We bought our CNC back in September I think it was and just now getting around to getting everything setup. Someone will be coming by Tuesday to help me assemble our Shapeoko 5 Pro 4x4 and VFD spindle.
With that said we did buy and I’ve put together the 64" Kreg table frame but I’m unsure what to do in terms of a tabletop. Is plywood good enough? Should I go with something thicker like MDF or even like a butcher block? If I go with any of these options will I need to get some 2x4’s for additional support/structure or are they not really needed?
I’m looking at heading to Lowe’s or Home Depot either today or tomorrow to try and finish setting the table up before Tuesday and any advice would be appreciated
Plywood should be fine, if thick enough (1/4" certainly isn’t enough, 1/2" should be okay, 3/4" ought to be fine).
That said, mass is good, and helps dampen vibrations, so if the butcher block is in the budget, I’d get that — the much smaller table I use for my 4x2 has such a top:
Some folks have complained of racking, so diagonals where appropriate are a good idea, but I’d probably get lengths of aluminum bar (and matching or contrasting spray paint).
I like the big heavy butcher block. I cheated & bought a surplus chunk of bowling alley. 2 1/2" thick maple. You could make your own butcher block, even from pine but you’d need a way to get it flat after gluing.
At 64", even a sheet of 3/4" plywood will likely sag a bit in the center. I would put at least one cross brace. Or consider laminating 2 sheets of plywood, screwed & glued together.
You’ll also want some corner bracing to keep the table from rocking. Angled from the legs to the top frame.
Will puts his machine on a structural foam base. This reduces noise & vibration.
I would use 3/4” plywood (and did on my 5 Pro table) at a minimum. It provides several advantages mentioned in this thread already. A minimum of 2, 2x4 braces underneath the table as well as cross braces prevent lateral racking of the table for changes in direction of the axis of movement.
That said my table uses 2x6’s and 4x4’s for legs. All this material was from leftover projects. Ultimately the chopping board top would be the way to go, but not necessary for the 5 Pro.
I think I’m leaning a bit towards MDF. Obviously don’t think I can get one single piece thats 64x64 so I’ll get a couple 32x64 slabs and then grab a few 2x4’s which is looking like I’ll need to notch out based on videos I’ve seen to actually get them to fit the Kreg table. Thanks for the input!
Was considering the butchers block but after playing around with the CNC for some time we’ll likely be buying at least another 2 if not 3 machines and butcher’s block for all of them would rack up a bit lol
My table is 65”x62” and used 2 pieces as you are planning on. Works fine. Just make sure you put your support beneath the seam of table top. Most would recommend sealing the MDF (all exposed surfaces) to extend its life. Especially if you’re in a humid environment like me in central Fl.
I think, and this is my opinion of course, if you want to go with a good surface for your machine, Make sure to get the better plywood as in cabinet grade. Reason is, the imperfections of the surface of the cheaper plywood can be transferred into your machine’s squareness and racking. Maybe think of building a torque table top frame as well. Then add the cabinet grade plywood. Then you will have a good flat surface.
Making sure the surface, you are assembling your machine on, is pretty flat will help later in leveling your table top on the machine. I have to rebuild my bench that my machine is on because I didn’t think of all this beforehand and I purchased the cheaper uneven plywood. I have issues with some cuts not going deep enough in the material to make a proper cut. Start with your surface being as flat as you can get it, Then move on to assembly of your machine. You will thank yourself later for taking the time to do so.