Need Plans for Split top Drafting Table

I could design one for you using SketchUp. :)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave, I watched your video on sketchup…. really really impressive… Wow I wish I was as proficient as you were in it. I would love to learn. I would also love for you to help me with this Split top drafting table… I have never drawn anything in my life but want to learn so badly. I always just doodle and create. I amin the process of redoing my entire shop and I have a one car garage I partitioned for a library that I am now going to use for my little office for my shop. I am using the 2 car side for the shop.

DO you have any ideas on what would be the best design for a drafting table? i.e. adjustable height… adding a top shelf etc.

Tell me what I need to do and I will do it. and thanks so much for your help. If I need to compensate you in any way I will be happy to do so as well. Thanks again

Jim

Hi Jim,

With a name like that, it’ll be a million dolllars. LOL

Thanks for the compliments. It’s only practice.

So how much room do you have? How big do you want the table to be? Do you have some sort of style in mind? What do you plan to sit on while using it? What do you plan to make it out of? What sort of woodworking skills have you got? Tools?

Do a Google search for “Split Top Drafting Teble” and take a look at what’s out there. You can see what is typical for sizes and arrangement. Maybe you want a high table so you can sit on a stool? Or do you want it to be desk height.

Let me know and we’ll see what we come up with.

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hey Dave, You’re the best! I have done some research and found some split tops… I have to send some pics to flikr in order to show you… Or go to this link to see a bunch…

http://www.draftingtables.com/drafting-tables/split-top-tables/3883+3885+4294643170.cfm?source=googleaw&kwid=split%20top%20drafting%20tables&tid=exact

AS for my expertise I can handle most any jobs, except turning and fancy joinery… I am still learning and am gathering the tools for those… But I can do most anything else. I would like to make it out of wood naturally but the kind… haven’t decided yet… but I do know that I would like to make it adjustable between desk height and tall drafting height. I would rather be on a high stool that a chair.

I would like to make it so I can add an auxillary shelf and drawers underneath for storage and the room needed…. is open. I can accommodate an average size one. Anything from 24×40 to 30×40 for the tilting table and 30×40 for the tilt and possibly 18 to 20 inches wide for the level top!

I hope this answers most of your questions… and I am not exagerating when i say you really know your stuff with sketchup… I have been trying it to draw my new shop and i am doing it the long way after seeing your video. What do I need to do to learn that program well? BTW I am a mac user and have been looking for good mac software for drafting and drawing but have not found anything that beats sketchup…. What have you found? BEst to you… JIM $$$ LOL well 1/2$$$ now with this economy!

Here’s a start. What do you think?

I don’t think you can find anything better than SketchUp for drawing on the Mac. Espcially at the price. To learn the program you just have to practice. It’s kind of like woodworking. One thing that might help is to take my SketchUp class next June. ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave, This is incredible! Beyond expectations… I showed my wife and her reaction was…. you could learn alot from this gentleman! I will take your class just let me know the details.

And this is wonderful…. How tall is it? CAn I use a stool? I guess it will be as tall as I can make it…. lol!

What do I owe you and what do I do next? I am so excited!

Thanks

Jim

Hi Jim,

I’m glad this works for you. I drew it so the flat top is 37” high. It’s 60” wide and 30 deep.

How much detail do you want as far as a plan is concerned? I haven’t drawn any joinery or anything yet because I wanted to finalize the design first.

As far as the class goes, it’s in Port Townsend, WA next June. I can get you details.

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,

What would your suggestion be for making it height adjustable so it could be from 30 inches high to 37 inches high?

Everything else looks wonderful. The detail of the joinery can be whatever level you want to draw. I still am amazed at what you did with that table in your video. I have tried to copy it to learn from it but all the hidden commands are too much for me yet. I will attend your class when it comes around.

Jim

Jim,

Does it need to be continuously adjustable through the range or just 30 or 37” high?

I’ll have to think a bit on making it adjustable.

The left to right stretcher between the lower rails is shifted forward to give you a place to put your feet while sitting on a stool. If you are using a chair, it might be an ankle banger.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hey Dave,

Maybe it can just be 2 adjustments…. then the rest can stay. WHen it is lowered… it can be resting on the ground or removed with some screws from the side. I will follow wherever you lead!

