MPT on Finish Work

I was recently trimming out an entire house renovation and the MPT served as my work centre.  The MPT allowed me to assemble all of my build-outs, Boston header mitered returns etc. on a stable and comfortable work surface.  Also, in lower light conditions the attachment on the dust arm for my Bosch FL12's works great for adding some extra work light.  Being able to easily clamp down the sills to jigsaw and rout them was very convenient.  I find the lower shelf to be indispensable as a convenient place to have the tools I am currently using close at hand.  Dust extraction is a must for me in many of the spaces that I work in and having the dust hose arm to take the weight of the hose makes things much easier.  Another upside to using a work table that you built yourself versus a commercially made one is you get a lot of comments and interest from both clients and other trades.

Assembling Build-outs

Routing the Sills

Extra Light from FL12's

Cutting the Horns

MPT On Site

I recently used the MPT on site to do a kitchen renovation job.  Having a solid, versatile and efficient work table to use while working in a clients home is essential.  Also, using a work table that you built yourself is a great additional example of your work to clients.  Here are a few photos of it set up and in use.

The versatility and efficiency of clamping to the MPT works perfect for drilling pocket holes in workpieces.  Also the shelf below is a perfect place to keep drill cases close at hand while working.

The MPT allows gable panels to be solidly clamped in place for a precise cut to a scribe line.  The working height of 37 1/2" makes it very ergonomic as well to minimize back and neck strain.






Using a circular saw and a cross cut jig the MPT makes a great cross cut station.  The dust hose arm accessory also takes the weight off the hose and keeps it out of the way.  Again the shelf below keeps tools and fasteners close at hand.  The rubber feet on the MPT also prevent damage to the clients flooring.

MPT in Action

Here are a few action shots of the MPT set up outside today. I had to break down a sheet of melamine and a sheet of ply for the cabinet I'm building for a kitchen reno. The MPT along with the accessories that I built for it worked very efficiently in conjunction with the track saw to both rip and cross cut all the pieces.  Once all the cutting was done the MPT turned into a sanding station and then an assembly table. The MPT has really transformed how I am able to work in an ultra portable and efficient way. Being able to work on site with the same setup as in the shop is a huge advantage.

With the sawhorse and plywood strip accessory I was able to quickly and easily make all my rip cuts with full support for each sheet.  The MPT gives a very comfortable working height and solid support for full sheets.

The plywood strips also provide a great surface for making cross cuts on pieces that are wider than will fit between the Parf dogs.

 Cutting all the cabinet parts square and to length was quick and easy with the cross cut accessory and Parf dogs.  No measuring and marking was necessary with the built in bench tape.  The dust hose arm kept the hose out of the way and kept it from dragging on edges.

After all the parts were cut, the MPT made a great surface for sanding and routing and will also be used for assembly next.

MPT Accessories

I have developed a series of accessories for the MPT to expand its applications and utility as well as make work faster, easier and more accurate.  All of the accessories integrate into the MPT's system of 20mm holes as a means of registration and attachment.  Below are some photos of the accessories that I have designed and built along with a brief description.  You can purchase a complete set of plans and instructions on how to build your own MPT accessories here.

Power Block Mount

The power block mount allows a power block or bar to be easily mounted anywhere on the aprons or stretchers for easy accessibility.  This accessory registers in any two holes and secures with knobs from behind.


Tool Tray

The tool tray gives a place to keep tools and supplies out of the way but close at hand.  The tray will mount anywhere around the perimeter of the MPT so it can be placed wherever works best for the given task.  The tray is also sized to fit in an L-Boxx for easy transportation.


Cross Cut Jig

The cross cut jig works in conjunction with the Parf dogs and gives two major advantages.  It avoids having to cut into the MPT top when making cross cuts and it also has a built in bench tape for quickly setting the stop block for repeat cuts.  The jig registers on the table so that it installs and removes easily and sits in exactly the same position each time.  The bench tape is set in a shallow dado so that it is flush with the surface.  The stop block is simply set to the desired measurement and clamped in place.  The cross cut jig makes very quick work of cutting parts to length very accurately.  There is also now an extension wing that extends to the right side of the cut that gives full support to the work piece.  The extension wing rests on the same saw horse and riser jig setup that the sacrificial cutting strips do.


