Jeff Freelove
Member

I was just looking at your PBB again. It does incorporate a bunch of good design features. Of course, I came up with some questions.
1. Are you still happy with the grates or is there anything that you would change/modify about the top?

Yes, I am still happy with the grates, the majority of the dust falls down into the catch box and the rest is easily swept down out of the way with my had or a brush. I can't imagine using a flat top cutting table without them, there would just be to much dust accumulating. I don't like the idea of having to use a blower to constantly blow off the table top as Dino does in some of his videos. I have always had allergy/sinus problems so dust blowing around inside a shop would be a problem for me.

2. How high above the SMEs is the wooden top?

The top is flush with the SME's. I milled the edges of the wooden top to slide inside the side slots of the SME's. I thought about using a built up tabletop, like one of Burt's earlier tables but I like the grate top better.

3. Do you cut into the SMEs?

Yes, I do cut into the SME's, I don't cut all the way through but even if I did it wouldn't effect the function of the table. The supports that the SME are attached to are wide/deep enough to still support wieght. I'm sure you saw in the pictures how they are placed, kind of like floor joists on a house.

I haven't used my PBB for a wide variety of cuts yet mostly just cutting plywood into square pieces. I haven't used it for any routing jobs yet but that time will come soon, I will be building new kitchen cabinets and bath vanities for our house soon. I'll let you know if anything unusual comes up or if I see the need to make any changes.
Feel free to ask questions, its the only way to keep up with all the new EZ stuff. I asked my share of questions when I first started and I still PM Burt from time to time.