's only 2 saw marks on my bench. One 90 the other 45 degree. The cuts always follow these same lines so no harm done. Secondly, my bench is kind of my general workbench. All manner of clamping, planing, bashing and even standing on now and again (for trying out/tweaking furniture). Routing out say, a 6x40mm will undermine the surface. I say this as most folk just friction fit the sacrificial strip. I wouldn't feel happy standing on it any more. I like the idea for a dedicated cutting bench maybe but, not for me as I'm currently set up.👍
you could probably use a smaller set of drawer extension ball bearing slides/rails and a simple hinge attached to a circular saw guide rail to duplicate / mimic the functionality of the more expensive professional manufactured setup
Yeah, can't see why drawer runner parts wouldn't work. Not an actual drawer runner though. Too much length loss to fully hide the rail down the back of the bench. As long as it's a good hinge, no play and there's a pin at the front, can work every bit as well as a branded set. 👍
Disregard. For some reason, I had the incorrect impression that there were two hinges connected together, to facilitate height adjustment for workpieces of different thickness. After a couple more viewings I realized my error.
Glad you found your answer Joe. In case you're wondering though, the hinge is connected to the guide rail via m5 screws into flat sliding t-nuts (the type you'd use in 2020 aluminium profile).
Cheers Gwyn. They're pretty easy to find when you know what to search. Anywhere that sells aluminium profile usually stocks them. Best deals are from China, like this 12 pack from banggood for £9 - banggood.app.link/A6NqR4GASkb If you prefer to buy from the UK, Ooznest stock a comprehensive range (bit more expensive though). See here: ooznest.co.uk/product/solid-v-wheel/ Hope this helps.👍
You couldn't on this bench but there's plenty of sellers on eBay and such that'll cnc you an mft from a full size 8x4 sheet. Then with a hinged rail and pin system along with a fence or dogs, you could repeatable cut 7' long rips no problem.
I used a swing door double-action hinge for mine. It leans back against a wall when up and doesn't need to retract... www.dropbox.com/s/x8tnbdeaud8oda3/track-hinge.jpg?dl=0 www.dropbox.com/s/ntu75bm7p8y2pjc/track-up.jpg?dl=0 I use a dog for the rail to bear against, but your pin idea looks great - I'll have to experiment.
Swing door hinge is a good call Dan. Looks great bud. Yeah, my bench is the outfeed for my table saw so was kind of needs-must that everything could disappear out of the way.
@@paulparry4734 I bought it from a private seller on eBay, but searching for "Double Action Spring Hinge" returns results from Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon, etc. They're also sometimes called "saloon door hinges".
Great job but u seriously need to think more simple on safety how many mm was your fingers from that router bit on your table ???? A push stick is needed seriously
Thank you! On safety I'd like to reassure you that I've worked a long time in the boat building and construction trades. 25 years. Not to imply I'm complacent but my time has made me mechanically sympathetic. I have a good feel for the machines I use and don't take unnecessary risks. My fingers were well clear of the router cutter. That portion of the video is speeded up likely making it seem risky to you but I was actually going slow and steady, always aware of where the cutter is. Of course, I would always advise, and indeed have taught others still developing skills to take extra precautions.
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Brilliant...your ingenuity never causes to amaze me. I would never be surprised to find something like this on the next generation of festool mft.
Very kind mate, thank you.
Looks even better than the Festool design
That's kind Matt, cheers. A needs must adaptation this one.👍
Can’t really add to others’ comments here. Great work.
Thanks Emmet. Yeah, folk have been very kind on this one. Surprised but grateful. 👍
I just bought a Bosch track saw and this couldn't have come out at a better time, thank you sir
That's great, thank you! Used to have the Bosch GKT before the Mafell. Great saw. Did you get the new Bosch cordless out of interest?
I got the corded version, out of interest yes...the cordless would have been nice but already invested too much into Milwaukee lol it's a great saw though, no regrets at all
Great work! There is a serious amount of thought gone into that!
Thanks Paul.🙏
i like your creative tinkering
Cheers Bernie.
Love it, love it, love it, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
I liked previous MFT tables, but just didn't suit me in my mini workshop, but never thought of what you have created and this is just perfect, THANK YOU!!!
