8 Attachment(s)
Pivoting Cantilevered Worktable Support Material
I'm making a worktable that can only be supported in the center. I will need access to both the area above and below on each end. I won't be able to use legs or ceiling suspensions toward the ends of the table, therefore, it will need to have two cantilevered ends stretching out from the center.
My primary question concerns the material it would be made from. I'm wide open on what material to use. I would like to keep cost and weight down, but I also need something not too difficult to work with. I know a lot of folks use aluminum for this type of thing, but I'm concerned whether it will hold up well at the hinge/stop location (explained below) and I think I will have more trouble getting someone to weld it. I decided to go with steel square tubing just to have something to start with, but I could easily be swayed to another material if it will meet my needs.
I’m estimating the load to be [B]500lbs[/B]. It will be moveable and will sometimes rest on the extremity of one or the other cantilevered ends.
I will need to be able to tilt the table a few degrees off level, so the table will be supported by a pivot/brake mechanism in the center. It can be pivoted when the brake is released, but will normally have the brake applied and that will prevent movement about the pivot point.
The table is [B]80" x 60"[/B] and will be supported in the center along the short cross section, which means that there will be two [B]40"[/B] cantilevers placed opposite of each other. It will be comprised of 3 pieces. A center section that is [B]16"[/B] wide and two hinged sections that are [B]32"[/B] each.
[CENTER][CENTER][B]32 + 16 + 32 = 80
[ATTACH]2469[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2470[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2471[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]2472[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2473[/ATTACH]
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The cantilevered ends need to be able to fold up (on hinges) into a stowed position when not in use to provide maximum space in a multi-use area. (Due to space restrictions, I may need to have one side folded up and still be able to work on the other side. So, the method that is used to secure the stowed end piece needs to be clear of the work surface.)
[CENTER][ATTACH]2474[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2475[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2476[/ATTACH]
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