a question for a box for a 75lb drill press

[allen levine]

If I build a simple box, approx 18 x24,30 inches total height put it on casters, do I need to add 2x4s as a frame, or would 3/4 plywood screwed and glued be sufficient to support the press without the top bellying in or being wobbly?
I intend on mounting the castors on 2x4s, then attaching that to bottom piece of ply, and double sheet(2 pieces of 3/4 inch plywood) top surface supporting the press.

[Rennie Heuer]

Assuming the 18" dimension is wide, I think the plywood would deflect under the load if it had no additional support other than the plywood sides and back. However, a 2x4 would be overkill. A 1 x 2 of a good strong hardwood like oak set on edge at the front edge of the cabinet, and 1 or 2 more directly under the load, would work well. IMHO

[Frank Townend]

Covering a 2X2 frame with plywood would allow you to put doors on, and shelves in, your box. Never can have too much storage space.

[glenn bradley]

I tried something similar once upon a time. I ended up doubling the top (3/4" x 2) as it sagged under the weight. I think something as heavy as 2x is overkill though ;-)

[allen levine]

there isnt much between a 2x2 frame and a box without a frame.
(only an inch and a half, hehehe, well, 3 inches counting both sides)
Im going to go with Rennie, notch out a 1x2 on edge on front, middle and back,of top of walls only, put the plywood top on top of that, and just glue and screw the rest.
Ill add a shelf in the middle for added support

[Rennie Heuer]

there isnt much between a 2x2 frame and a box without a frame.
(only an inch and a half, hehehe, well, 3 inches counting both sides)
Im going to go with Rennie, notch out a 1x2 on edge on front, middle and back,of top of walls only, put the plywood top on top of that, and just glue and screw the rest.
Ill add a shelf in the middle for added support
Allen - I did miss the fact that you were doubling the top sheet. :huh: Assuming you will laminate the two top sheets into a single 1 1/2" thick top you should not experience any sag without additional framing. Never-the-less, the oak trim would still be a nice touch:D

[allen levine]

laminate as in glue the top sheets together, yes, thats about all I would do.

[Rennie Heuer]

laminate as in glue the top sheets together, yes, thats about all I would do.
I have 3 - 3/4" pieces laminated together for my combo planer/mortiser stand. It's about 20" wide and is supported only by a single steel rod that goes through the middle of the middle sheet. The combined weight of the machines is well over 100 lbs. no sagging... ever.:thumb:

[Jim DeLaney]

I'd beef up the platform with a hardwood perimeter frame.

Question: Where'd you get a floor mount drill press that only weighs 75 pounds? Both of mine are well over 100# - probably closer to 150 for the Shop Fox, and maybe 175~200 for the Powermatic.

[allen levine]

Im sorry, I thought I mentionedl I purchased a table top delta dp300L
I posted it in tools section, also purchased the delta mortiser kit.
Overall shipping weight was 82 lbs, but then again the mortiser must weigh in at 10-15 lbs when all assembled and attached with fence.

[Rennie Heuer]

Hold on - before you build a stand - let me send you a pic of mine. might give you ideas.

[allen levine]

my portable wood rack is a casualty of war, the space war.
The thing was such a huge pain in the neck to build, so heavy and tough to assemble,
On a positive note, I found a pair of slides while cleaning out some space, so Ill put a drawer into it.

[Ned Bulken]

I've been watching this thread with some interest. I've got a benchtop delta DP and I've learned a lot from all of the responses. I'm pretty well settled on building a plywood shell to go over the steel drawer unit that I have. I figure that I'll make it a little taller than the drawer unit , so I can have a shelf to store bits, circle cutter jig etc.

Rennie, I'd be interested in seeing that photo too if you don't mind.