Thank you man, that's awesome. Yeah, my retractable rail won't be for everyone but, with an mft type bench in a small space, it's a solution that really works. I bought a benchdogs.co.uk fence for it too. Perfect combo.👍
That looks like a fantastic solution Stew ! great work as always
Thanks Kieth. Been rolling round my head for a long time this one. Seeing Peter use his Festy hinged rail so efficiently so often inspired it tbh. Loved your gates btw mate.👌
Very cleaver; well thought out and effective. Thank you for posting.
Cheers David 👍
Brilliant build, very clever!
Appreciated Allan, cheers.
Some really neat ideas! Many thanks for sharing them.
Cheers John. My pleasure 👍
Yip. Top marks on this one. Gotta say the ingenuity to complete this on a budget is just so inspiring. I've just finished adapting the table saw fence that you have to 1400mm wide that has my guide rail attached to it. It uses a set of clamps to raise & lower the guide. Accuracy is okay & within a mm by needs refining to ensure that its square. Still some refining to be done & I've got the time to make it work as I don't have the budget for a table saw.......
Thank you. I was very close to splurging on more profile for the v-wheels but thankfully, the mrmdf tracks work well. Your fence/rail combo sounds interesting. I think I get what you mean. Would love to see it if you're on fb or Insta. 👍
It is a genius idea! I love it and I’m going to it over to my workbench! Thx a lot for sharing
Best regards from Germany
That's great. Hope it works well for you. Thank you.
Excellent....best design I have seen by far!
Very kind. Cheers Ed.
love your in depth videos , thanks to your reviews I have taken the plunge if you'll excuse the pun and purchased the Mafell track saw with 2 1600 mm rails and an additional 800 mm , absolutely love it but now you're showing me how to make full use of it using the bench dog system , thought I was pretty clued up on new systems as I've been in the industry since my apprenticeship in 1976 how wrong am i, you can never find stop learning , pleased to say you're taught an old dog many new tricks , keep up the good work love learning new things all the time .
That means an awful lot mate, thank you!
Thats a great addition to the workbench, Stu. 👍😁 like that retracting design: simple and clean.
Thank you! Retracting by necessity really. The workbench doubles as the outfeed for the table saw.
That is excellent work - the retractable tab design is a great improvement over the Festool arrangement.
Nice if you to say, thanks man. My work bench is my table saws out feed so everything retractable was a needs must really.
As ever, another triumph of design. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Pleasure Kevin. Thank you.
Absolutely brilliant. The pin! I own a Mafell saw (love it) and rail (love it, a lot better than a Festool rail) and get by with dogs on a MFT style bench. Works very well for both Mafell parts, but the total setup for some kind of use could be better. This gives inspiration to work on that, thanks!
That's great to hear. Thank you.👍
Brilliant mate, been wanting to do this for a while and your idea is much better and simpler than mine!
Thanks Alan. It's sometimes the hardest thing keeping it simple.
Really creative, high quality solution; as usual.
Cheers Christopher. Much appreciated.👍
That's so sweet. I heard Peter Millard mention this set up, and just happened to stumble on the vid finally. I'm putting together a 10° off vertical station 2400x1500, currently a grid, but pondering making it MFT like to gain some speed. I can see how this could also be adapted to make an adjustable ripping guide.
Cheers. That sounds s pretty interesting build!
I love this design. Going to make one and also an MFT type top to go with it. Just what I need in a tight shop space. Brilliant. Subscribed for more.
That's great, thanks Larry! Good luck with the build buddy.👍
Was about to order a Festool spare part to create a foldable MFT3 style arrangement, but love your addition of sliding it down. And you gave me confidence in being able to get it square, which is the most important thing in the end. Great work, thanks!
That's great, thanks man. It doesn't convey in the videos very well but I did spend a good while on little adjustments for accurate, repeatable square. Doable and worth spending time to get right. This setup is a joy to use now.
