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Work tables

MY63

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While working with the NHS to set up local PPE production which is still running I am pleased to say, without me I am not so pleased about but there you go.
Anyway while I was starting a small local business was very helpful, I told him if he ever needed help he could call me.
Well he called yesterday and he is moving from a high st shop to a small unit and needs three work tables 2.4 x 1.2 x1m LWH the issue is I have 7 days.
My hands are not too good at the moment so holding routers is not really an option I can use the chop saw.
These are simple industrial tables with MDF on top and a shelf near the bottom. I was thinking 100mm x 50mm for the frame and 100mm x 100mm for the legs, or to keep joints to a minimum could I laminate 100's x 50mm with cutouts for the rails to sit in.

I remembered Malcolm gave me a link for castors in a previous thread so I have messaged them.
 
What is going on the tables? 4" square legs is very chunky.If you can use a chop saw, does it have a depth stop for trenching? If so how about CLS and half lap joints?
 
The tables are for cutting cloth with the 3 tables comming together for large curtain jobs.
Yes my chop saw has a depth stop. I was planning on using CLS for the frame.
My thought was if I used 100mm x 50mm laminated for the legs to save me cutting the lap joints. A wide base is needed for the castors to mount.
I hope this makes sense.
The tables will actually be 1.5 m wide I mis read the instructions good job I double checked.
Thanks
 
I changed the plans slightly rather than fully laminating the legs I simply added supports top and bottom.
The timber was delivered this morning 27.6 m along with 2 x 2440 x 1220 x 25 mm mrmdf one will be the top and the other will be used to give the extra 280mm to take it to 1.5m.

2020-09-09_09-35-29 by my0771, on Flickr

A quick test fit to make sure it is OK

2020-09-09_09-35-42 by my0771, on Flickr

I will be adding some centre spars to add a little extra support.
The guy at Coldene castors sorted us out some what he described as medium duty castors, when they arrived they are monsters the base is 100mm x 80mm. The 40mm coach screw is there for scale.

2020-09-09_09-52-07 by my0771, on Flickr

I may also have to rethink the bottom of the leg as the coach screws are going to be right on the edge of the leg.
I did say they were going to be utilaterian and I think they are.
 
Prompted me to look back at some old photos from back when we first moved the business to factory premises. The 8x4 assembly tables I knocked up then look pretty crude in comparison to yours :)

Recent experience fitting castors has shown me that they don't work so well if not all on a dead flat mounting. A slight lean and they are prone to drag so maybe use some ply or something to screw them to.

I bought a sheet of 25mm MDF once. Don't envy you handling the weight of 2.4m of 1.5m width!
 
Thanks For the tip about the Castors Robert I was concerned that the mounting screws were going to be right on the edge of the timber. I will make some mounting plates from ply.

I have lifted the standard sheet of 25mm mrmdf and have no intention of trying to lift the 1.5m piece I am going to use lots of large biscuits (because I dont have a domino machine) and join them on site. Where someone else can do the lifting.

I have used 70mm number 5 screws 2 at each joint should I consider adding some 12mm bolts for added support or maybe some glue.
 
Hi Bob no I am using No 5 70mm wood screws but I am resting today so if there is an issue I can swap them out.

2020-09-10_10-36-26 by my0771, on Flickr

Definately going to move everything to my friends unit no more humping full sheets of 25mm mdf for me.
 
MY63":2qsilo77 said:
Hi Bob no I am using No 5 70mm wood screws but I am resting today so if there is an issue I can swap them out.

2020-09-10_10-36-26 by my0771, on Flickr

Definately going to move everything to my friends unit no more humping full sheets of 25mm mdf for me.

Apologies for apparent pedantry but those are 5.0mm screws not no 5. There is a world of difference in size.
I'll try and do a photo later but I only have 4s and 6s as a comparison.

Bob
 
Here you go Bob...

UK Screw Sizes – Imperial vs. Metric

There is something of a divide throughout the UK between those who use the metric system for measurements, and those who prefer to stick with imperial equivalents.
* Metric screw sizes provide a diameter and length in mm.
* Imperial screw sizes provide a gauge size and a length in inches.

Some screws will have both types of measurement on their packaging, but not all. The individual screw length sizing charts below will help you discover which screws match up from their metric and imperial measurements, so you can ensure that you always use the correct item for your needs.

screw 1.jpeg

screw 2.jpeg

screw 3.jpeg
 
Thanks Bob at least it was only a technical error and I dont have to start over.
Thanksfor the information Mark very interesting.
 
MY63":5i91k42m said:
Thanks Bob at least it was only a technical error and I dont have to start over.
Thanksfor the information Mark very interesting.

MIchael, my concern was that if at some future date you ordered no5 screws, say online, you might be surprised at what arrives. Interpolating Marks tables, no 5 would be about 3.25mm shank.

