Trying to learn SketchUp is no trite task! I’ve used a few other design packages in the past, but this one just works a bit different. Still trying to get used to it.
That being said, here’s some shots of what I think the top to my portable workbench is going to look like.
The top will be constructed entirely of 3/4” plywood. It may not be obvious form the pictures, but the cross cut channel has a piece to form a lip on each side of it and the “cover” for it has a cleat on each end for alignment.
I intend to make my router insert out of the 3/4” plywood as well. Seems the most straight-forward at this point. Might be a little thick, but initial measurements with my router seem to indicate it will be able to get the bits to a workable height.
This is inspired by the Skil XBench. I think with this design I can make my own for about 1/3 of the price.
I plan to set it on 2 sawhorses that I will also build. I plan on the “Krenov” style similar to these. with 3/4” plywood as the top that will fit in the notches on the table.
Comments welcome!
-- Grace & peace, Chris+
5 comments so far
nobuckle
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1046 posts in 929 days
#1 posted 813 days ago
Looks good. Will you be using a torsion box design to add strength to the top? I used to use Auto CAD R14 to design projects. Unfortunately I never became very proficient at it. Then one day I was introduced to SketchUp. I started off using version 6.0 and really fell in love with how user friendly it is. Now it’s the only modeling program I use. I would love to have some of the features of the Pro version but I can’t afford $495. I think the more you use SketchUp the more it will be your go-to design program. Practice, practice, practice!
-- Doug - Make an effort to live by the slogan "We try harder"
Chris Moellering
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206 posts in 816 days
#2 posted 813 days ago
Torsion box?
Yes, the free version fits my budget very nicely. ;-)
-- Grace & peace, Chris+
jeffbranch
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69 posts in 820 days
#3 posted 813 days ago
I have been using SketchUp for about a year and it has taken most of that time to comfortable with it. For me, working with a drawing in 3D can be frustrating at times, and I find some of the steps necessary to do simple things to be something other than logical.
Your drawing looks great.
-- http://jeffbranch.wordpress.com
Chris Moellering
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206 posts in 816 days
#4 posted 813 days ago
Thanks.
Yes, it is easy for me to “default” back to graph paper and a straight edge and compass and do the good old top, front side drawings from drafting class 25 years ago…but I can see value in SketchUp if I can really learn how to use it well….
-- Grace & peace, Chris+
Chris Moellering
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206 posts in 816 days
#5 posted 813 days ago
Ah, Google is my friend….torsion box. Well…perhaps. Hadn’t considered that, and with the router plate and cross-cur channel, not sure how that would work. I’m trying to keep the table top to 50 pounds or less so I can move it myself without too much effort…
That is something to mull over, though.
-- Grace & peace, Chris+
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