Welcome to the MPT Blog! The MPT is a portable work table that I designed and built to fill the need for an efficient, shop-built table that is easily portable and works with a variety of accessories. Please visit my new site, danpattison.com for more information about the MPT as well as to purchase plans.
Here are some shots from the DP Shop Talk episode showing the MPT L-Boxx Worktop in action for a variety of common woodworking tasks. Click on any photo to enlarge it. Click here to watch the full episode on YouTube.
The MPT L-Boxx worktop can be used for a variety of common woodworking tasks such as drilling, routing, sawing or sanding. The convenient clamp anything anywhere setup allows all of these operations to be done easily and with both hands on the tool. It can also be used with stationary tools such as using it as a miter saw stand or table saw outfeed support. Similar to the MPT, Parf Dogs can be used on the worktop to create an accurate cross cut station for a track saw.
If you don't have a stack of L-Boxxes you can still use the MPT L-Boxx
Worktop by clamping it to any other workbench, table or even saw
horses. This gives you the same features and utility of the worktop
without the need for a full stack of L-Boxxes. Another alternative way to use the MPT L-Boxx Worktop is clipping it on top of a Bosch dust extractor to give an easily mobile work surface that will roll around with you. To purchase a full set of plans and instructions or for more information click here.
I have just finished designing and building a new MPT style worktop for use with Bosch or Sortimo L-Boxxes! This new worktop has the same system of 20mm holes as the MPT and therefore can be used for some of the same tasks with some of the same accessories. I've also created a full set of plans similar to the MPT plans. For jobs where you don't have space to set up the full MPT or jobs that are too small to require it, this is the perfect solution. Measuring 20"x24" it gives a generous sized worktop and is also solid with a bolted connection. The MPT L-Boxx Worktop is designed to mount to an L-RACK-S quickly and easily with no major modifications to the L-RACK-S. By using an L-RACK-S to mount the top to it gives space under the top to accommodate accessories, such as clamps or Parf dogs. The height of the worktop is adjustable by varying the number and combination of L-Boxxes that you use under it. It basically gives you a mini MPT that is extremely portable and can go along with you anywhere your L-Boxxes do. Click here to see the MPT L-Boxx Worktop in action.
The MPT L-Boxx Worktop allows you to clamp work down in the same way that the MPT does and use accessories like the Parf Dogs to make the worktop into a mini track saw cutting table. The worktop attaches to the L-RACK-S in seconds with 4 machine screws that are captured within the L-RACK-S so there is no loose hardware to keep track of. The hardware setup is all detailed in the plans as well as the precise location of the grooves that get milled in the bottom of the worktop to accommodate the nibs and locking cleats of the L-RACK-S. The worktop can be quickly uninstalled from the L-RACK-S and it can be used as a normal L-RACK-S with L-Boxxes clipped on top of it again since the mounting hardware does not interfere with it's normal operation. Here are a couple of quick Instagram videos that I made showing how the MPT L-Boxx Worktop works as well as a full DP Shop Talk episode showing it in detail.
This is a section for photos and reviews from MPT users who have built an MPT from the plans. If you have completed your MPT and would like to have it featured here please send along some photos and a review to my email address.
Entry #1
The first entry comes from Mike who has completed two MPT's to suit his workflow. He added some custom features on his MPT's including T-track for Festool clamp integration on one apron, a bracket to hold his tracksaw rails and some additional ribbing on the underside of the shelves to carry heavier loads. Mike has put his MPT's to work right away and has sent some photos of them set up on site. Thanks for the photos and review Mike and great job on your MPT's!
"Great design, Very well documented plans. Stable, functional, compact,
and easily transported work tables. What more could you ask for. I
expect them to last a very long time"
- Mike
First of two completed
Two MPT's together on site
Festool clamp integration
Entry #2
Here is the second entry for the MPT user section from Casey. Casey is a carpenter and has been using his recently completed MPT for doing trim work on site. He built his MPT following the plans exactly and it turned out great. He used Danish oil to finish the MPT and it gave it a nice rich colour. Thanks for the photos and review Casey, it looks great! Below is a quote and some photos from Casey.
"Day 1 in the books for my MPT table and I love it! I’m using it here to plane down an edge for cased
opening jambs. It’s great to be able to clamp it in this position for
planing. I just wish I would have built this weeks ago before my current
trim job started!"
-Casey
Shiny new MPT!
MPT on site loaded with tools
MPT being used for edge planing
MPT being used to make door jambs
Entry #3
Here is the third entry for the MPT user section
from Michael. Michael made some modifications from the plans to suit his requirements including the size of the top and was able to make it from a 1/4 sheet of MDF. He wasn't able to purchase the aluminum tubes for the legs where he lives so he improvised with some wooden legs which turned out great. Michael is also the first entry to have some MPT accessories included in the build. Great job Michael and thanks for the photos! Below is a quote and some photos from Michael.
"Thanks so much for the plans for this table, I know it'll be an excellent addition to my shop."
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.
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:
