Folding/ portable MFT style tabletop

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Nov 1, 2020
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As always space is limited in the truck. I can fit a worktop that is 24”x72”x 3” so im seeing my only option being two baltic birch plys this size and a piano hinge or something similar connecting them. Thinking about 5/8” BB because of weight mostly and im not expecting it to last forever. I realize if i drill out the holes they may not be perfect but I mainly use them for clamping anyhow. Im really surprised i cant find anything similar online as i know space is limited for so many of us and we all need a good worktop. Thanks for any input!
 
I use a 2'x4' centipede with 2"x4" and a 2'x4' mdf top. Packs up nice and tight. I drilled the top half standard mft style and half isometric. Like you mostly clamping and layout work. I almost wish I didn't do the whole top in holes but just bar bones so I have a more complete drawing area. Oddly enough I haven't actually made a cut on it yet.
 
Bertotti said:
I use a 2'x4' centipede with 2"x4" and a 2'x4' mdf top. Packs up nice and tight. I drilled the top half standard mft style and half isometric. Like you mostly clamping and layout work. I almost wish I didn't do the whole top in holes but just bar bones so I have a more complete drawing area. Oddly enough I haven't actually made a cut on it yet.

Nice! I really need something a bit larger. I threw the centipede idea out there but not sure if it would work with a hinged top. I also may not drill out the holes on the whole surface possibly just half or less. Appreciate the reply! I know i cant be the only person to have thought of a portable hinged top
 
I bought an aluminum ATV ramp- it folds in two and is 24"x72" folded, and 48x72 open.  If you buy the right one, it is superlight, like 15lbs- way less than plywood and can hold something like 1000 lbs.  I hotglued a sheet of rigid foam to it for cutting, but would be easy to lay a perforated top on it.  I put it on some Dewalt sawhorses and the whole thing packs down super compact.
 
Koryjk83@gmail.com said:
Bertotti said:
I use a 2'x4' centipede with 2"x4" and a 2'x4' mdf top. Packs up nice and tight. I drilled the top half standard mft style and half isometric. Like you mostly clamping and layout work. I almost wish I didn't do the whole top in holes but just bar bones so I have a more complete drawing area. Oddly enough I haven't actually made a cut on it yet.

Nice! I really need something a bit larger. I threw the centipede idea out there but not sure if it would work with a hinged top. I also may not drill out the holes on the whole surface possibly just half or less. Appreciate the reply! I know i cant be the only person to have thought of a portable hinged top

Bora actually started making a folding top for their 2'x4' centipede. But you would still be stuck with 2 would and use twice the storage space. Of course you could still manage it by hinging a piece on with a couple fold up legs but the ATV ramp sounds pretty cool as well.
 
Bertotti said:
Koryjk83@gmail.com said:
Bertotti said:
I use a 2'x4' centipede with 2"x4" and a 2'x4' mdf top. Packs up nice and tight. I drilled the top half standard mft style and half isometric. Like you mostly clamping and layout work. I almost wish I didn't do the whole top in holes but just bar bones so I have a more complete drawing area. Oddly enough I haven't actually made a cut on it yet.

Nice! I really need something a bit larger. I threw the centipede idea out there but not sure if it would work with a hinged top. I also may not drill out the holes on the whole surface possibly just half or less. Appreciate the reply! I know i cant be the only person to have thought of a portable hinged top

Bora actually started making a folding top for their 2'x4' centipede. But you would still be stuck with 2 would and use twice the storage space. Of course you could still manage it by hinging a piece on with a couple fold up legs but the ATV ramp sounds pretty cool as well.
Ive seen those. I haven’t actually used a centipede table but they look efficient. I want to cut out a square for a router drop in so i always wondered how they’d fare with that later force

Dane said:
I bought an aluminum ATV ramp- it folds in two and is 24"x72" folded, and 48x72 open.  If you buy the right one, it is superlight, like 15lbs- way less than plywood and can hold something like 1000 lbs.  I hotglued a sheet of rigid foam to it for cutting, but would be easy to lay a perforated top on it.  I put it on some Dewalt sawhorses and the whole thing packs down super compact.
Damn that would be great! Thin and light. Do you recall brand or where you bought it?
 
What about a modular worktop system that utilizes your Systainers as the base.
 

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Koryjk83@gmail.com said:
Ive seen those. I haven’t actually used a centipede table but they look efficient. I want to cut out a square for a router drop in so i always wondered how they’d fare with that later force

I use a Centipede with a holey BB top for assembly and etc. Honestly, even with extensive modding I don't think it could be hacked to work well as a router table. I still love it for what it is. Quick and light bench legs.
 
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