Jim

I’m working on it. Are you thinking it would be a quick up/down sort of thing that would get changed frequently? Or do you just want to have the option once in awhile to change it?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Not frequently at all… just as an option in case I wanted it as a desk only!

Thanks again.

P.S. I tried your challenge…. OMG I am so bad at it… LOL But I will learn. I am determined!

JM

Glad you guys are working this out. It’s great to see the interaction.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

How about two sets of legs? This would give you the option to change the height without having to build in some mechanized thing and would preserve the aesthetics of the piece.

Glad you gave the challenge a go. Keep trying.

Karson, thank you. It is an enjoyable process.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Maybe something like this? To accomodate the height change I had to reduce the height of the shelves and drawer unit. Notice in the lower one the center stretcher has moved to behind center. My thought is that with careful attention to details you could make the legs so that when assembled for the short version, the stretchers are swapped end for end to shift that center on back to keep you from banging your ankles.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Do you ever sleep? LOL! This looks fantastic. Swappable legs is great! This makes the unit a totally unique desk. ANd the loss of one drawer and one shelf is no big deal at all. It’s a winner… What do I do next? I feel like a slug…

Jim

P.S. What are you eating and drinking to stay awake all this time?

Och! I idraw in my sleep. :-)

Let me work out the details and I’ll send you something to use as a plan.

Send me a PM with your e-mail address.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I’m an old engineer who prefers to use the traditional drafting table. Here in Gainesville, I’ve found that my 42” x 30” table is none to large for designing projects. In the U.P. I have an old Hamilton table that is 60” x 40” – even better.

Before building your table give a lot of hard thought to the drafting table size. This is not something to compromise on.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

Jim,

I thought since at least a few folks have been following along I would post this here as well.

Here are a couple of views for you. I just pulled some materials out of my hat. You can build it anyway you want. Since you’ll want to be able to swap the legs, I was thinking of bed bolts into the stretchers and aprons. The cross stretcher could be glued to the side stretchers. Changing the legs would entail unbolting the legs, turning the lower stretcher assembly end for end and bolting everything back together. I ‘d be inclined to flip the table over when doing that. The drawer and shelf units hang from the structure below the top so it isn’t impacted by the change in height. There’s be room under the large top to store the legs that aren’t in use. There are some light colored rectangles showing the footprint of the hardware for lifting and supporting the top.

I need to know how you’d like to build the drawers and what sort of drawer hardware you want to use so I can complete the plan. I would also like to know about your preference for drawer pulls. Do you want to make them yourself or use something store bought?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave, This is amazing! You have thought of everything. I am especially amazed at how you were insightful enough to think about the extra legs and storage of them as well as inverting the lower assembly in order to give room for the ankles.

As for the hardware, It seems like such a shame to build such a beautiful piece and then put store bought hardware on it.

As for the other materials, I will take your recommendation for what to use…. I love the look of the light wood frame and contrasting drawers with the green laminate top! (Framed)

Very very nice! I still can’t believe the time and effort you have put into this design. I am pleased to have you as a mentor! Now if I can pay it forward I will do so without hesitation.

Kudos to you once again!

Jim,

Thank you. The legs just kind of fell into place. ;)

So, you’ll make the drawer pulls. Good. How do you want to assemble the drawers? Dovetails, locking rabbets? Duct tape? Should the drawers run on wooden runners with kickers above? Or do you want runners that run in grooves plowed into the drawer sides?

Do you have any objection to using metal hardware to support the drafting table top?

I used an English beech and straight-grained walnut sort of materials on the table but you might do something like maple and wenge. I was thinking of veneered cabinet grade plywood for the cases but you could do solid if you want.

Not drawn in yet but I’m thinking the bed bolts would be hidden behind 1” square plugs in the legs. They’d be held in with light duty magnets and pulled out with a stronger magnet when access to the bolts is required.

I have an idea for integrating a computer into the desk by putting an external DVD burner, power switch and USB and audio connections behind the top drawer front which would actually be hinged. The computer could then go in a ventilated box behind the drawer unit.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,

You are the expert here! I will make it any way you draw it. And no I am not opposed top using metal support… I saw one somewhere I cant remember where…. it was specifically for drafting tables… It looked like it had saw teeth to hold it in place.

I will look for it… On all else I will follow your lead!

You are the man

jim

Jim & Dave, I must say that I’ve enjoyed following this thread immensely! Even without seeing the plans, but with seeing the pictures posted, this is a FINE example of what can be done, not only in SketchUp, but with minds working together to make a FINE end product.

Dave is in fact a great inspiration, not only when it comes to SketchUp, but in bringing out ideas in us all.

Kudos!

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

Thank you OSM. that’s nice to read.

Jim, Rockler has the hardware for supporting the top. mics_64 (I think I got his nick right) sent me a link to it. I can look and see. It’s what I based the spaces on in the drawing without the top.

I’ll draw up the drawers and we’ll get the plan together.

Cheers,

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Jim,

Here’s the final design unless you have changes you’d like. If not, I’ll start on the plans document. It’ll be a PDF when its finished.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

After further consideration the rockler hardware may be difficult to use with the split top, access to the operation of the hardware being from the sides. I’m not sure about this but you should check before ordering it.
You will also need a pencil stop on the table when it is tilted to keep pencils, angles and scales from sliding off the table. Making one that can lay down flat, and flush when the table is in the “down position” would be handy. Good job Dave.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Dave, This look s so nice! I am really impressed with the mix of beauty and functionality. Mics54 is right too… What about a slide up pencil stop that can be attached to the front edge of the tilting desk after the completion of the desk. This was it can be removed when using the desk in the lower position if needed. Or even a slotted trim piece that can be attached to the front that a small piece if ripped material can be slid into?

I couldn’t find the table tilt mechanism that mics54 was referring to… but I know I saw something that I know might work and I will continue my search this evening!

Also want you to know that I picked up a Dummies book on sketchup but I look forward to your class!

Jim

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=790

This is the hardware I mentioned but as I said it will be hard to operate on a split top desk. I really am at a loss as to a solution other than slides accessible from the rear of the table.
After reviewing Daves photobucket album images of the desk it looks as though he was thinking of braces fixed to the underside of the tilt top with multi setting racks on the bottom of the storage compartment towards the front of the desk. Good idea Dave.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Hey mics_54, I just found them this instant. I think they will work… Maybe I am not understanding how they go on… There really should be no difference between an regular top and a split top…. Maybe you can help me understand it better…

Another solution is to use a slide with set screw… basic hinge but not real sturdy…. Unless it’s big!

Didn’t Dave do a nice job? Man what a champ!

LOL… I always tell my students that the only difference between a “Poop Head” and a “Brown Noser” is depth perception…. but I can;t get over Dave’s willingness to give his time to help someone that he doesn’t even know! That goes for alot of you on this site! I feel blessed to have found it!

Jim

Jim, I hope you like it as much when it is built. Thank you for the compliments. You’re too kind.

I’ve got a simple idea for the supports but I need to work out the geometry. A pencil stop is in the works as well. I have two different ideas for that.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

but I can’t get over Dave’s willingness to give his time to help someone that he doesn’t even know!

yeah I know…makes you suspicious don’t it?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Are you really suspicious?

Here’s a retractable pencil stop.

And some shop built supports.

Do these work?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,

No way am I suspicious… I have a feeling you have them same heart as I try to have and that is one of giving.

I believe in the concept of paying it forward! I also believe that if I go to meet my maker with whatever knowledge I have still in my brain and not shared with someone to carry it on.. my life was meaningless!

You are my new hero!

And yes the retractable holder and the shop built supports look great!

I am visiting my Dad tonight up Northern New Mexico… and old time woodworker now really hard to get around and keep his mind on task and he was amazed by your drawing and generosity! I think seeing his face light up the way it did was worth everything to me… Thanks so much for making my Dad smile on this Christmas Holiday! He has always been my hero and tried to teach me all he knows but I was not always willing to learn!

God Bless and thanks again!

Jim

The great thing was when he saw your earlier drawing and I told him we were looking for a way to support the top…. he drew almost the exact same thing on a napkin at dinner… Great minds think the same!

He said if we dowled from one support to the other it would be easier to adjust with one hand on either side! What do you think?

Are you really suspicious?

Just kidding, Dave. Good job!

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Jim,

It’s nice to read what you wrote about your dad. I’m glad to have helped. He called me and told me about the support idea. Not really. ;)

I had this idea from the beginning of this project—I was thinking of some old deck chairs my parents had when I was a kid. When mics_54 suggested the Rockler hardware I thouoght it would be nice because it would take up less space and allow more for other stuff like the legs.

I thought about running the dowel all the way across but that dowel then eats into the storage space. You could do it though, if you want.

I don’t know if it was clear with the pencil stop but I drew it so that it can be pushed up from below. THere would be pins between the top and the front trim piece and slots in the stop. Another idea involves a separate piece of wood as a stop that would be held in place with rare earth magnets. A thiird idea involves rotating the pencil stop end for end to expose it or not. I don’t like the idea of holes in the top for pins on the stop to fit into. They would eventually fill with dust if not used and would be hard to clean out.

I’ll get the plans together shortly.

Dave.

p.s. I’m glad no one is suspicious. ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

double posted somehow.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

A drafting table with google sketchup…ironic ain’t it?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Yes, it is. ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I’m kinda looking for one of those exciting competition type finishes you see at a rodeo in the calf roping where the contestant cowboy ties the calf and quickly throws his hands in the air to stop the clock. ...not to pressure you :)

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

You’re waiting for Jim to do that, right? ;)

Unless there are required changes, I think I finished the drawing on Saturday. I started a plan document but Jim wanted to look at the SKP file and see how he’d get along with that.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Curiously, will you, do you or would you normally, when passing along such plans, provide them in some specific format other than an SKP like a PDF. I assume that you will merely pass along a completed model SKP without much detail as far as dims or radii etc… unless of course the model itself is presented in a basic assembly with notations or details as were traditional plans produced upon the very object you are designing. Since Jemillion has the means in possession of the sketchup program to create views on his own or to zoom, rotate, copy, view and print and you have provided (I assume) a completed model in it’s entirety, there is really no need for alot of “details” cluttering up the file during download or transfer. I think this is the power of the modeling program. I am really just curious as to the hurdles to be encountered in the process of the production and transfer of a plan from both perspectives. I can imagine the difficulties but the actuality may be different. Do you merely presume some specific needs based on a perceived level of experience with model manipulation of the end user. You mentioned a “plan document”. I’m guessing that this would be other than just a model with all the minutia presented in an as-built form dependent upon jemillion’s extraction of desired information. Is my question making sense to you?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

So, to answer your questions:

Normally, when I create a plan for someone, I do create a document in PDF format. This includes dimensions and a cutlist. In fact I do this on a fairly regular basis for a cabinet maker who contracts with me for drawing services. In that case I make presentation documents first with various views of the project and sometimes alternative designs. After the design is finalized I set about making the construction documents.

As to the level of detail I include, that does depend upon the woodwrker. In the case of the cabinet maker, we have discussed details such as rabbets and dados. I don’t need to dimension them because he always cuts them the same. When I make plans for myself there is usually a lot more info ommitted from the drawings because I an so familar wiith the project by the time I’m ready to make the first sawdust, I don’t need much information. (besides, I don’t really need a plan for making sawdust or chips. I’ve been doing that for so long, I’ve got it down pat. ;))

Jim can indeed make his own views from the SketchUp model although I did make a bunch of them already. There are dimensions included for many of the parts.

It really isn’t very difficult to make the drawings for the plans but deciding what detail needs to be included and what doesn’t is an art that I am learning. I’m by no means an expert however.

I use SketchUp 7 Pro so I have Layout which is a companion application to SketchUp. It allows one to import the SU model along with text, images and other stuff to create the documentation as needed. One can then export images of the pages or a PDF file. You can also make slide presentations right from Layout. Attached is the tentative first page of the drafting table plan.

One could export 2D images from SketchUp and then add them in some application such as MS Word or whatever to make similar plans. The beauty of Layout is that you can edit the SketchUp view right in Layout and if you modify the SketchUp drawing, you can update all the views of it in Layout automatically. If you were doing this in another program, you’d have to re-export the image files that are affected and re-import them into the program.

