How to Make a Self Leveling Torsion Box Table

I got a new CNC from STEPCRAFT and made this table / cart to put it on.
Interesting ideas in the build:
using the crate for a lot of the project and recycled and scrap plywood for the rest
torsion box top that's flat, strong and lightweight
drawers with slide out panels to expand the work surface
an independent rear suspension to keep all four wheels on the floor when the floor isn't flat
Basically got this table for no cost since everything used was either scrap or recycled, including the casters.
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[@JohnHeisz]

I got a new CNC from STEPCRAFT and made this table / cart to put it on. Interesting ideas in the build: - using the crate for a lot of the project and recycled and scrap plywood for the rest - torsion box top that's flat, strong and lightweight - drawers with slide out panels to expand the work surface - an independent rear suspension to keep all four wheels on the floor when the floor isn't flat Basically got this table for no cost since everything used was either scrap or recycled, including the casters.

[@solid_jr]

Too cool. I can't believe you came up with the independent rear suspension on the fly. Very clever. I can't abide a wobbly table.

[@martinsvensson6884]

Its a solid axle suspension :)

[@inspiringbuilds]

Agreed, it’s solid. 👍🏼

[@royreynolds108]

It is called 3-point suspension and equalization. It was prominent on steam locomotives.

[@wobblysauce]

That it is.

[@solid_jr]

@@royreynolds108 That's pretty cool. So John is using technology from the transportation industry in his shop now : ) There is no end to what he'll adapt to build a better shop.

[@davidpeterson5186]

Painting the legs added a high level of sophistication to your table. Nice work and thanks for saving the planet.

[@patduffy5710]

That's not a table, that's a vehicle🤣🤣. Great work.

[@kevinthomson6324]

You’re like a kid who has more fun with the box the new toy came in. Instead of building a fort you built a great assembly/bench/ tool stand. Such a great idea with the suspension for the wheels!

[@michaelstgeorge9428]

"Independent rear suspension" lol!!! Being serious, that was an incredible build. Watching you push the suspension, I could see how it had just enough tension to perform as you thought it should. One word, incredible!!!! Love watching you build. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge....😊

[@fryreartechnology7611]

Really like that 3 point of contact caster idea giving it a pivot point. I really like it

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Clever self levelling casters. With the price of lumber the crate was worth almost the same as what was in it!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Jim :)

[@paulomedeiros2445]

Well, we all know that John’s a millionaire, just by looking at that plywood “n” all. Heck the majority of his jigs are out of wood, a wooden table vise, wood clamps, various wood table saw sleds, right angle wood tools, wood protractors, even a wooden gizmo to remove the nut from his table saw! :-) All seriousness now, excellent work and imagination. Thanks again for sharing Norm!

[@TheLukemcdaniel]

Reduce then reuse then recycle. Always nice to see someone getting it right.

[@furionese]

4:10 "You're not supposed to be able to do that!" - Pocket Hole Jig Company CEO You made a CNC table out of a container box it came with lol what a genius man That solid axle suspension table legs blew my mind too

[@paramoose]

If memory serves, Henry Ford demanded that all his suppliers used specific sized crates and materials that the crates were constructed from because he would use the wood in the vehicle production. If the supplier would not comply he would go to a company that would.

[@9and7]

All this is a small shop...WOW. Well done as usual John. Well done.

[@lawncarewithtim4896]

John, I think your one of very few woodworkers that still come up with new ideas these days! Thanks from Tim watching you from Adelaide..

[@jimanddeb]

You really are one clever S.O.B. John. I salute you

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

Independent rear suspension ... That phrase triggered a flood of automotive memories for me, starting with the much-maligned Corvair, the the Triumph I had in the late 1960's, and a lot of other sports cars. So this must be the Sporty version of a machine table!

[@georgedavall9449]

The ingenuity and inventiveness of this Man is something else. 👏🏻👍👍👍😁✌🏻🇺🇸

[@johnwhitley2898]

Very cool independent suspension built on the fly!! Yes, please let us know how it goes!! Great looking table... for "free"! Recycling (scrounging too..) wood for projects works wonders with your personal budget!

[@salasart]

The self leveling casters are fn brilliant!

[@theriphraff]

repurposing is my FAVORITE part of wood working. GREAT video!

[@Bob1Mack]

Holy Smoke! I never was that little geared reachy-wrench in use before. It's really clever!

[@LostWhits]

The slide out panel above the drawer. That is a brilliant idea.

[@fliplmb]

I love that geared handle for changing your blade!

[@thunderstruck1078]

Your videos are always interesting because you keep playing with new ideas and innovating (which might be the same thing).

[@JohnHeisz]

Thank you!

[@dougprentice1363]

I always admire his design on the fly skills. When I get an idea, I make a sketch, then 3-D model it. Then think about it some more. John's already done.

