| Project by jfk4032 | posted 246 days ago | 1463 views | 8 times favorited | 5 comments |  |
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I saw this table top insert used by a master intarsia artist who inspired me to try intarsia. When cutting very small pieces this zero clearance table top makes it easier and safer to manuever the pieces around the blade and not worry about the large gap on the Hegner tabletop which accommodates the table swivel to catch small pieces while cutting.
It’s quite simple yet works like a charm. I simply cut a piece of plywood scrap to the desired shape with a little overhang beyond the Hegner table. I attached three runners to “lock” the table top onto the existing metal table and then used multiple layers of metal ductwork tape to build up one side which was a little loose and made it a perfectly snug fit. This metal tape also helped to center the blade alley to slide effectively back and forth when installing and then taking off the table top. This tape buildup can be seen in the closeup shot in the last picture. I had to keep the thickness of the runners thin enough to not catch on the blade clamp jig when sliding table into position.
I finished the table top with Beall buffing system to make it easier to cut on. You can see the difference between the unbuffed bottom surface and the top surface in the pictures.
-- ---Joel; Central MD...rookie empter nester and getting back into woodworking!
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5 comments so far
Monte Pittman
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7029 posts in 503 days
#1 posted 246 days ago
Nice job. Looking forward to more projects in the future.
-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability
Hawaiilad
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842 posts in 1186 days
#2 posted 246 days ago
Hi Joel, I have made tables like this for my Hegners. Do you have a problem threading the blade through the small hole up to the top blade holder? And where did you purchase the tubes for your blades
-- Hawaiilad Larry
Ken90712
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#3 posted 245 days ago
Wll done, look fwd to seeing some work off this.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
jfk4032
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#4 posted 245 days ago
Hi Larry,
Dont’ have a clue yet on threading the blades since I just finished the table top and haven’t cut anything on it other than a couple of small pieces to test out the table…I haven’t tried changing blades yet.
The tubes were purchased at: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/test-tubes. They work great, won’t break and I put labels on the outside to identify which blades are in them. Any standard soda cap will fit them, so if you want to color code them you can do that. I use a different color for blade I’m using at that time. I made tube holders to go around 3 sides of the Hegner stand and attached those with several rare earth magnets.
-- ---Joel; Central MD...rookie empter nester and getting back into woodworking!
stefang
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9433 posts in 1499 days
#5 posted 245 days ago
Great idea Joel. I just have a a cut-off platter for my zero clearance top which I use carpet tape to hold down. Your top is a lot better with the slip fit for easy installation and removal. I will have to try it. Thanks for sharing.
-- Mike, American in Norway
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