Slat table question

[Antibling]

I recently came across 5 48"x13" 1/2" drops that were cut by a shear, I've tossed around the idea of making a fixture table out of them, but my question is what are you guys doing for spacing in between the slats?

[mammaogi]

When I made a small rolling assembly table out of channel, I used the dimension of my vise grips turned sideways at 90* to the crosspieces. That made a gap that all my c-clamps fit into easily as well. Don't remember the exact measurement, but I'd pick your thickest clamp and use it to set the gap. There's nothing worse than having one hand holding a piece, only to find the clamp won't fit in place. Just my .02.

[Antibling]

The reason I ask others is because I doubt I own the largest clamps I'll ever own yet...

[irish fixit]

It's always a compromise. I used 2" on my big table. It works ok till you need to place a piece of 2" tube right where the gap is. Usually I can work around it but sometimes it's a pain. My other table I made adjustable. It has a 2" gap but currently the rest are less. Sometimes it's to much sometimes it's not enough.

In truth I think the best setup would be to have a 5/8" - 3/4" gap and use bolts and hold downs. But that creates a whole different set of problems.

[Bob]

2" is what we use on that kind of table and it seems to be fine.

[Gavo]

I did build pro spacing so if I wanted to use there tooling also water jet 5/8" holes too for there tooling. You can use drill press vice clamps like in the pic those are super handy. I'm modifying my table tho. If you noticed I bolted my slats down vrs welding them on so I can A replace them B remove to have open space if I'm working on and odd shape project. I will hower ever be modifying table. Taking 3" square tube cutting a gap all the way down them and putting a threaded square piece of flat stalk inside to blot to so I can sled the slats to different sizes or together. And putting a 2'x40" plate in center and drilling holes in that.

[Dantheharleyman99]

Nice table man. I like the idea your going to incorporate with the moveable top. That should work well!