Resurrecting this discussion-
What features of your table do you love (or wish you had included)?
Looking ahead, what other features should I build in to the table? Storage tray/rack for router bits? Wood storage? Slide out bottom shelf? Purpose built space for other tools? Open or enclosed base (area under the tabletop)? Dedicated storage spot for your 3-axis zero? Controller mounting spot?
Tracking strength, flat/level, stability, and size. I’m set for a very sturdy 4x8 table, with locking casters.
This is my table, ‘The Minimalist’. I already have a full woodworking shop in a single-car garage and needed to fit the CNC. I sold my drill press and then used the rest of my space as best I could.
It is quite high - 42" which was a conscious decision. It makes it easier for me to do the bit changes, secure my work, home my work surface, and so on. It is partially under some shelves so I have it on wheels and move it out slightly if I need to work on something big. You can see the accessories I’ve added. The orange shoebox is my temporary hold-down storage
I am using a 7" Raspberry Pi monitor I got from Amazon. I gave up on the touch display and use a wireless mouse. As you can see, I McGivered on a shelf for it. The controller is mounted on the leg under the table with the emergency stop easily available.
Regarding dog holes, a guy at our Makerspace added some schedule 80 PVC blind holes and short pieces of PVC for locating holes in our makerspace CNC. Naturally, cheap AND will not trash bits that plow into them!
Mike
I do not understand where and how you are using pvc and dog holes
Could you add a photo
Thanks so much, I used mdf for my spoil board and find that the dog holes are becoming mis shappened from clamping against them.
I was wondering if your dog holes are 3/4” deep or did you cut into the table top aswell
I did not do it (on my own machine, yet), it was someone in our Makerspace that did it to our community machine. FWIW, he used 1" pipe, and I’m quite sure he said it was schedule 80. It went into only the spoilboard, also MDF.
The larger diameter and wall thickness seems to have stood the test of time…
John,
Thank you so much for the follow up. As I look at you set up,I think I too much clamping pressure. I have dog holes as well but the 3/4” mdf does not support enough . The dog is pushing up and they hole is becoming out of round. I was wondering if folks were drilling into the table as well, so the dog would be 1-1/2” into the hole for more support.
In my opinion you need to keep the hole tight very tight. I use an awl and the hole thru the dog to twist them in and out. I am using lightweight MDF so it is weaker than what you are using but i haven’t had any issue.
Mine is light weight as well, so I think when I redo my wasteboard I will use the standard mdf possibly 1” and also bore into the table at the same time. I have yet to use my t track for hold down. So I must be missing something , it just is never in the right place. I also think the next waste board will have varied spacing between the track if I add it again…
John Thank you for the feed back.
That was my experience with the Shopbot Desktop. But adding threaded inserts on a 2" grid allowed for using a variety of clamps. The t-track can be usable but requires different hold down clamps - offset clamps or long nosed ones. You may need to design your own to be able to take full advantage of the t-track. I found some things like the Rockler t-track clamps would allow me to get almost anywhere on the board but the handle and overall side were just too tall to be comfortable using them.
I’ve been considering some of that design too. I would like the ability to move the table but prefer it sit on solid feet not locked casters. I know these are not that easy (as in fast) to switch to the wheels but you give up time for stability the way I see it.
There is another option from Powertec which are removable. So you get mobility when you need it and stability too. A bonus is the wheels are removable leaving behind only a mounting plate that you can attach the wheels to in the future in a few seconds with no tools. This lets you use the same set of wheels on multiple benches, just buy additional mounting plates.
I’m going the opposite direction. I’m minimizing the space around the machine so that I can’t lay things which might get jammed. It’s bad habit that I need to be done with. I’m going to add a flip up desk/surface attached to the front left corner of the table so I have an appropriate place to set things and to playce a keyboard for the Masso, or a laptop as I adjust toolpaths, upload gcode, etc.
