Thanks for that analysis, Jeff. I think I get what you’re saying about the table collapsing from the people arrow direction. Basically, the 2x4s in the table would roll over from standing up to laying on their sides, like dominoes? That direction? Obviously just some small movement, not a total collapse, but that direction?
I do think the screws will have substantial holding power there, and the doubled up 2x4s will add leverage against that racking. I don’t know how much movement will happen before they resist it, or how much it will take to overcome it, though. As a table saw outfeed, I’ll probably appreciate extra rigidity wherever I can find it.
The big reason I didn’t move the long pieces up was that I didn’t want to go full on TB, and doing it this way would let me build the table from the floor up, one stick at a time. Moving just the sides up isn’t a bad idea, though, especially since i added the center leg. I’d like to have the extra room under the table, at any rate.
Another solution to the racking would be just a brace. A rectangle from the leg to the first doubled 2x4 that covers that pocket. One at each corner. That would stiffen the table up considerably, and i should do that for both directions. I built a few carts over the last couple months that way, it’s cheap and easy, and boy are they solid!
Also good point about doubling up plywood. Construction materials are coming down a bit out here, and I haven’t looked at plywood lately, just OSB (which I can get 7/16 for <$15 again!). The thickness isn’t critical so I don’t need to spring for the good stuff. I’ll have a look at the osb as well, actually. It’s not great in the flat direction, but to glue up and replace at least some of the 2x4 it would be adequate. Not stuff like the legs (which I’m sure plywood could handle easily) though. The long pieces will still have to be dimensional lumber, at 10ft long. Or maybe i could just laminate a beam with 8ft strips the center 6ft overlapping. Shoot, that would super strong with glue and pin nails, and i like ripping sheet way better than I like jointing construction lumber. I might also have to have a test on osb glued to plywood. One side of the osb is pretty smooth, so with enough glue and maybe some screws instead of pin nails it could save some money.
Thanks again, Jeff. I really appreciate your time.