Below is a collection of some of the most frequently asked questions about the MPT. If you have a question that isn't covered here, you can click the button at the bottom of the page and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to build?
The cost to build the MPT will vary depending on your country and how many of the materials you might already have on hand. To give you a rough idea though, my MPT cost me about $190 Canadian to build. That includes all the hardware, plywood and MDF required to build the MPT.
Are the plans available in metric?
Unfortunately no, the plans are not available in metric right now. Many people have purchased the imperial plans and built their MPT in metric by converting though. I hope to have a set of metric plans available in the future but as of right now they are not available.
If I live in the U.s. where can I source the leg material?
The material for the legs of the MPT can easily be sourced from Home Depot if you live in Canada but for some reason Home Depot in the US doesn't stock it. I have been told by those that have built MPT's in the US that the best source there is Metals Depot. If you are outside of the US and Canada, you should be able to source the leg stock at most local or online metal suppliers. The aluminum wall thickness should be .065”.
Can the size of the MPT be modified?
Yes the dimensions of the MPT can be modified to suit your custom needs. That is one of the advantages of the design of the MPT. The MPT itself as well as the accessories can be customized to how you work unlike many commercially available systems. If you are planning on making the MPT smaller than the plans show, just be sure to still allow space for all the components to pack up inside of the top. If you are planning on making the MPT larger than the plans show, you may need to add additional width or thickness to supporting components to support the extra size and weight.
There's nothing too specialized required to build the MPT, but tools that are helpful are: a table saw, miter saw, plunge router, drill press, cordless drill, pocket hole jig, biscuit joiner, jigsaw, circular saw or track saw, as well as basic hand tools. As with any woodworking task, there are creative ways to make certain tools work in the place of other tools, so you don’t necessarily need to have everything in that list to build an MPT. Learn more about the small space where I built my MPT here.
What tools are required to build the MPT?
Do I need an expensive jig to drill the 20mm holes in the top?
No, there is no expensive jig or specialized setup required to accurately drill the 20mm holes in the MPT top. The MPT instructions include how to make a simple shop-made jig that allows the holes to be drilled with a cordless drill, a 20mm drill bit, and a bushing. The instructions also cover the process for using the jig to achieve perfectly accurate and aligned holes.