Adding long legs to the Leigh FMT

Sometimes a project calls for drastic action. This is exactly what I had to do, to allow me to cut integral tenons on very long rails for a project for a client.I normally work with the Leigh FMT on the workbench. But now I am using the workbench to make a stand that will allow me to set the FMT on this new stand on the bench: A kind of self-raising, tower crane. I start the process by milling stock for the legs, and all rails. After a couple of test cuts, I am ready to cut the mortises, and then the tenons:

Cutting the mortises:

And now, cutting the tenons:

I always dry fit, prior to glue-up.
I do it in stages – I like to glue up the legs first:

Then I glue the rails onto the two sets
of legs previously assembled, and check for square:

Some tweaking is required – and
hand tools are sometimes the
quickest way to get
it done – thus, the integrated shop:

Now I can test the surface mount
Leigh clamps on the new plywood top:

The self-raising, tower crane-like FMT
on its new perch, with a mock-up of a long rail;
I must design a cleat to make attachment
to the bench a little cleaner:

This little stand will allow me to cut integral tenons on long work pieces. But I still must figure out a way to better clamp all four corners – I think I will probably use cleats on either side of the stand.

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