Has anyone made their own sewing desk?
 

Yesterday my husband, father in law and I worked on altering a table desk to set in my sewing machine (Juki 2000) and I'm totally bummed.
The desk I used was this awesome old sturdy desk that I loved. It had a metal drawer in it. We decided to use the drawer to hold the machine. We got a cut out for the machine sized perfect. We drilled a hole through the desk to get the cords down. and the machine bounced/vibrated too much so we had to start over again...

We then added conduit under the drawer rails to add more support under the drawer... still vibrated too much...

We then took out the drawer and used the metal drawer rails and put in a piece of shelving. It still vibrated too much.

We then bolted the shelving to the conduit and it still vibrates and bounces too much.... then we gave up for the day. We'll have to try again another day.

After my father in law left (he lives a bit over an hour away) I had a thought... why not add a 2x2 length of wood in the area where the drawer goes on both sides and attach the shelving to that We could countersink a bolt going through the desk top, through the 2x2 then through the shelving. That would make it so the shelving part would be secured to the desk top not the metal rails that are there for the drawer. We can't easily remove the drawer rails. They are welded on so they're going to have to stay where they are... I wish I would have thought of that before my father in law left. I might have a working set in machine now :'( I don't know when he'll be able to come back.


My question is - has anyone altered a desk or table to set their machine in... and if so do you have much vibration? I'm beside myself. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a cabinet - and I couldn't find any for sale that I liked more than this table style desk. I'm going to use it as is for now and just sew slower than I'd like to but it will be much more comfortable than having it sit on top of the desk. I have two of those awesome table desks and might need to get a third if we can't figure this out.... now that this one has a hole in it... it isn't exactly a usable surface for anything else so it will most likely have to get chucked :'(

My mom has used the cabinet from an old sewing machine for her new one ( just to sew, not to store) & you can get them for a few bucks. I think she had to cut some extra space for the plug ins.....but that was it. She puts another desk next to it in an L shape for cutting, pressing, whatever. Good luck!! I use a desk from a yard sale for my sewing desk. I like using old or up cycling too!

I bought a table top and separate legs from Ikea. Works fine. The table top measures 30x59. You can get smaller size tops if this is what you need. I have room for my cutting board on it as well.

I made my sewing table from two cabinets from Lowes; I think they were $39 each. Wood across top w/cut out for acrylic insert from Dreamworld, shelf below to support machine. On each side is a wood strip running the width of the cabinet so that it could be screwed into the particle board side of the cabinet - the back of the cabinet was too flimsy to hold it. So then the shelf is attached to those.

Maybe try some of that rubber shelf liner until you can work on your solution (which sounds like it should work). I think I've seen folks post that using that has helped. It's got a little bit of padding to it, that might absorb some of the vibration?

Probably just me, but I would add a "cripple" support under your shelf, just like they do in doors or windows to keep the shelf from coming down. It doesn't have to go all the way to the floor, but it would keep your shelf from breaking loose & dumping your machine if the nails or screws work their way loose or the board possibly breaks in the corners where it is screwed/nailed together. Some of the inside molding for where ceilings meet walls would work too.

Someone in the Juki 98 yahoo group suggested that I put shelf liner under it as well. I had to raise up the machine a bit anyway since it was about 1/4" too low.. it helped a lot.. so I put several layers under it and then realized that the back needed more than the front. I think the machine isn't quite level! That might be a part of it..

So then I looked around my room and saw the Janome under machine mat that I got when I bought my Janome years ago. That helped A LOT. It doesn't shake nearly as much as it did before.

I then took it out and put it on the desk that I used to sew on (we couldn't use that one because we felt the drawer wasn't as sturdy as the one we cut up. wow. Never noticed just how much my machine liked to jump before. There is a certain mid range speed that I sew at that makes it dance. That Janome mat might just be what I need to fix the issue at least to the point that I can actually use the machine.

I'm really happy - or at least much happier than I was when I went to bed last night.
I think the next time my father in law comes up we'll try a few more things. We still need to cut the plexiglass that I need to the left of the machine for accessing the bobbin. I might take my machine down to the glass cutter store and have them cut me a piece to form fit to the machine. That would be sweet :D

Here are pictures of what we have so far. The machine is a wee bit too high (about 1/8") over the desk top after adding the Janome mat but I'm okay with that.
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We still need to cut and add the plexiglass to the left of the machine. I think this will work. I might look for a floor mat that is a little lower than the Janome mat so that the machine would be completely flush with the desk top but for now I'm just happy that it isn't making me dizzy from the bouncing when running the machine.

My Husky 875Q vibrated alot in my Kangaroo sewing table, I put 2 or 3 layers of rug rubber pad beneath the machine, and the vibrations on minimal. Try that before you chuck the project.

I also did this, plus got the drawer module to hold my scissors, etc. love it and no vibration.

I might end up going to Ikea in the end... okay. That's just an excuse to go to Ikea. I love that place :D I'm going to give this a go first since I already had it.
I'm going to give it a try today and see how it goes before we do anything else with it.

