How to make a skirt for the diy dave Stanton bench | festool

Links to some of the things in my shop. www.davestanto...
Adding a front skirt to the Stanton bench has created a 3D clamping station capacity. Easy to build and plans are now available. Click the "SHOW MORE" button to see how to get your set!
Don't have a garage or workshop? This bench is the answer! Use it on the kitchen bench or even the dining room table, slide it under a couch or bed when not in use.
woodworking how to make a skirt for the diy dave stanton bench
Stanton Bench kit available Australia only. www.etsy.com/a...
Stanton bench plans and Stanton dog lock plans and files here. www.etsy.com/a...
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Plans for the Stanton bench available here. www.etsy.com/a...
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[@GrahamOrm]

What you've done Dave, is created the 21st century version of the traditional furniture makers bench. Now no need for a side vice, tail vice or leg vice. That is so versatile, I really don't think that even you have recognised the full potential of it. The next stage is a full sized bench. Absolutely blown away mate. Very impressed with the design and quality of build.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Graham, it has been fun designing and building it.

[@racheldavis2139]

Dave, I am blown away by the clarity of your explanations and the wonderful ease of use of the Stanton bench.Keep the videos coming! Cheers

[@DavidStanton]

My pleasure Rachel Davis !

[@johnlowry5311]

Very nice,I love how the whole thing is so portable.You do beautiful work

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks John!

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

The excitement you show is the excitement of someone who has done things a harder way before. I recognize and understand this genuine enthusiasm. I don't really have any woodworker friends so these kinds of innovations usually get kind of blank looks when it's show'n'tell time in the shop. All that to say, I feel your joy. Very nice work dude.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Draztiq Meshaz!

[@bobd.]

Very nice expansion on your original bench top work surface. I like that the whole thing can be set on top of any bench to create a MFT style work surface for clamping and holding your work. And now, with the front skirt you can easily hold your work vertically. Brilliant !

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for the compliment Bob!

[@xoncention3265]

Great design. Having a smooth work bench but having the option of the removable work area gives you many options.

[@DavidStanton]

One of the reasons I designed this was I didn't want any holes in my main assembly bench/infeed table.

[@rhyshaines8491]

Great stuff Dave, I am currently part way through making a bench and this has given me ideas for a clamping board. Possibly instead of drilling holes directly into the bench top.

[@xaytana]

You could always make piece for the short sides, and have a clamp for a three way corner. Also, the amount of precision you put into this is amazing, and the majority of woodworkers here on KZbin wouldn't go that far to make this, unless they do their work with a CNC router. Your work is absolutely amazing, and you're easily one of the best woodworkers on this website. I also love your workshop, having those counter tops, and having everything matching makes you look extremely professional. I aspire to have a workshop like this someday.

[@DavidStanton]

Xander, everything you say is true! Lol, thanks for the compliment and please keep coming back for more of my zany ideas!

[@xaytana]

I just had another idea, you could also make angled sides, or an adjustable side, for when you're making things with more sides than a square. Never know when you're going to make an octagonal or hexagonal box. Also the dog hole system would work amazingly as a table saw sled for angled cuts, almost like a giant MiterSet. I'm sure this system has endless uses.

[@theoldplankwoodworks2415]

What a versatile system! Love it!

[@DavidStanton]

So do I!!

[@albertifergan6506]

I had planned my table based on your last video, now I have to change my plans. Please stop improving your project, i will never get a chance to finish mine. 😝 - great job and great explanations. Thank you.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@SteveMcQuillin]

Well, damnit Dave, now I need to buy a parf guide system AND a domino machine, you are an expensive guy to know ;)

[@DavidStanton]

LOL, You haven't even scratched the surface!

[@denny9931]

It´s a bottomless pit you are entering there. But thats the case with any hobby/profession. :-)

[@TommyGWorkshop]

Amazing job on the bench. Looks extremely useful!! Great idea on the non slip strips.

[@danielsolowiej]

That skirt it's a wonderfull adition. Good trick with the blue tape. I love your work and explanation dear friend ! Really clever details there!

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Daniel. Always great to hear your input!