Bob
 
9fingers":ik5n2129 said:
MIchael, my concern was that if at some future date you ordered no5 screws, say online, you might be surprised at what arrives. Interpolating Marks tables, no 5 would be about 3.25mm shank.

Bob
I've recently ordered (last year I think) a new box of No.5 brass c/s screws. I just checked the plain shank gauge with my digital vernier; 2.99mm. Odd? - Rob
 
Woodbloke":3t1pi6md said:
I've recently ordered (last year I think) a new box of No.5 brass c/s screws. I just checked the plain shank gauge with my digital vernier; 2.99mm. Odd? - Rob

Gauge is measured on the outside of the threads not the shank.

0e70b0fe8e9827a8f73516972c3920cb.plist
 
TrimTheKing":3nyzsrjn said:
Woodbloke":3nyzsrjn said:
I've recently ordered (last year I think) a new box of No.5 brass c/s screws. I just checked the plain shank gauge with my digital vernier; 2.99mm. Odd? - Rob

Gauge is measured on the outside of the threads not the shank.

0e70b0fe8e9827a8f73516972c3920cb.plist
That explains it, ta.
Bob mentioned the 'shank' above so I assumed it were the plain bit of the screw just under the head. I'll have another measure later - Rob
 
TrimTheKing":g5htg13v said:
Woodbloke":g5htg13v said:
I've recently ordered (last year I think) a new box of No.5 brass c/s screws. I just checked the plain shank gauge with my digital vernier; 2.99mm. Odd? - Rob

Gauge is measured on the outside of the threads not the shank.

0e70b0fe8e9827a8f73516972c3920cb.plist



Blimey! That takes me back to O Level Woodwork, 1966. I had to draw that, including all three of those types of screws!
 
Bob I absolutely appreciate the information I would at some point have ordered No 5's online and ended up with the wrong thing as you suggested.
It is amazing how sizes have changed.
All work is on hold now until next week unfortunately my pain levels are too high to carry on. At least I know my plan works and all the timber is ordered I will be able to make everything on site.
 
Robert":2blz2hth said:
Prompted me to look back at some old photos from back when we first moved the business to factory premises. The 8x4 assembly tables I knocked up then look pretty crude in comparison to yours :)

Recent experience fitting castors has shown me that they don't work so well if not all on a dead flat mounting. A slight lean and they are prone to drag so maybe use some ply or something to screw them to.

I bought a sheet of 25mm MDF once. Don't envy you handling the weight of 2.4m of 1.5m width!

Robert when you mentioned a plywood to fix the castors to what sort of thickness ply should I use I have some 18mm or I could double it up.
Thanks
 
Taking the advice given here I have made some plates using left over material from the tops 25 mm mrmdf which I think is strong enough for the wheels.
The next issue to overcome is fixing the wheels to the plates as well as fixing the plates to the legs all in the small area.

2020-09-13_09-45-35 by my0771, on Flickr

I drilled holes to allow the domed tops of these coach bolts to sit under the surface of the mdf, as they have squared shoulders they will not turn when tightened.
This will allow me to insert the bolts and screw the plates in place before fitting the wheels not ideal but it will work.
I will be trimming the sides of the plates so they will be flush to the edges when fitted.

2020-09-13_09-16-25 by my0771, on Flickr

Fortunately I have only made one table so there are only 6 legs to adjust I am confident I have a good solid design that will last for many years to come.
 
That should work fine. If you had the spare material I was thinking of a 4 (or 5?)ft length of say 6 or 8 inch wide ply or whatever with a wheel at each end so it bridges across the table width each end. And single 18mm shuttering ply would be fine as would that thick MDF.
 
Two to go.
The rest of the timber turned up at 3 pm it took me an hour to butcher the 3 and 4.8 m lengths into this pile of parts.

2020-09-14_09-38-05 by my0771, on Flickr

By the time I knocked off 4.30 I had one pair of legs put together, hopefully I can get the others put together tomorrow for assembly on Wednesday.
 
Finshed and installed the third one does not have a top yet it is still in my garage as it would not fit in my car.
The size has been reduced on all three tables to 1220mm wide from 1500mm wide.
At least they are all the same height.

2020-09-17_01-25-32 by my0771, on Flickr
 
Obviously doesn't matter for a work environment but having the printing on one piece of timber showing would annoy me :)

I built a shed and was planning a light coloured stain but ended up with printed timber in a very visible position so went with dark stain. Annoyed me so much that's probably why I notice it now.

Good looking tables. I did wonder if there would be an undershelf. Can see that getting filled and the tables getting heavy. those wheels look up to it though. Nice job.
 
I had made 6 legs for each table but we decided not to fit the middle ones.
The lower shelf has a centre support but the top does not, My friends business partner stood on the centre of the top and there was no flex in the MDF at all so it was decided not to fit them.
 
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