This is the first video of yours that I watched. As I watch only history and woodworking videos, I wonder how good YT’s computer programmes are. Anyway, very impressed. I’m a (serious) amateur woodworker for over 45 years and for a short while had a sideline small business making and selling high end Arts and Crafts furniture. I’ve got a pretty large workshop with everything that I need but I did sell my mitre saw a few years ago as it saw little action. I now crosscut on the table saw - which is fine but has limits; if I go pass those limits of size, then I use the track saw after careful measurements. I only have one bench which is 8’ x 3’ and 4” Thick. I was thinking of building a a jig using aluminium extrusions and the Z style of two hinges with the fence part being around 5’ long. That way, I take it from its place (in an old office tambour cupboard in which I have fitted several vertical sliding “shelves” on which jigs hang and which I pull out as needed. When not needed, my OCD requires me to shut the tambour and keep dust out. Anyway, I would take it out and place on top of the insulation board which is what I use as a sacrificial surface. I’m sure everyone has different situations and needs slightly or majorly different solutions but the great thing is that your solution gives my ideas.
Well done, by the way, on a well produced video. The quality of the work being shown is the most important thing but good production does make it much easier to watch
Thanks very much for that Theo. Interesting. That's the thing, we have our challenges presented by work or projects and negotiate some sort of best practice for the kit and space we have. I'm in a single garage at the mo. A design space if you will while I finalise pieces for a furniture collection. Then on to a proper unit to produce hopefully. Desperate to not head back to site work/construction!
Glad you enjoyed the video. This was a product of necessity for me given the space. Really happy if it provides some sort of inspiration for others.
All the best.👍
@@BischBaschBosch well, I wish you every success in your venture. I was MD of a large business until I left to set up my own business in the same sector. It was successful because I knew the business sector and chose what customers (from my old company) to follow me. All financial institutions in the City of London. In truth, that was no great problem as they knew me very well and I knew that they were willing to pay for the high quality they demanded and that they paid on time. I got up-to 40 employees and then had a heart attack: time to sell and retire. Anyway, during that time, I got talking to a client who was from the US and we ended talking about my hobby which was building arts and crafts furniture. He was a great fan of mission and prairie styles (which derive from the UK arts and crafts movement). I ended up making him a couple of bits and he put me in touch with fellow ex-pats. From that grew a business. It was never going to be huge because that circle of a dozen or so people were limited but it was profitable. Then came a turning point. A person outside that circle saw a cherry bookcase that I had made and said that she would like one but in a different height/width and in oak. So, I drew some sketches, showed samples of different finishes in oak; she said yes and I took a 25% deposit. We made the piece and delivered it - only for her to say that it didn’t look like she though it would. Okay, I said, I will try to sell the piece elsewhere and, if I sell it for less than the price I quoted her, the difference would come from her deposit. Anyway, I sold it for the same price; she got her deposit and I thought this game of making to order had too many pitfalls. So, I closed that business, effectively when I sold my major business.
Again, I hope you meet success: however, I don’t think I know of any cabinet maker who could honestly say that they make a decent living out of their work. Overwhelmingly, they have branched out into teaching woodwork or tool supply; the only guy I know who focuses solely on cabinet making told me that he reckons he earns less than the NMW and the only reason he can continue is that his wife is a solicitor and earns the money.
There are very few people on the UK, it seems to me, willing to pay a reasonable price for a bespoke jewellery box or bookcase or table or whatever. They think they do until you quote the price and then they say “but I can get something from Oakfurnitureland for so much less”.
All that doesn’t touch upon the prices you can get great stuff for through auctions. I recently bought a beautiful 1820 longcase clock for £80; a lovely mirrored sideboard of arts and crafts style for £120 - I couldn’t buy the timber for that.
If I had advice, it would be to start by copying a style from the past (such as arts and crafts or Art Deco or mid-century teak) and marketing that far and wide. People do seem prepared to pay for a style in current vogue. Meanwhile, in the background, develop and market-test your own designs. As with any business, keep your overheads down (such as staying in your garage for as long as possible); get money up-front and be prepared to say no to work (if it doesn’t make you money; after all, turnover is for vanity; profit is for sanity).
I won’t go on any more. I’m sure you have thought a lot about it and, providing you are super determined, go for it. But, prepare for the worst and appreciate the best. If you do happen to be interested in business advice (as opposed to cabinet making advice), then I’m happy to help out. I’m doing that for another company on an ad hoc basis (not in woodworking).
Bloomin brilliant! 👍
Cheers mate!
