I'm getting ready to build a new work table, and I was wondering how big everyone elses tables are. I'm probably going to make the table 3' x 12' (cant make the table much deeper because of my cars). Is this going to be deep enough? My table I had at my parents house was a big square (10' x 10') which was awesome to work on. What works for everyone else?

Fork,

I am about to build a 1/4 scale F4U-1A Corsair and I am using a table I built for large builds. The wingspan on the plane is 10' but as you know the wings are seldom built in one piece when they get over the 90" range. The table I have is 37"x97" with a MDF top, framed up by 2x4's, and a piece of bull nosed 1/4" glass over that. Unless you are planning on building 1/2 scale planes 12' is by far an overkill. 3' is plenty for building any plane up to one with a 36" wing cord. What you have planned is going to be plenty for building even very large scale aircraft. I have 2 tables and a cutting table plus a work bench for my band saw, scroll saw, vise, and drill press. The smaller building table is a 3' wide hollow core door slab on a 2x4 frame. The first 2 pictures are my primary 37"x97" table and the next 2 are my secondary table 36"x81". I don't have a picture of the work bench for the saws and drill press or the cutting table.

Gibbs

In my opinion, since it's so long you don't need depth. Mine is 3 by 8 and I have plenty of room for 40 sized planes..

I use a 36x60 Kitchen island counter top..
It's working fine for me out in the middle of the garage.. I wouldn't like it against a wall.

I used to have a 4x8 drafting table.. Thats a great setup. Nice big drawer that would hold plans flat.

I use a 48 x 96 steel topped island bench and magnets instead of pins.

Scott

My current one is 3'x5'. Way too small in my opinion. I had one that was the standard 4x8 foot sheet of MDF, and will be doing that again. But, do note that I like to have at least three sides accessible. That is, the two long side, and an end. (It sticks out, rather than hugs a wall). This way, you move around the table / model, and opposed to constantly moving the model (and bumping it!!)

Most plans are at least 36" tall, and push 48" or 56" long. Layign them out flat is sweet; no folding, or having them hang over the table..

And, with smaller kits, you can build both wing halves at the same time! And the fuse / other parts are build on the end of the table!! Talk about efficientcy!!

Oh yeah, and some 1/2" holes along the peremiter.. So I can put the 'desk lamp' where it fits best for the particular task.. (One of those moveable desk lamps that you typically see on work benches, that fit into a bracket that clamps to the table top, swivels & moves about..)

4' x 8' walkaround. And 30" x 5' to the side against the wall . . . and 3' x 3' under the radial arm saw . . . and 30" x 48" on the table saw . . . and a 2' x 2' piece of ply on top of a stool . . . and some on the floor . . .


As much as you can find. That 10' square table sounds good, but everything I would need would be in the middle where i couldn't reach it???

Walk-around is by far the best - if you can get it to fit your space...