FWIW, FineWoodworking.com ran a Video Workshop series on a little frame and panel cabinet by Tim Rosseau. I drew the cabinet in SketchUp and created a bunch of scenes for them and they exported the images and put them together to make the plan.

Does that answer your questions or did you doze off already?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

As always, you answered as completely as I could possibly expect. You even answered, inadvertantly..or perhaps intuitively, a couple of of question I didn’t yet ask. Thanks Dave

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

DaveR, are you going to put this out in the 3D warehouse? I wonder if it would be compatible with the free version SketchUp 7?

mics, glad to help.

Hellaenergy, no, I won’t put it on the 3D Warehouse. The SKP file is entirely compatible with the free version.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hellaenergy, I suppose I should have explained about the warehouse thing. I don’t put models I’ve drawn onto the warehouse unless I’ve been contracted by the client to do so. So far only one has done that.

dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Had a little free time so I thought I’d play.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hello,

My name is Don and I am a Geology student as the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. I have been looking online for a set of prints I can use to build a basic drafting table and I came upon your forum. Needless to say I am very intrigued at the amount of creativity and workmanship all posters have displayed. It was enough for me to become a part of this site.

I have always been in construction and have learned wood work from some of the best and nicest people I can find. I specialize in trim work and painting. I have never done any real fine woodworking but I would like to take my shot at it. I would like to keep the traditions of do-it-yourself and home carpenters up.

I am wondering if I could get a set of plans for this table. It looks perfect for my purposes as a Geology student and eventually a Geologist. We do a lot of drawing. I think I have the basic idea but am not sure on desk heights and such. I will also need to retro-fit mine to also be a light table, as it is very important for my degree.

Thank you.

Don

-- -The trick to getting ahead is getting started!

Hi,

My friend is bugging the heck out of me to build her a drafting table. She ‘says’ she intends to help. Yeah right. But, quoting Sharon “This is the most perfect drafting Table she has ever seen in her life”. Anyway I’m fairly new at this stuff and would love a copy of the plans.

Do you provide the plans? Is there a way to purchase them?

Any help is appreciated.

Lyndle

Don and Lyndle,

I’ll see what I can do when I get the plans completed. They are getting close.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Now, if I could just get you to come show me how to use my table saw…..........
router, sander, drill,, lol ;)

Is it warmer there than it is here? ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

A very nice 67 deg. today. ( I’ll buy the beer )

I wish I could say I’m jumping in the car right now.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hey folks! I am brand spanking new to the site. I am just exstatic to see others with the same passions as I, talking about, desgning, and building projects. I spent almost a year designing and revamping plans for a gun cabinet I built this past fall. However like most I have heard, I too am looking for a really good drafting table. I hate to even bother to ask, but I’m gonna. Is there any chance of getting a copy of those plans. This drafting table is exactly what I need!

Thanks, Greg

-- cut the board three times..... and its still too short

Welcome Doctor. I’ll put you on my list.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I think you could go global with these plans! :) It is the perfect table for just about anybody who works in the field of drafting or drawing. You just may be sitting on top of a major opportunity! LOL.

I am excited to get to work on this one. I hope I can bring all of my skills together and make a table that I will be proud of for years to come. While it is elegant, this table is a tool and you just can’t beat a well functioning tool. Dave, you have really outdone yourself on this idea. Thank you for your hard work.

And Lyndle, if you are going to release plans for the the rest of us to use, kudos to you. This really is the best functioning drafting table I have seen. The only thing I want to add to it is an extra hinge for the drafting side of the table. That way, when it is down, you can lift the table up from the front when it is in the down position and store large plans and maps flat and out of the way.

-Don

-- -The trick to getting ahead is getting started!

Don, is Lyndle making drafting table plans, too? :)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I wish! I’m a neophyte. Most of my experience has been some craft work and framing/barn type of work.

This would be my most ambitious project of this type and I expect a couple of tries. Fortunately I have a couple of friends with the expertise to get me going.

Lyndle

Dave, I thought you were done with those plans..How many hours do you have tied up in them?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I’m finished with the design work. I still have a little bit to do on the plans but I’m trying to make them look nice, too. I lost count on the hours awhile ago. It really doesn’t take that long but I keep thinking of things I want to change to make construction easier.

