Hi all
About to put a workbench together. Build area is 24x24, actual MDF top size is about 40x40.
For various dull reasons my workbench base will be closer to 29x34 and not centered to the MDF top. Will that be ok or does the the cutting generate enough wobble and movement that I need a full 40x40 to support everything ?
Ta.
I suggest fully supporting the the machine to the outside corner of the legs. For a 24 x 24 machine that will be approximately 35" x 35". In my mind, the issues is not so much about wobble but that any unsupported plywood or MDF will deform over time. On my first build (Burly), I placed the machine on an old workbench that had had some minor dips in the plywood top. It wasn’t long before the MDF of my machine conformed to the workbench so that I had dips in my spoil board. In my case, surfacing the top “solved” the issue, but with totally unsupported material…
The 25" axis (X) on my Primo is supported on 36.5" of platform. The new table that I’ve just built is 49" by 36.5" of torsion box, which will fully support the underside of the machine.
@PeteB thanks for posting this question. I’m at the point that I have to build a bench doe my build and I’m dreading it. Not because I don’t love making stuff like this, but rather because I’ll be moving in the next 6 months or so and I’m not looking forward to disassembling the bench to move it.
My shop is currently in a walkout basement with a 32” door so I’m limited in with.
In your case, if you’re not moving anytime soon, then build the bench as solidly as you can. Actually you should always make a workbench as solid as you can and one holding an MPCNC is no exception as a lot is going on and the stronger it is the less issues you’ll have,
If you plan to move, why not skip the bench for now and lay it on the floor? You can build the bench after you move.
Well, I built my new work table. All the braces across the X axis are screwed only so that the bench can be disassembled, otherwise the only way it could leave the room it’s in is with the assist of a sledge, let alone getting it out the basement steps.
I should have used T nuts and bolts, but I can revise later (not gonna happen until I have to move it, I know already.)