Need Plans for Split top Drafting Table

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

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?

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"

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!

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

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, 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, Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!