ULTIMATE MultiPurpose WorkBench

In this video I show you all the features and tricks of my new multipurpose workbench. I incorporated a number of third-party fixtures in the making and daily use of this bench. Below are links to their websites. BTW, I receive no benefit if you decide to use them.
If you have specific questions or have an improved design on your own bench….Please share in the comments.
Plans are now available! Please email me askdiymark "AT" gmail.com and I'll give you more details.
TOC
0:00 Intro
2:26 Mobility
4:12 Removable Top
4:30 MFT Grid
6:59 Using the Parf Jig
8:07 Aluminum Side Rails
9:07 Rail Guides
10:08 Paper Roller
11:15 Drawers
12:00 Backside Cubbies
12:16 Giant Bench Cookie
13:01 Precision Triangle
13:22 Close
Paulk workbench design
thesmartwoodshop.com/
UJK parf guide for creating grid holes
Designed by: Peter Parfitt. Here is his KZbin channel
/ newbritworkshop
Shop for it at Axminister in UK or TSO products in USA
www.axminstertools.com/ujk-te...
tsoproducts.com/tools-equipme...
Aluminum extrusions for side rails. 15 series works well with MFT type clamps
8020.net/catalog/category/vie...
DashBoard Portable Workshop…Track saw Guide Rails
dashboardpws.com/products/gui...
Large precision triangle with 20mm (by 96mm centers) dog holes
tsoproducts.com/tso-precision...
Fence System. Works with guide rails
benchdogs.co.uk/collections/i...

[@JohnVK5JAK]

Nice. I’d be interested to see a video of the castors showing a close up of how they’re fitted and lock down.

[@Thedestressguy]

WOW!!!... what a bench. I'm very impressed and inspired to build something similar for myself. I'm going to "borrow" some of your ideas and solutions. Thanks for taking the time to put this out on YT. Much appreciated! Happy building

[@4riversadv-ds169]

Thank you much for sharing. Great design and execution of your table!

[@MichaelAlderete]

Really nice bench! I’ve never seen the sliding aluminum extrusion for clamping, that’s really neat.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mark, Absolutely brilliant and your castor concept for the bench is genius. I love the removeable top too. Many thanks for the mention. Cheers. Peter

[@justlanded2177]

Just wanted to say good job on your bench!!! Terrific design and choice of features!!!

[@DIYMark]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@chuck-snow]

You think a 3 car garage is small ?.. a lot of people at most have an 8x10' Shed ..if there luck a 10x20 garage

[@TwoTracksOutdoors]

Thx for the quick response and FYI, Mark. Really enjoyed the video. Would love to go out and buy a complete Dashboard table and accessory system but, as a senior citizen I can't justify the outrageous cost. So, after watching your video and a few other workbench builds, I have decided to just build my own, like you, add a couple of T slot rails and purchase a few accessories, like the Dashboard guide clamp to hold the guide rail and maybe a TSO parallel guide square and a few bench dogs for good measure. Thx again for the specific info. Much appreciated. Now, I'll have to chk out a few more DIYMARK videos.

[@peternatoli2555]

Wow Mark. Second time round and I am still picking up more good ideas. Thankyou.

[@sharksys]

I feel like I've seen just every video on home made workbench builds. This, by a long shot, is the best I've ever seen. I'm in a 3-car garage as well. So, the biggest issue is moving things out to build something and putting them all back when you just want to relax. Living in the snow, it's a must for the wife's car to make its way back into it's spot. I want to try to build this, but I'm not sure I'm as talented as you are. Thanks for the brilliant idea!

[@stancrenshaw4578]

This is excellent! Very well thought out and executed.

[@flamabl1]

Damn Mark you nailed it!

[@acrocha1222]

Wow the similarities between my bench design and yours are many. I love the bench cover and think I’ll add it. Also, didn’t know about the company that makes the track saw guide like the festool mft has. Good job.

[@josephKEOarthur]

pro experience. good work .

[@tpaulsmith7194]

Well thought out and executed. Inspirational.

[@justinhillpac]

This is amazing. It has great features that are very well thought out. Excellent job!

[@diegoarmijo1426]

Excellent discovery on my part. Thank you! and thank you for the links for the materials used. Very Useful

[@amiralibazmooneh3169]

This is amazing.

