Best cutting table to buy
 

I want a sturdy cutting table with sides that fold down, but NOT the flimsy type that Joann's sells.

What do you use and why do you like it? Help please

My DH made mine for me. It is taller than any commercial table so I am not bent down over it. My 36" x 24" mat covers the surface with about 3" extra on the sides and 12" extra front to back. I am pretty sure the table top is an old salvaged piece of kitchen counter top and he put legs on it so it stands about 36" tall the same as a kitchen counter top. But it does not fold down, it is up permanently. But it is super sturdy with no wobble at all. I love it.

I have the table from the breakfast room in our other house with bed risers under the legs. It's a good sized table with 2 leaves. It was too big for the breakfast room in this house so I moved it upstairs and use it for a cutting table. The bed risers make it just the right height. I also have some general purpose heavy metal tables that we bought for a song at a used office furniture store that I use by my sewing machine.

I got my cutting table from my local Sewing/Vacuum repair shop. It looks like a stand along full length mirror but it pulls forward and lays down folds out as a cutting table. Will try and post a couple pictures here.

Don't mind the mess in the background. Just wanted to get photos.

I put my dinning room table on bed risers and it functions beautifully as my cutting table. No more sore back from leaning over cutting.

Formica kitchen table from the 50's with one leaf on bed risers. Fits my large cutting mat exactly. I think 58x32 or close. Love it. We moved 4 yrs ago, DH asked if I was taking the table downstairs ?? Are you kidding ??

Neat table, QuiltingCandy. I use a drafting table that adjusts so you can tilt it (I don't for cutting!) and raise/lower it. I have it fairly tall so I have no leaning over when I cut on it. It's big enough for my 25x36" mat with space around it to allow me to sit tool containers on one end. It also will fold if I want space in the room for guests.

I have a cheapo joanns or Sullivan's (can't remember which) it is actually more sturdy than it looks. When both sides are up it holds my extra large cutting mat. I have a piece of wood covered with batting that measures 40" long that I lay across one end for ironing yardage and pressing blocks. I also use the table as an assembly table when I 'm building wood stretchers for my art quilts.

Rob

We bought a Martelli table when they were having their half price sale. It doesn't fold up, but it is so versatile that we don't really want it to. It's height and tilt adjustable, and came with a cutting mat and a bunch of their rulers and templates. So many that some haven't even been used yet. They say you can iron on their mats. We've done quick presses on it, but no more. I made a 24 x 48 pressing mat and can put it on the table to do a lot of pressing. I have also put my machine on it and used it to sew standing up.

Wow, that folding table is amazing.

quilting cancy---would love to know the manufacturer of this table. Would work perfect for me. Can you share the maker of the table?

Do the sides absolutely need to fold down? I am sure you are seeing the "repurposing and bed riser" theme here. I use a kid-sized pool table (from Sears, I think), covered with a thick plywood and set on inverted clay pots AND bed risers. :) The most important part for me is that it's heavy and doesn't sway or move, even when set up very high. I thought I had mine high enough with just the clay pots -until I herniated a lumbar disk bending just slightly over it. So, for me, the big thing is stability at any height, and I would think that a folding table may be less likely for that.

Hugs,
Charlotte

I wish there was some sign of the manufacturer on my table but there isn't any. I bought it a a store named, Burdick's in Chula Vista, CA. It was on sale about 10 years ago for $350.00 (marked down from $400.00). My daughter talked me into it since it was the perfect height for me to use (I'm 5'9") and it folded up which I needed since I had not put in the Murphy bed in the sewing room yet. I was in there not too long ago and asked the owner if he ever gets them in and he said he quit selling them because they didn't move. A friend of mine wanted to buy one, but when I told her how much I paid for it she lost interest. But if you have a person that can build it, there isn't that much to it. I would be happy to take more detailed pictures of it and send it to you.

I found one more picture - it shows the front of it.

IKEA have a good table it folds down really small but is a good solid table. Sorry don't know how to post a link.

