Purchasing a Table Surface

[BrandanS]

Hey ShopBotters,

I am looking to purchase a Table surface for a ShopBot gantry which we are expecting in the next couple of weeks. Looking for an aluminum table with T-Slots in it. We're in Southren Ontario Canada, and if you guys have any resources, contacts or places to start looking, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks,

Brandan

[gc3]

http://www.techno-isel.com/LMC/Products/Aluminum.htm

http://www.hubbardcnc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=343

[coryatjohn]

I used 8020's 4.5"x1.5" T-slot rails to complete my table. Great stuff.

[Burkhardt]

I used 8020's 4.5"x1.5" T-slot rails to complete my table. Great stuff.

I am using the same 8020 extrusion and it is really excellent. It stiffens up the table substantially.
Not exactly cheap but 8020 sells on eBay (e.g. here (http://www.ebay.com/itm/8020-T-Slot-Aluminum-Extrusion-15-S-1545-x-72-Long-N-/330365977452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ceb58c36c)) and once a while you can find a decent surplus deal for shorter lengths.

[coryatjohn]

Here's what my table looks like. It's a 60" wide PRS Alpha with a 4 foot traditional bed (with vacuum) and the 8020 rails making up the rest. It works great.

http://usnaviguide.com/shopbot/table.jpg

[khaos]

This is on and off topic. The 80/20 site has one of the most useful FAQ's I have seen on an industrial site. Useful QnA! I must give cudos!!

example:
http://www.8020.net/T-Slot-6.asp

[scottp55]

Off topic. Thanks for the pics John, your Bessey K's just solved a problem for me:)

[GeneMpls]

Again- thanks for the picts John. I will be converting my 4x4 back to it's 4x8 configuration
and I can see this being incorporated in the new bed. Gene

[BrandanS]

Thanks for the Input!

[gundog]

That is nice John I am planning a new table top soon. I plan to have a 5x10 table and I am going to have a vacuum zone on 4x8 portion of the table and extrusion on the rest but setup a little differently. Thanks for the pictures.

Mike

[coryatjohn]

Glad the picture was useful.

To keep the extrusions completely flat, I glued wood spacers to the steel table rails and then ran the surface routine on them to get a completely flat and level mounting surface for the extrusions.

[Ajcoholic]

Sorry to ressurect this thread - but I thought it might get me a faster opinion VS in the buddy table thread I have.

I am going to replace my MDF table on my Buddy Alpha BT48 (with 6 foot power stick for an actual 48" by 48" square cutting area) which is approx 54" square - with an aluminum table.

I got a quote from Techno Isel for some extrusions, and freight - totaling about $1300 US. They are out of stock until July and also the material would come in 10 foot lengths and I would have to cut it myself (not really an issue).

I also got a quote from Hubbard CNC, for their system - which is only 1" thick vs the 1 1/2" of the other extrusion. And, it appears that the divider strips lock down the T slot track so once assembled the whole works is very rigid. I am also going to have some sort of solid or tube or angle member along the two edges that overhang the power stick.

Anyhow, any one have experience with the Hubbard system of table? It would cost me about $1000 shipped, so it is more attractive if it will be just as good.

[ssflyer]

No experience with Hubbard, but you might want to check out 8020 extrusions, and simply put your own together. They have a surplus store on eBay, where I got a lot of pieces very reasonably.

[Ajcoholic]

No experience with Hubbard, but you might want to check out 8020 extrusions, and simply put your own together. They have a surplus store on eBay, where I got a lot of pieces very reasonably.

Ron, I emailed a few Canadian 8020 retailers and got zero response...

I really like the Hubbard system, as once assembled, the whole top is bolted down and held together via the nature of the extrusions. Plus its 1" thick which gives me an extra 1/2" Z height.

I will need to have something like a 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" thick wall angle or square tube, to bolt along the outer edges as my buddy table of course isnt screwed down other than to the central power stick. But I am also using linear rails and bearing block to hold the edges of the table in plane throughout the travel.

AJC

[Justin G]

Glad the picture was useful.

To keep the extrusions completely flat, I glued wood spacers to the steel table rails and then ran the surface routine on them to get a completely flat and level mounting surface for the extrusions.
John,
I love how reading through this forum you inadvertently see things that help you. That clamp on clamp idea is genius. Lots of applications for something like that.

[gundog]

I bought the Hubbard system for my new table but I have not installed it yet. I have mixed feelings about how strong it will be the extruded parts are very heavy duty but the channel pieces are a little light weight and that is the part that secures the pieces to the table. On mine I put down some 1/2" aluminum to secure it too.

Mike

[Ajcoholic]

My Hubbard table at close to 5' wide is very sturdy. Most of mine is self supported being just fastened to the centre on my power stick and along the outer edges. And it is very sturdy with no noticeable deflection.