Excellent! Pretty ingenious solution. Love it.
Thanks Alasdair.👍
Awesome work mate. I've gotta try this.
Thanks mate. Go for it. Works a charm with my set up. Just leave yourself a little play in the rail fixings for dialing it in and it's pretty straight forward.👍
Well done and a very clever solution.👍
Thanks Norman.👍
Bloody ell that's brilliant!
Well-done!
Cheers Jason.👍
That's a great set up you have designed and built. Excellent idea. Just one thing I noticed. The final check you made with the Vernier to prove squareness is not a true test. You are only really proving how parallel your cut is over the length of the board. Imagine your track was way off, lets say 100 deg not 90, then you would still get an accurate 33.98mm reading from your Vernier as the cut is still parallel.
But like I said ....... great system !
Thanks Graeme. You're not wrong about the rip test in theory. I would say though that the rail was set square to the dogs/holes and the first cut checked with squares for 90. Then I do the rip. Assuming square set up, it's a good way of showing repeatability. I should have done a 5 cut though. All the best.👍
Thanks. About to start an MFT project using a Bosch plunge saw, so this gave me a bit to think about. The disappearing tab is brilliant.
Cheers Jacob. In hindsight, I really wish I'd planned the whole bench build so this could be more integrated rather than sticking out the back. Works well though so no complaints. Good luck with your bench chap.
Quite wonderful Sir , bravo.
Thank you!
Masterful tinkering... Again..
Much appreciated mate. 👍
Pure brilliance
Thanks Rowland!
Going to be trying out a similar design as soon as those v wheels get here on that slow boat from China. Brilliant idea.
Nice one Paul. The v wheels work well. Work best in aly profile though. I do mean to upgrade mine to using profile runners at some point. A good hinge and a front pin is the important thing to keep things aligned once up.👍
Great stuff, been wanting to do something like that on my bench. Always thought I chose the wrong saw when I bought a maffel and track but that's a great idea 👍
The accessories for the the Festool ecosystem do make investing in Mafell a tougher choice for sure! That said, the Mafell will run on festool rails so, the option is there. Been very happy with mine. 👍
Like your thinking there, tidy.
I made/still making a mobile bench based on Timothy wilmots design but utilising 3060 & 2040 profile. I've been looking into buying something but this is a great idea. Keepm up!
Wilmots mobile bench is great. Would be fantastic in those profiles! Haven't used any of the 30mm profiles but if they do one with an 8mm slot, would be worth using on your bench as the guide rail clamps can slot in them. Opens up some nice options. (Sorry if you've already considered this). All the best.👍
@@BischBaschBosch yeah your right, it does have an 8mm slot. Although I did have to tickle a bit off of some of my older festool clamps which wouldn't slide. Newer ones were fine. I'm big fan of the profile though. Like anything it's a bit of a learning curve along with a bit of trial and error. All the best mukka
Love this design. Very practical.
Very smart indeed! Great work mate.
Cheers Stephen.👍
WOW, genius work!
Thanks Danny 👍
Nice idea to have it always at hand! Maybe you could route a slot in the worktop for a replaceble zero clearance insert so you never have to worry about ripout.
Thanks Florian. I did consider a replaceable strip. Probably get round to it soon enough.👍
people; slop in the hinges doesn't matter if you use simple lateral locating pin(s) at each end. hinge just serve as general constraints good video
Cheers. Yeah, that'd work. If you just use a good quality industrial hinge (they aren't expensive) like I did, it'll have no slop anyway though.
Really clever, well done.
Cheers Andy.👍
That’s genius 👍. I’d like to try something similar, my bench is against the wall, so, having seen another comment about using a swing door double action hinge I’ll have to look into that.
Thank you. Sam below had a good hinge method too: using 2 back to back to form a Z, allowing them scissor to the height of the work piece.
Nice - wish you'd get together with Benchdogs uk.
I like the 20mm hole system as I think it can be used to make practical small workshops work for hobby people/ UK garages.
Thanks. I have a good informal relationship with Ralph at Benchdogs. Fair to say we've had a modicum of collaboration before (b-collars). You're right. The 20mm hole system really lends itself well to those tight on space. Really helped me. All the best.
