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Has anyone done a square "hole" for an XL table?

tbru
tbru Posts: 17
in EGG Table Forum
My husband and I are about to build our XL BGE table tomorrow. Quick question as I firm up the plans: has anyone ever done a square hole for the Egg in the top shelf?  We don't have a band saw or  router to make it round and wondered if that would work,  with a square the size of the hole needed?   Thank you! 

xl bge, weber gas 3-burner, fire pit

Tech: EggGenius and Thermoworks DOT, ChefAlarm, Thermopop

Lump: Cowboy and BGE

Wood: Hickory, Oak, Apple

Meat: Costco, Lunds/Byerlys, Von Hanson's

location: Eden Prairie, MN

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  • 78 T140E
    78 T140E Posts: 110
    edited July 2018
    A square hole would work, but would waste a lot of surface space. Home Depot has a tool rental service that might have the right tool to do the job. I think what you'll need is a jigsaw, and you can even buy them pretty cheap.
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  • kaybee
    kaybee Posts: 120
    Depending on what your table top is made of, a jigsaw as suggested by the previous poster should work just fine. Just get some new blades (for the appropriate material) and be patient while cutting. You can either rent one or more than likely a neighbor has one in their workshop that you can borrow (buy a pack of good blades and donate the ones you don't use as a rental gift/fee).

    It also might be worth getting one of your own. They are cheap, very useful and Eggs do have a tendency to multiply....
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    You could buy a jigsaw for less than $25.  Not the best for everyday use, but will get your job done.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • kl8ton
    kl8ton Posts: 6,401
    jtcBoynton said:
    You could buy a jigsaw for less than $25.  Not the best for everyday use, but will get your job done.
    Agree.  This is where Harbor Freight comes in handy.  22.99 for a Jig Saw.  You may never use it again.  But if you need one, you have one.  
    Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
    Grand Rapids MI
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    Even Home Depot has one for less than $25.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,451
    edited July 2018
    Lots of good advice here, but several eggers over the years have not cut a circular hole for their eggs. Instead they construct their tables with an open front. That way getting to their egg is much simpler than lifting the it in and out of the hole. TNW has several pictures if you care to look for ideas. Let me get you a link.
    http://nakedwhiz.com/tableplans/tableplans.htm
    http://www.nakedwhiz.com/TableGallery/tables.htm?I10
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • 1voyager
    1voyager Posts: 1,157
    Just curious. What will the square hole be used for?
    Large Egg, PGS A40 gasser.
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262

    A bottle of brown water offered to someone with a router would be another option.  

    Phoenix 
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,567
    i would go with the open front as rrp suggested, there may be a time you need to move that heavy xl out of it
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2018
    I wish mine had an open front also. I'm going to drop a piece of granite on top of my JJ George table at some point, but I'm dreading having to disassemble the egg just to get the dern thing out of the table first. If it was an open cut-out it would be a lot easier to manage. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • rtgurley
    rtgurley Posts: 44
    blasting said:

    A bottle of brown water offered to someone with a router would be another option.  

    A decent bottle probably costs more than the jigsaw or router.
    XL BGE 
    Saints fan stuck in Dallas
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    I used to think I wanted an egg table. Long ago decided that a nest and side table are better. No fire risk, no structural considerations to support a heavy egg, easy to move or rearrange and no grill taking up work space.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    rtgurley said:
    blasting said:

    A bottle of brown water offered to someone with a router would be another option.  

    A decent bottle probably costs more than the jigsaw or router.

    I'm sure that is true.  A router with a circle cutter will cut a much neater hole than a jigsaw.  If OP doesn't own a jigsaw it's a safe bet he could use some assistance with the router.




    Phoenix 
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262

    @tbru I just realized that was your first post and none of us welcomed you. 

    Welcome.  Hope you will hang out and post some cooks and share in the nonsense.

    Phoenix 
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  • mEGG_My_Day
    mEGG_My_Day Posts: 1,661
    I can’t add anymore to what has been said aboutyour square whole question. But welcome aboard!  
    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    blasting said:

    @tbru I just realized that was your first post and none of us welcomed you. 

    Welcome.  Hope you will hang out and post some cooks and share in the nonsense.

    How clumsy of us! Absolutely... WELCOME to the madhouse!!

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,898
    Get it real hot and do a burn through  =)
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


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  • Fred19Flintstone
    Fred19Flintstone Posts: 8,174

    Didn't you have one of these when you were young?  I'm telling you, man, the round peg doesn't fit in the square hole!

    Flint, Michigan
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    SonVolt said:
    I wish mine had an open front also. I'm going to drop a piece of granite on top of my JJ George table at some point, but I'm dreading having to disassemble the egg just to get the dern thing out of the table first. If it was an open cut-out it would be a lot easier to manage. 
    @sunvolt Why can't you leave the egg in the table and drop the new top over the dern thing?
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • SamIAm2
    SamIAm2 Posts: 1,997
    edited July 2018
    As @RRP suggests, build it don't cut it. Had the granite cut to go around the opening and used the cutoff for heat deflection along with the table nest. That board on the left of the egg closes the opening when I need to move the table. 

