I have managed to complete the skeleton of the 10 ft Wrapping table. Still need to add an edge board to be covered in Formica and a facade on the front. Maybe panelling, or bead board....any suggestions?
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Jim,
Great construction.
Use Formica for the entire table top and edges.
Lay the formica over the top - overhanging the edges, leaving a 1/4 inch overhang on each edge, cut off the formica from the sides of the piece to use as edge and cover pieces.
This way, if you have a pattern or grain in the formica, the grain will match.
Use contact cement to first edge the ends of the table.
Then, use a router to trim the ends, top and bottom of the formica flush with the table top.
Then, cover the front and back of the table with the formica.
Use the router to trim the top and bottom and sides of the front and back flush with the table top and ends of the table.
Finally, apply the top formica. Then, use a router with a slight rounding on the edge to trim the front, back and sides to a nice edge that has a slight radius so that you don't cut your arms on the edges of a sharp piece of formica.

Good luck

Is that the final position of the table in the room? If so that is a new location correct; did you change the floor plan to have your headstock to the left and open end to the right?

One possibility - It is what I did is to pick up a premade Formica top and screw it to your skeleton. The edge will already be on, and the surface is pretty easy to keep clean and to pop those spare blobs of finish off of. Any of the Big Home Improvement Stores will have a good selection of premade tops

John this is just where it "ended up" after construction. It will move into a new position with headstock on my left. Thanks for the suggestion. In fact there is a door on the wall at the end of the table...I could build a 20 ft. 1-piece! Supply table will now "L" off the wrapper which will actually push it to 12 feet. I'll have to see how that works.

The entire top will be formica with a 2-inch edge board installed and covered. I was going to do a "rough sawn" front but a 10ft board is $35 and I would need 4 of them...I'll opt opt bead board or house siding or maybe even paneling which is far less expensive.

What color formica? I find a light blue or light green surface to be easiest on the eyes.

Ken,
I use a formica top on my wrapping bench. It is white and works very well. Easy to see anything on the bench, and the white background helps to reflect light and make the wrapping more visible.

Jim,
Incidentally, with the headstock on the left, this is a classic position for a person who wraps with his/ her right hand.

However, I am left handed, and find that I much prefer the head stock on the right for my wrapping.

I find that it is all about how a person holds his wrapping hand, where his hand blocks or does not block his wrapping etc.

I use a bi directional wrapper, so I can flip the wrapper direction at the flip of a switch which is very useful.


Be safe

I would just flop a premade formica countertop on there with a splash and bullnose already done.

Greg
Aptos, CA

Greg,
X10 on the use of the premade formica counter top. Easy, quick, inexpensive and already finished.

Good luck

As I explained earlier, the splash board is a no go since we may want to use a video camera from the front of the table. My original plan was a pre-made countertop but I could not locate a prefab and the cost of custom drove me to building and covering my own table. It's done and ready for Formica...I just have to find time to drive to Mobile or Pensacola to get the laminate...I'm in the sticks in Foley, AL, great place to live until you actually need something Home Depot doesn't carry.

Any suggestions on a material to cover the front of the table? Everything I've looked at was pretty pricey.

Jim,
I assume tha you are just talking about the front edge of the table top?

I would imagine that you want to be able to use a stool or chair at the table and be able to move your legs under the table as needed?

Be safe

Yes, just paneling or bead board or something so you can't see up my skirt when you walk in the front door. Also want to hang a FUJI logo there. Blatant commercialism you know.

2" Bead board White or oak

If you have any of that ac plywood left you could rip a 2" pcs. with a 45deg. angle in it and rip 45deg. triangle to fit in the top of the other piece to finish the edge, stain and urathain.