Great job..wish I had the skills to make one
Thank you. Don't under sell yourself man. I'm sure if you put your mind to it you could knock something together.👍
Thanks
Thank you very much joostplas!
@@BischBaschBosch No problem! I saw your post and this video is really exceptional. I still plan to build something similar myself, when I find the time ;)
@@joostplas Very kind and much appreciated. Are you on Instagram? If you make one, you'll have to tag me. I'd love to see your version. 👍
I made one of these before but without the wheels and works well!
Nice one Sam. Yeah, seen a couple of diy versions of this. Really needed mine to roll out of the way when not in use though as it backs on to my table saw. Needs must 'n all that. What did you use to hinge your guide rail out of interest?
@@BischBaschBosch so I back to backed some hinges so it z folded and adjusted to height and then as bench was against was just listed up and kept against was
@@samrix5793 Doubling up hinges for a Z for height adjustment is really clever mate. I like that.👌
@@BischBaschBosch thanks :)
@@samrix5793 that’s an interesting idea, can you share any photos? Thanks, Bill.
Very nice, good work 👍
Thank you.👍
Very good video, very well made !!!!
Much appreciated, thank you.👍
Well that's all kinds of awesome!
Thanks Dean!
@@BischBaschBosch no problem, I'm blown away at how good that is. Definitely adding that to my list of things to do
Super idea. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Tomas. My pleasure.👍
superb solution
Cheers.👍
Awesome work
Cheers.👍
brilliant so i need a good hinge to start with
😂 Yep. Most have a little play in them though so choose wisely.👍
Very well done
Cheers O bez.
British engineering at its best.
Thanks Mark! 👍
That is deffo wot I need, gr8 video
Nice one Steve. If you make sure to find a good hinge and build in a little adjustment, it'll work a treat. So nice to be able to just pull it up and get to work.👍
Brilliant.
Cheers George.👍
Absolutely love the stuff you post. Always great, practical ideas. The Festool hinge isn't great as it has some play in it (from new). Unusually for Festool, it's not a great design.
Much appreciated. Thanks Chris.👍
What connectors did you use for the rail to the aluminium plate?
Ah...totally forgot to mention that in the video. At first, I used the the m8 nuts that come with the guide rail dogs from benchdogs.co.uk. In the end I went with m5 flat sliding t-nuts for 2020 aly profile.
Very cool idea. I’ve got a Mft that I bought used awhile back and never use it. I wish I could do this with my setup but it needs to be wider for wider crosscutting. I wonder if I could make it with a removable fence somehow. 55” long rail. Thanks again.
Cheers David. I see no reason you couldn't do it on a 8x4' bench say, for full sheets. I assume as you mention a 55" (1400mm) rail you're using Festool? With a long piece of rail, you'd probably be just as well making it quick release. Have a piece of rail with a hinge mech permanently attached. Set a couple of stops on the back of the bench so when you put the rail/hinge mech back on, the stops locate it exactly where it needs to be. A little drop down pin like mine at the front. Very doable I think. Wish I had room to experiment with a full size option. As you mention fences, take a look at the fences that benchdogs.co.uk do (link below). They can be joined for a full 2+meters, have measurement, flip stops for repeat cuts and a little slim under-rail piece as an accessory. These attach to the bench with dogs so are quick to pop on and off. If anything takes your fancy on there btw, you can use my discount code for 5% off any purchase. Just use BBBYT at the checkout. benchdogs.co.uk/collections/fence-systems?ref=nqpous8w5eme
@@BischBaschBosch thank you very much for the feedback. I appreciate it. I’ll check out the links to see what’s what. I don’t often use my festool for crosscut gas I have a big sled but sometimes i need to. I build cabinets fir a living so your ideas are very helpful. Thanks.
Awesome, just awesome.
Cheers Jon 👍
@@BischBaschBosch I've been watching Peter Millard for years and admiring his hinged Festool tracksaw setup and wondering if I could cobble something together for my Makita. Seems I can!!
@@Thebratfudlad Don't see why not bud. Finding a solid way to hinge it is the key thing. Funny enough it was watching Peter's use of his set up that made me go about making this.
