Grow table legs question; four or six?

2com

Well-Known Member
It's been a while.

I'm putting together a 4'x8' diy 'flood table/tray', made of 2"x4" studs, 1/2" osb top, and some 1/2"/4" "skirts. For the legs, I was gonna use 2"x4", and I might put two pieces together to make a 3x3.5 leg, so that I can attach some wheels in the near future (or now). Anyway, I'm wondering if four legs (one at each corner) would be enough, or if I should do six legs (two in the middle of the table).

What do you think; four or six legs?

(Note: this table won't actually be flooded. It's just going to be a place for all the plants to drain/run off into, and then out of, into a waste container.)
Thnaks.

tagging @DoubleAtotheRON @MidnightSun72, too.

Edit: wrong info.
 
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MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
4 legs. A 2x4 table full of plants still won't weight shit.
Check out Home Depot concrete or mortar mixing tubs. They are like $25 and are 2x3 or something close to that
 

2com

Well-Known Member
Helpful to know the table size.
Oh man, fail. Haha. I totally omitted that. 4' x 8'.
Thanks.
4 legs. A 2x4 table full of plants still won't weight shit.
Check out Home Depot concrete or mortar mixing tubs. They are like $25 and are 2x3 or something close to that
I fucked up. It's a 4' x 8' table.
The table top itself is pretty heavy, but the contents shouldn't be. Not gonna be "holding" water (other than the wet media in the planter pots, plus plants).

I edited the original post. Hopefully I got it right now.
 

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
Ok 4x8
Oh man, fail. Haha. I totally omitted that. 4' x 8'.
Thanks.

I fucked up. It's a 4' x 8' table.
The table top itself is pretty heavy, but the contents shouldn't be. Not gonna be "holding" water (other than the wet media in the planter pots, plus plants).

I edited the original post. Hopefully I got it right now.
in that case 6 legs. 2x4 might work. But as mentioned by other people 2x6 is better. Honestly I'd even use 2x8. If you want to roll it around you should cross brace and. A 2x8 will give way more area to fasten the legs and help keep the legs from flexing while rolling.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
I'd do 6 2x4 legs, frame with at least2x6 and run 2x6 brace across the center.
Good luck moving it with 6 wheels.
Yep. Center pivot. But put 6 and it’s going to take 2 guys to get it into another position.
If he uses swivel casters it wont matter how many legs..
Can you please elaborate on the number of wheels (4, 5 or 6) effecting the tables mobility? And I wasn't considering any type of wheel other than a 360* pivoting wheel...what else? Serious questions, not being argumentative. Just, can you please articulate why you're saying these things, because it sounds like it comes from experience, but details or an example would help.
Also, in this use case, the table only needs to be moved away from a wall enough for a person to access the plants from that side (a couple feet or so). It doesn't have to move all around a room, spin around 180* or anything. And it only needs to be done maybe 3-5 times a cycle for some pruning. Just to give some idea on the intended use.

Thanks for your input, guys.
Ps: the actual table is already built now, with 2'x4'. But good point about 2'x6' having more area for fasteners. I do have *some* 2'x6' around, but only enough to make four legs (of the height I'd want). In the past, I've made a couple tables that were closer to 4'x6', I braced the legs themselves with a cross-piece on three of the sides, leaving one side open for res/container underneath.
I've never put wheels on one yet though.
 

Blue brother

Well-Known Member
I’d go with 6 legs, sometimes shit happens and u might lean on the table in the Center, more support is always better, and yeah I assumed you’d use swivel castors so you could easily move it in any direction. As for leg sizes I’d be tempted to double up 2x4s or similar, and use a diagonal cross beam between each pair of legs in alternating directions
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Can you please elaborate on the number of wheels (4, 5 or 6) effecting the tables mobility? And I wasn't considering any type of wheel other than a 360* pivoting wheel...what else? Serious questions, not being argumentative. Just, can you please articulate why you're saying these things, because it sounds like it comes from experience, but details or an example would help.
Also, in this use case, the table only needs to be moved away from a wall enough for a person to access the plants from that side (a couple feet or so). It doesn't have to move all around a room, spin around 180* or anything. And it only needs to be done maybe 3-5 times a cycle for some pruning. Just to give some idea on the intended use.

Thanks for your input, guys.
Ps: the actual table is already built now, with 2'x4'. But good point about 2'x6' having more area for fasteners. I do have *some* 2'x6' around, but only enough to make four legs (of the height I'd want). In the past, I've made a couple tables that were closer to 4'x6', I braced the legs themselves with a cross-piece on three of the sides, leaving one side open for res/container underneath.
I've never put wheels on one yet though.
Weight. What you’re describing is going to weigh. I’m not a carpenter but things I’ve had to drag multiple times start loosening up. But I urge you to leave it just like you built it.
 

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
I would just get some old angle iron style bed frames or something. Many come with rollers on the legs, that the plastic wheels can somehow withstand 2 adults banging around on a box spring and mattress...

Twin size bed frame for a 4x8 flood tray? Put a few slats as extra crossmember supports. People giving them away free all day every day, lol.


1667083340294.png
 
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Blue brother

Well-Known Member
Depending on the floor type you might want to invest in bigger wheels, rolling small castors around on a tent floor with weight on it is a nightmare it keeps bunching up around the wheel
 

2com

Well-Known Member
I would just get some old angle iron style bed frames or something. Many come with rollers on the legs, that the plastic wheels can somehow withstand 2 adults banging around on a box spring and mattress...

Twin size bed frame for a 4x8 flood tray? Put a few slats as extra crossmember supports. People giving them away free all day every day, lol.


View attachment 5219352
That's an interesting idea. I'll put that one in the memory bank.
Thanks.
Depending on the floor type you might want to invest in bigger wheels, rolling small castors around on a tent floor with weight on it is a nightmare it keeps bunching up around the wheel
No tent, thankfully. Good point, though.
 

Fallguy111

Well-Known Member
The reason for 2x6 as opposed to 2x4 is when their horizontal the 2x4 will bow much easier. Angle iron would be great.
 
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