[@kenty2831]

Master level presentation, thank you sir

[@bw162]

Great job, Mark. You’ve got a very creative mind. I have often thought what kind of MFT Kelly Johnson would have made if he designed one instead of the SR-71 which only took 18 months to design and make the first test flight. I’ve taken longer on a shop project. Of course his would be extraordinary and would cost a billion but what a work table!

[@sreval]

Hi Mark, great bench and video ! taking notes for the future ...when I dream to have a small three car garage to work in - and not the deck in my garden. Will be watcing more subd ! - thanks !

[@peternatoli2555]

Nice work Mark. It is great to hear a youtube presentation at my speed.

[@davidlamarand2193]

Nice job, the design, build and presentation.

[@raspyy073]

Awesome work, I plan to use for reference when it comes to mine.

[@piobenn]

Well thought out there were times during the video I could feel myself turning green with envy with the way you thought things out. I will definitely incorporate some of your ideas in my bench.

[@miketwhite04]

Lot of Good Ideas Mark! Thanks for sharing! I plan on using some of these ideas into my workbench soon!

[@1966apc]

Great bench Mark. Thank you for the video.

[@gregf5730]

This bench is a great combination of designs and products. Subscribed

[@davidelliott8571]

Nice work! Lots of good ideas.

[@baraksinz2937]

Genius ideas, sir. Will definitely be implementing.

[@ibitaRaptor]

Spectacular design and execution. Impressed with mobile to stationary transition.

[@planeboardwoodworks5903]

Wow! Just Wow! I’ve been wanting to construct an all in one table for some time now and this is amazing! I’ve got a couple solid core doors I will be using for my top, but the overlay top is an excellent idea…. Lots of great ideas in this. Great work and planning.

[@TheVandersmiths]

Absolutely terrific. I am especially interested in your caster setup. The bench looks like a dream to work with. I want to copy it!

[@FirstFruitsDesignCo]

That caster set up is awesome

[@SingleTrack66]

Great bench

[@mattweaver3277]

I am interested in how you made this. I have been trying to figure out benches that will work for me. This is it. Thank you so much

[@DIYMark]

Hey Matt. Would love to help out. Drop me an email (askdiymark "at" gmail.com) and we can start the conversation. It really has made my work so much easier in so many ways.

[@Brian-xn7so]

Very nice bench.

[@iamthenotbenamed365]

Thanks Brother. some very handy uncommon additions, such as double table top. might include some in our new table ...

[@thevalhallastudio7255]

Stunning bench! It's probably got more features than I'd know what to do with, but you customise your own bench to your own workflow I suppose! Can't wait to have a shop that would suit something as substantial as this!

[@tonymcdevitt3114]

Now that's a very nice workbench - its certainly different to those hulking great immovable units weighing hundreds of pounds (or kilos). You dont always need that much timber especially with the cost of it these days! Some nice added features like use of the metal guide rails with track saw and interchangeable top surface. Much kudos to you for working smarter and making a portable but solid and practical workbench.

[@thorstenengel5912]

We are getting our cellar renovated and I will get a room as workshop with around 12 square meters. Not much but better than woodworking in the garden while it's raining ;-) I am planning my future workshop with sketchup atm and I am thinking about MY perfect workbench while collecting ideas across the internet. Your workbench seems to be able to get MY workbench too ;-) I love your stationary/mobile-function. And the rails for the clamps are great as well. I think I will adopt at least these ideas. Thank you for sharing!

[@diycave5144]

Bugger …. Wish I had seen this before I made my bench. Clever design and fantastic presentation.

[@Hvn1957]

Wonderful well produced video. I wondered about the kerfs in your immaculate top, but I see you answered that. I’ve been evolving a workbench that’s currently halfway between yours, and a pile sticks 😏. You’ve inspired me! I am quite interested in your choice of the Makita track saw. I own a Festool TS55, but I use the Makita at work. I have to say that, except for some nice touches on the Festool, the Makita is the superior saw, at a superior price. Somewhat annoying because I bought the Makita first 🙄. Anyway, thanks for the excellent video. I’m glad it popped up in my feed, and look forward to exploring the rest of your content.

[@leonardkellum6984]

I subscribed when I seen your mobilty, good job.

[@JosePerez-em3xf]

💪🏽Wow. I like it. Thanks for the video.

