Build table

[Mking]

Well the garage is clear and all I need to do is sort it out, clear a few jobs from the DIY to do list and then the build I have dreamed of since I was 14 (18 years ago) can begin. Yes I'm excited!! So here is the first of probably many dumb questions I'll be putting on here.

I went to my local B and Q the other day and thought I'd look at timber for the build table. Every piece of 3 x 2 or similar I picked up had a slight bow to it. If I use that then surely the table won't be perfectly level and as it seems the chances of a totally distortion free chassis are limited then it will exacerbate the problem. So what did you guys do or am I just being too much of a perfectionist?

[K4KEV]

Don't stop being a perfectionist otherwise you will end saying to yourself "that will do".....get the straightest bits you can and power plane them straight, your build table is the whole basis of a nice true chassis and a helpful bolt down jig when welding accessible joints.....accuracy now will pay dividends later on believe me......good luck with the build and I look forward to following it.

[Richard Dryden]

I used 50 mm box running the length of the table in 3 places, stopped it flexing but then we did have it anyway. It's not really all that expensive per length and as kev says best to keep it right.

[voucht]

Hi,
I did my table in wood as explained in the book (2,5mx1,2mx22mm board + 70x45mm timber frame), and it hasn't moved at all. It could actually be re-used for another build!

The post on my blog about the build table:
http://vouchtroadster.blogspot.se/2011/10/le-plan-de-travail-working-board.html

Goo luck for your build :)

[tkpm]

Go to your local builders merchant and ask for studding timber, this tends to be straighter then the stuff from the DIY stores.

Don't forget to ask for discount, most don't give it unless you ask for it.

Terry

[Mking]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I'll try the studding timber and if not fire up the planer.

[CTWV50]

I planed mine and used MDF for the sheeting.

[Rosco]

I used two sheets of ply, one for the top and the second ripped into strips and used on edge as it's far less likely to bow on edge, made a very strong bench

[Mking]

A quick query for you all. Would you advise I use ply, chip board, OSB, mdf or doesn't it really matter as long as it's a flat board?

[K4KEV]

anything as long it is flat and true