Slab flattening setup question

LowRider CNC Advice
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I am starting to gather the supplies to build a LowRider. But before I do, I have a question on table design. I plan on building a full sheet CNC as I have the space and desire, but I also want to have it be able to flatten slabs/table tops once they are build as I don’t have a planer large enough to do this. I don’t plan on doing tons of slab flattening but want the ability to do so as I want to build a new dining table for my parents as a gift. My question is, instead of building a drop table, could I build a “standard” CNC table and use MDF strips and mount the CNC rails, etc on them, flatten my slab remove the MDF strips and then remount the machine back on the table?

I appreciate any and all help.

2 Likes
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Yes, that is doable. There are some people that have done it, maybe a quick search will give some results.

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Welcome :smile:

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I have the LowRider on “rails”, I could take out the spoilboard and place a thicker workpiece I want to flatten there (since I am not cutting through when planing).

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not sure what size of slabs you plan on using, but this can maybe help too.
Making a Benchtop Jointer Out of Plywood - Make: (makezine.com)

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I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t do that - particularly if you are not doing it regularly.

I don’t want to sound like a heretic here, but for the effort involved, you might be better off just building a big router sled and using a larger router (if you have one) and finish off with a sander. Something like:
https://lazyguydiy.com/lazy-guy-diy/2017/05/30/DIY-Router-Sled-Tutorial-For-The-Big-Ol’-Slabs

I used to square up boat centreboard blanks and laminated bench tops like that, then do the final finish levelling with one of these:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes/bevel-up/52414-veritas-bevel-up-jointer-plane

That was seriously satisfying, and quite fast but I’m not recommending it as you can pretty much build the LR3 for the price of the plane! :open_mouth:

1 Like
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How wide of MDF “rails” would you recommend? And also would you increase the the depth of your table to accommodate them?

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Both tables that Ryan and Doug designed have those elevated rails, you could just load up their sketches and check. :slight_smile: I kinda winged it. There are loads of pics in my build thread or on youtube. :smiley: