Which wood for T track / Dogs

[DiscoStu]

I'm looking to build my own MFT Style work bench.

I'll get a top from Stu2 and I may buy the Festool drawer slides but I want to run a T track along the length and I also want to put some vertical post in which will have holes that can take clamps and dogs.

I'm actually thinking that I might be able to domino the holes, and use dominos as dogs (does need to be square, just support a board etc.

Anyway, what would be a good (and cheap) wood to use for that. I assume I'll need to use hardwood?

 

[DiscoStu]

Here is a link to the sort of thing I am talking about

http://youtu.be/Nb6CDW5-Sv4

 

[woodpig]

Gulp, the camera work on that video made me feel sick! I got the jist though.
I'd use something like Beech if you can get it.

 

[DiscoStu]

I think a tripod might have been an idea, but as you say you get the idea. Is beach hard to find? Is it cheap? As you can probably tell I'm pretty new to all this. I bought some oak recently and nearly fell of my chair when I got a price of £17 for two small off cuts

 

[Jmac80]

I think a tripod might have been an idea, but as you say you get the idea. Is beach hard to find? Is it cheap? As you can probably tell I'm pretty new to all this. I bought some oak recently and nearly fell of my chair when I got a price of £17 for two small off cuts

Hi Stu
I'm going to build the same workbench with some mods for my workspace (just bought the plans from his website) and then hopefully get a top from stu_2.
Just ordered a 4 pack of t tracks from rutlands.
Where do you get the drawer sliders from ?
I'm just going to build mine in pine, ply board and maybe 1 length of beach right around top of the table for the t tracks.

 

[DiscoStu]

I think I'm going "cheat" and buy drawer sliders from Festool as they now make drawers for Systainers. I also ordered 4 T Tracks from Rutlands. Think I've got a load of timber coming from a mate who needs a to clear a load and it is mainly softwood but he did say there was some Ash and Cherry amongst it so I'll see what I get in that before I worry about the edge.

I'm thinking of doing dominos on the uprights - like the guy in the video, but I'm thinking that I might use dominos on both faces rather than a mortice. I may not do that though as I may opt for 20mm holes and then use bench dogs.

My current thinking is that the T track along the top doesn't provide any advantage over the MFT style top with holes as I can clamp through there.

 

[Jmac80]

Hi stu,
Do you have a part number for the drawe sliders?
I was wondering exactly the same about the top t track, I was thinking t track along front and sides.
That's a good plan, 20 mm holes down the front.. From what I can see there not essential either though as you have the track along the front to clamp stuff too, I guess they could just add a bit of support for resting tall flat pieces on.
Cheers

 

[HOJ]

This is a similar idea, I made it quickly a few years ago, to live in my van, simple ply carcass construction, 18mm MDF top with 20mm holes,
Oak vertical sections (only used Oak because I have stacks of it) with Domino holes to support boards on edge, and clamp, drawer shelves made of 12mm ply with cheapish 350mm bearing runners.

My Kapex lives on the top.

Has served me well.

Need to tidy up, finished a job last night and made a hasty retreat to the pub!

 

[Jmac80]

Lol hope you're not to hungover
Looks good though mate,
So just any 350mm bearing runners will do?

 

[DiscoStu]

I can't see why not. I am thinking of the festool option as you get a locking handle in the middle so you squeeze to open the drawer and I think it locks in and at the extended position. You need to make sure the runners are long enough to leave the Systainers in place but open the lids. I'll try and find a link for the festool option.

 

[DiscoStu]

Link here

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... LD2yEbfWnM

They do a 5 pack which is roughly the same cost as buying 4 individual ones. That said I might just do runners if I can get some push to close push to open ones that lock at their extension.

 

[DiscoStu]

Something like this might work

http://www.solmer.co.uk/drawer_runners/ ... nting.html

 

[Gary]

Are you going to run the T track along the full lenght of the bench?

I wouldn't unless you plan not to cut on it.

You mentioned dogs using dogs, have a look at parf dogs.

 

[Jmac80]

Fast service from Rutlands!!
Ordered yesterday at 3pm and they turned up today and i live in the very north of Scotland.
Didn't seem to get screws with them though but not a problem really.

Are you going to run the T track along the full lenght of the bench?

I wouldn't unless you plan not to cut on it.

You mentioned dogs using dogs, have a look at parf dogs.

Gary
The lengths of T track are 120cm long, The width of the space i have to build a workbench is about 145cm so i shall have 12.5cm gap at each side, The Bench will be 60cm deep and i'm going to run them down both sides also, Probably never use the side ones but i have plenty of extra T track so i may as well.
Still leaves me with 2 x 120cm tracks for future projects
My

 

[Jmac80]

I'm still undecided on what dogs to get, someone is selling exact replicas of the parf dogs. £35 for 4 small ones and 2 longer ones. May just get them.

edit: Going to go with the tried and tested veritas bench/parf dogs.

 

[Hickorystick]

Would appreciate if you kind chaps could post some pice of your progress with building the benches.
I will probably be doing the very same thing in the not too distant....

 

[DiscoStu]

To clarify - my t track is to run along the front edge of the bench not on top do as long as I ensure it is a decent but down from the top it shouldn't get cut. It's to hold vertical boards etc. The dogs will be used on the top with a track (as per normal) but I am also considering putting 20mm holes into the upright legs etc so that they can support the weight of larger boards and the clamps and t track will keep the board still. However I may use dominos for that as I think that will work just was well.