    Edit - yes, I know you asked about a square hole for an XL table and this is a Large. Just build a much stronger support bottom and increase the depth of the table. Maybe have two more legs in line with the opening to the left or in the middle of your build. And make sure you have enough casters on the legs if you are going to move table and egg.
    Ubi panis, ibi patria.
    Large - Roswell rig, MiniMax-PS Woo; Cocoa, Fl.
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  • 1voyager
    1voyager Posts: 1,157
    edited July 2018
    1voyager said:
    Just curious. What will the square hole be used for?
    It seems as if I'm the only one here that doesn't know what the square hole is for. C'mon, friends. I gots-ta know!

    BTW - @tbru - Welcome to the nut house!  :o
    Large Egg, PGS A40 gasser.
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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    edited July 2018
    nolaegghead said:
    SonVolt said:
    I wish mine had an open front also. I'm going to drop a piece of granite on top of my JJ George table at some point, but I'm dreading having to disassemble the egg just to get the dern thing out of the table first. If it was an open cut-out it would be a lot easier to manage. 
    @sunvolt Why can't you leave the egg in the table and drop the new top over the dern thing?
    Would work if he took the dome and hinge off first unless there is a square notch for the hinge.    Looks like he’s trying to avoid that.  

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,316
    nolaegghead said:
    SonVolt said:
    I wish mine had an open front also. I'm going to drop a piece of granite on top of my JJ George table at some point, but I'm dreading having to disassemble the egg just to get the dern thing out of the table first. If it was an open cut-out it would be a lot easier to manage. 
    @sunvolt Why can't you leave the egg in the table and drop the new top over the dern thing?
    Hmmm, guess I'd need to measure. I just assumed the egg flared enough that the hole wouldn't fit over it... but I think you may be Right. Like Matt said I'd still have to take the dome and/or hinges off tho. Not as big a deal I guess. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • rtgurley
    rtgurley Posts: 44
    1voyager said:
    1voyager said:
    Just curious. What will the square hole be used for?
    It seems as if I'm the only one here that doesn't know what the square hole is for. C'mon, friends. I gots-ta know!

    BTW - @tbru - Welcome to the nut house!  :o
    In the original comments/question they said that they don't have a proper method for creating a round hole
    XL BGE 
    Saints fan stuck in Dallas
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  • jeffwit
    jeffwit Posts: 1,348
    I think we’re talking to ourselves here. 
    Jefferson, GA
    XL BGE, MM, Things to flip meat over and stuff
    Wife, 3 kids, 5 dogs, 4 cats, 12 chickens, 2 goats, 2 pigs. 
    “Honey, we bought a farm.”
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  • rtgurley
    rtgurley Posts: 44
    jeffwit said:
    I think we’re talking to ourselves here. 
    Who else do you talk to when you need an expert opinion?
    XL BGE 
    Saints fan stuck in Dallas
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    rtgurley said:
    Who else do you talk to when you need an expert opinion?
    When mathematicians and the scientific community is at a total loss, they consult the greatest mind that the world has ever known. Donald “The Truth” Trump. He has never been wrong. He is an expert on everything. The speed and accuracy of his mind is simply unrivaled and beyond belief. I would seek his council if I wanted an accurate answer.  

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    edited December 2018
    tbru said:
    has anyone ever done a square hole for the Egg
    Not for the Egg, but I have cooked in a square hole on more than one occasion. 

    Surprisingly I have received numerous compliments on the “squareness” of the hole. 

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • Fred19Flintstone
    Fred19Flintstone Posts: 8,174
    I must confess I’ve never seen much use for a “hardy hole” in an egg table, but what do I know?  I’m happy XL egging with my nest & mates. 
    Flint, Michigan
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  • tbru
    tbru Posts: 17
    I just posted pictures of the finished table in 2018 and now BGE shed finished this year here:   https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/1952740#Comment_1952740 
    Thank you for welcoming me and sorry for the way too long delay in responding.  I am not on here as much as I want to be.  I will post some of my cooks, as requested by @blasting. My son says that after Jesus, the BGE is the best thing that has happened to our family!
    This is half of 70+lbs of pork butt/shoulder done for a niece's grad open house two weeks ago.


    9 racks of baby back ribs for our monthly Saturday Suppers, where we feed anywhere from 20-35 recent college grads who are searching for community, good time together and a home-cooked meal.

















    Covid Egging of Picanha, pizza and brisket


    And finally...



    Smoked salmon and bacon in December to give as Christmas gifts.  I use the Egg all year, even below zero here in MN.

     Thanks for asking @blasting...probably too much, but I sure am having fun with the Egg and so is the family!

    @Carolina Q  @mEGG_My_Day

    xl bge, weber gas 3-burner, fire pit

    Tech: EggGenius and Thermoworks DOT, ChefAlarm, Thermopop

    Lump: Cowboy and BGE

    Wood: Hickory, Oak, Apple

    Meat: Costco, Lunds/Byerlys, Von Hanson's

    location: Eden Prairie, MN

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