Project Information
I have been using the same table for sculpting that I built several years ago ( Pictured in the last photo) and the more I used it the more I have ideas about how I needed to make improvements. The old one was thrown together rather quickly because at that time I was not sure exactly what features I needed.
The clamping mechanism was a makeshift rig with squeeze clamps that seemed to get in the way a lot.
When I saw the new Rockler clamps I realized they would work perfect for what I needed. They can hold the work at any angle and apply pressure without the need of squeeze clamps…I cut some blocks to add additional height to two of them and lined the faces that come into contact with the wood box with a piece of leather. This helps to protect the wood during clamping and also provides better grip stability…
I ordered 4 of them and started building the new table. However, Rockler got a little sneaky and made this to work with 5/16 T track instead of the 1/4" T track. I had 4 pieces of Rockler 1/4" T track already that were never used before and had planned to use them…not so…I had to piece this track together with what 5/16 track I had on hand. The T track in had that was from Rockler was deeper than their new track so I had to cut 1/8" filler strips to compensate for their difference.
This table is only 3" deep as opposed to the old one that was 7" deep. I made the top out of 3/4 Baltic birch ply with 2 pieces laminated together for the top to get it to 1 1/2" thick. The sides are 1/2 BB ply.
The frame that it sits on is a welding table that is adjustable from level to 45 degrees and makes working at any angle very convenient.
It is hooked up to my dust collector on the bottom through a 90 degree port and also has a "Y" connector that allows me to use a 2 1/2" hose to clean the floor and surrounding areas.
Works like a dream…..!
The clamping mechanism was a makeshift rig with squeeze clamps that seemed to get in the way a lot.
When I saw the new Rockler clamps I realized they would work perfect for what I needed. They can hold the work at any angle and apply pressure without the need of squeeze clamps…I cut some blocks to add additional height to two of them and lined the faces that come into contact with the wood box with a piece of leather. This helps to protect the wood during clamping and also provides better grip stability…
I ordered 4 of them and started building the new table. However, Rockler got a little sneaky and made this to work with 5/16 T track instead of the 1/4" T track. I had 4 pieces of Rockler 1/4" T track already that were never used before and had planned to use them…not so…I had to piece this track together with what 5/16 track I had on hand. The T track in had that was from Rockler was deeper than their new track so I had to cut 1/8" filler strips to compensate for their difference.
This table is only 3" deep as opposed to the old one that was 7" deep. I made the top out of 3/4 Baltic birch ply with 2 pieces laminated together for the top to get it to 1 1/2" thick. The sides are 1/2 BB ply.
The frame that it sits on is a welding table that is adjustable from level to 45 degrees and makes working at any angle very convenient.
It is hooked up to my dust collector on the bottom through a 90 degree port and also has a "Y" connector that allows me to use a 2 1/2" hose to clean the floor and surrounding areas.
Works like a dream…..!