This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble kzfaq.infoUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!
@Psychlist1972 Жыл бұрын
That wood may have been a royal pain, but the spalting in it really make it look interesting.
@commonsense7754 Жыл бұрын
Until he painted it all😂
@kz.irudimen Жыл бұрын
If it was just spalted it would be cool, but all the holes and powder everywhere makes it impossible to finish properly
@dtacklind Жыл бұрын
It's great to see a vacuum frame made by a company. I had to make my own thirty years ago. One thing I did differently was using pond liner rubber for the frame blanket. I found a pool company that sold rubber pond lining remnants cheap. The rubber stretches and conforms beautifully to any shape with no wrinkles and you get a much better pressing than the plastic sheet that doesn't stretch.
@zephyr1408 Жыл бұрын
Andy I am a finish carpenter/contractor & I use a laser all the time to set a quick level line for cabinets, all my doors even base up 3/8” for carpet! It’s a very useful tool in & out of the shop! I use a Bosh I think it was a couple hondos? For you Stabila makes a nice one! Ok I really enjoyed Thk u for making the videos!
@dimiglei3073 Жыл бұрын
I‘d get rid of theses hinges and pull that aluminium frame with pulleys to the ceiling. So you guys can use these 3 pieces of plywood directly on the gridboard. Sorry for my bad english, cheers from Austria!
@asdftwef Жыл бұрын
I thought (perhaps wrongly) that the whole reason for using torsion box construction is that it is naturally flat - so I don't understand why you'd need or want to "flatten" it on the CNC. Is that perhaps because the slots were too tight, and the ribs didn't hammer down equally in all locations to achieve that natural flatness? I could see the ribs bending while being hammered on. Nice table!
@thisolesignguy2733 Жыл бұрын
The keyword of this video is 'perfectly flat'. You have no idea how difficult that is. great job y'all, it's no easy feat.
@JoshWrightWoodworking Жыл бұрын
I really like the way the wood used for the legs looks. I'm sure it wasn't fun to work with but i think all the Spalding and worm holes looked cool. great work as always 👍
@ThePlywoodShop Жыл бұрын
Good to see information about this type of wood working is getting out. I have a 5'x 8' air assist lift top and 2'x4' Veneer vacuum press. If you leave the top down the seal will wear and lose its ability to hold pressure sooner. I like to leave my top up and use the platen as a workbench. If Im doing something dirty I'll put craft paper down or plywood on top of the platen.
@ApexWoodworks Жыл бұрын
Andy, great job on the torsion box table. A few comments if I may: 1. Have you considered creating another torsion box tabletop exclusively for the the veneer press, then hinging it to the wall so that it may be lifted off the torsion box worktable and therefore moved out of the way when not needed? I am concerned that despite your best efforts, when using the veneer press as a worksurface, despite the use of the styrofoam spacers, you'll inadvertantly cut through to the bag when sawing, etc. Just a thought... 2. Yeah, I hear you about using inexpensive lumber for shop projects; no sense investing any more money in materials for such projects than one needs to as far as I'm concerned. 3. Just one comment for Robert regarding the efficient mitering of the ends of the aprons. Because they're all the same distance from the square ends, Robert chould have set up a stop block to rgister the ends and avoided having to measure and mark each before making them on the tablesaw. 4. I am really impresed with the bed size of your CNC. Sure beats my 30" X 30" model, LoL! Keep up the great work, Andy. Love your videos.
@jonmullins3133 Жыл бұрын
I would try to avoid an additional top that rests on the aluminum. I would think that would compress the rubber seal and shorten its lifespan. Maby make some standoffs that attach to the sides of the portion box. Excellent episode.
@dennisatkins9837 Жыл бұрын
Robert seems like a great fit. He’s doing a great job. He’s pickin up some skills quickly!
@brownsworthy7323 Жыл бұрын
I personally love a wood with character of course sometimes 'character' does mean the wood is compromised and may require more work than clean, straight grained wood but I reckon the end result is worth it.
@kavencournoyer748 Жыл бұрын
I would suggest slip pin hinges for the frame. That way you can easily remove it and use that sweet torsion box. I'd think of it as an assembly table that can also vacuum bag. Not a vacuum table that can also be an assembly table.
