Large, Shop Cutting Table

[semenza]

Hi,

            Several months ago I built a  new cutting table for my shop, and had said that I would post it. Well I am finally getting around to doing so. It has worked out well and has many cuts in the sacrificial top layer now.  I am posting this in three  parts in order to allow for more than ten pics.  After using my plunge saw (and regular circular saw before that) for several years making cuts on a folding table with two layer wood top, dragging the hose etc. I had a pretty good list of what I wanted feature wise in my head. 
                  This is not an MFT and not even close to portable. It is made to stay put in one place in the shop and provide a large stable cutting surface. It may be overkill to some degree but it works very well and is my primary cutting set up. It also does not do everything an MFT can do and is not intended to. It is built for the one purpose of cutting sheet goods and long boards as well as small stuff.

             Features-
 
                        Longer and wider than 4' x 8'

                        Full support for the wood being cut

                        Mechanism to get heavy sheets onto table.

                        Full support for the guide rails

                        Narrow sections for shorter cross cuts.

                        No snag edge for hose.

                        Storage for 118" guide rail.

                        Shelf to store cut parts.

                        Ability to use Quick Clamps all the way around.

       The following are construction shots. Nothing fancy about the assembly. It is a framework with legs and a folding leaf section.-

             Main table frame being assembled on bench.
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            Main frame  done and standing on edge.
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            Some fillers to strengthen were legs attach.
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           Legs in place.
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           Folding section attached with folding shelf brackets , partly folded.
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          Folding section unfolded. Upside down on bench.
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          Frame in position.
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           Showing storage shelf underneath. The legs have rectagular frame as well.
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           MDF top.
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           1/4" sacrificial top.
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          The sub top is 3/4" mdf. The shelf on the bottom is some inch thick material similar to MDF , maybe HDF(?).  I am not sure what it is I had picked it up at an auction years ago. But it is incredibly heavy. It adds lots of counter balance weight to the bottom for the sheet tilting mechanism. The complete table weighs in around three hundred pounds.   Overall dimensions are 118" long, 36" wide at the narrow points, 60" wide at the wing, and 32" tall. The folding wing is 24" x 72" centered along the side.

            More to come in part two.

Seth

srs
             

         

           

                       

 

[semenza]

Hi,

   

            The pics show a shelf along one edge to store the 118" guide rail. It is convenient to use and then just slip it under the table edge. Shorter rails hang on the wall behind within easy reach.  The guide rail shelf is positioned to allow for a clamp to vertically span the shelf to the top. So that the swinging clamp mechanism is free to move underneath the shelf. 

               Support strips for guide rails are in various thicknesses about three feet long.  They have dowels in each end that fit into holes drilled around the edge of the table to keep them in place.  But are removable if in the way or to change the thickness to match what is being cut.

              Tilting mechanism for getting sheet goods onto the table.  Two blocks with large dowels are inserted into the  bottom edge of the folding wing. A panel carrier is used to place the sheet onto the blocks. Then the bottom edge  is grabbed and tilted up. The shelf brackets lock into place and the sheet is flat on the table. I was not certain how well this would work out. But it works very well.

   In this shot you can see the rail shelf  just below the table edge.
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    Here is a clamp spanning the rail shelf.
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   Support strips.
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  Being placed in holes.
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    Supporting end of guide rail.
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   Removing the tilt blocks, but this also shows how they go in.
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   Sheet standing on blocks ready for tilting. (about 100# MDO)
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   Another pic of it ready to go.
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   Here it is flat on the table.
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Seth

srs

           

 

[semenza]

Hi,

                OK here is part three.

       This edge of the table has a large round over to keep the hose moving along smoothly.
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       Guide rail support.
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     Cross cutting. The vac is much closer than it appears. About four feet from the table edge.
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      Run out space at end of rail
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     Another clamping spot.
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    Showing leg area.
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  Stack of parts after cutting stored underneath.
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   Hundreds of cuts later.
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           I will add info that I may have missed as I think of it. Please feel free to ask questions.  If anyone wants additional photos of parts etc. let me know.

Seth

srs
       

 

[Qwas]

This is a fine looking table and you can tell a lot of thought went into it.  I bet you spent many a night thinking and dreaming of this table.

The only thing I don't see is a way to square the cutting rail. Is that because you mark the wood before cutting and rely on the marks? Or do you do a lot of angle cuts?

 

[semenza]

This is a fine looking table and you can tell a lot of thought went into it.  I bet you spent many a night thinking and dreaming of this table.

The only thing I don't see is a way to square the cutting rail. Is that because you mark the wood before cutting and rely on the marks? Or do you do a lot of angle cuts?

Hi,
  Thanks,

  Right, I mark the wood.  I have been using Woodpeckers, T squares and rules with very good success.  I plan to get an MFT at some point. I think the table and MFT would compliment each other nicely.

  You are right. A lot of thought went into it.    And yes, at night lying awake  though, not dreaming, I get onto an idea and find that I can't get it out of my head.  I can visualise pretty well it is both a curse and a blessing.  Keeps me up often.

