Replies

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 25, 2003 06:08pm | #1

   I have one; bought as a sort of cheap "antique" which I owuld bet came from a school program.  Has the tilting top, and about 6 or 7 smallish drawers, all with locks with different keys.  I think that for the top, maple, or another hard, even grained wood, would be better than oak.  The ring porus portion of the oak grain would be a potential problem for getting a clean line.  I'll try to take a pix and post.

1. 
   gmiller | Mar 26, 2003 04:52am | #2

   - sounds interesting. If you're able to send pix I'd sure appreciate it. Maybe you could give me some sense of dimensions as well. Does it raise and lower as well as tilt? A shot of any mechanicals would sure be helpful. Thanks for your response - much appreciated.

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 26, 2003 08:59pm | #5

   Here are some pix.  The dimensions of the top are 36" wide, 27" deep.  The height at the front is probably 42" (30" stool, + 12").  All maple.  Machine cut dovetails on the drawers.  How else can I help you?  Note the one side, with the door open, is for storing portfolio size papers, etc.  Not fancy, but sort of charming.  Do you agree it is probably from a mechanical drafting classroom?  It's all I could think of.

   
1. 
   gmiller | Mar 27, 2003 03:57am | #6

   I'd say "charming" is a good description. It's not what I had in mind but I like the scale and the general appeal. Looks like a good second choice to me. You're probably right about being from a school. The drawer handles are reminiscent of of those that were on the desks in my old "tech" school. I appreciate you taking the time to help.

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 27, 2003 07:57pm | #8

   I'm probably wandering away from the original poster's intent here, but I'd guess that drafting tables of the Arts & Crafts era didn't have hardwood tops.   In those days, drawings were held on to the table with pushpins.   The tables probably had tops of basswood, cork, or linoleum (the original linoleum!) -- y'know, something you could stick a pin into.   That said, a modern drafting table "in the A&C style" would be better-looking if it was a fine-grained hardwood -- and the owner used drafting tape.

1. 
   RoyinMD | Mar 27, 2003 08:26pm | #9

   I spent years working on beautiful maple top drafting boards that were covered with that light green board cover material, darn shame, but no choice.

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   greenebelly | May 04, 2003 05:35am | #11

          Yes, I as well used a hardwood drafting table but it had a lime-green covering on it. It was framed in maple but the green paper was like that of construction paper but MUCH more thick and alot more dense. One might just use melamine but I would think that it might be to hard. If the surface is to hard you break lead's or catch the sharp piont and tear your paper. Good luck .

2. 
   gmiller | Mar 26, 2003 04:57am | #3

   Thanks Jamie. I'm not sure where to start looking but maybe some searches will reveal something.

1. 
   RoyinMD | Mar 26, 2003 07:17am | #4

   I have one, got it from my ex-brother-in-law. I'm a electro-mechanical designer by trade but we use only computers now. One drafting table left at work and its just for laying out drawings, and its the ugly grey government looking type.

   Darn I wish this post had come out a few days earlier. I had borrowed a digital camera this past weekend from a guy at work. I'll post pics if I should buy one in a reasonable amount of time. The one I have requires some serious refinishing. My ex b-law was an artist and the maple or ash top is covered with all kinds of paint. He used his airbrush a lot. The under structure is all oak everything should be able to be refinished except the crosspieces/foot rest will require replacement. What I loved the most about it and the reason I wanted this discusting thing when he asked me about it 15 years ago was the green solid cast hardware. Big height adjustment knobs on the slider and tilter semi circles with big teeth with lockoff knobs.

   Gee, now I want to refinish it. My teenage son uses it for his TV/video games and lots of junk.

   Enjoy, Roy

3. 
   jackiechan | Mar 27, 2003 05:43am | #7

   G-

   Here is a link to a drafting furniture web site.  They sell both new and used equipment in numerous styles and designs (dimensions are given as well.)  This may be a good place to start, to give you enough input to create your own plans.

   http://www.draftingfurniture.com/ 

   The second link is to the Adjustable Drafting Table Hardware from Rockler.

   http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?offerings_id=790&objectgroup_id=463&catid=82&DID=6

   If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask!

   Dan Kornfeld - Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   gmiller | Mar 28, 2003 06:19am | #10

   Good stuff. Thanks for the input.