[@jparra4766]

Genius. That's all you can say. Good job David.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for the compliment J Parra!

[@hj8607]

Was about to drill dog holes on front skirt of new work bench(8" ) . Will now align them to top holes per the ideas you presented . Thank you.

[@DavidStanton]

Excellent!

[@robertowens9793]

great job you and peter wonderful work!

[@kevinsteer7920]

Lovely work Dave. You look very happy with the outcome 😎. I bet you stood back to admire it many times👍. I'd love something like this for site work. 👏👏👏

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Kev. Send me a picture when done!

[@kennelson7591]

Absolutely brilliant I want to build this set up it’s so good thank you for sharing.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for the compliment Ken Nelson! Grab the plans here. www.stantonbench.com.au

[@lockdownhealthessentials4y226]

Thanks David will take a look

[@wh0tube]

All nice and tight under that skirt 👍👏

[@DavidStanton]

Thank you 😋

[@kevinwood9993]

Great project, going to make one of these for myself, but I will make a larger table with the holes and simply split it on the table saw, that way the holes should match up perfectly from the skirt to the top. Thank you very much for sharing. Regards Kevin UK.

[@DavidStanton]

Good luck with it Kevin. Send me a photo when finished.

[@thorstenkirchberger1552]

Hi Dave, great work, great video and also great pronunciation of the German word "Vlies"! Greetings from Germany

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Thorsten!

[@multiworx]

Great work David.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks multiworx!

[@peterlisyak5396]

Niiice great job, I do like the idea that the whole thing is so portable, it's great

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Peter!

[@damianmaynard2592]

Great job David. Just received the ujk kit. It has re invented the wheel to certain a certain extent . great tutorials, keep up the good work dude .

[@DavidStanton]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mururoa7024]

Dave, you have a product there and I'm sure there's a market. People are buying ready made work benches like hot cakes, they will buy this!

[@DavidStanton]

Happy to talk to anyone who wants to produce it.

[@MrWoody135]

Dave, very impressed with your explanations of your work, clear, precise and very educational. Only one thing I noticed; using a pencil instead of a marking knife. Marking knife = precision, pencil +/- 1mm. Great videos, well done. Awaiting arrival of my new domino machine, so off to design myself a new work bench !

[@DavidStanton]

Yes, a marking knife is more accurate. Thanks for the compliments!

[@toolgod3781]

Mate love the idea of the holes on the side kind lets you hold material upright like the kreg saw horses. I have been planning to build a Paulk workbench and I will incorporate them into the side. Well done champ love your videos.

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for watching. I hope the bench works out for you.

[@NicoSmets]

Nice! That's the kind of feature I miss on an MFT

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Nico Smets!

[@42DontPanic]

This Bench was a genius design without this addon, but now it is so absolotely awesome that i wonder why not everybody has one of these. I WANT ONE :D. Great work, you just earned a sub my friend!

[@DavidStanton]

Welcome to the channel Mr. Average!

[@PabloAtencioCX1DZ]

muchas gracias por enseñarnos con tan buen nivel es increíble no hablo ni una gota de ingles pero como hablamos el idioma universal de la carpinteria le entendi todo muy claro mil gracias por tan buenas ideas saludos desde Uruguay un abrazo!!

[@DavidStanton]

¡Mi placer, Pablo!

[@resultcarpentry5869]

Loving this idea Dave - I'm sure Peter Parfit will also :-) Kindest Rgds Gaz..

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Gary. Peter is a nice guy and I wish all the best for him.

[@johnmutton799]

I have 2 Emir assembly benches which i am going to convert into this style of bench, they are 2.5m by 1.5m,i think they will work out fine, they have 40mm thick mdf tops edged in 6"×2"" oak. It is perfectly square. Looking forward to converting. Plus make a couple of mobile versions.

[@scottsimeth101]

hi dave i like your dog hole table very clever. i might try a smaller version , i don't have room for one that big.

[@DavidStanton]

Let me know how it goes for you Scott.

[@nutsmcflurry3737]

Do the dog holes in the flat and vertical sections as one piece, then cut them apart on the table saw.