It may be helpful for you to read the many answers I received about a good cutting table.


http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...h-t212027.html

I, too, have the table from JoAnn's and really like it. I don't find it to be flimsy but then I've had mine for several years and perhaps they have changed a bit?? Hmm. It folds down, eh? Mine is always up and full of "stuff". The only thing I wish was different--it needs to be another inch wider to fit the cutting mat. The height is perfect and very enjoyable.

QuiltingCandy, what a splendid table you have...Wesing, I almost purchased a Martelli when they were on sale but at the time, my contractors hadn't started my room addition so I am hoping they might go on sale again next fall or maybe pick one up at a show. In the meantime, I just use my dining room table. I am also interested in looking for a drafting table as Shortimer mentioned...

Wait until Martelli has a Redline Direct 50% off sale.....their workstations are wonderful......best cutting table/work station you can get.........

I currently have an old ping pong table on bed riser but I am building a new house and wanted my space to be nicer. Here is what I have gotten. I can't tell you what I think of it because it won't be opened up and set up until I move.
It is 31.5"Hx60"Wx40"D


[ATTACH=CONFIG]564552[/ATTACH]

I have two of these (or similar) from my dad's old school classroom, pushed together into a big island for my sewing, pressing, cutting and when cleared off, a big surface to layer & baste. The overhanging edges also allow use of bullnose clamps to secure the backing.

http://www.schooloutlet.com/603672_P...=google&back=2

I went to a quilt show the day after doing my tax return. I was getting a large tax refund and had money to burn! :) I bought a Martelli table, and it turned out to be among the top four quilting purchases I have ever made. I can't imagine being without it now.

I have one from Joanns, the sides fold down, it's on rollers. Hubs glued a cutting boardon one side. When folded up its about 10 inches wide. On sale $99, yrs ago..

I love this table. I'm limited on space and this fold up arrangement is great. Is there a brand name you're willing to share? Just in case I ever see one like it?

Thanks!

Thanks copycat...that link was helpful too.

Thanks for all the posts...I do need the table to fold. Not enough room!! I have Joann's, but it is so flimsy and sqeeks like crazy!

I love my Martelli's, but previously I bought a dining room table from the closeout section and used that one on risers. Check out this website I found with all sorts of ideas: http://closetcasefiles.com/diy-cutting-tables/.

Here is something else I found: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Martha-St...FUZsfgod4dkDCA

I don't know if you can access the website, but it's Home Depot, Martha Stewart Craft Space table. It does collapse.

I use a folding table similar to the ones at most churches. It is 2 ft. X 6 ft. It never gets put away because I sew most every day. My husband made risers for the leg sections so it is a good height for cutting, etc. Once a month a group comes in to quilt and sew, then, we take it off the risers for better height for sewing machines. It was very inexpensive and very convenient.

I love my mobile kitchen island on wheels.
sandy

I rather like the table that JoAnn's sells. I use it every day with one those big plastic mats on it and a cutting mat on top of that. I like the rolling feature and I put a loose shelf across the bottom and set some plastic storage boxes there and keep some handy empty baskets under it too. I use the baskets to organize and contain patterns, pieces, etc. I never fold mine up because I use it too much.

I have several of those in varying sizes in my sewing room. I got them used at a used office furniture store for very little money. I've had them for years.

My friend bought that flimsy table that folds to 16" that Joann's sells. She bought it for her daughter. When they discovered how flimsy it was, they took measurements and made it from oak that they had from their own trees when they first built their house many years ago. They shared the measurements with my DH and he raised it several inches for me (my friend is short). One of those LARGE (36' x 60")cutting mats just fits on it. I LOVE IT!!!

My cutting table is assembled from two drawer units and a tabletop from Ikea, fastened together like an oversized desk.

That is a great idea sailsablazin! My husband is wood handy...if he just made the base we could still use the top. I will have to check with him! I really don't want a wood top.

Just an FYI regarding Martelli's: I just received an email that they are going to have a 50% off Flash sale on Jan 5th.

Answered upthread.

Here's what I just bought through Amazon. I just moved and re-did my sewing room. This table is great. 36" tall, 42" long and 24" deep. I'm really enjoying it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]564604[/ATTACH]

Thank you for the reply -- from everyone -- to my question about brand/manufacturer of that great folding table.