Members Kevinjohnson Posted March 24, 2009 Members Report Posted March 24, 2009 Last week I bought a new peice a of 3/4'' x 4' x 10' butcher bourd material. It's the same material that goes in packing plants and probably the same stuff some of the others are talking about. This specific material came from a company called Motion Industries, which I believe, is a nation wide company serviceing the packing plant industry. I paid about $280 for the sheet. I would advise against some of the thinner plastic material. I've used a 1/4'' sheet a plastic, pebble grained material for the last three years and have not been satisfied w/ it. For one, it's fairly light and needed to be screwed down to the surface to keep from shifting. After screwing it down, the material had a tendency to expand and contract w/ the temperature leaving waves and ripples that additional fasteners would'nt remedy. The pebble grain also had a tendency to scuff the grain side of wet or cased skirting. I ended up taking a belt sander to the slight pebble finish. I think this cutting material cost $80 or $100 three years ago. As far as the table itself, bigger the better. Mine is made from doubled 2x4's for legs, 2x8's for cross braces, and 7/8'' plywood sheeting for the top and bottom level. I use the bottom level for leather storage. The table is 4'x8' and slightly taller than most. I like to be able to cut without having to bend over to far to see what I'm doing. Because the table is very heavy, I have casters on it which makes it handy to move and sweep under. If I could have done it over again I would have bought the more expensive material to begin with. Finally, like someone else said, position the table where you can access it on all four sides. KJ Quote
Members RichardCollmorgen Posted March 24, 2009 Members Report Posted March 24, 2009 Has anyone used formica for a cutting surface? Quote
Members SantaFeMarie Posted April 4, 2015 Members Report Posted April 4, 2015 Very old thread, I know, but what is a good height for a cutting out table? I'm currently using a workbench that is kitchen-counter height, or even a little bit more. Quote
Members veedub3 Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 Very old thread, I know, but what is a good height for a cutting out table? I'm currently using a workbench that is kitchen-counter height, or even a little bit more. The height of the table would depend on how tall you are, and what is most comfortable for you. As an example, a person that is 6"6 would probably want a higher table than a person that's 5"6, so I don't think a one size fit all would be ideal in this case. Karina Quote "The only man who makes no mistake, is the man who does nothing." Theodore Roosevelt
Members SantaFeMarie Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 Yes, I meant: where should it be relative to the user. Quote
Members veedub3 Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 Yes, I meant: where should it be relative to the user. That's what I thought you meant and the answer is still the same. The height of the table should be what is comfortable for you. There is no right or wrong way here. I am just short of 5'7 and the tables I purchased are 30" high, but the table I built myself, is 34" high. It is comfortable for me to cut on either one. There is not set or defined height, it simply is what is comfortable for you. Karina Quote "The only man who makes no mistake, is the man who does nothing." Theodore Roosevelt
Members SantaFeMarie Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 OK, then: I would like to know what heights people find comfortable so that I can decide how to change my set up; given that I do not have an adjustable table I have to make a judgement call about what to change it to and I would value other people's input about what works for them. Quote
Members veedub3 Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 I would value other people's input about what works for them. So basically you are telling me to kick rocks because you don't like the answers I have given you. You are seriously over thinking this and making it harder on yourself. You asking that question is like asking leather workers what's the best leather in the world to use. You ask 10 different people and you will probably get 10 different answers, and their answer might just be the best for them. As for the table height, there is no right or wrong answer. You said you are working on a workbench that is the height of the kitchen table. Is that too high for you? If so then you now you need a lower table, if it is too low then you know you need a higher one. How hard is that to figure out? Take out a measure tape and measure it. But you know what, I am getting off this merry-go-round now and let others give you there opinion since that's what you are after anyway. Good Luck! Karina Quote "The only man who makes no mistake, is the man who does nothing." Theodore Roosevelt
Members SantaFeMarie Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 Wow, am I really being that unreasonable? I want a lower table. I don't have the ability to experiment with different heights. So I want to hear the the opinions of other people about what works for them and why. I will then process all that information and make a decision and what I am going to do. I like asking 10 different people and getting 10 different answers. Until tonight I had thought this was a very friendly place what was suitable for doing just that. Quote
Members papaw Posted April 5, 2015 Members Report Posted April 5, 2015 I am 5' 11" table is 35" works for me Quote Papaw Indiana Calumet Area Leather Guild Happy to be old enough to know better, but young enough to still do it !!
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