Does a table qualify as a tool?

[lakespookie]

I think so and this table is in agreement.

[Area 51%]

Looks like an official EAA workbench to me. I made three. It cost me an extra sheet of plywood, but I made two of the tables with an overhang. They both have a 2in lip across the front, but one has a lip on the left edge, and the other has a lip on the right. That way I can put the tables together end-to-end and have a long table with overhangs on three sides, or put them back-to-back and have a nearly square table with lips on 3 sides. Nothing like having a clamping surface.

Another modification I made was to screw a couple of 2x4s across the bottom frame, and fit the bottom shelf inside the whole table frame to have an edge to keep things from sliding off the shelf during table moves.

These tables are indeed a valuable tool. These things are so strong, I was able to build the spars on them.

[WesRagle]

Hi Johnny,

That's a fine looking table. On the second one be sure to leave some overhang on the edge to clamp to.

Edit: Oops, Randy beat me to it.

Wes

[lakespookie]

Thanks for the tip I didn't consider clamping to it but I can see how that could be useful. Unfortunately I am committed at this point to the next one being pretty much a clone of the first since 2/3rd of my wood is already cut. I am planning to modify the plans and use the scrap plywood to make a third 4 foot by 2 foot table. I have about that much space left in the garage with some rearrangement to setup a tool station table and I have the wood from the shipping pallets for the kit and all the tools to make the third table. That will probably happen next week after the dreaded kit inventory begins.

[WesRagle]

Hey Johnny,

Thanks for the tip I didn't consider clamping to it but I can see how that could be useful.

I can only speak from my own experience, but if you don't leave a good edge to clamp to you I think you will regret it about 1000 times during the build. Of course you could just screw a piece of scrap to the table and use that.

Another point, the top of the table will be shredded in short order. Consider something as simple as pilot drilling a hinge. You either have to be very careful or there will be one hole in your table for every inch of hinge. It's nice to be able to easily pull the top off and replace it. Also, particle board is much nicer to drill into.

One more point. The bottom shelf tends to get abused. Oil spills, dust, etc . I find it better to verathane it for easy cleaning.

First table over 20 years ago:



A more recent table:





Best of Luck,

Wes

[Bryan Cotton]

One feature I always build into tables is wheels. Very handy! Check out the video, skip to 2:30 if it is too boring.


My edges are not great for clamping. I do have a few deep clamps I can use. I have no qualms about using screws to hold things down or drilling into the table in general. I see the table as a consumable item. It is a tool.