I love ikea too. Any excuse to go :)

Don't be discouraged - it looks like an awesome sewing table and you are almost there! Your earlier thought about the 2x2s plus the cushioning may be the perfect solution in the long run. Glad to hear that it's workable now.

Thanks so much :) I am going to call my father in law in a bit to let him know what I've done and the suggestions that were made. He was probably up half the night trying to brainstorm. I dreamt I was trying to escape from some weird installation full of aliens and aliens that look like humans. *shudder* I wasn't even watching sci fi before going to bed lol.

I have a different floor mat that I'm going to try. Something will happen. There has to be a perfect combination somewhere :D

Yours looks really good. Sorry about the vibration.

My machine is heavy and has suction cups on the bottom, so the vibration is minimal. My Singer longarm has a kind of exposed frame on the bottom, so when it was vibrating, we simply screwed picture clamps onto the carriage and bolted the machine down. I'm not sure how you'd bolt or clamp it down with a DSM, though.

"now that this one has a hole in it... it isn't exactly a usable surface for anything else so it will most likely have to get chucked"

You could always make the hole bigger, get a piece of clear plexi to cover the hole, and voila! you have a light table.

How about covering the hole by adding a new top to the desk for a cutting station or a really oversize ironing area?

i think if you got a piece of wood as thick as the space is between bottom of the top and the top of the bottom shelf{where the machine is ] and 4 carriage bolts ...you will have a small bump but out from the machine where the bolt is [they have rounded heads your fabric should not get caught on them ] and maybe one in the back of machine ....can't see how much room is there ......but that would make the shelf solid and not vibrate so much ...good luck

Look in the carpet/throw rug section of Walmart, or which ever big box store you have, for a closed cell foam floor mat. They are like camping mats or exercise mats - which you could also use but you won't have as much waste with the floor mat. The floor mats are 1/4 inch thick and have pretty designs printed on them. I use one under my embroidery machine. I can embroider in the morning before anyone is awake, with no complaints about noise. Cut it to size.

When sewing with my viking on a table top it loved sliding over he table . My solution a piece of that roll that stops things sliding on car shelves and made a small quilt to go under with thick batting. Stopping sliding but it is so quiet as the quilt absorbs the sound.

Does your sewing machine have a "lip" on the edge of it?

My sewing machine cabinet has a hinged section, so that you tilt the machine up, and fold the hinged section down, then the sewing machine sits on the table, not on a lower piece attached to the table. I've never had a vibration problem with the sewing machine cabinet/table.

But I have had major vibration problems with a so called craft table made out of plastic. The table and machine jumped all over the place.

I think your problem is lack of support on the surface where your sewing machine is sitting.

Here's what my DH did to modify an old desk. He removed the drawer and mechanism. Being a carpenter, he was able to stabilize the machine shelf using metal L brackets (I think that's what they're called). Here's some pics that might help.

Then we had a friend of ours make an acrylic top that fits my machine bed and the opening around it. It's not pretty but it's functional and so much cheaper than the actual bed inserts.

I have a higher-end machine and it sews quite fast (not that I use it that way often) and have no problems with vibration.

Hope this helps.

This is the table my brother put together for me It is very sturdy no vibration. I don't know how to put multiple photos in one picture so I apologize for so many but maybe this will give some ideas.

Your problem is not at the machine, it is the desk itself. The desk was made to be light weight, so small vibrations are amplified throughout the desk all the way to the feet. Can't tell you how many of these desks I had to replace when I worked office management for Uncle Sam. Just the weight of files etc on them was destructive. Then people would decide to "sit" (semi-lean) on the edge and they would totally bend. Try adding weight down low on the desk legs, or perhaps extra legs made from 4x4 lumber.

I did exactly what you did but with a plywood desk that has solid ends clear to the floor, and I have no vibration. Good luck.

I purchased a portable table at the Houston Quilt Festival several years ago, and this is how the shelf is connected on it, but they countersink the heads of the bolts, so there is no bump. And with a wooden table, you could use wood filler to fill the holes and make the desk top smooth.

I just purchased a 4 foot folding table from Staples etc. and had my machinist husband cut down the legs until it is just 27" high. I set my machine on a Piece of padding like you use under carpeting to cut down on the vibration and used my clear acrylic extension table to make a generous sewing surface. The best part is that I can store things under the extension table and they are perfectly visible. I use a plastic draw unit from Walmart under the table for storing thread and other sewing necessities and the area to the right of the machine has enough space for scissors, pin cushions thread, bobbin winding machines etc. The acrylic extension table was probably the most expensive part of the whole set up. I think I ordered it from Nancy's Notions. I made a skirt for the table that is attached with double faced tape. A person entering my sewing room can not see under the table.