Love it - and just the idea I was looking for! Just one observation if I may. Did you consider adding a spring under the bottom of your front locating pin/bar? This would mean you would only need to slacken the tightening thumb screw to either push the bar down or allow the pin/bar to rise up and into the rail slot before tightening the thumb screw again - thereby doing away with the extra thumb screw.
Thank you mate. Yeah, I thought about spring loading both the pin and the rail. I decided against for two reasons. First, it would add unnecessary complexity. I need the things I make to be functional asap to not hold up work. Secondly, my experiment with the pin and spring made it a pain to set the height to the material. With more time I might have got it to work but in honesty, I'm really happy with this set up as is. Best thing I've done for the workshop. Highly recommended if it'll work for you.👍
BBB, i am working with the Wnew aliexpress track lift but I love your idea here. Thank you. //ji John in Oregon
Hi John. I think I know the one you mean. They have the same sort of lift rail on Banggood. I did give it consideration myself but thought something like this thing I made more suited to the limits of tight space I have. How do you find the lift rail btw?
@@BischBaschBosch BBB, it is very solid and well built but I have not done the project yet in its incorperation to the mft top.i have ordered the front and back extrusion rails. Not here yet. They do not come with the unit parts.
Yours on the other hand has many advantages because it will remove completely out of your way and, I feel your accuracy, the way you have constructed it will be just as good. Overall, you have an excellent approach. Thanks again for your videos. //ji John in Oregon
Interesting. Thanks John.
This is perfect and I wish I would make something like this. I have an mft table with an extrusion slide rail front and back I just wish I could find a hinge bracket
Cheers Kieth. Yeah, really pleased with this. Makes setting up for cuts so easy. The right hinge for the bracket is the main issue really. Was really lucky the one from my door was a good quality one with zero play.
Neat.
Just a thought, could the pin not just be attached to the track and then register in a hole on the MFT?
The pin could be 30mm long and would automatically be at the right hight. Then just use off cut of the same material to stop deflection.
Thanks. Yeah, I don't see why the pin couldn't be attached to the rail instead. Wouldn't quite work with my set up here though as I've made it to allow for the full 52mm cut depth of my plunge saw (Actually got 64mm max height). The pin on the guide rail would need to be about 60-70mm long in that case. I don't have that clearance between the track at the back of the bench and guide rail. If you designed it in from the get go, it could be a good solution.👍
Please tell me you're working with Ralph to get this to market as a complete solution.....
😄 I didn't think to put it to him to be honest. Well within his capabilities I think. Maybe I'll send him a message , see what he thinks.👍
@@BischBaschBosch Just take my money mate 🤣
@@richardclarke9966 😂👍
Any particular reason one couldn’t just make a sliding dovetail for the vertical section in the back? Nice ideas, here. Thanks for posting such excellent work!
Thanks Joe. If you were confident you could make a sliding dovetail system, it could absolutely work. The important thing is to make sure there's no wiggle (side to side play) at the back of the guide rail when up on the bench. And of course the pin at the front to counter any deflection.
Very nice. Was I seeing things, or did it slip down slightly at 08:34?
Cheers. Yes, it's free moving so will drop a little if left. I am able to lock it in place but to be honest, I've never once used the lock. It's so easy just to pull up then drop into position I prefer it free running.
Genius as ever! Maybe you could sell the design to banggood so I can buy one :D
😂 Well, I think it's nice to share an idea made from bits lying around than try and sell people something sometimes. Thank you mate.
You could route out a 30/40/50mm X10 mm replaceable cutting waste mdf in the line of the saw cut. Replace when worn out, saving your MFT top.
Cheers Brian. I know this works for some people. Peter Millard is a fan I know. I'm not into it personally for 2 reasons: there's only 2 saw marks on my bench. One 90 the other 45 degree. The cuts always follow these same lines so no harm done.
Secondly, my bench is kind of my general workbench. All manner of clamping, planing, bashing and even standing on now and again (for trying out/tweaking furniture). Routing out say, a 6x40mm will undermine the surface. I say this as most folk just friction fit the sacrificial strip. I wouldn't feel happy standing on it any more.
