72" Cedar Table for LBGE

margareedaville

Howdy fellow Eggers!

I'm a new BGE owner (2 months) and I've been laying low around here, reading and learning tips and tricks.  I ended up putting my dormant woodworking skills to use and built a table for my large BGE.  I would like to show, but more, give my recipe on how to build this exact one.  Anyways, the table has been a hit around the family and friends, and I have especially found it useful for our BGE.  Finally, I will add a small BGE to the other side soon, shown in the drawing.

ENJOY!!

Drawing Sketch

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1To4p4SCUcg2RscUTfcO7rhjgH3L7_yGsQ06Nzr3R24I/edit?usp=sharing

Cut sheet & steps

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqY9e_7L0GNudFJlT09nSmpVcTJzYkNoZERmZlBIeGc&usp=sharing

All dimensions call for rough cut wood, meaning if it's a 2x4, then it actually measures 2" by 4", not 1.5" by 3.5".  You could probably get by with finished wood from the big box stores, though..  Everything is fastened via stainless pocket screws, and inside corner stainless lag bolts.

Pics of build (Egg porn)

https://plus.google.com/photos/116684290591003795255/albums/5924941671475791793?authkey=COKJvrHv64-w-wE

Bustersdad

Looks great...I need to build a table some day

DougQ

Really nice - thanks for all the info!

margareedaville

No problem!  I suffered two sunburns while building it, but worth every skin cell.

Boom0

Looks Awesome!

 I was curious what the cost of the materials were? (Roughly) And where do you pick up rough cut lumber?

Thanks!

nolaegghead

Very impressive build!  Nice organization.

I have one suggestion, having built many tables with monolithic tops - replace the pocket screws fastening the top to the aprons/legs and use fasteners that allow the top to expand and contract. 

Something like this.

If you don't, the top, as the seasons change, will expand and contract and will split at the glue joints or cup.

The second is mostly aesthetic/functional - pick up some 5" cast iron castors from Harbor Freight, cut the legs to compensate for the additional castor height and put them on.   It'll look cool and roll much easier.

txav8r

As a secondary note to the sage advice given by nolaegghead, wood expands across the grain, not lengthways, so make sure it can do so in that direction.  There are many ways to do so, just don't lock it to the frame with no way for it to move.  I seem to remember you stating that you "dusted off your woodworking skills", so I bet that you accounted for this already!  I too am dusting mine off, and it is these very things that are slowing down my table...and consequently, has my egg still in the box!  I need to just do something!  Your table looks great!

margareedaville

Thank you both for the wise advice.  I live in the south Texas where it stays warm, and past similar joinery has provided reliable and consistent results.  I plan on replacing the table top with granite in the future.  I will however replace the casters.  I just couldn't find any at the time that satisfied my needs.

txav8r

Woodcraft supply has very good non marring casters, rated to 300 pounds each for a 3.5" caster.  I have a trex deck mine will be rolling on, so non marring is paramount, as well as support.  I want a granite top too, but read about a few that cracked in the narrow sections around the egg, from heat.  So I may reconsider that area at least.  Anyway, thanks for sharing the design and cutsheet. 

nolaegghead

I've seen some beautiful cast cement tops.  Rebar will hold them together, a few cracks add character.

margareedaville

Cement would make a nice top.  Anything but wood when it comes to dirty, greasy and sooty grills.