[@jodyburton0351]

I'm obviously not alone in getting the most out-of-the-box ideas from your channels, John. I am absolutely borrowing your suspension design when I build my next mobile base. It is hard to see from the video, but it looks like different size casters were used on that end to compensate for the suspension height.

[@WalterCallahan1953]

Nice use of recycled plywood. Things are scarce and prices high so it was nice to see how you used what you had.

[@BLenz-114]

I'm glad to see you're still using your table saw blade nut remover!

[@sureshot311]

Great video. A lot of fantastic ingenuity in this build. I missed the outro music though. Thank you for making this!

[@patmash]

No much to say but, the man is a genius.

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Amazing, John. As you say, it can be a very versatile table. And it’s a tripod with four legs, including damping and articulation! And that nut removal and insertion tool for your table saw.. who would have thought!?

[@hizo64HH]

The suspension impressed me the most, I've never seen that!

[@bobbyreutebuch9705]

Great video John. I really like the slide out work surface for the drawers and the suspension for the casters. Excellent ideas, I really want to try these now.

[@carenclemmons5002]

You are just an awesomely talented fella. Just saying. Thx for sharing.

[@janhedberg9316]

Again, elegant, practical engineering.

[@jelmo1057]

Very nice John, this design is very functional and versatile. Really like your solution to keeping it level with the suspension system as well as capturing some additional work space with the sliding drawer panels. Some of the best projects come together on the “fly” if you let your mind be creative rather than focused on a set design. Bravo!

[@danluther9078]

Brilliant work John. Reuse, repurpose, recycle!

[@anaphylaxis2548]

Love it! I don’t let wood go to waste either. I keep all but the tiniest of scraps and usually find something to use them for. Thank you for another useful and educational video.

[@bellevuesnekkeri]

Looking forward to you cnc-ing. My guess is that we will see something done by cnc that has never been seen on YT before. Love the suspension on the rear wheel set of the table John.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Roy, I have some fairly interesting things planned :)

[@MandoFettOG]

@@JohnHeisz we can't wait!

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

The independent rear suspension was genius, nice work as usual John 👍🏻

[@allenbourassa1579]

What a Great Idea,and using plywood that you already have!Thanks John!!!

[@chaseweeks2708]

The pivot mechanism for the wheels is genius. Well played. I'm going to have to remember that the next time I build a table since, invariably, my floors are always jacked up.

[@thedraw9681]

I watch a lot of you videos and this is the first time I've seen usage of that wrench DOPE!

[@201081hero]

Watching the build video evoked memories of the NYW episode where Norm built the assembly table as they both have a few common features, your version turned out great.

[@cobberpete1]

Two thumbs up again John. one for the draws and 'Extra' work surface and two for the fancy wheel / floor level device. In fact I think you should patent it. It's a great idea

[@VROne111]

Always something technically innovative and unique about shop accessories and products built under the IBI banner This CNC machine will run to full accuracy n efficiency atop this perfect feature packed base

[@vincentbianco583]

This is awesome! My basement floor is awful and my cnc hobbles around non stop I absolutely love that suspension caster setup

[@sanyaplatz5723]

Starting as a good work in torsion box and recicling materials. BUT! this selfleveling structure in the end is absoluteky amazing! tnx

[@andrewhazlewood5757]

Thank you, John, for yet another thoughtfully designed project - and all the better for using thin, recycled wood!

[@CrimeVid]

Yup, I like torsion boxes, I’d been using flush door blanks for temporary work stations for years before I knew what they were called. I like the drawer tops, I use my filing cabinet drawers as an infeed to my bandsaw.

[@mattbowers5342]

Ingenious on the suspension. Haven’t seen that trick before!

[@micnolmadtube]

Man I love watching skilled people do awesome stuff! TY John :)

[@MissWendyWooo]

Man your videos are the best! Your creativity and imagination is inspirational.

[@BillSwad]

This is seriously cool. The wheel suspension system is fantastic.

[@warrenwilson7836]

Nice to see you’re adopting a nice, muted Wandel green paint.

[@frankpoulin7662]

"Wandel Green" should totally be a Pantone color

[@inspiringbuilds]

Great suspension idea and having as many things mobile in the workshop the better! Amazing for sure! Keep up the great work as the goal is to inspire others to build something awesome!

[@iannesbitt2986]

Cool suspension system for benches on uneven floors. Great bit of thinking.

[@Jiangster]

OMG your bolt jig @ 2:17!! Amazing!!

[@mopemaster]

Loved that you cuted the video exactly at the same position when you made the transition at the tablesaw cuts... :)

[@MatterLabz]

Great idea on the drawer and cover panels John. And of course the suspension is very slick.

