8" Channel for Table?

[john_r]

Ok maybe it has been done, or maybe not. I tried looking through the forums and couldn't find anything. I'm building a 60X120 Steel PRT table, I want to use 2X8 C Channel and was wondering if anyone has used this idea to add Z height? Anyone see any problems with it? Will the Z axis reach using the SB table plans?

Thanks,
John

[marshawk]

We raised the Z's on one end of our double PRT-120. We had to put a table underneath because the bit would not reach all the way down to the table. So we built a table to go on top of the main table. We remove it for larger items. Worked out great.

Chip

[marshawk]

You can see it here (http://www.mmwk.com/shop.htm).

[john_r]

Very cool, sorta like a SB lift kit.
I guess I was thinking that I could always raise my work surface if needed, which it looks like your doing with your table. I have no idea if there is a benefit to doing it this way versus raising the Y gantry. But one thing for certain, it should never move...I can't imagine what the weight of the table will be...1000+lbs?

[marshawk]

It doesn't move and it is very heavy. Raising the Z has not caused any decrease in resolution either. It works just fine.

Chhers,

Chip

[Brady Watson]

Or...if you don't want to raise the rails, you can lift the gantry by 2" like I did here. (http://www.bradywatson.com)

-Brady

[marshawk]

OH..your just SOooo much better than I am... :-p

[john_r]

Hey Brady,
Yeah I think your method may have been a double solution. It was hard to beat the price on the material for me though. I think I'll have maybe 500.00 in a Steel PRT120 all 8" C-Channel including blue powdercoat.

[Brady Watson]

John,
I had some 2X3 laying around...and really didn't feel like redoing the rails on my 5X16' table, so I opted to raise the gantry instead. The way I see it is...whatever works for your setup is the right way.

-Brady

[marshawk]

All I had to do was turn the brackets around and it cost me 1/2 hour.

The tubing probably makes it a little more sturdy though...

[john_r]

Well it's been slow progress but it's coming along. Just need the city inspector to show today to sign off my electrical final on my shop.
590
591

[drodda]

I raised mine by adding an additional 6" channel on top of the old one. I also purchased the 12" Z to allow it to reach the table top.


592

[wcsg]

There was another fellow in Venice Beach where the so cal camp will be, he added an additional Channel to his existing and had an extra long Z plate made up