SMART - MFT - Work Bench build - Materials Delivery

[@russalbright4213]

Hey Spence! Looks like you have a great start on the bench(s) build! Looking forward to the assembly/build video to come. I am really looking forward to hearing what you think about the Fastcap countersink screws and that Fastcap FlushMount drill bit system. That really looks interesting to me!

[@sdsconstruction]

Howdy Russ! I assembled the bench yesterday. It came together exceedingly well. Ron's time into his plans certainly paid off for me for the assembly. Everything lined up/fit the first time without any need for modification. I bought that drill bit and screws because Ron recommended them for his cart system (version 1) and they look pretty cool! Oddly, I just saw a similar drill bit and countersink combination used by another YT woodworker who build his own portable MFT table and he used it for some of the assembly and it looks like it works great. The SMART Kart (version 1) is my next build and I will build two at the same time (one for the current bench and one for the next SMART STATION bench that is in the build cue.) I was on a job site today (Sunday) and used the bench as a surface to cut plywood out for a flooring repair in a bathroom that had rotted subfloor. No surprise, bench was stable and much easier to set up than my 3x7 compact bench that I built back in 2020. I don't notice that it is that much lighter but it could be my level of fitness telling me I need to start lifting again so it feels easy to pick up (as it should).

[@RobyWanKenobi]

I thought you were going to use the top from the pre cut bench you bought from Reparadise as a template for your dog holes?

[@sdsconstruction]

Hello there Master Kenobi! You are absolutely correct. I was going to do just that. BUT....a couple videos ago, I was going over the "getting ready to build the bench" stuff where I mentioned that I was exploring 3 options for making the top of the bench and Ron and three others commented back about going with the Parf Guide System Mark 2. It was so consistent with those few that I figured "what the heck" and scrounged the 25,000 pennies to buy the tool from TSO. I grabbed a 2x3 piece of old 3/4" ply falloff to sacrifice to the Learning-The-Parf-System Gods and watched 2 videos from Peter Parfitt of New Brit Woodshop YT channel where he shows how, step by step, to use his creation. It is so simple, even I couldn't goof it up without really trying to make a mistake. The practice piece came out so well that I decided to keep it and use it with the new bench like Ron does with all the accessories he adds. So....I think I won twice. I have the Parf tool and it works great (CnC quality layout) AND.....I have a knock-down Paulk bench from Reparadise (that I thought I would use to template my "from scratch tops but didn't) ... that I can assemble after my total station build and the carts too. 3 carts! Wow. Do I need 3? Nope. But, it sounds pretty cool.

[@RobyWanKenobi]

@@sdsconstruction my bad missed that one. I have the parf guide also but was considering using a top as a template to speed it up. I have made 3 tops so far and have had some error but I was a machinist before so may be ober critical of it.

[@sdsconstruction]

@@RobyWanKenobi I have had several machinists in my family (cousins, uncles) and know that their degree for tolerance is between the thousandths and millionths depending.... So no surprise you are looking at any system of dog holes with a more critical eye. I just squint and make it all go blurry and call it done.

[@KevinZale]

Peter Parfitt is a freaking genius! I have the mark 1 Parf guide system and LOVE IT.

[@RobyWanKenobi]

​@@KevinZalevery true. Make sure everyone knows I believe any errors on my tops are because of the following -1st top was 3 layers of 3/4 MDF and drilling through each glue line was very hard on the bit and possibly caused excessive wear to the jig. Feels like there is more slop than before -1st top was 4x8 and I am short causing me to lean over the top possibly deflecting the rulers while drilling. - Biggest problem is I use a 001" feeler guage to check for gaps. I need help!