@eddee4215 Жыл бұрын
Very nice table. I’m thinking you might need to protect the lid and gasket so I suggest the work surface you want to put over the top would somehow attach to the table sides, with the foam boards acting as support for the middle. Wish you continued success and I enjoy watching your channel
@MrCytree Жыл бұрын
If I were you guys I would add an angle thats circles the entire table. This would give you a flange (maybe 2"x2"x3/8" angle) that rests just below the clamps for the vacuum bag, circling the table. Then you could assemble a tabletop that is just large enough to cover your veneer table including the flange that I suggested. Onto this table top you add a 2x6 or 2x8 frame (essentially a large shallow box) and the 2x6 or 2x8 frame rests on the steel flange. The veneer table would lock this top in place so that it could not slide and the flange would hold it up. The only issue would be supporting the middle of the table top. For that I would just use your CNC machine to shave down some of that pink foam you were using to the exact height required.
@superfunbrowser1896 Жыл бұрын
Someone should make a KZfaq video called, "How to build a perfectly flat workbench when you don't already have multiple giant perfectly flat surfaces all over your shop"
@Psychlist1972 Жыл бұрын
Or how to build an acceptably flat, within typical woodworking tolerances and at the current temperature and humidity, table. Just want to make sure we don't give any engineers an aneurism with the term "perfectly flat" :)
@AndyRawls Жыл бұрын
What’s wrong with having a perfectly flat table?!
@Psychlist1972 Жыл бұрын
@@AndyRawls There's no such thing as perfectly flat in reality. Hence the engineer comment. It's all about acceptable tolerances. That's why, for example, you can get different grades (with increasing cost and flatness) of surface plates for machining, and those plates come with support and temperature constraints. With most things, it's about how far out of flat it can be over a certain distance. This is also why you see different grades and quality for things like squares and rules. But I was only being somewhat serious. Within the domain of woodworking, we generally know what flatness means. I was just trying to save machinist and engineer friends from popping a blood vessel ;)
@kevinmorin7965 Жыл бұрын
was really surprised the open sided 'torsion' plate was flexible in the turnover! Would have assumed it to be more rigid? Thanks for great video on making this flat work surface.
@flguy7331 Жыл бұрын
That wood should be sold to somebody who makes jewelry boxes and other decorative things.
@88d16z6 Жыл бұрын
Put 4x4 insets on all the side’s of the table so you can assemble a drop in frame to have a flat work surface. The frame would sit higher then the table then slide your work surface on top. Basically a mini table top that drops in 4x4 post holders
@mauriceryton Жыл бұрын
Sweet. Great job, as you say it does not have to be pretty, it just has to be dead flat. If it were me l would utilize the shop ceiling to hold the secondary top that can be raised or lowered into place. An electric hoist and you are in business. The secondary top could be slightly bigger than the primary table top, thus protecting the vacuum bag and the aluminum edges. Food for thought.
@jpesce23ful Жыл бұрын
Looks like Robert is really familiar with gluing up veneers
@cwing892 Жыл бұрын
Andy, been thinking of a way to use the top for work surface. Maybe the easiest way would be to use your CNC to mill down bigger foam sheets that when they sit on the plastic they are flush with the top of the aluminum frame. Then the plywood would rest evenly across the entire surface. Depending on the load your putting on top should be plenty strong enough. My second idea was to stretch some 1 x 3s across the 5' length and have them supported from the side of the apron boards somehow so it just barely suspends across the frame and plastic to prevent damage. I wouldn't do anything that involves removing the aluminum frame from the table when not in use. Good Luck.
@lancechisum1529 Жыл бұрын
Awesome build! Would be cool to see a hoist system for the assembly table add-on that lets you quickly raise and lower the assembly table quickly and easily. Maybe a winch from the roof attached to the corners 🤷🏻♂️
@ADVJason Жыл бұрын
Woodturning that wood would look awesome
@ggbuck2625 Жыл бұрын
As far as protecting the bag and vacuum frame, I would come off of the table legs with some 2 by 4's and let the sit proud of both, frame the plywood and fasten them to the 2 by 4 legs some you protect the bag and the frame. Make the 2 by 4 legs removable.
@SingleStacked Жыл бұрын
Looks great! You just need to add on to the shop to store it...😄
@nutsmcflurry3737 Жыл бұрын
I wouldn’t put any weight on the aluminum frame while using it as a assembly table. Doing so will put pressure on the vacuum seal and deform it over time.
@sdasherx Жыл бұрын
Mill down the foam block to be the thickness you need. Cool project.
