| Project by RandyMarine | posted 238 days ago | 890 views | 0 times favorited | 11 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
Hello All,
Here is the Drafting Box/table I built. This was my first project other than my push stick and block.
I love drafting, I have been doing it since high school. I do use all kinds of CAD software, but I love doing things the old fashioned way…one day I will find someone to teach me how to use a slide rule!
Table size is: 32”w x 23” h x 1/2” d. The box size is: 31”w x 23”h x 6”d. I left a slot 4” high x 24” for the drawer.
Because this was my first project, I decided to build a plywood prototype (pic 1). I built it from sketches and used the prototype to do my detailed drawings (pic 2).
I also figured being my first project I would use pine because it is cheap to buy (in case I SNAFUed) and easy to machine. I used a rabbeted pin joint for the four corners and a dado slot for the 1/2” plywood bottom that I laminated with a granite looking shelf linner. I set the dado slot at 1/2” higher than the bottom lip of the pine to allow me to set it on top of something and not allow the box to move around (pic 3 dry fit & 4 glue up).
I wanted to finish it very dark to hide the inevitable digs it will suffer (being made from pine). So I put 6 coats of colonial stain and 3 coats of poly on it. I hope this would be sufficent (pic 5). I put a 24” continues/piano hinge on the front of the box to secure the drawing board at the front and give it the ability to be adjusted vertically to what ever surface I place it on (pic 6).
Thanks for reading, I will be following up with Part #2 (The board and Drawer Assembly) of this project very soon. Any comments, suggestions, or critisims would be greatly appreciated.
-- Semper Fi, Randy Sr.



































11 comments so far
johnnie52
home | projects | blog
16 posts in 245 days
posted 238 days ago
Its definitely better looking than the first one I built using plywood and pallets. I haven’t touched a board in years since I started using CAD for everything, but making a nice new board sounds interesting. I’ll be looking forward to new installments.
-- John - Tampa, FL - American components, Russian components..... ALL MADE IN TIAWAN!
cabinetmaster
home | projects | blog
7973 posts in 436 days
posted 237 days ago
I also like to doo things the old fashioned way. I actually got my drawing board out this morning to draw some cabinets for my step daughter. Real nice job. What did you use for the straight edge?
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
RandyMarine
home | projects | blog
54 posts in 247 days
posted 237 days ago
I bought the straight edge and guide strings from a commercial art supply store here in town, and mounted it to a 1/2” peice of MDF.
-- Semper Fi, Randy Sr.
joey
home | projects | blog
289 posts in 782 days
posted 237 days ago
I still like to do most of my drawings by hand, been wanting to build a drawing table/light box for a long time. I also do some stain glass. thanks for sharing
Joey
-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/
cabinetmaster
home | projects | blog
7973 posts in 436 days
posted 237 days ago
Thanks Randy. we have a place like that about 30 miles from here. I need to go there sometime soon so I’ll check it out.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
roman
home | projects | blog
1070 posts in 771 days
posted 237 days ago
that reminds me to dig out my old drafting table from the basement archives. Someday when I get the time to build “my” office (which I would dearly love) I will ressurect the old girl. Till then I’m green with envy.
Sometimes I think that if one cannot sharpen the plow, dont try and teach me how to farm and if one cannot draw what they choose to make with a pencil and paper…...........give up trying to make it out of wood. I see too many cabinet shops lost in CNC and all too often they have forgotten what a “scraper” is, spend too much time with too many people studying a program instead of getting the job done….........but thats just me.
Cheers
-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/
johnnie52
home | projects | blog
16 posts in 245 days
posted 237 days ago
When I built mine I used a straight edge that was designed to be used for drafting and came with cables, rollers and springs. I bought it at a local art supply store. It was 40” long and I still have it. I use it to mark sheet goods now.
-- John - Tampa, FL - American components, Russian components..... ALL MADE IN TIAWAN!
cabinetmaster
home | projects | blog
7973 posts in 436 days
posted 237 days ago
Roman is so right. We have had so many problems with the new program we are using for our CNC. Wish we could get rid of it.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Chris
home | projects | blog
300 posts in 235 days
posted 234 days ago
Thanks for sharing Randy. I still do pencil sketches for initial concepts but turn to Sketchup for anything I want drawn well. But I hate most CAD apps and understand the pleasure of a drafting session.
-- Chris
POPSHOP
home | projects | blog
127 posts in 129 days
posted 126 days ago
Very cool ! I have been planning a swing down wall mount for my shop .
-- POPSHOP ,
roman
home | projects | blog
1070 posts in 771 days
posted 126 days ago
good luck
-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/