Replies

1. 
   PecosBill | Feb 09, 2004 07:35am | #1

   Do you just want a drafting table or are you wanting to make one?  Since CAD has taken over, many drafting tables from engineering/architecture offices are often disassembled and stored away.  If you just want a table and want something for little money, try looking in the Yellow Pages under Engineers or Architects and giving them a call.  You can get some of those large (7' long) ones for very low prices.  They take up so much room that they often are looked upon as a nuisance.  Even if you still wanted to build one to suit your needs, that might be the best way to get the hardware you need.  I think you might fine something for less than $100.  Good luck!

   P.S.  I don't think I have ever seen hardware offered separately.  Most of the hardware on mine is hinges, rods and fabricated pieces.

   
   

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   Edited 2/8/2004 11:43:23 PM ET by Sawdust

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 12, 2004 04:05am | #4

   Sawdust,

   Thanks for the reply.  I would eventually want to make one, but your suggestion would work in the mean time.  Especially knowing that at some time I might be able to cannabilize it for certain parts.

   RR

2. 
   MontanaBill | Feb 09, 2004 08:01am | #2

   For many years I worked as a draftsman.  Later when I opened a one man drafting business I needed a drafting table but could not afford to buy one.  So I built one out of dimensional lumber using 4x4's for the legs, 2x4's for the apron and stringers, 3/4" plywood for the top (cut to 42" x 60") with the top connected to the front apron with door hinges.  I covered the top with "Borco", something you can buy at any engineering supply store.  There was no fancy joinery, no finish, just sanded to keep from getting splinters.  It was a cheap copy of the Hamilton table I used at work but it served the purpose.  You might find an old catalog that has Hamilton 4-post drafting tables and figure out how to build one out of oak using mortise & tenon joinery if you are not in a hurry.  Good luck!

   MontanaBill

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 12, 2004 04:07am | #5

   MontanaBill,

   Thank you for the reply and suggestion.  I will look for an old catalog that may have the Hamilton table in it and see what I can do.  The one I make will have to be somewhat "fancy" as it is for my wife to use indoors.  It must therefore be "presentable".

   RR

1. 
   MontanaBill | Feb 12, 2004 05:01am | #7

   Hi Rookie

   The table I suggested is anything but "presentable."  For a look at an oak Hamilton 4-post table go to http://www.draftingfurniture.com/listings/usedtables.html#2.   

   MontanaBill

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 12, 2004 05:28pm | #8

   MontanaBill,

   Excellent!  Thanks again for the info.

   RR

3. 
   BDuck11 | Feb 09, 2004 03:30pm | #3

   See FWW issue #123, pp. 74-78, "A Drafting Table for Shop or Home," by Cameron Russell 

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 12, 2004 04:09am | #6

   Bill,

   Thank you for your help.  Alas, I do not have any back issues, so I will work on trying to acquire the one you mentioned.

   RR

1. 
   BDuck11 | Feb 13, 2004 10:18pm | #10

   You could try your local library--some of them have fairly complete collections.

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 14, 2004 05:57pm | #13

   Bill,

   I will try the local library, as you suggest, as well as some used book shops.

   Any idea of whether or not it is on the FW cd?

   Thanks!

   RR

1. 
   BDuck11 | Feb 17, 2004 03:56pm | #24

   Rookie--Sorry, that article is not on the FWW CD.

2. 
   rreeger | Feb 19, 2004 06:11am | #25

   Bill,

   Oh well...  :-)

   Thanks for checking!

   RR

2. 
   AhneedHelp | Feb 13, 2004 10:34pm | #11

   go figure....i see 124 and 127 but no 123...

   maybe it's somewhere else in the house.

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 14, 2004 05:57pm | #14

   Ah, you are teasing me!   :-)

1. 
   AhneedHelp | Feb 14, 2004 06:22pm | #15

   Sorry about that.

   Further looking yielded yet more issues only numbers apart.

   I need to round them all up along with all the FH issues that are scattered in groups.

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 14, 2004 07:30pm | #16

   Not a problem.  I know I will be able to locate the issue somewhere.  Thanks for looking, all the same!

   RR

4. 
   jasonmcbain | Feb 13, 2004 07:33pm | #9

   I have an old drafting table with vertical spring power lift and tilt with file storage underneath that I am looking to get rid of.  You could use it as is or scavenge the hardware to make one of your liking.  If you are interested please reply and I can take a picture of it to send to you too. it also has the mechanical drafting head not a slide rule

   
   

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   Edited 2/13/2004 11:35:49 AM ET by jasonmcbain

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 14, 2004 05:55pm | #12

   Jason,

   Would love to see a picture! 

   Thanks!

   RR

1. 
   jasonmcbain | Feb 14, 2004 11:26pm | #17

   The table is a Mayline Desk 'o Matic with a Mutoh drafting head.

   Or if that is not what you had in mind my wife has a drafting table that she bought from Dick Blick that she is willing to sell.  It is an Alvin Workmaster- table top 36x48 with borco and a sliding straight edge.

   
1. 
   rreeger | Feb 15, 2004 07:11pm | #18

   Jason,

   I will run it by the boss.  She would prefer a table that is all wood, but I will check.

   Thanks!

   RR

1. 
   TomMGTC | Feb 15, 2004 09:00pm | #19

   Jason, where are you located.Tom

   Douglasville, GA

2. 
   jasonmcbain | Feb 16, 2004 02:49am | #20

   I am located in Southfield, Michigan, just outside of Detroit.

3. 
   TomMGTC | Feb 16, 2004 03:38am | #21

   Oh well. Too far for me.Tom

   Douglasville, GA

5. 
   Napie | Feb 16, 2004 04:05pm | #22

   There is a great plan for one in Tage Frids book on furniture making, (it was book three in the series).  I’m not sure it is still in print but should not be too hard to find.  I built it for under $100.00, not including the sliding square.

1. 
   rreeger | Feb 16, 2004 06:17pm | #23

   Napie,

   Looks like a trip to the library is in order.  Thanks for the info.

   RR