Height of your cutting table?
#71
My DH just raised my table by making legs out of PVC pipe, with PVC tees and covers raised it 8 in. Works just fine as you slip the feet over the ones already there and you can remove if needed.Cement blocks work ok but kept stubbing my toes.
#73
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 66
I have a drafting table I got at a garage sale for $50. It is just the right height for me and I love it. I used to use the kitchen table and my back always hurt. Using something the right height certainly does help. (I didn't get as good a deal as bcgj and probably not as pretty since mine is metal.) It is also very sturdy and I store some batting underneath it next to the wall.
#74
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, FL
Posts: 2,352
Originally Posted by Theresa
Originally Posted by MzMcKee
Originally Posted by Pepita
I saw somewhere that if you are using a banquet table, you could use PVC pipes that are a bit bigger than the table leg. You cut the PVC pipes however many inches your table is too short, and then use them as leg extensions. (like Spudgm) The PVC pipes can be spray painted so that it blends in to the color of the legs.
#75
Originally Posted by QuiltingGrannie
Question for all -
How tall is the table you use to cut your fabric? How tall should it be?
We just got a new one at work and it is too low! Not good for my back!!! The mgrs keep telling me there is nothing they can do to raise it up and still keep it safe.
I say there is and so does others that I've talked to. We sell bed risers that go under the legs of beds - why can't they use that? If it's safe to sleep on I'm sure it's safe for cutting fabric on.
Also our new table has the marking yard stick insert about 5 inches from the edge. The former one was only a 1 1/2 inches from the edge.
Between the two by the end of a shift my back is in a lot of pain and it has been out of alignment for 3 weeks now as it is.
Anyway - how tall is your table?
How tall is the table you use to cut your fabric? How tall should it be?
We just got a new one at work and it is too low! Not good for my back!!! The mgrs keep telling me there is nothing they can do to raise it up and still keep it safe.
I say there is and so does others that I've talked to. We sell bed risers that go under the legs of beds - why can't they use that? If it's safe to sleep on I'm sure it's safe for cutting fabric on.
Also our new table has the marking yard stick insert about 5 inches from the edge. The former one was only a 1 1/2 inches from the edge.
Between the two by the end of a shift my back is in a lot of pain and it has been out of alignment for 3 weeks now as it is.
Anyway - how tall is your table?
#76
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Joplin, Missouri
Posts: 1,058
My cutting table is 36".. tall enough that my back doesn't hurt.. low enough that I can still get the right angle on the cutter to cut easily.. and I can reach clear across the top..
My cutting/work table used to have another life.. They started out as display units with 2 large storage drawers under the top.. they are 36"X60" and used to sit back to back with jammies or undies or shirts in packages displayed on top with overstock in the drawers.. The Walker Scott department store went out of business years ago.. I bought 2 for $15 each.. My hubby built a box to fit under and raise them to the proper height. They sit end to end in my basement.. I can cut anything on them.. They're perfect.. It's amazing what you run into now and then. Heaven help us if we ever have to move them again, they weigh a ton!!
My cutting/work table used to have another life.. They started out as display units with 2 large storage drawers under the top.. they are 36"X60" and used to sit back to back with jammies or undies or shirts in packages displayed on top with overstock in the drawers.. The Walker Scott department store went out of business years ago.. I bought 2 for $15 each.. My hubby built a box to fit under and raise them to the proper height. They sit end to end in my basement.. I can cut anything on them.. They're perfect.. It's amazing what you run into now and then. Heaven help us if we ever have to move them again, they weigh a ton!!
#77
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,260
Ok I'm going to get a little technical here because we are all not the same height and that is going to make a HUGE difference in the height need for our tables.
First let me say that I am 4 feet 11 inch tall, yep I said tall. LOL
Second, I want to say that this pass winter while cutting fire wood I decided to move a log weighting in the neighborhood of 150 lbs. Needless to say it moved me more then I moved it. Long story short. I now have two bulging disk in my neck that can bring me to my knees if I didn't make efforts to make my cutting table more suited to my height.
With that being said, my table was about 27 1/2 " tall. For someone my height you might think it was good enough. I did until the log thing. In order to be able to work on anything without further problem to my neck and back, it had to be raised. What I did was get some heavy duty rollers that are usually used on the large shop tool boxes and mounted them to the bottom of each table leg. This raised the table 3 1/2" so now I have a table that is 32" off the floor. Which makes it about 4" below my waist. At first it took some getting use to but as time passed I found that it has made my work so much easier and I no longer have problems with my neck or back. It also made it easier to clean up since I can now roll the table around when I need to and then lock it in place as well.
I would suggest that everyone look at what they are using and experiment with different heights (using blocks of wood or what ever) so they can fine one that works well for them. Then make the changes because if you don't, later on it will be a problem and in some cases it could make you loss interest in sewing because of the pains from leaning over your table.
First let me say that I am 4 feet 11 inch tall, yep I said tall. LOL
Second, I want to say that this pass winter while cutting fire wood I decided to move a log weighting in the neighborhood of 150 lbs. Needless to say it moved me more then I moved it. Long story short. I now have two bulging disk in my neck that can bring me to my knees if I didn't make efforts to make my cutting table more suited to my height.
With that being said, my table was about 27 1/2 " tall. For someone my height you might think it was good enough. I did until the log thing. In order to be able to work on anything without further problem to my neck and back, it had to be raised. What I did was get some heavy duty rollers that are usually used on the large shop tool boxes and mounted them to the bottom of each table leg. This raised the table 3 1/2" so now I have a table that is 32" off the floor. Which makes it about 4" below my waist. At first it took some getting use to but as time passed I found that it has made my work so much easier and I no longer have problems with my neck or back. It also made it easier to clean up since I can now roll the table around when I need to and then lock it in place as well.
I would suggest that everyone look at what they are using and experiment with different heights (using blocks of wood or what ever) so they can fine one that works well for them. Then make the changes because if you don't, later on it will be a problem and in some cases it could make you loss interest in sewing because of the pains from leaning over your table.
#78
Mine is an old kitchen table measuring 30 inches. I think it is a bit low for me and I am 5'2" tall. Can you imagine what it would be like for a taller person. The idea of the risers is great get the mgrs to do it NOW! not only for your benefit, theirs too unless they are all shorties. I am thinking of asking DH to make some thing to raise it at least 4 inches.
#79
I use bed risers on one of my cutting tables and the table I use while basketweaving. They are sturdy and I am not "gentle" while working. My other cutting center is made on top of kitchen cabinets (2 rows back to back for a 4x8 foot surface). Both are great heights for cutting without back strain.
#80
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 187
My sewing group in AZ uses PVC pipe on the ends of the table legs. Tables are the brown foldup tables that you can buy @ Home Depot, Sam's, Costco, etc. Works well. That way, they can easily be taken down to fit other's heights. Or raised for taller people. Works well.
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