Okay, cool, sounds like there's some interest. I wasn't sure, since it appears the present table has been in place for some time, and it wasn't clear the reason.
As for offers of help, they're much appreciated. I think the big thing is going to be moving this, and it's pieces around. I've seen estimates of ~300-500 pounds once completed. Add on the JET filter and you've got a real behemoth. I'll also definitely need help moving the old table out. I also might need some help with a lumber run. I can get a lot of stuff in my car, but this might be a bit much.
@Elly - FWIW, I'm attempting to do the budget version, while seeing if there's interest in some of the nicer stuff. (I'd prefer to do it once, the right way) Generally I've seen these done online and they've got $1000-2000 worth of hardwood + 2-3x $300 dollar clamps, and I think we can come in WAY under that, and not scrimp on functionality.
I think we can definitely do this in stages to some extend, but some things needs to be done as part of original build:
1) Choice of materials can't be undone. I haven't heard anybody pushing for anything other than southern yellow pine, so this is a huge savings.
2) Need at least one set of clamps, which gets pricey. I think we're easily going to spend as much or more on the hardware than the wood. Further it's hard to uninstall, then re-install a new set of clamps because you end up adding a lot of screw holes, which weakens the wood. It also depends on how the clamps interact with the legs, they might require holes to be drilled through the legs. Once that happens seems like we should stick with that clamp. OTOH it might be possible to have the legs far enough in to not interfere with the clamps. I'll see what I can do about modularity in the design.
Places where we can cut corners:
1) Generally the fancy woodworking places have leg clamp hardware for ~$200-400 for just the hardware. I think we can do something similar with a scaffolding screw for $25 + lumber.
2) Cheap generic clamps. Probably go with a couple of pipe clamps ($40) for the tail vise rather than the
Veritas twin screw clamp ($300).
3) No tool storage cabinet/shelves. Seems like a easy thing to install later, on top of the leg braces.
Maybe we could hold off on the hold downs? They're a bit on the pricey side, at $15 per hold down, and I haven't found any cheap alternatives. OTOH they seem pretty indestructible, and unlikely to walk off.
I'll have to draw up some formal plans to determine the lumber/cut list will look like. Probably a hand drafting drawing. It might be nice if somebody took my chicken scratches and converted them to a sketch up drawing. Failing that I can just scan the drawings.
I'll also see if I can install the pipe clamp tale vise prototype on the current assembly table just to see how well/poorly it works before committing to it.
@john2pt0
Clamps through the middle would be of the generic free hand sort. Allowing the middle to be removed would put them perpendicular to the surface, not parallel like the tail/front release vise.
As for skipping the front vise, the quick release on it makes it more usable than the tail vise, if we go the pipe clamp route. If we don't it gets seriously expensive very quickly. You are correct we could probably add another couple of clamps, and double up on the ability to share the table. OTOH vises and other hardware quickly get expensive.
You're also right about the bench dogs. I've seen a couple of
nice designs with bullets in the side to hold them in place. OTOH, I don't think
$7-10 for the plastic ones is all that bad either. Seems like a time v money trade off. The
aluminum ones at $25 for two seems close to a luxury purchase. Not sure who
buys these.