[@53JolietJake]

Hi Mark, Very nice presentation of your multipurpose workbench, I am watching videos for ideas to building something similar. I particularly like to removeable "cover top from the MFT table. You gave me some good ideas to consider. Thanks. Marty

[@markquinlan3595]

Hey Mark, very nice job on this presentation. Really appreciate your time and effort in putting this out. Liked, subscribed and commented for the algorithm. Be well and God Bless.

[@DIYMark]

Thanks Mark!

[@duncanvincent9106]

Haha, seriously? You lost me at “my workshop is small”. Do you really know how absolutely enormous your space is? A three car garage? Wow. That’s rare for most of us.

[@billbailey7204]

Great video production. Even greater work station. I'm looking to build one I can use in a box truck or trailer. Also move onto the job site when space permits.

[@RJS-cm5mb]

Very impressed with your design and table mobility. I use 8020 series 15 extrusions for my table frame along with a top w/holes mirrored after Peter Parfait. In addition to you, I chose the DashBoard guide rail bracket. My table measures 70" x 27". I am building two "outrigger" tables similar to DashBoard as I had a good number of 1010 extrusions on hand. My legs fold down for storage (gotta fit the car inside) but when upright, the table is very secure. I may incorporate a flat top similar to yours.... thanks for sharing.

[@DIYMark]

Hey, send me some photos (askdiymark "AT" gmail). Would love to see what you have come up with.

[@walter7372]

I was about to pull the trigger on a Dashboard full system when I saw this video. But, like all pre-made things, it never gives you exactly what YOU want. For instance the gorgeous baltic birch MFT style top. If I'm going to use that surface for all of my building with a track saw system it is going to be covered in scratches and muck in a year and there is no resurfacing it. I loved your idea of a 1/4 inch flat surface top that slots on top of it. Problem is where to store it. The walls are all taken up with cabinets and french cleats that hold tools. You got me thinking about a silicone blanket that could roll out over the top and perhaps held down with magnets set in to the bench and easy to roll up and store. I build 3D, edge grain cutting boards in a 400 sq ft shop. I would love to get rid of my table saw, mitre saw (dust monster), and planer. The track system eliminates the saws (although concerned by you describing them as "near" table saw quality precision) and, since you can't use a planer for edge grain anyway, substitute with a surfacing planer that quickly assembles on the bench top and uses a good quality router, of which there are numerous pre-built systems. Thanks so much for your video and the great links. I'm rethinking a lot

[@DIYMark]

So True. I like the idea of a roll-up table top protector of some sort. Let me know what you come up with so I can give it a try!

[@rlamb007]

Excellent! I believe you have truly made the "Ultimate" workbench - Great Video and bench - Thanks for sharing. Plans??

[@djs240]

I have been researching a table similar to your design. I would also like a video or more info on the caster system. Thank you for sharing. Really Great

[@DIYMark]

Thanks for kind words! I have detailed plans and video about the caster system. Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I'll tell you how to get yours.

[@nikzel]

Gotta love those American subjective sizes.... "small, just a three car garage". My shop is 288cm x 139cm (9.5 feet by 4.5 feet).

[@dngriffiths8105]

Here, as in so much in life, size is relative, it seems.

[@kevinwillis6707]

nice bench, would like to see a more in depth video on the caster system, cheers

[@robertjames-life4768]

Incredible, I’d love to see a video detailing your caster release system

[@DIYMark]

Hey Robert I do have a private video detailing the caster system, which is included with the plans. Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I'll give you the details.

[@joelhuchthausen9675]

Thanks for sharing! Would appreciate being pointed to the design of the caster lock mechanism.

[@DIYMark]

Hey Joel. I've got detailed plans and a video about the casters design. Just drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail.com) if interested.

[@DIYMark]

Plans are now available. Reach out to me at askdiymark "AT" gmail and I'll hook you up!

[@claptinfan]

Mark, this is a fantastic design and exactly what I was thinking about in a design I was going to start on soon. A mix between paulk and hooked on wood with a few added features I really like. Anyway you could go into a little more detail on the caster system? That is absolutely perfect!

[@DIYMark]

Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and we can start the discussion and I can share more. 🙂

[@tonynguyen632]

Hi Mark! Great work and video. Plans soon????

[@tonybrown7847]

I really like what you’ve done here. Would be nice if you had plans so we could build the exact table.