I was delayed for a short time because I searched out a decent hinge for the top and got specs from the manufacturer for it. They were closed for a period at the end of 2008 and a little into 2009 so I waited for that.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

People still use drafting tables? Hmmm…

I like your design and your Sketch up work is impeccable as usual. I’m not sure why you would need two sets of legs at different heights but hey..to each his own!. The render you did is pretty cool, but I think your overlay of the line work makes it look a little too cartoony..

I still have my old drafting table and all my drawing tools, including a 46” Mayline parallel straightedge…but I don’t use them I just hold onto them for a keepsake…I have had the table since high school…just cant bring myself to throw it out!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Hey Brad,

I will have to take the blame for the second pair of legs… I asked for them because I may use the desk as a regualr desk in the future and wanted it to be the regular desk height. As for using a drafting table, that’s why I asked for a split top table, so you can use your computer or screen on the level top side. I am an amateur to drafting but I like it and am very interested in it… kind of like he difference between using hand tools vs. power tools.

Dave has done a magnificent job with this table and far exceeded my expectations with his generosity. I am so glad to be the recipient of such wonderful plans. It also makes my entrance into Sketchup a but easier as my teacher is going to be Dave himself.

Thanks again Dave for your giving heart!

Brad, thanks.

The overlay was to keep the rendering from looking too photographic. It doesn’t fit everyone’s taste but, well, that’s life. For you, though, see below. ;)

Thanks to you Jim.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

There you go…I like that one allot! Is that Podium? To me, with renders the more photo real the better.

I agree with you Je…Dave has done a fantastic job designing, drawing and putting together these plans for you. Any drafter would love to have a beautiful table like this one…me included!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

Thanks B. N. Not Podium. Kerkythea. I like it better and it is free.

Thank you for the compliments.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave, that’s a beautiful design!

I’d love to be on the list to receive the plans, if I may. I stumbled across this site while in the process of searching for a nice drawing table plans.

I’m also a beginner with SketchUp- great program!

I was hearing so much comotion about Sketch-up, I had to try it. I have downloaded the “free” version. I must say Dave, you sir are quite the skilled expert with a computer mouse. I have had fun tinkering around with it, I am sure it will take LOTS of practice to get used to how it works.

-- cut the board three times..... and its still too short

Love the chat, and wonder at the creativity. Now, when will you-all release a set of plans to work with? Can’t wait!

-- KipS

I don’t need Sketch-up! I have DaveR!!!!

-- KipS

Hi, I want to build a desk with my Dad this summer and this one looks great, does anyone have the plans to the desk?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Patience, grasshoppper.

It’s Friday night and I have dinner guests here. I got both of your PMs. I can’t think this is a big emergency.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Well done, Dave. I’m looking to build a desk almost just like this (the tall one) only wider to accommodate a computer and wide drawers for large art paper.
I’m a graphic artist/illustrator and I need to be able to look at my large monitor while I paint (using a graphics tablet) without craning my neck. Any way to work out having the monitor behind the adjustable portion of the desk and to be able to see it while I have the desk top at about a 45 degree angle? That may be more trouble than it’s worth.
Also, I know 3D Studio Max and CAD but I’ve never tried SketchUp. I’d love to try it out.

-- "What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today!"

Don,

SketchUp is available for free. Give it a try. It’s different from CAD programs though.

It would be fairly easily to add some sort of mount for a flat screen monitor that would extend up behind the hinged part of the top. It would put the monitor up quite high though. I would think it better to put the monitor on a swing arm sort of arrangement on the flat side.

As a note to those waiting for plans for this table, I apologize for the delay. I’ve had a lot of other SketchUp work that has had to come in front of it. I expect it’ll be awhile before I have time unless this one becomes a paid project. Sorry about that.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Hey Dave
As a woodworking professional? I can design and build most any thing(or I think I can) but I’m a total D- – sketchup student watching Your abilities over the time I’ve been on LJs amazes and confounds me. You are the consummate member of LJs with all the help give others and inherent design abilities. This design is a A+++ and worthy of much praise as all the designs I’ve seen of yours. I wish I would of had the means to attend your class on sketchup. Even though I’m a new comer more less I think I can speak for all of us in saying THANK YOU SO MUCH
Another Jim

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Thanks Jim. that’s nice to read.

