Work table

[Sawyer]

I have not ordered ma plans yet but am about to get my work area in order. I have one sheet of 3/4 inch 7 ply acx 4x8 plywood. Since I will build an lexl for my 240-250# 5'10" frame I intend to go with the 24" wide fuselage. I would like opinion on the table width at 24" less the saw perf or should I buy another sheet and go with 26 up to 32 inches wide. Also considering 16 ft table for building the wings. Thanks in advance for help.

[Kamcoman77]

If you want to use your table to assemble your wings as well as your fuselage consider that spars are 27-1/2" apart. I built my table 36" wide so I could lay both spars on the table and still have room to slide the assembly back & forth if needed. It is still easy to work on the fuselage (not too wide.

[Sawyer]

Thanks much. guess I will go and get another sheet of plywood. I plan on using 2x8 16ft white pine off my sawmill, It is dried so I will run i thru the mill again to make sure it is straight, probably end up with 7.5 inches. plenty stiff.

[Kamcoman77]

Fuselage and wings are just over 13-feet long. If I made another build table it would be 14 or 15 feet long and 3-feet wide. In the photo you can just see the firewall (station #1) on the right and the tailpost is just at the left end of my 13-foot 4-inch by 36" wide table.

[Tom XL-7]

Keep in mind the weight you are not dealing with here. none of your assemblies, fuselage wing panel should even approach 50 pounds. under 40 more like it. likely the table will weigh more than the work. I am building two particle board tables. with 2x4 structure underneath. 30" by 84" each. width is minimum allowing only an inch extra. needless to say I will need some stops to keep it from sliding off and damaging itself, but I need space- building in an attic.
I am viewing the tops as disposable, paint and layout, holes if I need clamps somewhere. Welding burns scorches, screw jigs supports and such. 1/2 ply for lower shelf and gussets to stiffen legs. Particle board mdf type sheets will lay flat and if supported  will stay flat and not warp.
but in the end you need to make what works in your space and use resources  and techniques you have.
good luck and have fun

[Sawyer]

Thanks for great input. The board I have is $40 per sheet and I would need one more. I have so much lumber here I could build any kind of table for the price of the screws and some planer time.  I like the idea of mdf on the top for sacrificial wood to burn when welding which is a skill I will have to learn or hire out.  Every $40 saved is more money for the aircraft which I hope to build for a minimum cost with safety as priority and maybe purchase an engine outright. Just went out to the barn where I keep my little summer truck and it is about even 23ft x 10ft with 8ft 6in ceiling on concrete floor should be plenty of room. I will probably build the wing ribs in my little heated wood shop and then start the airframe in maybe april may.  I filled out my plans order today and also internet ordered the wing drawings from Iron Design Iowa. Two large steps in the right direction. Quite ready to get started. Thanks for support.

[jrbirdman47]

23 X 10 should be plenty big. my shop is barely bigger than the wing itself, (about 8 X 16), and I got it done. Congrats on the first steps ad enjoy the build!

[Theodore]

scroungable doors from Craigslist free stuff(i'm picking up 32" solid cores for top) The old bi-folds made of fir are best. A good heavy base, narrow top for fuselage welding, and wide top for wing assembly(full sheet width 48")
My height is 32", im not sure clearance needed, g-door is at 84" from floor.