[@DIYMark]

Tony I do have plans! Painstakingly done so I could share. Sorry that wasn't clear. Drop me an email and I'll explain how to get yours. (askdiymark "AT" gmail). Cheers!

[@rotatingringbelt]

Do you have plans for your table? I think it’s awesome. You earned my thumbs up and subscription.

[@DIYMark]

Thanks! Yes, I have plans. Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I'll give you the details.

[@natemcclintick5651]

I'm jealous! That's an awesome workbench. Love all the details for making it multi function. How long have you been using it now? Are you scarring up the melamine worktop with saw kerfs when you run the track saw on it? Thanks for sharing.

[@DIYMark]

Thanks for the positive words! I've been using it since middle of October. Couple of woodworking projects. Yeah I planned on routing out a wide groove to put in a sacrificial strip in the top. But using the Dashboard setup it puts the blade in exactly the same spot every time.

[@DadGuyDIY]

Mark I love what you have done. I have been delaying on building my ultimate work/assembly bench because I can’t decide what I want to incorporate from all of the benches I have found on KZbin. I think you have done what I have been trying to do. Do you have any plans?

[@DIYMark]

Hey Chris. Thanks for the positive feedback! Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail" ) and I can share with you what I have. I did capture a lot of video and have been kicking around the idea of a build video but that is probably a way off.

[@AlexK07010]

Very interesting bench. Do you have any plans for it?

[@TwoTracksOutdoors]

Hi Mark. Very much enjoyed your video. I noticed that you are using two different size aluminum extrusion rails on your bench, one with two T-slots and the other with three. Knowing your attention to detail, you must have had a reason for the difference. Could you share why the two different sizes? Also, which profile and dimensions did you choose for your rails? 1"x3", 2040 or other sizes? The fact that you can move your rails up and down is pure genius. Nice job and liked the video so much, just liked and subscribed. Good job.

[@DIYMark]

The thought was that the larger profile (1545) would provide more surface contact/options for vertical clamping operations. It does, but if I had to do it over again I would use the smaller profile for both. The front horizontal rail (1530) is much lighter and easier to move. Plus costs less. And it works just fine for vertical clamping.

[@nasarazam]

You call your workshop tight space??? Everything so relative. This is a very good videos and I got some ideas from it. I would like to incorporate a Vise somewhere. I noticed that you have a separate workbench for that. but for me, everything needs to be incorporated in one work bench. for example, able to hold long boards of hardwood for sawing and chiseling. thanks much

[@Eman-hx1qw]

A lot packed into a small footprint. Well done bench and video presentation. Did you think about a traditional woodworking vise? What made the 80/20 the better solution? Ed

[@DIYMark]

Certainly could be an add on. My thought on the 8020 was to hold large items like an interior door vertical to route hinges for example. Clamping using the dog holes works really well once you get used to it. But I still have a vise mounted to my cabinets.

[@zachgoestoeuro]

The t track on the side is brilliant. The link you have in the description dumps me to their category shop page. Do you mind sharing with us the model number for the rail? ❤

[@DIYMark]

Yeah it works great! The front side horizontal rail is a 1530 running on 1515 verticals. The back side is 1545 same verticals. If I had it to do over again I would have made both 1530. The thought was to have more clamping surface on the back for large projects like for routing hinges on a door. But the smaller one does fine and it's lighter/cheaper. If you have any other questions just email me (askdiymark "at" gmail). cheers!

[@erikherbig8868]

You have some great ideas on your workbench. I would be interested in knowing how you did the mechanism for raising and lowering your table. Is there a video or workbench design that you got this idea from?

[@DIYMark]

Hey Erik. Thanks for reaching out. Yes I have detailed plans and an explanation video about the casters. Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I'll explain.

[@reddawgg45]

Hi Mark, awesome video! I built the frame for my workbench and came across this video. Now I'm trying to figure out how I can add your features into mine haha. One question, where did you find the end caps for your aluminum extrusions that allow access to the track? The ones I've found are just rectangles and cover the access to the tracks.

[@DIYMark]

Thanks for the kind words. Glad to hear you found some useful ideas from the bench. The caps to the 80/20 rails are shop made. That's right just 3/8" hardwood with a couple of dowels that plug into the rail ends. Then remove material where the slots are and some paint. Some cleaver guy with a 3d printer could probably do better. But they work great to protect you when you bump into the sharp aluminum edges. Details are included in the plans. Drop me an email if interested 😄

[@reddawgg45]

@@DIYMark Thank you and great work! They look so clean and finished I didn't even think they were wood.

