Table design
Tomorrow is the day! I am building my CNC table and assembling my pro 5 4x2. insert excitement emoji here!!
The ONE question I have that your input would be fantastic to have is:
How much space do you have around your CNC machine on the table and do you like it?
In other words, what would you recommend for extra space?
Bonus question: Do you think the CNC should be right up to the front edge of the table?
I have plenty of space and it will be on double locking casters.
Many thanks!
Having the machine right up at the front of the table facilitates using the overhang cutting area at the front, esp. if one implements a gantry shift.
I definitely will have it all the way to the front now. Thank you!!
You’ll want a couple square feet to have things within reach: wrenches for tool changes, clamps, bits, and likely a remote to jog with.
If you have a drawer for them you could be fine with almost no extra space.
I like the bench minimal myself. But I have an arm for the tablet and 3D printed holders for the tools as well as a rolling tray. So I don’t need the extra bench space in my setup. But most like enough room on one side to hold a laptop.
Got it. I will definitely have drawers. That helps! Thanks
Excellent ideas. I’ve moved all the way to minimal with drawers. I’ll definitely look at the arms. Thanks!
I have just finished building my table for my 5 pro. I have about 8 or 9 inches in front of the machine. In addition, on the side I have a flip up shelf that is on drawer slides that pulls out front for my computer. I still have to build drawers in the front.
For additional storage, one wants room for:
I’m actually working on a small rotating tray to hold at least some of the above — figure if I use a Gridfinity layout if I don’t like it initially I can adjust later.
@SamL thank you. I like the flip up shelf idea a LOT.
@WillAdams thats a fantastic list. Thanks! Several drawers should handle those!
Also consider moving your stock around, particularly larger items.
If you think you might do jobs large enough to tile, room in front & behind the machine,
or the ability to move the machine temporarily to allow space.
Yeah, one wants:
all of which often needs vacuuming, so room for a vacuum and its accessories as well.
@Tod1d True. My goal is to have the ability to tile and I will have casters. The finish height will be the same finish height as my table saw (which is also on casters) so I can use that for tiling larger stock. Thanks for the input!
@WillAdams yes…vacuuming. That is something that is in the planning stages as well…once my shapeoko is out. Thanks!
Interesting thing I did today. I just wanted a basic visual of what a version of the potential table would look like…so I turned to chatgpt. This is all I prompted it. Literally in 2 minutes I had something to see.
I suffer from horizontal surface syndrome.
The less table the better.
More flat areas get things set on them then stacked in them then buried in chips/saw dust.
All my tools are hanging from hooks on the front of the machine.
@quicky06 thats kind of where I landed as well…with my wife’s wise input. As she will be taking this on as her business, I deferred to her. So…I designed and am building it to the footprint of the 5 Pro. I will easily be able to add components on to it in the future as needed.
I think it is good to have the laptop attached on a laptop stand, I have this one:
and I also have some items hanging at the side or the front like wrenches, bitzero,
and drawers.
That is how it works well for me:
Wheels IMHO are necessary. I came to that solution
and leg levelers:
because those are crap and break within weeks:
Any questions, suggestions, improvements: always appreciated.
@Emmess fantastic suggestions. My Amazon CNC list is now further populated 
. Thanks for all the pics too.