[Vaughn McMillan]

I don't have anything useful to add to the topic, but every time I see the thread title, I wonder why you'd have a question for a box. :rofl: I guess my question would be "Box, why do you have a 75 pound drill press on you?" :p

I really need to get some sleep. :zzz: I've had about 3 hours worth since Monday morning. :bonkers:

[Rennie Heuer]

I've been watching this thread with some interest. I've got a benchtop delta DP and I've learned a lot from all of the responses. I'm pretty well settled on building a plywood shell to go over the steel drawer unit that I have. I figure that I'll make it a little taller than the drawer unit , so I can have a shelf to store bits, circle cutter jig etc.

Rennie, I'd be interested in seeing that photo too if you don't mind.
Ned - I promise I'll get one posted. I promised to shampoo carpets last night so I forgot to go out and snap the picture :(. I thought I had one already, so I'll look around. If not, I'll try and remember to get it done this evening.

[Ned Bulken]

Thanks,
you've got plenty of time... after all I won't need it for ... well, who knows how long before I need it, but I'd still like to see one. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[allen levine]

I thought youd have posted it up by now.
I was looking foward to seeing it before I started cutting.
Im still in the process of cleaning out space and making space and dumping wood, gonna dissassemble the old wood cart and salvage some plywood.
Ill check in again.

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Yeah, come on Rennie. Post the picture for crying out loud!

:p:p:p

Actually, even though I have a floor model DP, I'm following this for ideas on a stand for my mortiser.

[Rennie Heuer]

Yeah, come on Rennie. Post the picture for crying out loud!

:p:p:p

Actually, even though I have a floor model DP, I'm following this for ideas on a stand for my mortiser.
Here's a taste - you can see it on the left side of the picture. The mortiser hangs underneath the planer - or vise versa when the table is flipped.
http://familywoodworking.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22076&d=1215480628

[allen levine]

I just hate to bust up something I built, but Im going to do it shortly,
was a nice handy rolling woodrack.
I had to make storage for some wood, so I have that done.
Actually figured out I have more than 2 clamps, so I even put up a board to hold some of those.
Wood storage, clamp rack, in 5 or 6 years Ill actually have the beginning of a real wood shop.
rennie, ya gotta give me a better pic than that. My eyes arent what they used to be, and it aint much better with my glasses.

[Rennie Heuer]

rennie, ya gotta give me a better pic than that. My eyes arent what they used to be, and it aint much better with my glasses.
Your wish is my command :D
22122 22123 22124 22125 22126 22127 22128 22129
I think these are self explanatory, but I've been wrong before. If anyone wants details just holler!:rofl:

[allen levine]

I like the flip top, but I wouldnt consider anything that fancy.
Im not going to expect anything that looks that good.
I know and understand my limitations, and I basically had a similar idea as far as basic construction, meaning open in the middle, wheels to keep it mobile.
Thanx for the pictures, even though its not as funny as the rump riser,:D its great work for a work table.
(now if I post what I build, youre going to have too much fun)

[Rennie Heuer]

I like the flip top, but I wouldnt consider anything that fancy.
Im not going to expect anything that looks that good.
I know and understand my limitations, and I basically had a similar idea as far as basic construction, meaning open in the middle, wheels to keep it mobile.
Thanx for the pictures, even though its not as funny as the rump riser,:D its great work for a work table.
Believe me - it looks better in the pictures :o.

You could make it a bit taller and put both your mortiser and DP on it. It is very simple construction. The sides and bottom are double sheets of plywood, the top is a triple sheet. I edged mine in some soft maple I had lying around. It was one of my earlier attempts and it's a bit out of square. But, it works very well!:D

[allen levine]

Believe me - it looks better in the pictures :o.

You could make it a bit taller and put both your mortiser and DP on it. It is very simple construction. The sides and bottom are double sheets of plywood, the top is a triple sheet. I edged mine in some soft maple I had lying around. It was one of my earlier attempts and it's a bit out of square. But, it works very well!:D

the only mortiser thats been in my garage is my uncle Morty, I have the mortise attachement for the drill press.
It looks like its supporting much more weight than Id need, both of those machines.