@zohranbloedjes9770 Жыл бұрын
This is basically what I have ha diny minder for a few years now it's great to see somebody already has done it and that it works. Mabey you could make the bag wicht aliminium frame easily ditacheable
@TheManWinje Жыл бұрын
Use the cnc to make the foam the same bight as the aluminum
@paulsavidge8847 Жыл бұрын
Shop furniture or not... I kept hoping "we are going to paint this" was a joke... My heart sank. I have what I refer to as an "Easy Bake Oven" - a 4x4x10 heat box that i can crank up to 140 degrees to get rid of little critters when needed. Spalting is a 1 to 3 year gamble... There is a fine line between jaw drop awesome ( what you had ) and a total loss. Just pains me... but getting past that... GREAT video - THANKS!
@rogermccaslin5963 Жыл бұрын
I'd look at making pivot points at the ends. Clamp the frame shut, lift by pivot points and turn over. You could rig a rope and pully system from the ceiling/joists to lift the torsion box (provided the ceiling/joists are strong enough) and then flip. Use the bottom of the torsion box for your everyday work surface and flip it over when you need to vac a veneer. This would protect the bag and frame from inadvertent punctures or damage.
@lukebm5555 Жыл бұрын
I’m about to resurface my assembly tables with torsion boxes so it was great to watch your process. I’m thinking I might skip the cross laps on the ribs. Maybe use some shallow dados to locate everything and glue it together using clamps and cambered cauls. My tables aren’t this gigantic though! Should be a little easier to keep things flat and level.
@mckenziekeith7434 Жыл бұрын
Totally agree that you might as well use your giant CNC table. But I was kind of watching to see how I might make a nice flat torsion box. I am probably not going to buy a 60x60 CNC table.
@rickhickman2730 Жыл бұрын
I think you would still make a pretty flat torsion top if you used a router sled on a few smaller sections like he did. I will hopefully try it someday lol
@Ashdad99 Жыл бұрын
I'd start by getting full sheets of the insulation and mill them down to the height of the aluminum frame, then atleast you can lay the plywood flat across the whole table.
@SuicideNeil Жыл бұрын
Hmm- switch the pump from suck to blow, use the table for air hockey... Don't look at me like that. :P
@whitevanman8703 Жыл бұрын
Plan B - Set up a dedicated space on the wall or ceiling to store the aluminium frame and plastic and use a cheap piece of OSB for assembly, glue up and cutting directly on the particle board with a spacer around the edge.
@deanwilliams93 Жыл бұрын
Ah, Puttin on the laminate. Prepping the surfaces looks like a "Contact High"
@Phil.C1 Жыл бұрын
Could the top frame come off, which you then store it up close to the ceiling. Then cover the box surface with your sacrificial ply. When you need to do the vacuum sealing, remove the ply, quick brush blow dust from the MDF surface and bring down the frame with plastic skirt. -You might want to protect the underside of the plastic skirt with a clip on sheet as dust is notorious at getting everywhere, especially if the plastic is slightly static.
@TarotLadyLissa Жыл бұрын
I think that wood is actually beautiful.
@JimG31547 Жыл бұрын
Can't wait to see the table in action.
@johngiromini5745 Жыл бұрын
Now that is some exacting work. Y'all did a great job!
@coryspence5903 Жыл бұрын
Add another frame around the outside to double as protection for the clamping hardware, and also as a "bezel" that matches the height of the foam.
@coryspence5903 Жыл бұрын
Place the 1/2 on that bezel and foam now your veneer equipment if protected abd you have an amazing large and perfectly flat work surface
@TheFishingFL Жыл бұрын
I know the feeling. Occasionally my boss gives me the task of working with reclaimed barn wood that he picked up in Ohio. It’s some of the dirtiest/ least fun material to work with. Oh and probably has lead paint
@scarmenl Жыл бұрын
Get T nuts that slide in the track of the table and then you can make any kind of clip you want for your protective table top.
@Hangs4Fun Жыл бұрын
what about another hinged top? It could have heavy duty continuous hinge on the back side and heavy duty latches that also take some of the weight. Then most of the time you just keep it down as a work surface. But when you need to use the vacuum veneer function, you hinge up the top surface exposing the vacuum system. You should still be able to open up the vacuum seal layer, but that should be part of the requirements when designing the top. This would take all of the pressure of your vacuum system and let you do anything you want on the top surface. With properly designed hinge and latch, you can still take some advantage of your torsion box, though just around the perimeter. The other thing would be an electric hoist attached to a second torsion box table that raised and lowered all 4 corners evenly. You could design easy disconnects at the corners so that the lifting cables were out of the way most of the time. Then to use the vacuum system, lower and attach the 4 corners and lift the 2nd torsion box (aka the top working surface) up out of the way.
