DP Table

[SARGE..g-47]

Even though I usually build my own to suit my needs, that is a very well thought out DP table. And all kind of little goodies available to save time building your own.

But... I noticed that new inserts (which you will need lots of) run $3.95 a 3-pack (about half the price of a 6-pack.. ha.. ha...) and that's above and beyond where I would go. I don't know the thickness of what fits the insert on that table.. but I can cut 72 inserts for my press table from a $5 sheet of 1/2" MDF as I designed it to take 1/2" thick inserts by purpsoe. Just fuel for thought.

BTW... to satisfy my natural curiousity... would one of you fine gentlemen that has the table "please" measure the thickness of the insert and respond in a post here or a PM? Thanks in advance if at all possible.

Regards...

[LCHIEN]

Even though I usually build my own to suit my needs, that is a very well thought out DP table. And all kind of little goodies available to save time building your own.

But... I noticed that new inserts (which you will need lots of) run $3.95 a 3-pack (about half the price of a 6-pack.. ha.. ha...) and that's above and beyond where I would go. I don't know the thickness of what fits the insert on that table.. but I can cut 72 inserts for my press table from a $5 sheet of 1/2" MDF as I designed it to take 1/2" thick inserts by purpsoe. Just fuel for thought.

BTW... to satisfy my natural curiousity... would one of you fine gentlemen that has the table "please" measure the thickness of the insert and respond in a post here or a PM? Thanks in advance if at all possible.

Regards...

I assume you're talking about the woodpecker DP table.
I measured the insert at .514" thick all around.
I measured the recess milled into the table at .512 to .519"

I don't think I have any 1/2" MDF lying around
but all the 5/8" MDF I have measured slightly over, like .633 (instead of .625), is that normal for MDF?

At some point I'm going to have to mill a handful of inserts...
like you said, $1.33 each is sinful.


Here's a hint, call it Loring's wisdom. If you build your own or are installing a ready-made DP table, put the center of the insert slightly off the drill axis. When the insert gets chewed up to where it can no longer support the holes being drilled (and preventing tearout on the backside), you can turn the insert (90 degrees if its square, 180 degrees if its rectangualr) and also flip it, and also rotate your table to the side a bit so that you are working over a fresh part of the insert - it will last a lot longer.
Obviously, if yo are building your own, make it square so you can have more rotations of the insert.

[SARGE..g-47]

Eveing Loring...

Obviously it is normal to go over as I just went down and mic'ed some 1/2". Another case of 1/2" is not 1/2 as in 3/4" ply which is not 3/4. Gotta love those wood engineers that think of all these little clever deceptions to keep you guessing. ha.. ha...

I made my DP table by glueing 2 pieces of 1/2" MDF together for a 1" total thickness (which obviously isn't 1".. here we go again and cut a 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" square (which actually is 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" he.....) out of the top piece. That way the 1/2" or whatever I have is a natural fit. And yep.. you guessed it... if you get a different manufacturer than the original youy sometimes might get a slight over-size.

But... with all things not being equal, a touch on the vertical belt sander will usually brings thing back into perspective.

That is an excellent idea you had by suggesting to go off center with the insert.. Not a biggie with mine as cheaply made as they are, but that is a substancial saving on the WP and possibly other tables that the insert fall into the category we've mentioned.

Sounds like one of those Festool deals where they make it so nothing fits but their replacement. Sneaky stuff behind the scenes sometimes.

Regards...

[lrr]

Just got mine yesterday, haven't installed it yet but I like it already. Fit and finish is very nice. Instructions leave a little to be desired.

Dittos -- just got mine today.

It will fit nicely on my 12" Delta DP with one addition. I'll need to put a riser box (maybe 2-3" tall) between metal table and new table, to allow clearance for the table crank handle. But, I may make it a box with drawer for storage. Should not be an issue on height -- I never have run the table all the way to the bottom of the column.

[LCHIEN]

Dittos -- just got mine today.

It will fit nicely on my 12" Delta DP with one addition. I'll need to put a riser box (maybe 2-3" tall) between metal table and new table, to allow clearance for the table crank handle. But, I may make it a box with drawer for storage. Should not be an issue on height -- I never have run the table all the way to the bottom of the column.

I did that with my last DP table and my 12" Delta.
I left the "box" open front and back - keep my wrenches and a vise in there, also can reach in and push up the drilling insert to get it out.