[@diy-mitri9737]

This is such a wonderful build! Do you have plans? I'd be happy to buy some!

[@DIYMark]

Thanks! Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I can share with you what I have.

[@benkeller3]

Hey Mark Perfect design. The one thing I am confused about is exactly how the casters are dropped with the pull cord. Would appreciate any more info.

[@DIYMark]

Hello Ben. drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and we can start the conversation.

[@johnfuentes7371]

super nice build, I need to make one can you tell me exactly what style aluminum extrusion that you used for that build. I did go to your link for 80/20 and they have so much to choose from I don’t want to make a mistake when I order the rails, 1530-S / 1545-S ?

[@DIYMark]

John. Longer story. Drop me an email (askdiymark "AT" gmail) and I'll give you the details.

[@kelvinp7899]

It kinda funny or sad, I bought a lot of the item's you have in your bench, but mine are still in the boxes they came in. Having watched you video I think it might be time. I was wondering if you can show your clamp rack, Thanks,

[@carlgirolami8973]

Can you tell me what parts were used to hold the horizontal extrusion in place? This looks like the exact solution I’ve been looking for but can’t find it on the 80/20 site

[@DIYMark]

It is a modified piece. It is detailed in the plans. Reach out to me via email for more info. askdiymark "AT" gmail.com

[@RobyWanKenobi]

I use mdf melamine with good luck but still with chamfers everywhere still get chips. How has yours faired?

[@DIYMark]

Hi Richard. So far no issues with melamine chipping. I did have some problems when I first drilled the holes on the back side as the bit blew through. But I figured out scoring them first cured the issue.

[@mattharrison4655]

What specific extruded aluminum rails did you use? Series 15?

[@DIYMark]

Yes. Series 15 works with bench clamps perfectly. The guide rails will work with 15 or 10. I believe.

[@timothyhurley4037]

Mark, do you find that between the dog hole top and the extruded aluminum rails that you would not need bench clamp hardware to hold a board in all positions?

[@DIYMark]

Tim, I may not understand your question fully. Each of them (MFT clamping top, side rails) bring more options to the party. I still use bar clamps (k-body) for casework and F clamps (tradesmen) all the time. But like I show in the video, I'm loving the side rails to hold pieces vertically when I do edge banding. I used to use just a small vise and it was a pain. The dog holes provide a means to put pressure on wide glue ups (like a table top) without relying on cauls (which never seem to put the pressure exactly where you want). As well as providing a means to anchor your project to the bench when you are working on it....sawing, planing, drilling, etc. In short more choices. Lemme know if I answered your question.

[@timothyhurley4037]

@@DIYMark Thank you! I was wondering if clamping like you are edge banding holds well enough to plane the edge as well. It sounds like it is. I would rather not have a bench clamp (or two) as it eats up space. Beautifully designed bench BTW. I really like being able to raise and lower the extruded aluminum rails on the sides. Genius.

[@DIYMark]

@@timothyhurley4037 Thanks Timothy. The horizontal rail + clamps gives you plenty of holding power. I also have some cylinders/handles than slide into the horizontal rails and can support extra heavy items like an interior door (i.e. planing or routing hinges). If I had to build it again I would use 1530 horizontal rails rather than the 1545 that I used on the back side of the bench. The 1545 is overkill and heavier to move up and down.

[@timothyhurley4037]

@@DIYMark Great tip! I am totally stealing those horizontal rails. :) Brilliant idea!

[@veeraeka4296]

hi diy mark

[@gillesdesrosiers696]

Can you give me more details about your plans

[@microdoulo2250]

Can u let me know the rail code u order 80/20 for usd Dashbench Base MFT ? [WHEN YOU PLAY VIDEO 9:08] WHAT TAYPE THE RAIL WITH THE LEG?

[@DIYMark]

The front horizontal rail is a 1530 and the back rail is a 1545. I used the wider rail on the back to provide greater clamping surface. But in hindsight it wasn't necessary. 1530 is fine.

[@frankswoodandminiatures9389]

Your garage is small? My garage you don' t imagen 2 ,50meter to 6 meters😔

[@brianhill1294]

A 3 car garage small 🤦‍♂️ try using a 1 car garage,