Yel - that is exactly what we plan to do the next time my father in law comes to visit. I think it will completely kick out the vibration. :)
I've been using the machine the past two days and it is down to a minimum thanks to a floor mat in there but it's a hair too high so I'm going to look for a skinnier floor mat I think - or just lower the drawer 1/8"

vickig626 and damaquilts - you both have great tables!
ShirlinAZ - I actually love this desk. It's the sturdiest desk I have ever come across so I think it is the way my father in law and husband did the shelf. I spoke with my father in law yesterday afternoon and we talked about some things to do to fix it. I think we'll get it perfect the next time he comes to visit. I have to hit Lowes and measure some wood. A 2" piece would be perfect between the top and the shelf (which I also want to replace. I want a nicer looking one lol. We used a piece of particle board from a stereo stand we used to have. It isn't the prettiest thing but it's functional.. I'd like it to be prettier :D

I really appreciate everyone's ideas an suggestions.
I'm pretty sure we're going to get it completely vibration free but just in case I'll offer the table up on freecycle as is. I have absolutely no need for a light table. I have never needed one and doubt I'd need one now. Someone else might love to have a light table though... I'm confident we're going to get it perfect though :)

I modified a desk, and posted about it here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t216312.html
here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...e-t216324.html
here: http://www.archaicarcane.com/second-...dies-lingerie/
and here: http://www.archaicarcane.com/followu...e-sewing-desk/

LOL! Sorry, the first two got fractured when it was copied to tutorials, and the last two are on my own website. I lurk on the juki yahoo list, and saw your post, but hadn't seen what you were working with.

I haven't gotten around to cutting the notch for the cord yet, I've been too preoccupied with the new to me frame and Juki. :)

Lol. I studied your posts before and after we started the project... There are several posts online showing people's altered desks... small world that I checked yours out :D

Hey! I'm glad they helped you out! :)

Part of your problem is the weight of the machine and the speed of it, for sure.

The juki is much heavier than a lot of the machines we use today. I would put it on par with some of my 50s and 60s Singers. The earlier Singers and the 15 clones still have it beat for sure.

The sturdier the table you can start with the better, and better still if it can have a permanent shelf that the machine sits on. You say the desk itself is pretty sturdy, so I'd do everything I could to make the desk believe that the shelf the machine is sitting on was always a permanent part of it. Brace like crazy!! Everywhere you can. Cripples, brackets, all of it.

I have built many a cabinet and desk for myself, for many different reasons. And judging by your pictures here, my best guess for most of your problem is going to be in the shelf support system you have going on. The metal brackets that once supported the drawer is NOT strong enough to support your machine for any length of time nor will it help stop the extra vibration when the machine is running. I'm not saying this can't be fixed, I just want you to understand why it is giving you so much problem. The added padding you put in will help for a while but in the long run, one day it's going to give in and I hope you are not using it when it does because you will get hurt.

With all that said, maybe I can help a bit in suggesting a better support system that will last longer and maybe forever if you can add it. The first thing I see is that the self you have in there is NOT going all the way across to the sides, it looks like it's just hang in mid air. This would seem like it's only support is on the brackets. I can't see the type of brackets so I can't help with that but you mentioned that they are to hard to remove so what I would do is get another piece of 3/4" thick plywood and cut it to go under what you have but extent it all the way across the bottom. Screw it in place so it is well supported by the whole frame of the table. If that doesn't fix most of the vibration and keep you safe I don't know what will. You guys are on the right track but it's a matter of corrected support for the machinery going on here.

I hope you take this as helpful and not just trying to be picking or something because it's meant to be as helpful as I can without coming over and fixing it for you. You really do have a great idea here so don't scrap it. You will get it done and be a very happy camper not spending tons of money.

You are getting good ideas. Some of those pads might squish down a little with time.

If you can get your table surface to be smooth and the same height from the front of the table to the needle, you would be soooooo happy. No bumps when you get to the machine from the table.

I've tried out some of the expensive tables and was surprised how much the faster sewing machines vibrate on these tables. So, I'm happy with the one my DH modified for me.

I did just the same,Ikea has some great ideas for quilters' rooms. Lettyx

Both of these desks started out life as ikea tables:
bluedinosaurs.com/diy-platform-sewing-table/
http://cheekycognoscenti.blogspot.ca...g-cabinet.html

I was going to do the first one, because I've seen that table in the thrift stores a number of times, til I found the rolling desk that I have.

My son and I built this sewing table. We used 2 drawer cabinets bought from a home improvement store. A friend gave me a counter top made for a customer that ended up the wrong size for the customer and we cut a hole in that for the machine. The last picture shows how my son made the box for the machine to sit in. He first made a sturdy box from 1/2" 3ply plywood and cut a hole for the cords. Then he attached a frame all around the top of the box (that's the white boards), then screwed that to the underside of the counter top using many screws. There's no vibration at all. Hope yours turns out well!:)

Thanks for posting this thread. I have been wanting my son to make me a sewing table and I love all your ideas. Now just to get my son over to check this out and see what he can do.

Someone suggested I shove a pool noodle between the table top and the shelf... I was at the Dollar Tree the other day and they still had pool noodles (a lot of them too) so I bought one... and am so glad I did! I shoved it in there and now I have no vibration at all :D

I gave that machine a good workout this morning and it was blissful sewing. I'm going to feel really really spoiled the next time I have to sew with my machine on top of the table (every 3 Saturdays when my guild gets together to sew) but wow, I'm so glad I did this!

Thank you everyone for your support and ideas. I knew that the quilting community would have an answer that I didn't think of... who would have thunk it? A pool noodle :D