Seth

 

[Qwas]

I get that way too. A project gets in mind and I will work out the details in mind and make sure I'm not forgetting any thing. I will lay awake at night still thinking things through. But I will actually dream of me making it and see the completed project. Sometimes I get good ideas through the dreams so I keep a pad of paper and pencil next to the bed.

I've had some good luck picking out squares but generally I won't trust them for anything that long. I just feel better measuring both ends and putting a mark down and aligning the rail to the marks. I've been looking for a better way but sometimes nothing beats a good tape measure and doing both ends. I was hoping you had some nifty way of doing it already built into the table.

I'm sure you will get years and years of great use out of the table. Well done. When I have a need for cutting lots of plywood regularly, I will be back at this post stealing some ideas. Thanks.

 

[semenza]

I've had some good luck picking out squares but generally I won't trust them for anything that long. I just feel better measuring both ends and putting a mark down and aligning the rail to the marks. I've been looking for a better way but sometimes nothing beats a good tape measure and doing both ends. I was hoping you had some nifty way of doing it already built into the table.

I'm sure you will get years and years of great use out of the table. Well done. When I have a need for cutting lots of plywood regularly, I will be back at this post stealing some ideas. Thanks.

Hi,

      I generally mark both ends too, and sometimes one in the center.    I don't use the T square so much for squaring as I do for marking. The Woodpeckers T Square is set up with holes for accurate marking.    I will now be up at night figuring out a squaring jig for repetitive cuts.  At least until I et the MFT for that purpose.

        I use this for ripping solid wood also.

Seth

 

[Qwas]

I've been thinking of getting one of these:

aSquare

I'm talking the square, not the gal (well actually I've thought about it). It's called aSquare and is available through Lee Valley. I think it would be very easy to build using the 3,4,5 triangle method.

It folds up for easy storage although that is not an issue for you. The short leg has the aluminum protruding on both sides so it can be pushed right up against any straight edge.

 

[RDMuller]

The Asquare is wonderful. 

I have owned mine for years.  Amazon.com also sells it.  I am glad to see Lee Valley is supporting it.  For some reason, it is not very well known in woodworking circles.  I found it while doing some research on a concrete project and actually bought it for checking square on a vertical panel saw that was not cutting plywood correctly.

Measuring 3' by 4' by 5', this triangle is built on the the geometrical Pythagorean theorem (c squared = a squared plus b squared  (remember high school geometry)).  The item is either square or not square.  There is no question about it! It is also useful for setting the fence square to the guide on the MFT 1080 and MFT/3 tables

 

[Qwas]

Thanks for the input on the Asquare. I've been looking at a picture of it for 3 months with plans of building one. Now that I know it's good, I'll push that project up the priority list.

 

[Eli]

Nice table. Thanks Seth for taking the time to post pics.

 

[johne]

Very nice, especially the sheet lifting part, an 8x4 feet sheet of mdf can be a bit of a hassle to get on a table without a second pair of hands
your lift takes care of that nicely.

 

[John Stevens]

Hi, Seth, I just noticed this thread tonight.  Very well thought out, very impressive.  Wish I had room for one.

Regards,

John

 

[semenza]

Very nice, especially the sheet lifting part, an 8x4 feet sheet of mdf can be a bit of a hassle to get on a table without a second pair of hands
your lift takes care of that nicely.

Hi,

  Yes, and it is also good because it helps avoid scratches on surfaces that you can't sand them out of such as MDO, and melamine.

Seth

 

[semenza]

Hi,

   Here is a series of action shots for the tilt mechanism.  I am cheating and using a 1/4" piece for the pics. It may seem like a process but the whole deal only takes about thirty seconds.  I should also note that the lift wing is not just for tilting sheets onto the table, It also provides the width for fully supporting the sheet and rail ends while cutting. The fact that it folds down keeps walk around space free when not in use.

[attachthumb=#]  Carry the panel in.  Sorry for the dark background, thats where the top secret stuff is 

[attachthumb=#] Set the panel on the lift blocks.

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[attachthumb=#] Remove panel carrier.

[attachthumb=#] Hold panel and grab lift wing.

[attachthumb=#] Lift away.

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[attachthumb=#] Keep going until brackets lock.

[attachthumb=#] Remove lift blocks.

[attachthumb=#] Everybody is happy including the lift block 

Seth

srs

 

[johne]

Very cool, all that is missing is a motor and a remote control, great setup

 

[Les]

Thanks for posting with all the great pic's. I've been looking for an easier way to load panels. 8)

 

[osipbloonst]

  Seth that is a marvelous table. One question.

Where does one find the hardware for the tilt mechanism?

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      The folding brackets are from www.woodworkershardware.com   item # SP179416  they are available elsewhere too I am sure. Several types of folding brackets that I have seen would work.  These looked like the best option for the way I built the table ( I can't remember why now).  The wing is also held on / supported by four other 2 1/2"  or 3"  hinges.

       I am very happy with Woodworkers Hardware BTW.  Good packaging and quick service.  Good catalog too.

Seth

 

[Peterm]

Hey, nice table and a fantastic method for getting sheets onto it; I'm a big fan of benches with folding leaves, but hadn't thought of using heavy-duty folding brackets - great idea and thanks very much for posting!

Cheers, Pete.