Hi,
I am making my first attempt at designing and building two 8'x2' L-girder style sections. I recently purchased both Westcott's and Wilson's Kalmbach books on benchwork. These books are extremely helpful. I have a couple of questions:
Everything I've read calls for a 1 x 4 capped with a 1 x 2 to construct the flange on the L-girder. Is there a definite advantage to using these dimensions? I was going to use a 1 x 3 capped with another 1 x 3 to give the underside of the flange a little extra room.
Is it necessary to use 1 x 4's for the joists? Again I was going to use all 1 x 3's for my joists. The only advantage I could think of for using 1 x 4's is that it would give a little more room between the L-girder and the plywood base. Which leads me to my next question:
Does anyone use 1/4" plywood? Everything I've read calls for 1/2" plywood. Does it really make that much of a difference?
Is there anyone out there that has ever used exactly what the books suggest? I would like to hear your thoughts on my minor adjustments in regards to wood dimensions. Any info will help.
Thanks, Mark
I am making my first attempt at designing and building two 8'x2' L-girder style sections. I recently purchased both Westcott's and Wilson's Kalmbach books on benchwork. These books are extremely helpful. I have a couple of questions:
Everything I've read calls for a 1 x 4 capped with a 1 x 2 to construct the flange on the L-girder. Is there a definite advantage to using these dimensions? I was going to use a 1 x 3 capped with another 1 x 3 to give the underside of the flange a little extra room.
Is it necessary to use 1 x 4's for the joists? Again I was going to use all 1 x 3's for my joists. The only advantage I could think of for using 1 x 4's is that it would give a little more room between the L-girder and the plywood base. Which leads me to my next question:
Does anyone use 1/4" plywood? Everything I've read calls for 1/2" plywood. Does it really make that much of a difference?
Is there anyone out there that has ever used exactly what the books suggest? I would like to hear your thoughts on my minor adjustments in regards to wood dimensions. Any info will help.
Thanks, Mark