Friday, December 13, 2013

Folding Drafting Table

A lot has been going on. I decided I wanted a place in the factory where I could keep my plans besides the workbenches. I googled drafting tables and folding drafting tables and saw several, but none that were both cheap and easy to build with what I had access to. So I designed my own.


It turned out great. I used two 1x4x8's. I cut the first one in half and the second one I cut off the thickness if the writing surface which for me was 5/8" then I cut them in half on a 30° angle. I spaced them out the proper distance for the writing surface to slide in snug and clamped them down. 

Then using a 1/4" drill bit I drilled holes 6" from the ends. I was not drilling into studs. Instead I ran a 3"x1/4" bolt through the 1x4's and the sheathing of the wall and used washers and a nut to attach it firmly to the wall. Some 1 1/2" construction screws were added and countersunk to provide more rigidity. I then used eye bolts to attach the cable to. Total cost was less than $20 and it is very solid and folds out of the way when not in use. 

On a side note I have been reading through the Bearhawk Book that came with my plans as well as Russ Erbs CD. I also purchased Volume I of Eric Newton's Build Manual. I am getting excited to get started. 

I unrolled Drawing #7 for the first time today as well. I think I am going to take it to Kinkos and get them to make a copy and then I will do the cut and glue method for transferring it to the formug block. Or if I can find a roll of tracing paper or carbon paper I will do it that way. The point is I am not going to use/disfigure Drawing #7. I want to keep it original. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

EAA workbenches

It seems like a right of passage for home builders to build workbenches for their project therefore I, too, built my EAA workbenches. It took about 4 hours and about $100 in lumber.

 I am brainstorming about a wall mounted drop down drafting table to hold my plans. 


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Got my plans today!!!

This is what you get when you open the box. 
From left to right: envelope, bear tracks card, picture, Mylar wing rib plan,
Bearhawk book (compilation of Beartracks newsletters), packing slip, plans. 

I am still in the process of getting The Factory set up how I want it, but I will post as I go along. It is supposed to be very frigid here in East Texas so I will use my indoor time to build some EAA workbenches. 

I have ordered an 18x24 portfolio to hold all the plans so I can flip thru them page by page, but until it gets here I got this artwork folder to hold them and flatten them out a little.