Assembly Table W/*PICS*

Alan in Little Washington · 05-02-2006, 01:45 AM

My first big post with pictures

I am just about done with an assembly table for my shop. It's not motorized like DavidF's table but the height is adjustable using a leg assembly idea I borrowed from a colonial candle stand. The table is 4' X 7' X 4" thick.

It uses a beam box (torsion box) top made from 1/2" MDF grid and top/bottom skins and 3/4" MDF sides. Unlike the one David Marks built on his show where he cut short pieces for grid laterals to fit between the longitudinals, I made a large box joint-like jig. I cut 1/2" wide, 1 1/2" deep dados in the grid material so the lateral and longitudinal grid pieces would interlock.

Cutting grid material:

Close-up of grid cutting set-up (for 7" grid):

Completed grid pieces:

Grid test fit:

Assembling the grid- just glue, no brads:

Here is the table upside down with skins glued on and the recently installed legs. Leg tenons fit in reinforced pockets in the bottom of the table. The two-part legs extend via a ratcheting assembly. To increase the height of the table I just lift it up, one end at a time. I still need to add a release cable to the ratchet arms so I can lower the table.

Close-up of ratcheting leg assembly. In addition to setting the height, the ratchet assembly draws the leg sections tightly together.:

The legs also have mating dovetails to keep both halves aligned.

Close-up of Table at low height (25"). The table is strong, rigid, and flat. I haven't put a straightedge on it so I don't know the actual tolerances. The table is not sagging- the apparent sag in this pic is caused by the wide angle lens. I still need to add oak edge trim and a laminate top.

Table at full height (37"):

Link to thread on finished table

Monty · 05-02-2006, 08:02 AM

That's a great solution for the adjustable leg design! It will be interesting to see how you do the release cable. Great job!!!

Ray Martin · 05-02-2006, 08:06 AM

Alan,

Nice table. Really nice. I really like the idea for the ratcheting legs. I just wish my workshop was big enough to fit a nice assembly table like yours.

Ray

kota62 · 05-02-2006, 08:53 AM

Alan:
The term KISS comes to mind

Did you mark heights on the legs so you don't waste time running around to confirm the height in the heat of the moment
Hope it gives you years of un-noticed service...
Gary

DaveO · 05-02-2006, 09:21 AM

Very well designed and executed. Did you come up with the leg adjustment idea yourself?
Dave

NCPete · 05-02-2006, 09:42 AM

really great looking table! I will be dealing with stowable folding tables for the foreseeable future, as LOML would still like to be able to park her vehicle inside!

Canuck · 05-02-2006, 09:49 AM

Cool design Alan!!!

How did you cut the "teeth" in the upper part of legs? Did you make some sort of router jig?

How much do you reckon it weighs? It sure looks substantial and sturdy!

Great Work!

Wayne

JohnsonMBrandon · 05-02-2006, 10:13 AM

Great looking table. I like the leg adjustment system. Its a great idea!

woodguy1975 · 05-02-2006, 11:28 AM

Nice job. It's an adjustable height assembly table revolution.

We now have both DavidF and Alan adding adjustable assembly tables. Now Alan, where do the motors go.

Gotta motorize it somehow.

Travis Porter · 05-02-2006, 11:29 AM

Impressive!! Love all the pics and details.

Mike Wilkins · 05-02-2006, 11:59 AM

Were you an engineer in a former life? This is one of the neatest/smartest concepts I have seen. Most tables for assembly purposes are only one height-low or at knee level. With this set-up you can adjust for the project, instead of having to conform to the floor or a table height.
Stay safe and watch those fingers.

McRabbet · 05-02-2006, 12:10 PM

Excellent design and superb execution. But you wouldn't catch me in a picture atop a table I build -- it wouldn't support my dainty frame...

Well done!

Rob

Alan in Little Washington · 05-02-2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by kota62

Alan:
The term KISS comes to mind
Did you mark heights on the legs so you don't waste time running around to confirm the height in the heat of the moment
Hope it gives you years of un-noticed service...
Gary

Since I lift one end (two legs) at a time and the ratchet notches are 1 1/4" apart it is not too hard to lift and set the height via eyeball. The legs were laminated up as a single 12+" wide X 3" thick piece and the notches were gang cut on the router table and table saw at the same time. Though the spacing between notches may differ very slightly notch to notch, corresponding notches on all the legs are at identical heights.

Alan in Little Washington · 05-02-2006, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

Very well designed and executed. Did you come up with the leg adjustment idea yourself?
Dave

My adaptation of the colonial candle stand, ratchet trammel, and floor lamp.

Alan in Little Washington · 05-02-2006, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by woodguy1975

Nice job. It's an adjustable height assembly table revolution. We now have both DavidF and Alan adding adjustable assembly tables. Now Alan, where do the motors go. Gotta motorize it somehow.

I originally wanted a motorized lift, but figured too much trouble and expense... and figured I wouldn't be changing the table height that often. I motorized my router lift, does that count? Maybe I'll post pics of that when I get a chance.

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