Table Saw Torsion Box Design

[dimmaz88]

Hi all, I'd like your expert opinions

 

I have a hobby size table saw which i'd like to expand. I'm planning to build a torsion box that surrounds the saw top.

 

Do you think a torsion box with a cut out will be sufficiently strong, or will it reduce the torsion box properties too much?

 

I was going to use MDF, would ply be a better option or does it not really matter?

 

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

P.S. If you have a better idea please say so.

[Vic]

That should have plenty of strength.

[Bobby Slack]

I am not a huge fan of MDF. You could use plywood and then laminate the plywood with a 1/2" mdf top which then you could apply laminate to it. That is how my buddy's cabinet shops assembly tables are done.

[wdwerker]

Plywood ribs and MDF or ply for the faces(you need a top and bottom!). Do not scrimp on the glue, tight joints are good, gaps are bad.

[duckkisser]

i dont know if you are looking for something to be a work bench and a torsion box but i was told by marc in one of his QA sessions about his torsion box

( i asked about a contorsion box ) that they stay flat but they are not desighned to be hammered on that with a good blow you could hammer between the ribs and blow through.   if you want an assembly table as well as a table saw they then yes if you want a work bench plus  a table saw then no. 

[Vic]

My outfeed, assembly table has a double layer of 7 ply plywood on top. That should be plenty for most operations. The top layer is only screwed to the top torsion box skin, which is glued nailed.

[dimmaz88]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

This is just to use for the tables saw, not a work bench. Even so, you have to hit 18mm MDF pretty hard to put a hole in it

 

I think I'll include a sacrificial top of hardboard, easier to replace that than the whole thing.

 

I'm excited to get building, I'll upload some pics when I'm done.

 

Thanks again,

 

Scott

[Beechwood Chip]

Dave in Oz did a great job of extending his table saw table.  He described and

[dimmaz88]

Dave in Oz did a great job of extending his table saw table.  He described and

 

 

Cheers Beechwwod, just when I thought I'd got a plan sorted you throw a spanner in the works

 

That is a great setup, however, I've been dying to build a torsion box for ages