Unfortunately the SketchUp classes were cancelled for this year. Not enough folks signed up. So I guess you won’t be missing anything. Sounds like we might shoot for earlier next spring and see if there’s more interest then.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Thanks Dave.
I will download SketchUp and start tinkering. I usually catch on to programs rapidly so maybe I’ll post some ideas soon and get some input.
I hadn’t considered a swing arm but that sounds like very a good option.
I was thinking about an adjustable height platform for the monitor. I’m not sure how difficult or logical that would be. It just sounded cool to me at the time.

-- "What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today!"

Hey Dave, Long time! Have you thought of webinar for Sketchup. I was going to come but the travel costs were out of sight.

You the the best at it and I bet you would fill the class online.

Jim

Jim,

Thank you.

I could probably do something like that although my internet connection isn’t all that speedy. I do have a GoToMeeting subscription so I can do them. I’ve done some one on one things for a few folks already.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I’m new around these parts myself. The design of this is awesome, and really what I’ve been looking for. Could you please add me to your list, Dave?

Thanks!!

-- --God bless! Brandon

Wow! That looks amazing! How long have you been using Sketchup? Are Sketchup skills pretty easy to pick-up? Like anything else, I’m sure it takes lots of practice to get that good. That is GREAT work!

I would also be very grateful if you would please add me to your list of folks wanting these plans Dave. Thanks!

Steve

Brandon and Steve, thank you. As I said in a post about a month ago (look up the list) it’ll be awhile before I have time to make the plan presentable. I hope you’re patient folks.

Steve, I’ve been using SketchUp for about 5 or 6 years but these drawings wouldn’t rtequire using the program for that long. I think SketchUp is rather intuitive to use and the skills are easy to pick up but, like anything, it does require some practice. If you’re interested in learning to use the program, you might have a look at my blog posts here as well as the Design. Click. Build. blog at FineWoodworking.com

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,

Very nice design on this Drafting Table..
I want to make something like this for my home office. This looks perfect.
Are the Sketch Up design files available?

-- Mike, SC, www.michael-redwine.com

Hi Mike.

Welcome to LumberJocks and thank you.

I’m sorry but the SketchUp file isn’t available. I don’t give those away. I’ve got a PDF file of the plans in the works but as I indicated in my previous post, they are far from presentable and it’ll be awhile before I can get back to them.

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,

Thaniks for the quick reply.
I understand, I can put a drawing together rather quickly using Solid Works which will automatically generate good 2D prints but I thought, that if you had already released these…then “why recreate the wheel” (...Know what I mean?)

Thanks for sharing you concept…it is very nic, I plan to combine this with a flat top in a pattern having a “return” this would be “L” shaped as viewed from above.

Thanks again,

Mike

-- Mike, SC, www.michael-redwine.com

Hi Dave, this table looks great and I myself am a huge fan of SketchUp. I was wondering if you could help me out with the planning of a split top drafting table just a little simpler like with maybe just one shelf instead of all the drawers and shelves. Any help would be great!

Jackson

Hi Jackson,

I probably could do that but it’ll be awhile before I can get to it. I’ve got fiver other SketchUp jobs waiting for me to finish up or even start. This table needs to be finished, too.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

No Problem! that’ll be great to have your help

Mr. Dave,
Your design above is awesome. Is there a PDF available to anyone, with all the specs, so someone like me could attempt to build it? Your reply is much appreciated.

wow Dave…you need an agent. :)

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Dan, I think you’re right.

Jake, if you read the later parts of this thread, you’ll know that the plan is on the back burner until I get paying work out of the way. If there’s someone willing to pay for it, this job can get moved up in the que. If not, it’ll have to wait.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

“Will Sketch for FOOD!”

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

wow Dave! I think you’ve got something with this desk of yours :) It would humble me fast, as I don’t think my skills are quite up to par for it yet. I’d love to build one down the road :) I think I’d need to modify it some as I’d also be tempted to use it as a semi-easel for the tiny bit of painting I get to do. For the time being, I’ll add Sketchup to my list of programs to practice at – it’s up there after Photoshop and Illustrator :D Awesome work :)

-- aspiring jack of all trades