This is what I did.... Updated 1/23 w/pics

[JeromeM]

OK.  Here is an idea that could reduce weight depending on how closely you spaced the ribs.  On the underside if you can locate the ribs, using a jigsaw or a hole saw or drills bits, you could remove material in the vacant areas.  

You could also drill the top with a hole pattern like an MFT if you have voids in the bottom to get rid of sawdust.

Peter

That's exactly the original design for my workbench base. Although my reason was to let dust and small parts fall through.

So far I haven't bothered to cut out the base ( though I made the jig 2 years ago) because the top is still loose, so I just lift it up to clean or retrieve bits.

 

[rjwz28]

OK.  Here is an idea that could reduce weight depending on how closely you spaced the ribs.  On the underside if you can locate the ribs, using a jigsaw or a hole saw or drills bits, you could remove material in the vacant areas.  You could also use Matt's sketches and instead of having the pivot point mid way front to back, move the pivot to the rear more taking into account you ultimate work surface height and then only add 2 front legs and use what Matt drew as the rear legs.

You could also drill the top with a hole pattern like an MFT if you have voids in the bottom to get rid of sawdust.

Peter

I know where the braces are underneath so I could cut out some circles or squares to lighten it up.  Hope it wouldn't affect the strength though.

And I was thinking the same thing that you suggested as why not offset the pivot point to mattfc's sketch and then when I tilt it in the working postion just use 2 more legs on the other side.  But again what jmbfestool said made sense too and would it be too hard to lift up the other side when the pivot point is not in the center?

I'm wondering....

 

[rjwz28]

Well, for starters, you shouldn't have built it out of MDF. MDF is a lot heavier than plywood.

I'm sure if you're willing to loan the OPer your time machine, that comment will be of some use.

Ha ha ha.  I thought that was pretty funny myself William. It's funny how people like to give their ideas about what I should have done.  It's done already.  I'm looking for a solution in the present term.

And I built it like that because several people have made them with the same material that I did and I didn't hear anything about the weight or I may have changed some things. Also, I don't think 1/2" ply would be as flat as mdf and if I am correct on that then that would defeat the purpose of the whole table.

I thank all of you who've gave me an idea.

Rob

I dont think thats fair seen as Mattfc has given you a very good starting point on how to help with your problem! Even drew you a sketch to help to explain.  William Herrold...... he helped you in being sarcastic umm yeah you can use that with your problem you have with your bench be sure to thank him for that.

He was only saying using MDF wasnt a good idea and so if you was to make another one in the future you know not to use MDF due to its weight increase.  

Good Quality ply is completely fine and is flat enough.   Problem with MDF healtwise is worse than plywood

I think his pivot table is a good solution to your problem.  Like Pete said you can alter the position of the pivot but this only makes the table heavier to lift up and down having the pivot closer to the centre or in the middle keeps it lighter to rotate.

I don't get what nots fair that he drew me a sketch?  I think I'm going with his design and I thank him for it.

Telling me what I should have done doesn't really help me.  The plans that I copied (from David Marks who I regard highly) were made with mdf and I went with that plans so I'm trying to remedy this problem and not make another one.  Now if my OP was what should I do on my next one or what did I do wrong, now that's another story.

And I think you have a valid point about altering the pivot point on mattfc's design.  I was thinking the same thing and how much would it take to level it by hand when the pivot isn't centered?  I could save on 2 legs instead of 4.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[festoolviking]

Looking forward to a picture (or video) of the finished table, good luck

 

[mattfc]

I don't get what nots fair that he drew me a sketch?  I think I'm going with his design and I thank him for it.

Telling me what I should have done doesn't really help me.  The plans that I copied (from David Marks who I regard highly) were made with mdf and I went with that plans so I'm trying to remedy this problem and not make another one.  Now if my OP was what should I do on my next one or what did I do wrong, now that's another story.

And I think you have a valid point about altering the pivot point on mattfc's design.  I was thinking the same thing and how much would it take to level it by hand when the pivot isn't centered?  I could save on 2 legs instead of 4.

Thanks again everyone.

p.s. I suggested putting the pivot in the centre because if you put it on one edge, and if the top is as heavy as you say it is,
1) you will be ok when you fold it down, but when you come to lift it up, there will a lot of lateral force of the top of the pivot and it will probably tip the trolley over sideways,
2) The width of the torsion box is such that if you pivot from one edge, you would have to make the pivot point at least at the height of width, else it wouldn't fold down to the perpendicular.. and I think the height to allow it work would not be a good working height (~1.2m)
3) If pivoted from the edge you have to pick up pretty much the full weight, so back to square one

make sense?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Well, for starters, you shouldn't have built it out of MDF. MDF is a lot heavier than plywood.

I'm sure if you're willing to loan the OPer your time machine, that comment will be of some use.

Ha ha ha.  I thought that was pretty funny myself William. It's funny how people like to give their ideas about what I should have done.  It's done already.  I'm looking for a solution in the present term.

William and rjwz28, it's just an idea, nothing more. Sometimes when you've made a mistake it's the best solution to start over, especially if you tend to use that what you were building for a long time, which I think, might be true in this case. With my remark, I'm just indicating that another option is available, if you're willing to go that way.

If you're not willing to go that way, then be prepared for a patchwork solution to your problem that will remind you of your mistake as long as your workbench is in use. And no matter what solution you decide to follow, this workbench will remain heavy every time you use it and you will not like it. Because of the patchwork solution, this thing will also use up more space than originally planned and you will not like that either. 

I am glad that while my little idea was of no value to you I could at least offer you some comic relief in your darkest, desperate hour. After all, that's what the good hearted nature of this forum is about, and if we can't offer any practical solutions to the problem at hand, we at least try to keep up your morale.  [wink]
 

 

[Jay Knoll]

I just noticed an article in FWW Tools and Shops issue about a cart to move sheet goods that had a very slick pivoting mechanism, it might give you some more ideas and details about the idea suggested earlier in this thread (sorry can't remember who suggested that)  [unsure]

Jay

 

[spikfot]

I just noticed an article in FWW Tools and Shops issue about a cart to move sheet goods that had a very slick pivoting mechanism, it might give you some more ideas and details about the idea suggested earlier in this thread (sorry can't remember who suggested that)   [unsure]

Jay

There's one in the latest Felder/ Hammer sale catalog. I'll look it up.

 

[Steve R]

Nuke it from orbit... just to be sure...  . Oh sorry was just watching Aliens

Cheers,
Steve

 

[jmbfestool]

OHHHH CRAP!!! 

Now  I understand!!!  [embarassed] [embarassed] [embarassed] [embarassed]

I thought MAttfc had said  '''Well, for starters, you shouldn't have built it out of MDF. MDF is a lot heavier than plywood'''

It was Alex! OOPS!  I dont know why I thought it was Mattfc!  I flicked through the posts and had it in my head it was Mattfc! [embarassed]

I take back everything I said sorry!!!

 

[mattfc]

There's one in the latest Felder/ Hammer sale catalog. I'll look it up.

Like this one? Again, its the pivot in the middle (sheet material would be be half below half above the pivot) that is what helps the design and bear most the weight

 

[spikfot]

Thanks, mattfc. That's the one.

 

[Jay Knoll]

I just found it on their website

http://www.finewoodworking.com/PlansAndProjects/PlansAndProjectsPDF.aspx?id=34371

you have to be a member to view it, but there is a 14 day free trial

An alternative to buying the Felder (which is very slick by the way) but I think it is big bucks
Jay