 Sacrificial Cutting Strips








The sacrificial cutting strips create a cutting surface for full or partial sheets of material.  The plywood strips are supported beyond the MPT by two sawhorses with riser jigs clamped on top to bring them to the same height as the MPT surface.  The strips avoid cutting into the MPT top and also give support for a full 4x8 sheet.  The riser jigs have a height adjustment feature built in so they can be leveled with the top of the MPT on uneven surfaces. 


Dust Hose Arm

 
The dust hose arm holds a dust extraction hose out of the way and takes the weight of the hose off of the tool.  The arm will mount anywhere around the perimeter of the table and the top of the arm rotates around to any angle and locks with a wing nut.  The dust hose arm mounts in the same way that the power block mount and tool tray do.





Wheel Brackets

The wheel bracket accessory allow the MPT to be easily rolled around the shop or site.  This adds to the ease of use since the MPT doesn't have to be emptied off and carried to change it's location within a room or the shop.  The wheel brackets securely and quickly mount to one end of the MPT and then the opposite end is lifted up slightly to shift the weight onto the wheels.  The MPT can then be easily wheeled around and steered to change it's position.

MPT Plans & Instructions

A full set of plans and instructions are available for purchase to build your own MPT!  The 24 page PDF includes 13 dimensioned drawings and details, instructions and photos on various aspects of the construction process as well as a detailed cut list, hardware list and hardware source list.  Each drawing is in full colour and has detailed notes and dimensions.  This comprehensive package includes all the information you need to build your own MPT.  You can also now purchase a full set of MPT accessory plans and instructions with the base MPT plans or separately.  To learn more about the accessory plans and instructions click here.  To see what people have said about the plans after purchasing them scroll down in the side bar to the right to see Comment Quotes.

Example from drawing set

To purchase the original Base MPT 24 page PDF package click on the link below.

To see photos and reviews from others that have purchased MPT plans and built their own MPT click here.

Base MPT Drawings & Instruction Package
$25.00 CAD
Click to purchase at danpattison.com

To purchase the complete package including the base MPT plans & instructions as well as the MPT accessory plans & instructions click on the link below.  The accessory plans & instructions sell for $15 so by purchasing them in a bundle you save $5.  This complete package gives you all the information you need to build your own MPT along with all of the accessories.  To learn more about the accessory plans click here.

Base MPT & Accessories - Complete Drawings & Instruction Package
$35.00 CAD
Click to purchase at danpattison.com

What is the Multi Purpose Table?

The Multi Purpose Table (MPT) is a portable work table that I have designed and built to fill the need for a shop-built, easily portable work table that allows for the integration of various accessories for an ultra-efficient, portable workflow.  All of the components of the MPT completely pack up within the top section of the table for easy transportation or storage of the MPT.  There are various accessories that work with the MPT both shop made and commercially available that further expand its use and efficiency.  The MPT can be used for just about any woodworking task such as sanding, sawing, routing or assembly.  Some key features are: the easy use of clamps anywhere on the table via the 20mm holes, track saw integration with Parf Dogs, easy portability, and easy integration of custom shop made accessories.  Click here to see the shop made accessories that have been developed for the MPT and their uses.  Accessories or clamps can also be used in the 20mm holes in the aprons and stretchers.  Plunge-cut track saw integration of virtually any brand with the use of Parf Dogs is one of the main features and uses of the MPT.  Below are several photos illustrating some of the uses of the MPT.

To purchase detailed plans and instructions on how to build your own MPT click here.  You can also view photos and reviews from others that have purchased MPT plans and built their own here.

Accurate cross cutting with a track saw

Assembly Table

Routing

Breaking down sheet goods

Plane stop

Board clamped to apron

Easy clamping for sawing and shaping of work pieces

Sanding table with dust hose arm

 The MPT also features a shelf that can be used to put tools or tool cases on to keep them out of the way and close at hand.

Tool shelf

The key to the MPT's design is being quickly and easily disassembled, packed up and moved to another location.  This feature is also useful for storing the MPT, taking up a minimal amount of space.  The legs and stretchers quickly disassemble and store on the underside of the shelf.  The shelf then nests and locks inside the aprons of the top making an easily transported or stored package.  The MPT weighs in at approximately 52 lbs making it very manageable to transport easily.

MPT packed up

MPT being transported in a hatchback car

Check out the MPT video explaining how it works and showing how the MPT assembles.

And also the video showcasing the shop made MPT accessories and how they work.

For a list of commercially available accessories from Lee Valley Tools click on the links below:

20mm Accessories
Parf Dogs