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

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

Old 03-13-2013, 09:54 PM
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Default 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]
Attached Thumbnails img_5309.jpg   img_5285.jpg   img_5308.jpg   img_5281.jpg   img_5252.jpg  

img_5268.jpg  
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Old 03-13-2013, 10:44 PM
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Extremely clever! I love your inspectors. Did they let you finish it before they inspected it?
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Old 03-14-2013, 02:49 AM
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Absolute genious idea....so clever are you!!!!!
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Old 03-14-2013, 02:58 AM
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That is so clever. I've always thought that I couldn't afford a recessed sewing table, but now you've got me thinking.
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Old 03-14-2013, 03:40 AM
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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.
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Old 03-14-2013, 03:56 AM
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Beautiful Idea! Looking into that for my new sewing table.
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Old 03-14-2013, 04:47 AM
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this is wonderful information. i put a copy of this in the tutorials forum for you.
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Old 03-14-2013, 05:22 AM
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​It looks wonderful!
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Old 03-14-2013, 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by ArtsyOne View Post
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.
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.
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Old 03-14-2013, 06:05 AM
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Wonderful idea!!!!!
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