Kallax and Galant Engineering Layout Table(s)

photo 4

We needed a large layout table that our Engineers could use to markup and stamp large drawing sets. We also needed space to store drawing waiting for approval and for paper storage for our plotter.  We decided to build two of these tables and attach them together as one large table.  We currently have two offices setup with these tables, and are in the process of setting up the third.  The staff love them.

 Material list

3 packs Capita 8 1/4″ legs
We liked the thicker legs, and then cut them down to 4″

2 x Galant Table top with frame, birch veneer 63×31 1/2″ x 3/4”

3 x Kallax Shelving units birch effect

4 x 3″ wheels (Homedepot) (the brakes were not required as it is pretty heavy)

2 x 3/8” 4X8 sheet plywood Top  46 x 58   Bottom 40 x 55

Screws – 100 pack of  8 x 1 1/4 particle board screws for bottom plywood to base
Screws – 100 pack of  10 x 1 metal screws for top plywood to table tops
Screws – 100 pack of  14 x 1 metal screws for wheels ( I think it was cheaper than buying the 4 x 4 packs)
4 x wood joiners 3″ flat brackets (joins the 3 Kallax shelving units together at the top).

cgy_layout

The tables are 63 x 63 and 40 1/2″ high

The build is pretty simple, and will take approx 2 hours for two tables.

1) Build the 3 Kallax shelving units

2) Lay the bottom plywood on top centered to the 3 units

3) Hold them tight together and square so that all three units are flush

4) Using the 8 x 1 1/4 screws, screw the plywood to the base every 8 inches along the seams of the Kallax units.  (the centres are cardboard and have no strength, but the first 1″ all the way round has something the screws can bite into.

legs

5) Put the wheels in the four corners using the 14 x 1 screws

6) Using the flat brackets join the Kallax units together at the bottom of what will be the top.
This is tough to describe, but while the unit is upside down, it is easier to install the joiner plate between the three units.  This plate will keep the units together and tight and square.  You only need two screws per joiner plate.

7) Carefully flip the entire unit over, and you now have the completed base.

8) Pull the bases off the Capita legs.

9) Cut the capita legs down to the desired height, we used 4″.

10) Very important, clean the inside of the legs of any burrs using a file, this makes putting on the bases a lot easier.

9) Center the top plywood to the two table tops.  Make sure the seam of the two table tops goes in the same direction as the Kallax units.

10) Using the 10 x 1 screws, screw the plywood to the table tops every 8 inches x 8 inches.

11) Where you position the Capita leg design for the table top is up to you, but you will need to have at least 2 legs in the center to prevent the table tops from bowing.  We ended up using four legs per side with two in the center on the last table we built and are pretty happy with that. Remember the Kallax units are hollow in the center so the legs should go near the edges if you want to screw them down.

12) Using the 10 x 1 screws add the capita legs.

13) Flip the table top over on top of the Kallax units.

14) Make sure the height is correct to what you wanted.

15) Using a pencil, outline the 4 outside legs.

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16) Flip the table top off and remove the bases for the 4 outside legs and put a screw through the centre of it into the Kallax shelf units.

17) Put your table top back on.

18) Done.

table1

~ Jasit