I like the idea for a dedicated cutting bench maybe but, not for me as I'm currently set up.👍
you could probably use a smaller set of drawer extension ball bearing slides/rails and a simple hinge attached to a circular saw guide rail to duplicate / mimic the functionality of the more expensive professional manufactured setup
Yeah, can't see why drawer runner parts wouldn't work. Not an actual drawer runner though. Too much length loss to fully hide the rail down the back of the bench. As long as it's a good hinge, no play and there's a pin at the front, can work every bit as well as a branded set. 👍
Nice one.
Appreciated Mats.
love it!
Nice one, cheers John.👍
Very nice! Q: how are the hinges connected?
Disregard. For some reason, I had the incorrect impression that there were two hinges connected together, to facilitate height adjustment for workpieces of different thickness. After a couple more viewings I realized my error.
Glad you found your answer Joe. In case you're wondering though, the hinge is connected to the guide rail via m5 screws into flat sliding t-nuts (the type you'd use in 2020 aluminium profile).
Ive two questions, would your door work with one hinge, and i think you can work out my second question. :)
😂😂
Love it
Cheers buddy 👍
Genius! 👍
Thanks Stephen 😁
Ok this is fantastic
Can u make any for sale for my bench matey 👍
Ha! Making one was enough of a headache! Cheers Brian.
Thank you.
Pleasure👍
Excellent,I’ve tried in vain to find the V shaped wheels,where did you buy them from?regards Gwyn
Cheers Gwyn. They're pretty easy to find when you know what to search. Anywhere that sells aluminium profile usually stocks them. Best deals are from China, like this 12 pack from banggood for £9 -
banggood.app.link/A6NqR4GASkb
If you prefer to buy from the UK, Ooznest stock a comprehensive range (bit more expensive though). See here: ooznest.co.uk/product/solid-v-wheel/
Hope this helps.👍
@@BischBaschBosch Many thanks for your info&time + quick response
Pleasure.👍
Hold on, did I see mafell spindle motor on some sort of plunge base or am I tripping here?
Yeah, Mafell FM1000 milling motor in an old Bosch POF 500 A plunge base. Both have 43mm collar size so fit together nicely.👍
@BischBaschBosch never seen that before bloody genius
Very nice!
Thanks Joseph!
Awesome...
Thank you.👍
how can i cut 7ft x 280mm ply over and over SQUARE?
You couldn't on this bench but there's plenty of sellers on eBay and such that'll cnc you an mft from a full size 8x4 sheet. Then with a hinged rail and pin system along with a fence or dogs, you could repeatable cut 7' long rips no problem.
Best find a patent lawyer and file it asap! The pin is genius.
That's nice of you to say, thank you. Happy to open source this one.😉
👏👏👏
👍
SUPER
SUPERBLY
SUPREME
😁 Thanks!
Super
Cheers 👍
отлично молодец
Thank you!👍
I want one please
Go ahead and make one. You won't regret it.😁👍
We call your footwear Samoan safety shoes!😂
😂 I like that one!
snazzy
Cheers👍
I used a swing door double-action hinge for mine. It leans back against a wall when up and doesn't need to retract...
www.dropbox.com/s/x8tnbdeaud8oda3/track-hinge.jpg?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/ntu75bm7p8y2pjc/track-up.jpg?dl=0
I use a dog for the rail to bear against, but your pin idea looks great - I'll have to experiment.
Swing door hinge is a good call Dan. Looks great bud. Yeah, my bench is the outfeed for my table saw so was kind of needs-must that everything could disappear out of the way.
Hi Dan, can you please post the link to where you got your hinge from. I really want one with no play to do the same myself.
@@paulparry4734 I bought it from a private seller on eBay, but searching for "Double Action Spring Hinge" returns results from Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon, etc. They're also sometimes called "saloon door hinges".
Great job but u seriously need to think more simple on safety how many mm was your fingers from that router bit on your table ???? A push stick is needed seriously
Thank you! On safety I'd like to reassure you that I've worked a long time in the boat building and construction trades. 25 years. Not to imply I'm complacent but my time has made me mechanically sympathetic. I have a good feel for the machines I use and don't take unnecessary risks. My fingers were well clear of the router cutter. That portion of the video is speeded up likely making it seem risky to you but I was actually going slow and steady, always aware of where the cutter is. Of course, I would always advise, and indeed have taught others still developing skills to take extra precautions.