A Simple Table for My Surface Plate
Hi all,
With the school holidays all but another distant memory and my SP showing signs of collecting dust, I figured it was about time to build a table for it.
The table is going to be a no thrills affair. It will have adjustable feet and casters. The casters will engage the ground once the feet and screwed in, allowing it to be moved around. I really liked Bob's design (see here //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2024...=surface+plate with the cam lever, using it to lower and engage the wheels and I was going to copy it. Unfortunately, the casters I have for this job are a bit big, meaning the lower horizontal beam would need to be a fair bit higher which would mean I couldn't use it for a shelf.
Anyway, The plate will be supported at the usual points, being the Bessel Points to minimise deflection of the plate under it's own weight. (Realistically, I'm sure I could support my plate at any location and it probably would not make any difference to me or my use but, it's just as easy to make it right as it is half right!)
To support the plate I have employed 3 x 30mm ball bearings and made 6 sockets for them to sit in. Three of the sockets will be welded to the table frame (at the Bessel points) and the other three will sit on top of the balls with the plate resting on them.
Some table designs have adjustment both at the feet and at the plate support points but I don't see any need for this. All the leveling adjustment will be done at the feet.
Pics of the ball and socket arrangement so far...
Simon
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