I have just completed making and installing shelves and duct cover for a range hood cupboard for my nephews new place, I new he had no work benches to work on, so I decided to to make a small portable work bench, made out of mdf top and hardwood (Tas oak) all materials are from Bunnings. The finish has been waxed,(I hate painting) I made it so I can take it apart to fit in the car. It was very useful on site. I routered 20mm equally spaced to allow for clamping the timber to be routered.
Great idea.
I had to look at my cheap hand vices to understand what you've done. So like these, the Irwin Quick Grip end can be disassembled and reassembled?
Yes they can, if not, you can remove the roll pin on the adjusting lever end, then you can pass it through the hole and re fit the clamping part.
Fascinating setup and project @JoeAzza. I really like how you've incorporated the Irwin Quick-grips and would love to do something similar myself. Do those legs fold up for storage? If so, that would be amazing!
Many thanks for sharing.
Mitchell
Hi Mitchell
Unfortunately the legs aren't foldable, I couldn't find anything suitable from Bunnings, so I just had to improvise and come up with this idea, I needed to have it finished and ready to use for the weekend, maybe I might have a look at making foldable legs for the table, I'll post it if I do go ahead.
In the mean time here are some photo's of how I did my table legs. Please excuse the quality of the photo's, I need to get used to getting them uploaded to this site.
I tried a similar process with an old Clint's Warehouse workhorse. From memory the holes were for pegs - where work pieces would butt up against them. The process never really worked.
But my Craftright clamps have no clamping power whatsoever in this scenario.
Hi Mitchell,
Thank you for the inspiration, re folding legs, I decided to modify my portable small work table, I have altered the legs to be foldable, pleases see photo's below. I need to see if I can get some stays for the legs to stay opened, in the meantime I just fitted a piece of timber to hold the legs apart.
Amazing results @JoeAzza!
I must admit my suggestion was partly self-motivated, as you've now created my ideal workbench. I might have to borrow your design!
Many thanks for sharing the updated version. Well done.
I must admit it is a well designed bench. I have done somthing similar myself but used the Irwin Quick Grip Hold down jigs. They can be ordered in by from the. special orders desk.
There are a couple of other adapters as well and my favourite is an extention bracket that lets you join two quick grips together to clamp large jobs.
The Irwin site is well worth a visit.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @cwtears. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for contributing to the conversation.
That's a fantastic suggestion on the hold-down jigs. I actually searched for something similar but didn't realise it was available through our special orders. I really like the deck tool kit as well. It would be perfect when trying to straighten warped boards.
I've been using a bunch of more budget-friendly quick clamps for a while now. They've got the job done but don't have the same clamping force as the Irwin branded ones. They're also at the end of their life as they now slip. I've convinced myself I should invest in four of the medium-sized clamps and the additional wide pads.
We look forward to hearing all about your projects around the house and garden and would encourage you to let us know if you ever need assistance or would like to share them. I trust you'll find the community a fantastic place to share your knowledge and find great inspiration for your own projects at the same time.
Yes the adapters are good and I am slowly changing al of my old plastic cheapies with the Irwin ones. The lock downs used to be on the shelf in Bunnings but I had not seen them for a while so I did a bit of detective work and phoned Irwin and thay said I could get them as a special order. I am in the middle of creating a new work shop and Bunnings is becoming a bit like a home from home.
I am most fascinated by the router guide you are using.... It looks like something you've created yourself(?). Would you share the details on what you used to make it please?
I love seeing the guides and jigs for tools that d.i.y-ers create. They are often far more versatile and practically useful than commercially made items, because they are made with use in mind, rather than saleroom appeal.
Hi
.@TedBear
Is this what you were talking about, it's my router table I made for my handheld variable speed Makita router, I got the idea from Youtube, and bought the track, router plate and on/off switch from Timbecon in Melbourne. I used mdf and Tassie Oak for materials.
I think I posted the information on my router table. I think you were asking about my router power tool rail system.
https://youtu.be/LhPoy9Ng1r4
Thanks @JoeAzza ,
I hadn't come across that post, but will now devour it with interest.
@JoeAzza
love the craftsmanship and quality of the project do you have set of plans or drawings for this, if so any chance of a copy and i see in the back ground a larger what seem to be a jigging table. do you use it much.
@r23on
Hi @r23on
I do have some sketches, however, I made this table quickly as I needed for an offsite job I was doing for someone, these were the only sketches I found. The table in the background is a large version of my portable table, I use it a lot for clamping, gluing and assembly work, it's a multi purpose table.
Thanks for the feedback, when I return to my home location I need to get around to doing the same as I need a good jigging table.Do you remember you renters for the holes?
Mine are set at 96mm centers', same as used on a Festool table
thanks for the info I think i will jump on the cad machine and draw up a unit
