Height adjustable desk that can recess a machine - it's true!
 

I was going to post this in the vintage machines forum, because that's where I spend the most of my time on the QB, but I hope that posting here can help more people out.

A few weeks ago, I started planning out a desk that could accommodate any machine I have. It had to be able to recess a machine so the bed was flat with the table top. The biggest stumbling block I ran into was the height differences of all of the machines. A couple of days ago, I read a thread where someone mentioned they'd love this sort of thing, but had too many machines, it wasn't possible. So I "hurried" to get it all finished up so I could post this.

The best part is, I did this on a budget almost anyone can afford (and if you can buy 2m of fabric, you can afford this! ) And this will save your neck, back, shoulders and wrists a lot of grief, so you can quilt longer. Yay!! :)

As of tonight, I have only finishing touches to do on it: Some extra customization to the inserts, and shortening the "height adjusters" so I don't bang my knees on them.

The victim,.. uhm,... I mean the "desk" is a government surplus buy: $10
Modifications: $20
Lexan for inserts: Sweat equity - a friend who does signs had scraps left, I helped out with some signage. Off-cuts should be cheap at a sign shop, or a glass shop.

Total $$ investment: $30.

With the 201 in it, and an insert
[ATTACH=CONFIG]401626[/ATTACH]

As a light table:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]401627[/ATTACH]

A view from the front:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]401628[/ATTACH]

A view of the "height adjustment" mechanism:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]401629[/ATTACH]

Height adjustment is accomplished via the following hardware:

• 4 pentagon Knobs - or any knob you can get a good grip on to turn
• 4 propell nuts - these are "sunk" into the lower platform that you see in the photo above
• threaded rod
• 4 nuts to fit the threaded rod - tighten these against the knobs so that they don't turn, and instead turn the rod up or down.
• 4 wing nuts (not shown) - tighten these against the propell nuts to lower vibration
• 4 cabinet nuts - use these as "platforms" for the moving shelf to sit on, install them on the top of the threaded rod.

And most importantly, final approval from the quilt inspectors:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]401630[/ATTACH]

At least I think that's approval...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]401631[/ATTACH]

Extremely clever! I love your inspectors. Did they let you finish it before they inspected it?

Absolute genious idea....so clever are you!!!!!

That is so clever. I've always thought that I couldn't afford a recessed sewing table, but now you've got me thinking.

Well, I'm really impressed! I'd even been considering cutting a hole into my dining room table since we certainly don't use it for eating.

Beautiful Idea! Looking into that for my new sewing table.

this is wonderful information. i put a copy of this in the tutorials forum for you.

ArtsyOne, does your dinning table have leaves? My hubby opened our dinning table as far as it would go, made a "new leaf" with the cutout for my machine. I can store it in the closet when not in use, and haven't distroyed the table. Sure is nice to have all the table space when I have a large item to work on.

Wonderful idea!!!!!