Build Table Suggestions

[crash-n-burn]

So guys I am going to build my first Carden, a 40% extra. I had some ideas for a build table from a torsion box to a solid core door. I spoke with Dennis at Carden and he was really not a fan of building a table out of 2x4's with either a ply top or a solid core door. He says that the 2x4's which are not true to begin with will warp even more over time making it nearly impossible to build a straight aircraft. I must have spent 5 hours at Lowes and Home Depot today trying to figure out a plan for a reliable straight building bench. If you guys have and ideas I would like to hear them.

Thanks

[ben_beyer]

I have an idea I will post later.

[flyflybob]

Ask a glass contractor if they have any old glass doors on hand. These doors are made of tempered glass and are extremely flat and straight. I have a 30" X 84" door I got for free. Be warned, they are very heavy 300 lbs plus. Just my 2 cents

[jamesrxx951]

an old pool table or even if you can get some granite. i have gotten 10' lenth's of granite for $200 at a builders auction. it was peak auctions that i got it from. they travel all over the US.

[wylieruneyjr]

Stone and glass are good choices, but I wouldn't hesitate to use 2 x 6's and a solid core door. Even plywood if properly supported and braced. I use a door myself. What did Dennis at Carden suggest.

[MODE 1]

didnt we do a thread on this very same thing recently? There were many ideas presented on that thread that would help you out.

[rc4flying]

	Quote: Originally Posted by crash-n-burn
	So guys I am going to build my first Carden, a 40% extra. I had some ideas for a build table from a torsion box to a solid core door. I spoke with Dennis at Carden and he was really not a fan of building a table out of 2x4's with either a ply top or a solid core door. He says that the 2x4's which are not true to begin with will warp even more over time making it nearly impossible to build a straight aircraft. I must have spent 5 hours at Lowes and Home Depot today trying to figure out a plan for a reliable straight building bench. If you guys have and ideas I would like to hear them. Thanks

Years ago I was in the same boat. Just not having a table big enough to build Carden. So after having moved into a new house with a basement to allow for my shop, I just decided to buld a table for the long haul. Being I knew I was in the hobby to stay, I wanted something durable after having even a table made from 2x6's even show problems early afterbuilding it.
I built mine from Angle iron and "C" channel iron. Sounds extreme but wished I had done it earlier in my building of planes. The table can have adjustable legs, but I built mine to be dead level in all ways for the position is would stay in. Table top is a smooth surfaced engineered wood that can be shimmed if needed or sides flipped over to have a new surface when needed. Works for me. See pics

[crash-n-burn]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wylieruneyjr
	Stone and glass are good choices, but I wouldn't hesitate to use 2 x 6's and a solid core door. Even plywood if properly supported and braced. I use a door myself. What did Dennis at Carden suggest.

Dennis said to get a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 birch wood and cut a 36in x 8 foot top. Then cut 2 six inch by 8 foot strips and from another sheet cut some 6 inch deep brace pieces and form a ladder to box in the bottom of the birch top. Then build off 6 2x4 legs and add bracing to the legs. His point is the birch top should be boxed in and separate from any 2x4 so braced only with birch wood not with the 2x4. According to Dennis
a 2x4 braced top will be harder to get true and will warp over time.

[ben_beyer]

I'll be using a solid core door with 2 in. angle aluminum running the length of the door. Then I will have u-channel aluminum running perpendicular to the angle aluminum. Should be strong and stay true. I have a frame to attach it to and that's all you need to support it.

[RollingHarrier]

Check out this thread. Vinnie did a great job building this table. Use MDF board. Nice strate edge and won't warp like a 2X4
http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/f...260-build.html

[ABD]

Here is my table. It is built with 2X6's and a solid core door with pressure treated 4X4 legs.


Blake

[Dan_nO]

I got into the same thing this time last year when getting ready to build.

I had several sheets of 3/4 inch cabinet grade oak ply. I ripped four 4 inch by 8 foot pieces out of it to make a 28 inch wide frame capping the ends with the same ply. I put wood glue on every end and used dry wall screws to put it together.

I then took another sheet of that same ply and cut a top and screwed it to the top of the frame. After cutting 2X4 legs and getting it leveled up I cut a piece of dry wall to lay on top of that. The legs are anchored to the floor.

Here are some pics, at one time I had 11 concrete blocks on it and it didnt budge.






I checked the level on it several times throughout the build and when I was finished it was still as level as what it was when I built it.