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I don't have the plans, but Dad built our 18' long tables out of 4x4 legs every 6 feet and used 2x12s for the frame. The tops are 3/4" plywood. They all have sheet metal tops glued to them. The sides have the 2x12s screwed diagonal. That was 20 years ago. I can't remember when they weren't here.
Posts: 764 | Registered: Jan 2001
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Hi Rick, You might also try some "6 Pack" tables which have worked great for me. For each table you'll need one solid core door (used doors work great & can usually be found for free or cheap) and eight 2x4's. #1-Lay a solid core door on the shop floor (this gives you a flat surface & a template for the next step). #2-Cut 2x4's to size & lay them on edge on top of the door to form a rectangle frame & nail corners together. (don't attach to door yet) #3-Make 4 legs from doubled 2x4's (nailed two thick to make 4x4 legs) & nail to inside corners of the frame. #4-Cut 2 braces for each corner (with 45 degree ends) from 2x4's & toe-nail to legs, check for squareness & then nail to inside of frame. #5-Flip completed frame with legs & braces over, lay door on top & nail to frame. #6-Cover top with 1/8" masonite for a work surface that can be easily replaced. These go together fast (it took longer for me to type this up than it does to build one) especially if you use a power mitre box saw or a radial arm saw & an air-powered nail gun. You can also use drywall screws if you don't have access to a nail gun. You wind up with a table that's heavy enough not to slide around if you want to really pound on something yet can still be moved by one person. They're also sturdy enough to handle an incredible amount of weight (we've stacked twenty sheets of 3/4"x4'x8' sheets of particle board on them). Oh yeah, the reason we called 'em "6 pack" tables is the guys I had helping in the shop seemed to measure time by their rate of beverage consumption & they could build six tables per six-pack.
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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I dont have plans... but we decide the size we want and then fabricate the frames out of welded steel square tubing.... real sturdy! A heavy steel top finishes things off
We always put locking good quality castors on all our fabrications... i like flexibility!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Here's a pic of mine 8x16, glass top. The racks are great on the end for hanging banner & magnetic material, transfer tape ect..plenty room underneath for vinyl, substrates ect..
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hey SI AND John Martin Robson if you could e-mail me a picture of your tables i would greatly appreciate it as i trying to build one now thanks in advance
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Si & John, please add me to the list for pictures of your tables (wish I'd of thought of sending an email instead of spending 20 minutes typing my post above).
Dan, once again I really like your thinking "outside the box". Sounds like you not only like "Flexiblity" but also have an appreciation for "Industrial Strength".
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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i've found that its good to have the legs and cross bracing and any other structure (shelves, whatever) at 4 to 6 inches in from the edge of the bench. that way you don't kick the things and scrape your knees and shins.
i also like having a thinner 2' overhang -- this allows you to clamp things to the edge easily. (if the 2x4 goes right to the edge you can forget about spring loaded clamps).
the plywood top can have cutouts to make the glass into a light table, as others have mentioned elsewhere.
here's my quick page of details - hope it helps.
(ps: find a few tables you like and take the height measurement from them. i'm 6'3" tall, and my benches are generally higher than most other guys like).
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Hi Folks, Many thanks to you all for all the design plans and tips on how to construct a work table. We constructed a table on Sunday and it is "fantistic". We will post a picture as soon as our digital camera arrives. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
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Ronnie I think your tables look great, I would like to build something similar with heavy duty castors under (with brakes) so they could be moved around or joined or made up in different forms for those jobs that demand.
I too would be interested in any plans that are available.
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