[Rennie Heuer]

the only mortiser thats been in my garage is my uncle Morty, I have the mortise attachment for the drill press.
It looks like its supporting much more weight than Id need, both of those machines.
Uncle Morty might not enjoy being upside down for long periods of time.:rofl:

But - there's lots of things that might fit there - think "future tools" :D

[allen levine]

I was thinking of keeping the table height under 31 inches, since thats a level that I feel would be comfortable working the table top drill press from.
My work bench is about 33 inches high, and I feel like a 2 or 3 inch drop would be a bit more comfortable for me.

[allen levine]

IM going to do my best, if it falls apart and lands on my toe, Ill hire someone else to build it.Ill post some pics tomorrow of the beginning of the build, if Im doing something horribly wrong, someone will stop me..
Ive lucky so far.
The only bad thing that happenned to me so far in the shop is that my son took some camping equipment and the cooler down from the overheadstorage, and didnt shove all the halloween decorations back up.
So when I was leveling off the blade on my table saw couple of weeks back, I got clocked by a talking pumpkin. My son thought it was funny.

[Tony Baideme]

Hey Allen,

You can do a good job of making one of those. Your chairs look real good so I got confidence in you.

Not to steal the thread but I wanted to ask Rennie, did you ever do a thread on your workbench? That looks to be about what I need, along with this box we are discussing now.

Aloha, Tony

[Rennie Heuer]

Hey Allen,

You can do a good job of making one of those. Your chairs look real good so I got confidence in you.

Not to steal the thread but I wanted to ask Rennie, did you ever do a thread on your workbench? That looks to be about what I need, along with this box we are discussing now.

Aloha, Tony
Apologies in advance to Allen - one sidetracking post coming up :o

Tony - My bench is about 90 years old. A long time ago (1920's), when there were such things as apprentices, a fellow by the name of Henry Becker went to work for the John Wanamaker Co. in Philadelphia working on their pipe organ http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/bell.html. At the time I think it was the largest on the east coast. He was given a workbench - this one - which still has the shipping label from a company near Chicago on the underside. After a very long career as organ builder he retired and lived near me in Toms River, NJ.

I met Henry through a friend while helping to build the pipe organ for our church. While visiting his home to pick up some parts I commented on his workbench and how much I wished to have one like it some day. He asked me if I'd like to buy it to which I replied that there was no way I could afford it. Let's just say he reasoned that his advanced age and bad knees kept him from his basement workshop and it was just collecting dust and therefore would be better off in my shop - for a price I could not pass up. I was back with my truck in less than an hour!

As far as I can tell it's solid maple and the stretchers use a M&T w/bolt so it can be broken down for shipping. The top still carries round indents from working on organ pipes. The face vise is poor by today's standards, but I am loath to replace it knowing that it would destroy the character of the bench.

There are times I wish I had something larger/flatter, but sentiment always wins out over reason. :D

[allen levine]

took advantage of the nicer weather today, much less humidity.
didnt realize Id spend hours pulling nails from old plywood, some of which I was using.
Basic design, I really love those dado blades, almost added a shelf, but realized with a small drawer, cabinet is too small.
Cut all the pieces first, glad they fit together, drilled all the holes for the castors and bolts, all I really have left is to attach the castors, double the top and bottom, glue together, and its done without the drawer.
(I still have to cut the back, I dont have any 1/4, or 1/2 inch ply laying around that isnt warped like me.) Cut out the rabbet for it, so its a simple thing.
Wanted to check to make sure the weight is no problem, so I looked around for something that weighed more, and nothing laying around except my daughter taking in a book and sun, so I made her stand on it, even though I havent secured the top. Shes around 125, and it didnt budge. Strong enough.those are 1 and 1/4 inch oak supports on top
just wanted to show rennie how I have to deal with outfeed and full sheets when Im cutting on my 99 dollar table saw.
It aint easy having a mobile shop.