@NitroMaxOriginal Жыл бұрын
Well I guessed FSP was 'four side planer' but who am I to judge 😂😂👌👌
@alexanderwood6739 Жыл бұрын
How about Put a lip around the outside of the torsion box and put "feet" on the top surface so it rests more on the outside lip and not the aluminum frame. Match the height of the foam.
@ChrisAnderson-jc6sy Жыл бұрын
Can you just make the metal frame and plastic part removable? That way it stays protected when not on use, hang it on the way or store is somewhere safe and you have your perfectly flat surface with no obstructions.
@trevorjones1840 Жыл бұрын
How about another skinnier torsion box on top? Flat, not to hard to store and can be toggle clamped down and together so that it is secure.
@mattheweller4463 Жыл бұрын
I'm thinking you could build a second torsion box that is lowered from the above rafters with an electric winch system, it could rest on blocking attached to the rails on the base table and the cables could be attached to swing away eyebolts so they could be removed and raised out of the way...looks like you have some beams that would support it, but can't tell how much weight they would hold from the video
@h4mmy753 Жыл бұрын
Similar to how the vacuum bag opens up, my boss has a separate system of the top of the veneer press that would open up with a pully system. That could save you a lot of real estate as well. It might be tricky in your case though, since your vacuum bag runs the whole perimeter of the table. Edit: Forgot to mention the part where it would be a work surface above the veneer press essentially, lol
@sammysteele432 Жыл бұрын
I think that would was beautiful and would love to have had it for some projects
@calebcarty8552 Жыл бұрын
A lot of great projects and content coming out of the shop!
@2ddw Жыл бұрын
For using your table as a work table: maybe separate the table frame from the torsion box + vacuum press and set the torsion box/vacuum press aside vertically. Build a new top.
@williamellis8993 Жыл бұрын
Nice table, Andy. My concern is with the foam laying on top of the plastic, wrinkles in the plastic under the foam will give you an uneven surface. Bill
@kevincorbett3328 Жыл бұрын
Why not remove the hinges and add clamps on all 4 sides if you don’t use a vacuum table all the time. Then you could lift off the vacuum top off to have a smooth work surface. This would also allow you too setup your glue up jobs from all 4 sides squaring them up and then just carry the top over the project to vacuum.
@nighttruck70 Жыл бұрын
Those bug holes and powder may be a Powder Post Beatle infestation that could spread to your other lumber. Sometimes free wood is more costly if you have to fumigation the shop.
@genelomas332 Жыл бұрын
2 options for the work surface panels: one: just flip the vacuum frame up and tie that black strap to the roof so it doesn't fall down, and lay the 3 big half inch panels on the 1/4inch air duct surface.. only downside is that you can't get to one side.. two: add riser plates to the side edge of the torsion box section all the way around which stand level with the top of the closed vacuum frame, then put the 1/2" panels on those, use dowels or dominos to locate the panels and a few screws to stop them sliding around. if you cut the big panels down and create shelves under the table you'll have convenient storage for those panels too.
@Sman7290 Жыл бұрын
With contact cement, aren't you supposed to cover BOTH surfaces?
@davideklov9307 Жыл бұрын
How about a setup that allows you to remove the aluminum frame that holds the bag and replace it with whatever work bench top you need. Maybe there are multiple options. Could be cool to try some different options.
@GeometryBuild Жыл бұрын
I eat bugs for breakfast, and would love to have that free lumber )))
@oldcarnutzs2886 Жыл бұрын
I would build a frame around the sides of the that sits higher that vacuum system and the rest plywood on top of that.
@ronbethel2197 Жыл бұрын
Can the aluminum frame hinge to the table and open as a book and place the entirety set up against a wall
@sethhamilton5824 Жыл бұрын
Hmmm.... in some ways it would be more flexible as 60x120" bag setup you could roll up... or maybe... if you could just lift the vacuum frame up, and lay two 60x60 sheets of MDF over the air channels. Maybe give them a coat of poly and was so glue doesn't stick?
@dan__________________ Жыл бұрын
A secondary lid that stays open when you are doing veneer work might work. Extruded aluminum sections made into a grid for lightness, and a top made from plywood?
@dylansousa5571 Жыл бұрын
Andy the looks great
@marc_frank Жыл бұрын
do you want the torsion box to twist, or resist torsion? because then i'd think Putting the ribs at 45° would be better
@bg73 Жыл бұрын
13:34 Why didn't you run the CNC along the edges of the torsion box in a grid instead of up and down? It would have gone way quicker...
