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Slab Flattening Table

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Tyler M, Nov 7, 2018.

  1. Tyler M

    Tyler M New
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    I would like to make a slab flattening table with metal legs, similar to the picture of the CNC machine I have posted. I would want the Y axis to be 2500mm long, and the X axis to be 1500 mm long. I think the C-Beam linear rail will be good for the main four sides.

    In the middle, I think 20x80mm V-Slot Linear Rails running between the two long rails (in the X direction) would be the best support to lay slabs on. I would need 3 20x80mm v-rails to provide support roughly every 2 feet.

    I am open to suggestions on the legs, but currently am thinking 40x40mm simply because they are square.

    For the movable X-Axis, I would like two more C-Beams placed in parallel. My router would go between the two rails, and I could hopefully plunge the router low enough (Z-Directions) to reach the slab without shimming it up.

    I am really needing help with all the small accessories which would attach rails the rails and legs together. I obviously need a sturdy design that is flat and rigid. I have looking around this forum for anything close, and only found one thread about slab flattening. I would like my table to be build purely from OpenBuilds parts... No wood. Too bad I'm a complete idiot when it comes to google sketch up. Can anyone design what I need?

    Thanks!
     

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  2. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    What size slabs are you intending to place on the bed?
     
  3. Tyler M

    Tyler M New
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    Up at about 8’ long and about 4.5’ wide.
     
  4. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    How thick though? Weight could be a problem here.
     
  5. Tyler M

    Tyler M New
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    I don’t think anything would be over about 150 lbs.
     
  6. Tyler M

    Tyler M New
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    Also I think 6 legs would be better than 4 just in case. If possible.
     
  7. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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  8. Tyler M

    Tyler M New
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  9. Robert Hettel

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    I am also looking to build a router sled for slab flattening, but also a few other tasks, that require a bit more of a precise set up than the standard router sleds you see for flattening live edge slabs. I currently have a wooden router sled setup, but it has too much play in it, and the 8ft wooden rails just aren't precise enough, factor in wood movement, and its just quite good enough to do rail and stile cuts on 8ft boards. The products here seem perfect for this, but since i have never seen or used this system, no idea on what i need to part a kit out. i have done a basic sketch-up drawing, giving the basic idea of what i want to do.

    three things i would like to accomplish,

    router sled.
    cross cut sled for circular saw.
    and long sled for circular saw.

    I realize there are better ways to do what I sketched out, just not sure how to implement them with this system. sooo ... any help would be appreciated, and remember... ZERO understanding of whats I need to even connect, attach, strengthen, etc. Would really like to but the sleds on wheels. I would like to make this adjustable in width, though i may just have to go with having different sized cross bars to use if i need to widen it. Since i see some of you do cnc router sleds, you know what the requirement for being able to adjust the rails for calibration.

    So if anyone can suggest at least what types of rails, etc for the strength this will need, which isn't much but it does need to be rigid for the 108 inches. I'll also need to extend the rails to make that total of 108 ish. I am not sure which hardware to use.. or just what would be best to keep the rails straight when adding the extensions.

    This isn't a complex project, but i still need basic hardware help.

    TY
    Bob sled 9.jpg sled 2.jpg router sled project 001.JPG
     
  10. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    @Tyler M,

    Sketchup file attached showing connections. It's not fully detailed but there is enough there to give you the idea. (T-nuts are not shown but should be considered implied.) Side rails were increased to 2700mm to account for the carriage width and still allow for the full 8' desired working length. No accommodation for automation included as none was requested.

    Flattening table - fin.jpg

    It should be noted that none of this has been tested. Should be workable but no guarantees. You may need to add additional connectors. The 90 degree Makerlink connectors were selected entirely on economy. They're less than half the cost of a similar connection with the cast 90s.
     

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  11. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Nothing in the OpenBuilds system will span anywhere near that far with any level of rigidity. I would suggest a single rail T-square system instead for ripping and cross-cuts. A second lowered rail on the opposite side of the table will accommodate the flattening sled without interfering with being able to lay 4'x8' sheets on the table for ripping.
     
  12. Robert Hettel

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    it can have more supports doesn't need to be a stand alone run, just drew it that way simply because i am not sure how rigid the rails are. can easily put 4 posts per side, just have no idea what hardware to use. or the best way to set up a roller sled. But thank you for your reply, its much appreciated. it can even be something with an extra rail down the outside of it for extra support, ie say a 20x40;60 and then a 20 x20 ? i mean this isn't going to take a ton of stress, simply the router weight, and the action of the sled moving, manually. now that I've found all this stuff is available for sketch-up, i'll try another approach, and see if you think it will work. While I wanted the ability to be able to widen the rails for other things, its not a must have. I'll rarely ever rip 4x8 wood... and if i need to, i'll just use the table and a long guide. I'm working on cedar boards right now, and have about 40 ish to square and flatten, they are only 6 inches wide, by approximatly 100 ish inches long.

    Thank you for your time.
     

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