Thomas’ Torsion Table-Bench

Viewer Project - By Thomas G. Kaiser from MI
Added on December 3, 2012

We first had to get the 2×4’s and cabinets level in ALL directions, (Refer Marc’s podcast #18 & 19). Take your time here this is the most important part of the build. We used hot glue on the shims once it was all set up so nothing moved.

Once the grid was finished I added 3/4 plywood (3 deep) to each grid pocket so my assembly table/bench can have dogs, be hammered on, and it added a lot of weight (about 500 lb.), you don’t need to do this, but I’m very glad I did.

Added sides and 1/4 hard board; NO GLUE so this top can be replaced in the future once it gets worn.

The top was built where it was easy to get around all four sides and when it was ready to be put into place I had a party to move it…remember its a 500 lb. top!

Applied 3 coats 50/50 wipe on polyurethane/mineral spirits, 2 coats straight wipe on polyurethane, 2 or 3 coats of wax, makes some draws, vice and have fun.

I do wax it whenever…I just put it in rotation along with my other tools for maintenance.

Discussion

Patrick Schupbach December 3, 2012 11:22 am

Well done!!! That is a beast!!!!

Reply
Josh Wixom December 3, 2012 12:13 pm

Tom,

The table is awesome. Great work!

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Lon December 3, 2012 2:20 pm

What are the dimensions of the table? Those grid pockets looked deeper than 2 1/4″ in the photos. I’m thinking of making one 24-26″ deep and 72-84″ long and trying to figure just how much my top would weigh.

Nice work BTW! Do you assemble earth moving equipment on that?

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TennesseeYankee December 3, 2012 2:44 pm

holy table Batman. This is awesome. I don’t see the final picture showing bench dogs. Will you just drill them in and then use round bench dogs?
When you say, “I added 3/4 plywood (3 deep)” does that mean that each grid space is filled with roughly four pieces of plywood (3/4 in each x 4 = 3 in)?
Why so deep? Is that just how long your bench dogs are?
Great work.
Chad

Reply
Thomas G. Kaiser December 4, 2012 4:02 pm

The table is 4’X6′ and there are three 3/4 peaces of ply in each grid. I made it that deep because I wanted to at strength to the top so I figured two deep would not do it and four was too much, so I went with three. I did the bench top this way because I do not have the room for a assembly and work bench in my shop. By doing this way I have both. The top holds to .006 over the six feet and that is why it is very important to spend a lot of time on the set-up, We spent about 3 hours. by the way you are right, I have not put the dogs in yet. Looking for the right system before I cut into my table.

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- TennesseeYankee December 7, 2012 8:41 am
  
  Thanks for the info.
  
  Personally, I love the plastic bench dogs you can buy from Rockler that just drop into a 3/4″ round hole…and they are “relatively” inexpensive.
  
  Reply
jim_ny December 4, 2012 4:26 pm

I remember watching my first video of Marc building his torsion box table . Good job looks very nice

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Jacek December 4, 2012 5:32 pm

Nice work Thomas!

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John Kaiser December 4, 2012 6:28 pm

Great looking bench, nice work. Hope you never move.

Brother John

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- Mike Schaefer December 4, 2012 8:53 pm
  
  Good brotherly advice.
  
  Reply
- Grant December 7, 2012 1:14 pm
  
  John, you could make a table like Thomas’s but use granite as your base and cover it with Masonite. That would be a deterrent for either of you to move. :)
  
  Reply
matthew rakowski December 6, 2012 7:52 pm

looks like it came out pretty decent. im looking to do a bench here soon and not really sure what i want to do yet.

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Eric December 6, 2012 9:25 pm

Very cool, perfect size too.

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Thomas G. Kaiser December 6, 2012 10:23 pm

Matthew,

If you want a stable table, I think this is the way to go. As far as cost, I think it is a lot cheeper than any other table you can make with the strength and flatness. Not including the base, all you need is three sheets of MDF and Two sheets of 3/4 ply. I’m sure you have the glue and nails in the shop already just waiting to be used. Come to think of it, the fill Ply was from scraps around the shop, so I didn’t even buy them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write me and I will help in any way I can.

Reply
- Tim December 7, 2012 12:20 am
  
  Thomas, can you explain what the plywood squares add to the benchtop, other than weight? You may have explained this elsewhere but if so, I missed it. Thanks.
  
  Reply
Andrew December 7, 2012 4:52 pm

For the dogs man! The ply fill is for the dogs.
Personally I only allow cats in my shop so I wouldn’t worry about the ply fill.
I guess the fill would reduce noise when pounding on something. Bark Bark!

Reply
Thomas G. Kaiser December 8, 2012 6:47 am

Yes for the dogs, plus the a torsion table is for assembly only, and I don’t have room for both a woodworking and torsion table in my shop. I have combine both into one table. If I didn’t fill the spaces then I could back through with a hammer. remember the top is only MDF.

Reply
Greg Powers December 8, 2012 5:49 pm

nice table, at first I though you were filling the voids with foam.

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- Claude Stewart December 9, 2012 3:38 pm
  
  That’s what I thought too. Nice looking table.
  
  Reply
Tyler Nichols May 16, 2014 1:18 pm

Thomas why did you do the extra 2 coats of ply and then wax?

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Tony pasta November 29, 2019 11:23 am

Where do I download plans to build the 4x6ft torsion workbench? Amazing table

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 2, 2019 1:15 pm
  
  Here you go. https://www.thewoodwhisperer.c.....rsion-box/ You can just type torsion into our search and you’ll find the original video as well as other examples from the community.
  
  Reply
Mark Castiglione May 27, 2020 12:45 pm

You have my picture in here…Where’s my dollar?

Reply

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Thomas’ Torsion Table-Bench

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