Path50

Does anyone have a Reliable 300LB ironing board? They are expensive! But I need a new board, I want a big one, and I feel like I want to treat myself.
I would love some feedback first though from someone that owns it. I have measured and it will fit where I want it, but is it sturdy? Does the cover hold up well? ($50 to replace!!)
thank you!

nativetexan

sturdy is important. i got the wide one from Wal-mart but it sort of bent when i was ironing down on fabric. when i moved i gave it away and started using my decades old one again, which I luckily had not given away.

DogHouseMom

Expensive!!

A lot of us have made our own "big board" ironing boards using 3/4" plywood (a full sheet of plywood is between $20 adn $30)covered with our choice of material. Some have covered with a layer of batting then fabric. I covered mine with an Ironslide fabric ($20.00). Once covered, I simply lay the big board on top of my regular ironing board ... or where-ever I want to place it. You can make the board any size you want (Menards and Home Depot will cut the plywood to size for you). Mine is 48" long and I think 20" wide. I wish I had made it a little larger to have ample room for a full width of fabric (44") plus room on the side to set my iron while I shift the fabric. 4" isn't *quite* enough room to *safely* put the iron and have room for hands to pick up the fabric and shift it forward or backwards. The 55" the Reliable 300LB extends to sounds like ample space.

total cost for me was roughly $40.00- a fraction of the price of the reliable and I have the added bonus that if I want to put the big board on top of my cutting table for extra "flat space" to shift fabric ... I can do that easily.

joyce888

I don't know how sturdy your old board is, but if the frame is still in good shape I would make a plywood top to fit the frame. I made mine from 3/4" plywood, cut to the size I wanted (24 x 60). My first layer was Insul Brite, then a layer of canvas fabric, and last a layer of teflon coated fabric (sold in the utility fabric section at JoAnns). All of this was stapled to the bottom of the board as one layer (easier to remove when the teflon wears out). I then added cleats to the underside snugging against the frame for stability (they were made from thin strips of wood and secured with screws). This board can even be made for a dresser/chest top and removed when needed.

Path50

My old board is junk - rusted through!! I have a husband who would gladly (?!) make me something to make a regular board bigger, but I really don't want to deal with that big wooden box - if I ever decide to iron clothes ������

Snooze2978

I didn't care for the big ironing board I acquired from WalMart as the grate from the frame would show up on my pressed item. Finally got around to making my own with 3/4" plywood cut 24" x 48", added cotton batting and ticking cloth. I can even iron my shirts and open type skirts on it but have to take it off for dresses. I have the attached iron caddy so the full width of my board can be used for the fabric pressing.

GingerK

I also got the big one at Walmart. My frame is fine and I added an extra layer padding. I really like it--especially for the price.

Weezy Rider

It says the tray is sturdy enough to hold an ironing station - Reliable does sell irons with separate tanks. Check the weight on those and add however much the water would weigh and you should have an idea of what it holds.

The legs look thinner than my Pfaff ironing board. That board was sold with a gravity feed iron and it has a fan and heater. The tray on that board held an older Rowenta steam generator and when it was full, the tank was heavy.

Path50

Wheezy Rider - I saw those ironing boards with a fan and heater when I was looking - I never knew such a thing existed! Do you like it?

NJ Quilter

I just use towels on top of my cutting table when ironing. Saves space and gives me lots of area to work with large pieces of fabric/yardage. Can fold up the towel to a smaller size when cutting/pressing simultaneously during construction. I save my ironing board for clothing - on the odd occasion that gets done these days!