[Ned Bulken]

I wish I could have seen the 'Look' on your daughter's face. You want me to do What? :rofl::rofl:

Looks like it ought to hold it up just fine there Allen.

[Rennie Heuer]

Wanted to check to make sure the weight is no problem, so I looked around for something that weighed more, and nothing laying around except my daughter taking in a book and sun, so I made her stand on it, even though I havent secured the top. Shes around 125, and it didnt budge.
Does she know that you have broadcast her weight around the globe? :eek::rofl:

[allen levine]

Im just happy she was laying in the backyard here and not on the beach.(she looks at me like Im weird when I ask her to do things like stand on a cabinet, but does it anyway. Shes daddy's little girl no matter how old she is)
These kids today where next to nothing, and I have to keep my mouth shut cause this is what all the kids are wearing.
Anyway, heres the progress.
I decided I didnt need a double thickness top, even though it was cut.
I put the doulbe thickness bottom, added the wheels, 1/4 inch nex bolts, pretty sure they will be more than sufficient, countersunk with washers.
Started to add some red oak trim on the plywood edges, but ran out of time.
It fits perfect into its storage area, or allocated space, and after this winter, I have to seriously think about dust collection other than a 4 inch hose and my old shop vac. Its time. I spend more time cleaning than I do working.(but first thing on my wish list is a real table saw with a good fence.)
I was pleased when I put the drill press on the table, everything was level.
When I cut everything first, then assemble, I always keep my fingers crossed.:huh:

[Rennie Heuer]

Looks good Allen. Nice job!

[Tony Baideme]

Rennie, thank you.

Allen, sorry for the disruption in your thread. (Please forgive a former fellow New Yorker) As I said previously, you can do it. Well, you did it, and I believe that "box" as you call it, would hold four more of those drill presses, as far as weight is concerned. Very well constructed cabinet there. I have my 14" Delta bench drill press sitting on a 2 drawer file cabinet. That works right now, but I like yours much better. Thanks.

Aloha, Tony

[allen levine]

I would have loved to show some nice pics of what I choose to do this afternoon instead of finish my DP box.
Went to the Promenade to look at the waterfall exhibit in NY Harbor.
Didnt think to take a camera.
Heres a shot, well, zoomed in digitally, Too bad, the Statue of Liberty looked incredible with the red sky.
the flag on top of the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset.
this was a pocket camera I keep in my truck, not very good, but I always have it with me.

[Frank Townend]

Just got an E-mail tip from Woodsmith magazine that may be helpful as you raise your drill press to new heights.

This week's tip, available on-line here (http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/2008/07/10/ws/print/) is about making a rolling cabinet stationary when it needs to be so. It seems like a nice tip.

I've found Woodsmith magazine's tips to be simple, but helpful. Sign up for a weekly E-mail tip here (http://plansnow.com/mdplans.html).

[allen levine]

nice tip, thanx for ths view.

[allen levine]

finished. I had a plastic handle, for the drawer, I cracked it since I tried to force a larger screw into it.
I had to use what I had.
3/4 maple ply for the drawer, 5/8th MDF for the bottom of drawer, 3/4 African mahogany for the drawer front, and 6/4 oak piece for a drawer handle.
Just love those dado blades

Mixed 4 different stains, all the bottoms of the cans, golden oak, golden pecan, Ipswich pine, and I cant remember the other one.

I do have one question before I bolt on the drillpress.

Since its in the garage year round, do I have to polyurtethane the wood? Gave it 2 coats of stain.

[Jim DeLaney]

Looks good, Allen.

I'd put a coat of poly on it - especially if you're gonna use the DP for drilling metal. That way, a drip or spill of cutting oil will wipe off instead of soaking in.

[Rennie Heuer]

I agree with Jim - especially since it will be sitting in unconditioned space.

[allen levine]

Its so humid today, Ill let the stain dry for at least 24 -36 hours before I put poly on.
thanx for the help.