[@calvinnash5527]

Awesome, so clever and a good use of using the ply from the original crate.

[@seanoneill7085]

Very simple and robust design. Thank you for sharing.

[@dakotamax2]

The solution to uneven floor was genius. I may do same with a thumb screw to release and re-set as needed.

[@xlBentleylx]

Excellent on the leveling. I'm designing ascending table with scissor legs and I'm like how do I get it level, my shop is gravel for now... and your design is perfect. Box from ceiling, scissor legs from old bed frames. Plus your make shift springs. Should suffice quite nice

[@johnnorris1546]

The self levelling wheels was very clever but it was the sliding panel on top of the drawers that blew me away.

[@terrytopliss9506]

Nice piece of recycling John,well done.👍👍

[@inspiringbuilds]

Agreed. I think many of us builders are recycling as much as possible with the cost of lumber. I know I just did on my past few builds. 👍🏼

[@Yonatan24]

That suspension is just a genius idea

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@shaunbarrickman6339]

That independent rear suspension is brilliant!

[@aurigo_tech]

Excellent choice for a CNC. Got the same.

[@peladinho769]

I am close to building an out feed table for my new table saw and this was the video I needed to see because I was going to build a torsionbox and was wonderinghow to overcome my floor issue and wheels.... independent suspension brilliant...garage floor leans in 2 directions..problem solved Thanks John Heisz 👍

[@JohnColgan.]

Genius planning & execution

[@sapelesteve]

Nicely done John & that rear suspension idea is totally genius! 👍👍😉😉

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@Craftlngo]

a well thought out solution and best use of recycled material.

[@lightmechanic2370]

Wheel system 10/10 !

[@gbonnell]

Nice vid John. Pretty cool idea for an uneven floor!

[@zachmatzen9225]

I'm excited to see what you'll create with the CNC. I have a 24"×36" CNC and when I built the table/stand for it I left the center of the top open. I like the option of working on end grain or things longer than the gantry height will allow by letting the work piece extend below the table top.

[@chrisjacobs7434]

Brilliant. While scrapping even.

[@natemorales5731]

Very dope build.....simple yet super functional

[@efleschner]

Is that a Camera Conspiracies shirt I see? That’s worth a like!

[@chrisp7957]

Another good video. Your ingenuity is so impressive.

[@albeec13]

I rarely comment on videos, but this is awesome, and I had to commend you on the suspension idea. I need an excuse to build one of these now.

[@cams2705]

Great idea for the independent rear wheels!

[@The_Pendos_will_lose]

Thank you very much for an interesting project. Большое спасибо за интересные проекты.

[@omarc_br]

That suspension is awesome!

[@Coomanboo]

Very very nice!! Well played!

[@donaldmumaw]

Excellent video John!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@jebimasta4604]

Eventually you just gotta get rid of some of the scrap lying around! love it.

[@karlsjov]

What a great idea, to solve the problem with uneven floors 🙂

[@pumbaplaysdrums]

Very cool idea for the wheels... 😎

[@KD-hb8zi]

Where was this video 2 years ago when I built my assembly table? Nice design, I see another assembly table in my future.

[@CondredgeDole]

Workbench with independent rear suspension. Nice.

[@loktinl]

I love the quick solution with the suspension as well. Doesn't look half baked, seems super polished to me! One thing i'm curious is if you bother leveling all your surfaces in the shop, or if everything has a slight slope out the garage door cause of the angle of the floor. I'm guessing this is a garage? I' level everything in my garage, but my workbench has a 2" leveling feet I had to max out cause the table legs were like 6' apart! Just curious how you do things in your shop.

[@josheppley2767]

That suspension is great!

[@vincentsauve7434]

Genius! Nice work

[@KP-er4ys]

Wow! You never fail to amaze.

[@tashapalmer4519]

love the suspension. so many uses

[@nathanpalmer5384]

Another excellent video, I wish I had 1% of your talent, I might be able to build something straight.

[@brucekiszely2995]

Awesome reuse project!!! 🇺🇲👍🇨🇦

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, John! The table looks great and pretty sturdy! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@jeanloreaud9282]

Belle réalisation bravo à bientôt salut Jeannot 🛠😉

[@DataJanitor]

Some great ideas in this. Thanks!

[@TomFYouTube]

Nice job! I need a super flat and stable tortion box mobile workbench to do composite layups on. That said I was planning on using only three wheels instead of four for the base. I am wondering why you chose to use four wheels instead of only three? The single castor will be in the middle where your pivot pin is. Thanks.

[@oswynfaux]

Lol, gets a CNC, does a video about cutting the crate up

[@MyMangoSuck]

Its like those cat videos in which the cats play only with the cardboard box and not the actual toy

[@KipdoesStuff]

Pretty nifty. Great work as always John.