@josephfisk466 Жыл бұрын
I did this without a CNC machine and used pine and it did not work out very well lol. It's almost flat but would not recommend this method to anyone who does not have the proper equipment
@rossen_nikov Жыл бұрын
I'm not an expert in this but the first thought I have had in my mind is why don't you make this expensive frame/sheet removable and simply remain with/on the table itself? After all, whatever you do over the silicone sheet which is not dead flat as well you will endup pressing it. If you use the frame itself and put some support in the side T channels you will still be pressing the frame seal which is soft and will not meet the flatness you need and even you may destroy it. So, if I was you I would make the whole frame with the silicone sheet removable.
@rickhickman2730 Жыл бұрын
I'm not entirely clear on how that laser system worked but I would love to know for my own bench
@woodbe5311 Жыл бұрын
Just remove the top membrane frame when you dont use it and store it anywhere. Add a MDF top just for working on it. That way you can use that torsion box i all area as a workbench without demage the veneer surface. ;)
@josephbohme7917 Жыл бұрын
Obvious solution is to have a lightweight panel overhead on cable lines with 2 linked pulleys to lower as needed. and use 1 solid piece of foam as a you have and face with 1/4 Baltic or masonite. unless its a spoil board use releasable 2 sided tape. the bigger sheet, the better. Lighter better. even Lexan sign faces offer huge 1/8 " roll sheets. Big Commercial sign shops have discolored old stuff sittting around. It becomes almost hazardous waste.
@mannymayer9250 Жыл бұрын
A great way to import bugs to your shop. Free or not, I would have used that wood for camp fire.
@bertv1205 Жыл бұрын
The way to get something really flat and level is to float it on mercury. Probably won’t work with plywood, though...
@MCsCreations Жыл бұрын
Wow... Fantastic work, Andy! Pretty interesting new tool! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
@y2kdeuce211 ай бұрын
Hahahaha chicken / egg problem. I'm watching this to build a torsion box to rest my CNC on.
@bigbankhank1337 Жыл бұрын
If you’re going to paint it why not just bondo all the holes? I can’t think of a faster/easier method. Epoxy seems like way overkill just my take
@gekkehenkie0001 Жыл бұрын
Was there a reason you used a gazillion screws to fixate the top and bottom wooden panels, but left out the wood glue?
@b-radg916 Жыл бұрын
Was the wood for the legs Hackberry? I did a couple CNC projects with it. Probably won’t again.
@whitevanman8703 Жыл бұрын
Is veneering more or less ecological then cutting down hardwood trees? Less use of precious timber but more production of MDF which is not ecological at all.
@jamessheppard4372 Жыл бұрын
How can it be flat when wood warps
@michaelanthony9905 Жыл бұрын
The legs look like Hackberry to me 🤔🤷🏻♂️
@prestonbowden Жыл бұрын
Why are you running the CNC so slow?
@TheSMEAC Жыл бұрын
Super cool
@jaspersevers Жыл бұрын
Can't you hoist the complete frame and plastic of the table? Use the same clamps all around if in use, and "store" underneath the ceiling? Waste of such a flat surface in case not in use.
@mikehammond8244 Жыл бұрын
What's the tallest form you can put in there?
@Kcustom216 Жыл бұрын
What's your opinion on the sliding attachment for your SS?
@cwing892 Жыл бұрын
I have the same setup on my Sawstop. Built very rigid, and accuracy is great. I haven't had any complains so far, except for sometimes I find I have to take the fence off of the sliding table for cutting some larger pieces out of sheet goods. Its worth every penny in my opinion.
@Kcustom216 Жыл бұрын
@@cwing892 Thank you. I've been mulling over if I should add it to my setup and was wondering about accuracy and ease of use.
@JorgeMarioManuelOrtega Жыл бұрын
wood=twist
@troyqueen9503 Жыл бұрын
When working with laminate put the curl length wise, it will give it more rigidity and you will also have a sight line for alignment .👍📐🇨🇦
@Toms_Wood_and_Leather Жыл бұрын
Cedar Elm is just a nasty tree period.
@MrErViLi Жыл бұрын
I think the perspective of the wood theory is funny. You look at the wood as gross and as a wood turner I look at that wood with desire. That would make absolutely beautiful turned pieces. The fact you're going to paint it, paid pains me.
@deanlowther4020 Жыл бұрын
Don't burn it Turn it
@johnnyutah1053 Жыл бұрын
First?!
@singe81 Жыл бұрын
Second lol.
@BobChristenson51 Жыл бұрын
Nothing is “perfectly” anything. There’s a tolerance.