[@DavidStanton]

That is a possibility.

[@SQ_og]

Bad ass!

[@BrunoRROPSY]

NEW MFT DS... Dual Standard or David Stanton... Congrats !!!

[@DavidStanton]

Hahaha!! I like it!

[@kennethtrinder]

Legend :-) brill idea love the vids

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Ken!

[@kevinthomson6324]

This is a very clever idea. How long till the mark3 version of the bench dog system comes out with a 90 deg guild rail to accurately set side dogs and top dogs in the same plane and as a secondary advantage would set the holes perfectly parallel to the outside corner of your bench.

[@DavidStanton]

Sounds like a plan Kevin Thomson

[@CP-du3ci]

Hi Dave, after the first video I was in my workshop and thinking about your bench with the skirt, how about adding a return on the skirt to give you an additional clamping area on the end of the bench. I make a lot of chairs and some awkward shapes which I think this could prove useful.

[@DavidStanton]

Always room for expansion C P!

[@johnmutton799]

I have had both domino tools and both fences were not 90° to the base or the cutter, even their advert shows the cutter out of square. The big router when used on the guide rail system would not sit flat on the work piece, because when you lock the bars into the base, the barslock pointing down, so when on the guide rail the bar lifts the base up. The way to get around that was to shim the bar in the base so everything is perfectly square to the base. Sn o the cutter is now 90° . It is now like engineering in wood. They should have drilled the router base to hold the bars square. And you would expect this for the price they charge.

[@DavidStanton]

John. There are a few different base plates for the routers. The 2200 has a special base plate designed for guide rail work.

[@blueyhanson6253]

Hi Dave,In a recent demo you mentioned that there was another 'Bench Cookie" available but you weren't sure of any details regarding them.They are both sold as 'Bench Cookies' and distributed by Rockler.The blue ones are branded as 'Rockler' and the orange ones are branded 'Bench Dog Tools' ...Both made in Taiwan.. Rockler being in the US and Bench Dog Tools in the UK.Both look identical except for colour obviously..Both work the same.. and are interchangeable..

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Bluey!

[@albertifergan6506]

David, I am following your method. Thank you. Do you recommend making the holes before or after finishing the table with varnish. Also, do you recommend using minwax urethane as a finish? Thanks for your help.

[@DavidStanton]

Thankyou Albert Ifergan! I created the holes prior to the finish. Please watch the video on assembly. I have never used minwax.

[@ronh9384]

Excellent evolution Dave. I see you have some other evolutions or improvements. Are all of the improvements in the plans as well? I will have to watch them and then go to Etsy for the plans. Well done! Ron

[@DavidStanton]

Only the bench, apron and a jpeg of the track support.

[@robzilla2165]

Do you have a round about cost of all the materials used in this project? It's a great idea for a small or in home workshop where space is a premium. Thanks for posting

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks for the compliment roczilla2165. I make comment in the first video which I have linked to that the hardware section of the project is under $150 Us. The ply wood or mdf is usually small enough that most would have a scrap. However I also cover a way of purchasing a little cheaper if you don't have any. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a162q4WYi7WimJI

[@Sombre666]

Hi Dave, I am at present about half way through the process of building my own Stanton bench, and just about ready to start on the skirt. Could you tell me what size domino's you have used? they appear to be fairly large for 3/4" material. "Many Thanks"

[@DavidStanton]

I am pretty sure they are 6 mm.

[@Jason-rs6co]

gday dave what is the wax you use on the mdf and where can i het it. Bunnings or other?

[@DavidStanton]

Hi Jason. This is it. www.carbatec.com.au/u-beaut-eee-ultra-shine-250ml?aff=3

[@Jason-rs6co]

@@DavidStanton cheers dave appreciate it. im jealous as hell of that workshop btw

[@sumitubo1]

Dave, I'm stuck on building the skirt. Lining up the holes from the top to the skirt, you used the 20mm hole template and an engineers square to mark the lining up holes down to the skirt. Now, your lining up the template not the holes. does this mean to measure over from the mark of the template on the skirt to mark the 20mm hole on the skirt? confused AF.

