Breaking Down Sheet Goods

[berry]

There've been a couple of threads recently dealing with this topic. My shop is in the basement and a full sheet won't make the journey so breaking down sheet goods in the garage is how I must work.

I was surprised that the discussion didn't cover methods of supporting the stock while it's cut.

For a long time I placed 2 x 4's on the garage floor, laid my plywood or whatever on it, and used a straight and circular saw. For awhile I I used pink rigid insulation instead of the 2 x 4's.

Finally I read an article in Woodsmith and built this unit. Four 2 x 4's put together with half lap joints. They rest on standard saw horses. I cut the half laps with a circular saw, so they joints were pretty rough, I labled each so they'd fit together easily in future use. I cross drilled each joint and stick in a 1/4" dowel to prevent the joint from coming apart if I put weight on just one end. I also painted the floor to position the saw horses. Finally I've gave them a shot of orange paint so I wouldn't accidentally use a section for something else. When not in use the rig stands up in a corner of the garage.


I have a full sheet of MDF on edge against the wall that I can add to this and use the unit for finishing or assembly. I really like this unit. It is soooo good not to be working on my knees!

Because it comes apart so easily I can throw it into the van and take it to a job site.

But I always trying to see how others work.

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[JPG]

I like that!!!!!

[dusty]

That's a very decent solution to a problem that many of us face every time we start a plywood job.

Here in Arizona I believe I could even leave it out in the weather.

Occasionally, we host a family, outdoor gathering that always requires a large table for the eats. I can see this with a sheet thrown over it and covered with "the makings".

[forrestb]

If I can find room for the 2x4s in my "shop" I will build one for sure. I use 4 stands with 1x12s for breaking down 4x8 sheets.

I can handle them all by myself since my Toyota Sienna (my truck) will carry them inside when the seats are out. I back up to the stands and just slide the sheets out.

Of course, the pic indicates that I woodwork better than I drive , but adjustments can be made.
Forrest

[anmius]

That's pretty much the same system I have used for years since I have the same basement shop problem. Only instead of saw horses, I use two B&D Workmates to hold one 4 foot 2x4 each. I then have two eight foot 2x4's interlocked with half laps. Then I have two more 4 foot 2x4's half lapped into the eight foot 2x4's. Works like a charm. And I've been cutting for years and still don't need to replace any of them. The only reason I didn't use saw horses is because I already owned the Workmates.

I too don't like working on my hands and knees.

Oh, and I also place a sheet of plywood on top as an extra large work surface.

[fjimp]

I have frequently referred to my Eurekazone cutting table yet never included a link to look at it:

http://eurekazone.com/content/complete-smart-table

This gives me a banquet sized table that allows all of the benefits of the floor model shown today. Yet folds flat, can be easily loaded into my Toyota Highlander for transport, it folds up for storage. I often use it with a plywood sheet laid on top for assembling a project. When one of the slide out wooden strips become too chewed up I replace them at the big box store or from scrap I have one hand. I use my cutting guide on top by clamping it to the plywood sheet I am dissecting. For me this has been a great investment. The only negative is that my kids like to borrow it and can't seem to understand why I want it back, Just kidding, sort of. Fjimp

[anmius]

Slight difference in price between 4-2x4x8's and $276.45 (plus shipping).

[fjimp]

Slight difference in price between 4-2x4x8's and 4276.45 (plus shipping).

I am uncertain where you get your figures the Eurekazone complete table costs $276.45. Let's see here one can work uncomfortably on the floor which for me creates a safety hazard or at waist height. Yes it's true, legs, table top and all of the parts that make it worthwhile should be more costly. Prior to purchasing it I held same impression so cost out purchasing all parts and building it myself. This being when I realized I could buy it and invest my time where it was more productive, earning a living and making sawdust. Admittedly with a replaced knee and a bad shoulder I am more limited in how I can work. On the floor is no longer an option for me, the pain is excruciating.

[jcraigie]

I am uncertain where you get your figures the Eurekazone complete table costs $276.45.

The link you gave http://eurekazone.com/content/complete-smart-table - Not that it's not a nice setup though and it looks pretty stable.

[JPG]

Slight difference in price between 4-2x4x8's and 4276.45 (plus shipping).

'Jim' asked because you had an 'extra' "4".