Table ideas...got any?

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Here we go again with cheap equipment talk:D

I need a small table outside on my balcony to infuse parts on… about 29 to 31 inches tall. I can come up with an idea for a top, probably tempered glass… just the leg portion or a round cylinder to hold it up and act as a stand.

maybe one of those concrete cardboard forms for pouring concrete posts for comercial buildings?? hmmmm. But something waterproof due to rain and moisture outside. I don’t like the 2x4 lumber leg look though, so that is out of the question.

Maybe I should just break down and buy a small patio table lol.

#2

is this a work table or a smooth surface to make panels and such on?

#3

I got this old dresser for free.

Works great. Put wheels on it so it can be moved out of the way and has plenty of storage space. Don’t know how well it’ll hold up out on the balcony in the winter though.

#4

It’s amazing what you can find on craigslist for cheap…

I was thinking about a folding stand like windshield places use to support their windshields prior to installation…

What about something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38779

#5

Both good ideas. I’m liking that windshield stand… same thing body shops use to support body panels when their off the car. Dang… $20 is cheap… i bet body shops pay $80 or more for theirs.

#6

On this topic, I’m looking for a suitable surface to roll resin into my carbon on, before it into the mold. Do you think getting a sheet of 1/4" thick glass for the top of one of my smaller work benches would be a good idea? Or is there a more suitable material? Seems to me that glass would be easy to scrub down with acetone before doing the next lot?

#7

glass is probably the cheapest and easiest thing to get. Werksberg and some others use plastic HDPE ( high density polyethelene) it comes in 1/4, 1/2 thick sheets from a plastic supply company. I think Tap Plastics has it. Expensive though at like $60 a sheet. No resin can stick to it.

Malcom i think some composite supply companies also sell a plastic sheeting on a roll that is made for that purpose.

#8

Hey, cunning plan! I actually have a contact in the plastics supply industry that cuts me a sharp deal when I have a need. I’ll see what the deal is :slight_smile:

#9

I’m back at planning to build this large work bench. I would like it to be 4’x 8’ so i’m thinking an MDF wood top 1/2" thick.

I’m thinking of sanding the top outside edges rounded so fiberglass cloth and carbon cloth don’t get snagged on them.

the legs will probably be 2x4’s but i’m not sure yet. I want to have a sturdy bench but at the same time, not cost a lot of money to make.

I’m attaching a photo of a bench some other person built for a cabinet builder/wood worker. What do you think of the legs on his bench? i also want to add a tool tray along the length just under the top about 8" deep, just a place to keep my bag tape, scissors, stir sticks, box of gloves, and mixing cups.

This for now is just a one bench deal for everything I do. If i infuse flat panels i’ll just lay down a piece of glass the size i need to do that flat carbon panel. I would like to put something on top to make it a smooth surface that can be cleaned. I was thinking melamine ( whatever it’s called) stuff that goes on counter tops. Not sure how costly it is?

anyways here is that photo…

#10

I also found these plans/pictures of large work table online…

http://www.uniqueprojects.com/projects/other/worktable/worktable.htm

#11

i got a pretty cool work table I built. I wil post some pics when I get a chance

#12

still waiting :cool:

#13

I forgot about this thread… we got a super nice work table 4’x8’ from our new shop neighbors… price $budwiser.

Great deal!