[@DavidStanton]

Hi sumitubo1! Have you purchased my plans? It is pretty easy if you have.

[@robertforeman6815]

David, I enjoy your videos they are very informative, where do you get your T track for the festool clamps, Rocklers do not seem to be wide enough, I would also like to know where to get the extrusion you have on the front face of your bench. Thank you for your time. Robert

[@DavidStanton]

Hi Robert. The festool clamps do not fit in the rockler mini t track. That is why I have the dog holes so the lever clamps can slide through and hold down. The Kreg bench clamps work in the rockler track if you remove the dome bolt and replace with a t bolt. Thanks for watching.

[@stakwalderbak5331]

Hey Dave. Stanton Bench is even more awesome. I know your bench is an evolutionary thing so if I build one (I avoided the urge to say when) it would probably be easier for me to make the bench in one piece then cut the skirt off on the bench saw. What do you think?

[@DavidStanton]

Definitely the way to go.

[@normanboyes4983]

Dave thank you for sharing this, it is a great project. Without wishing to be a hindsight smart arse would it not have been a lot easier to have made the table top bigger (by the size of the skirt) and then after all the parf dog production and routing, slice off the skirt?

[@DavidStanton]

Indeed Norman. Many have made the same comment but you may also notice that the bench evolved. I made the top and then decided to add the apron.

[@normanboyes4983]

David Stanton Ah OK - not to self read other comments before posting.👍

[@akbychoice]

Have you ever burnished with a wool or Leather pad?

[@DavidStanton]

I have used wool but not leather.

[@akbychoice]

I wish I could find that Parf system used for cheap.

[@DavidStanton]

Interesting point akbychoice,. I know a few people who pooled together and bought one new.

[@leebalos3961]

Please tell me about that orange drill jig

[@DavidStanton]

Hi Lee. It is a UJK Parf guide system. I have created a video on how to use it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpqco5SKbcyse6c

[@williba24]

Bought the Parf Guide System intending to make a table, could I increase the width and then cut off the skirt portion. I expect every hole would match the top exactly.

[@DavidStanton]

Indeed you can Brian.

[@williba24]

Thanks, looking forward to building as soon as weather warms up.

[@robertbeattie7689]

How did you get the NJK Products into Aust without paying the same amount of the product in popstage?

[@DavidStanton]

NJK ?

[@tanstaafl9574]

Dave, 3:47 AM in Germany watching this, respect! Short question, why you put the "rubber" puzzle on the floor? :)

[@DavidStanton]

Robert B, it is nice to walk on and stops me slipping on sawdust on the timber floor.

[@johnviola7537]

Great video. When I make the bench top, can I make it a little longer and then drill all the dog holes at the same time. Then, rip the skirt off and that way guarantee all the holes (vertical and horizontal) are aligned without having to transfer the holes from the top to the bottom? Also, is there a way to send private messages? Thanks.

[@DavidStanton]

Yes to both of the questions John. [e-mail]

[@joegregory5515]

Dave, what grit is the Vlies pad? Is this the same as the 3M Scotch Brite here in the USA? Festool offers 100, 320, 800 & 1000 Grits

[@DavidStanton]

320 or 800 will be ok.

[@resolutehamster]

Hi Dave, Love your work. And you're just down the road from me (western Sydney)! Say... have you ordered power tools from Amazon UK? Did you have the option to get an Australian electrical plug, or did you use a UK/AUS adapted? I get tired of Carbatec being always "out of stock" and was thinking of the Amazon UK.

[@DavidStanton]

Hi there. Never ordered from UK other than Axminster. I usually cut the plug off and replace with an Australian one. Easy to ask a sparky to do it.

[@DavidStanton]

By all means use amazon UK, same voltage etc.

[@DavidStanton]

And use my link in if convenient! lol.

[@tlkwood]

Hey Dave nice work can you make me a bench table like that and tell me how much it cost I have some peter parf tools

[@DavidStanton]

I will have to pass on this one Terry. I have more than I can cope with at present.

