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8th January 2019, 05:12 PM #16
Hi Bob
I made an assembly table about five years ago in a different manner:
- frame was from an "office utility table" - 19 mm square steel tube - $10 for a pair at auction.
- top was/is 25 mm MDF, drilled with 19 mm holes at 100 mm centres,
- apron, one side only, was similar to top, also drilled,
- the holes are for insertion of hold downs - I use quickgrip clamps,
- applied three coats of polyurethane.
Assembly table has proven extremely useful and top and apron are still flat - no bending or twists.
However, MDF is very soft and it is now badly scuffed. Poly may have hardenned it a little, but it is still too soft.
If I was doing it again I would want to make it harder; possibly:
- coat it with epoxy rather than poly, or
- make top and apron from something harder, possibly yellow tongue flooring.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Graeme
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8th January 2019 05:12 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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9th January 2019, 07:43 AM #17SENIOR MEMBER
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Thanks Graeme,
I've got two of those office tables myself and both have sagged in the middle. Partly because of that and partly because of size I'm going with the 6x4 MDF torsion box build. I don't intend drilling any holes as I've made a solid workbench with all that.
I'm pretty confident that the poly will hold up reasonably well. The secret is to thin it out 50/50 with Shellite or other high alcohol thinner. That way the poly soaks in instead fo forming a skin on top. It actually soaks in about 2 mm, that's quite deep really.
Hadn't thought of Yellow Tongue but I don't think you get it in 4 ft width in any case
will keep you posted, about to coat the underside of the torsion box today, then on to a base, combination of drawers, timber storage, plus need lift mechanism and castors for moving it.
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9th January 2019, 10:00 AM #18
Good Morning Bob
My office utility tables initially had 5/8" partical board plus veneer - much softer than MDF, and quite thin. I replaced it with 25 mm MDF. It has not sagged at all, and I would not expect such thick MDF to sag.
I have found the holes on the assembly benches to be incredibly useful and are used much more than I anticipated. For example, I can do a glue up on an assembly bench and, while the glue dries, do something else on the work bench.
Having said that, I don't think the holes would be a good idea on a torsion box - it might fill up with saw dust, etc !
I'm pretty confident that the poly will hold up reasonably well. The secret is to thin it out 50/50 with Shellite or other high alcohol thinner. That way the poly soaks in instead fo forming a skin on top. It actually soaks in about 2 mm, that's quite deep really.
Hadn't thought of Yellow Tongue but I don't think you get it in 4 ft width in any case.
will keep you posted, about to coat the underside of the torsion box today, then on to a base, combination of drawers, timber storage, plus need lift mechanism and castors for moving it.
Best success.
Cheers
Graeme
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9th January 2019, 10:28 AM #19GOLD MEMBER
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9th January 2019, 10:41 AM #20GOLD MEMBER
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On the 3.6 metre TB we built I put two coats of floor poly on it and that has worked out well. Torsion boxes as originally conceived are very stiff and super light for the job they do.
CHRIS
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9th January 2019, 11:16 AM #21SENIOR MEMBER
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Yes, except for my whacky project under way
The sheer weight was the thing I miscalculated Chris. Oh well, once it's in place that will be just a memory.
As for the castors, I don't really anticipate a problem Graeme. My workbench is super heavy and the cast iron castors are holding up well. After all, they only engage the occasional time I need to move it for cleaning. Same deal with the assembly bench.
(I do so wish I could go back in time and elect for some 9mm though Alas, time travel is reserved for Time Lords
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9th January 2019, 11:18 AM #22
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9th January 2019, 03:28 PM #23Senior Member
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I made my outfield/assembly table using 16mm mdf and the Parf system for 20mm holes (MFT). I applied 2 coats of shellac and wax it on a regular basis. Been good for the past 18 months now.
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10th January 2019, 11:59 AM #24GOLD MEMBER
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10th January 2019, 10:13 PM #25Senior Member
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