build table size ?

[fairchild]

One factor wood vs. steel is the price of raw materials. I have materials for about 1+1/2 9 foot tables and spent about 100$ Thinking wood might be just as much or more.
Another factor is warpage later on. here in central florida the summertime humidity can be over 100% for 3-5 months.

I am using 2x2 x .125 for the top rails (and leg posts). then 1 x2 x .125 for the stretchers and ribs on top and diagonals. 4 legs on each 9 foot table. 3 foot of overhang on one end
will evenly space out the legs when both tables are bolted together. Will make a short set of "horns" on the overhang end so the 2 tables can be pinch bolted together. Top tubes will be drilled with #10 holes so 3/4 mdf can be flush bolted through frame. Will be drilling and tack welding tomorrow ! Will try to post a pic once it looks like something..........

Tim

[fairchild]

So far got the perimeter built- working on putting cross slats in.

[DRLPatrol]

So far got the perimeter built- working on putting cross slats in.

We need pixs, or it doesn't count.

Doug

[fairchild]

OK I will try to post a pic.... here goes !
Guess I should have rotated it !
that's better.........
Be over the week end before I continue. It will have 4 cross pieces that are 1 by 2 inches. The perimeter and cross pieces are drilled to get 10-32 countersunk bolts to hold the MDF
down good and snug. It will take 2 sheets as it is 9 feet long. Shimed it up on 5 gallon pails to get everything level , square and parallel. All 1/8 wall- not real heavy- but it should work
ok if I can keep it true. legs will be 2 by 2 square with a square plate and nut welded inside end to accept a screw-down foot - like on a refrigerator.
If it seems to work- I get to build another just like it !

Tim
The current project is in the background- the motor going into my f-350 flatbed. Will need that when going to get 4 by 8 or 4 by 12 sheet aluminum (2024 t3 alclad) and getting home with it NOT BENT or dinged !

[fairchild]

Got the cross pieces tacked across top and bottom with tiny stick rods, half way through tigging the vert. corners. Next -cut the legs and weld on the bottom caps with internal nuts
for adjustable legs to screw into. Anyone seen those legs for sale anywhere ? they should have a plastic pad on the bottom- about a 5/16 thread ...... ? Didn't see them in northern
catalog....... Mcmaster or msc ?

[Glenn Patterson]

Little late commenting. We built 2 - 4' x 8' tables that we used end to end. When it was time to do the fuselage we cut the legs so the tables were around knee high & put a 4 ft bridge between the tables. It worked well & kept the work at decent heights for the different activities as the work progressed. The low tables made it easy to assemble the fuselage.
Glenn

[fairchild]

Hi Glenn and others!
Yes- several people mentioned shortening the legs on the tables. I suppose will cross that bridge when I come to it....
I have to next choose between 3/4 MDF sheet or maybe 3/4 sanded hardwood ply. MDF is about 30$ and ply about 50$ per sheet. Im thinking MDF might be just as straight
and maybe smoother- less chance of an internal lump telegraphing to the surface. I have been nasty sick with a urnary tract infection. Getting better but still weak from not eating.
Hot to get back to it.........
Tim

[Craig C.]

Tim: Here is a link to the studs. 5/16 is pretty small, 3/8ths would be better and have better weight capacity. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/40610164