FW table, do you use it?
 

Hello,
I have seen for sale, a card table looking table that is sold for use with the FW. My question is this:
(1) if you have one of these, do you use it?
(2) could hubby make me one out of a old card table?
(3) if yes (to #2) is there anything'special' to this table ? (I know there has to be supports to hold the machine in) but anything else?
Thank you all ahead of time for the help.

I use mine when I go quilting with my friends. It is a bit heavy so I made a canvas case for it w/ handles. Awhile back I posted pictures of the table and the underside of it. Look it up.

I use mine all the time. I've only had it less than a month, so maybe we're still in the honeymoon phase, but it's set up semi-permanently in the living room.

After I got it home, I cleaned it and waxed it, and generally made it look pretty again. DH twisted up and baked a piece of piano wire for me to replace one of the leg springs that came broken when we bought it.

Then, the next thing I did was make it a full vinyl fitted table cloth cover. This is so I can do things like work on the laptop on it, put a cup or a dish on it while I'm working on stuff, place my cutting mat on it and cut, plan out projects, etc.

The latest project this past week was to make a fitted table cloth cover that had a cutout for the FW in it. This is so that the fabric slides nicely, but I don't have to worry as much about jabbing the thin veneer with a pin or dragging one across it. (Which is more likely I find when the FW is level with the table. ) Similar to the one that Charlene Philips at the Sew Box made.

I also noticed when I'm sewing things that the FW doesn't like (2 layers of relatively thick vinyl, for instance), that if I turn the table 180 degrees, that a 411G or similar sized machine fits nicely on the table, as long as my project isn't too long, or can be bunched up a little (or the fabric runs into the FW)

I do think that one could be made to fit the FW, but it would be easier to recreate the cradle pieces if you had one to use as a model. That said, FW card tables can be found for well less than $100. There are people on this board who have scored them for less than $10. Mine was $100 (but Canadian prices are a little whacked)

I guess what I'm getting at is the last card table I saw in a store was $79 full bore retail, and on sale for $50. Once you add materials, it's more expensive than an original if you keep your eye out for a good deal.

They are relatively rare though, compared to say a FW, so if you want it, and the price isn't completely nuts, I'd grab it.

have used mine since june of 1957....sometimes my 301A shares it's table (oppisite side) with The Bernina 1630 or the serger, but mostly just the Singer........the slant needle 301 table is almost identical to the featherweight one, except for the cutout. I made a heavy vinyl cover also (w/cutout) for FMQ. if you divide days used into the cost this is an inexpensive treasure.

I had a friend convert the space so my Janome 6600 would fit in it. it is set up all the time in our 5th wheel.

Far as I'm concerned cute is about the only thing Featherweight has going for it.

please post a pic. would love to see one

I've found 2 at local thrift stores this year (Feb & Oct). The first I paid $9.95, the second, $30. Both needed to be clamped and glued where the plywood vaneer was separating. Had to refinish the top on the second. Both have metal legs, which I repainted near to the original color. The latter was a bit dented on the metal frame, but still cleaned up nicely and useable. I do use them. I carry them along with my FW to guild workshops and friend's homes for sew-alongs, as well as in our travel trailer. Pictures of my $9.95 table...

oh for THAT price I would take one. PLEASE help me, be on the look out for one for sale, that they would be willing to ship, to Texas. Have anyone contact me via PM here.
Thanks for the 'extra eyes'
LOL

I got one off e-bay and it wasn't terrible for shipping. It needs the top refinished (I just haven't done it yet) but I use it all the time and love it!

There are also reproduction ones out there. I have seen them advertised in the back of various quilt mags. They are fairly expensive.