[@tlkwood]

OK thanks, I have part of the parff guide system I need to buy the rest and make me the table it really nice I love watching your show your really smart and good at what you do keep it going

[@supertroop78]

wow, I love this skirt and Parf bench. do you sell this setup?

[@DavidStanton]

I sell the plans Jon. It is called the Stanton bench.

[@antzanton4842]

Hi Dav where can you get the parf guide system , most don’t ship to Australia

[@DavidStanton]

Get it direct from axminster tools.

[@davidmaltby2065]

I can’t find the video of the making of the original top, can you send me the link plz

[@DavidStanton]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a162q4WYi7WimJI

[@markpalmer3071]

That'd make for a great kit to sell...

[@DavidStanton]

Yes, but I am selling the plans Mark.

[@DavesCave]

Gday Dave, Enjoying your channel. Just a quick question. Are you targeting the American market? I notice you talk dominantly in imperial. Was wondering if that is due to your target audience or you just have not mentally converted to metric. I too frequently mix systems though I try to keep to metric

[@DavidStanton]

I am not targeting anyone Dave. I always speak in a mix of terms. I was a second year apprentice carpenter and joiner when the switch from imperial to metric happened. That was how I learned measurement. Thanks for watching!

[@DavesCave]

It was all metric by the time I went to school however when I did my apprenticeship (also as a carpenter and joiner) all the best tradesmen at the time still talked in Imperial. It amazes me how often I say 'an inch' when Inever was schooled in the system. That aside love your attention to various safety ideas such as round corners for kids etc.

[@ronboyes6250]

Hi Dave In the video you mention that the festool strip trench is 2mm and on the plans 2.5mm, which is correct and will .5mm make much difference ? Thanks Ron

[@DavidStanton]

@.5 mm will be better Ron, even though it is not a huge difference.

[@DavidStanton]

Should have been 2.5mm Ron.

[@SuperBardley]

Nice addition to the original Dave. Thanks for posting it! Why the effort to get the skirt and the Bench Cookie against each other? It seems that isn't so important. In fact, I can see an iteration of this with the feet set back from the edge so that the skirt could be fitted with a band/standoff that would allow more clearance behind the lower hole set for longer Parf dogs or other appliances.

[@DavidStanton]

The skirt can be a lot more rigid and true to the top if resting against the bench cookies.

[@SuperBardley]

Thank you for the reply. My inclination is to utilize 3 - 4 plywood corner gussets for this (conveniently spaced midway between the dog-hole lines), then the legs can be well back from the edge. Just Domino the gussets to the skirt so that their upper surface is perfectly flush against the underside of the table top. The gusset image that comes to mind is "L" shaped 3/4" plywood with each leg being 1" or more tall and 3" long. Such an arrangement would brace the skirt, keep it at 90deg, and allow clearance behind the skirt. I had another thought: After seeing your demonstration of how you use the skirt with the Parf Dogs to support work, your clever use of the T-slots on the table top would be ideal for the skirt. I say this because the skirt/dogs just need something to hold the work tight to the skirt -- enter the T-slot holddown. That arrangement easily sidesteps any issue with your appliances passing too far through the skirt and becoming encumbered by the face of the bench.

[@robertdehart7128]

Where's the saw dust in your shop

[@DavidStanton]

I clean up as I go Robert.

[@hj8607]

By the way , it's aluminum , not munimula .

[@DavidStanton]

Thanks Harry S! Depends if you spell and pronounce it the English or US way. Being an Australian , I and 24 million Australians spell and pronounce it the English way.

[@hj8607]

@@DavidStanton just kidding , of coarse.

[@garycrumrine9538]

Gee Dave, could you have made it any more complicated?

[@DavidStanton]

Gary, this build was a follow on to the bench I had built a couple of weeks earlier. So it is interesting to see how I accomplished an accurate front skirt other than making the whole unit as one in the first place. The lock together system is still very handy and wouldn't change it.

[@alanmullock381]

My brain fell out after all this enginerding talk ,Phew!😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@DavidStanton]

Sorry Alan, that is how I do things. I love a challenge in designing a project. Thanks for watching!