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05-25-2002, 08:15 PM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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Best drafting table
Hello, everyone. I am a bit new to WC and am wondering if anyone has any advise about the purchase of a compact drafting table. I've seen them as cheap as $50 and as expensive as $700; but, I am trying to keep the cost down as low as possible without sacrificing quality.
So, what do I need to look for? Brand? Features? Retailer?
I am a graphite as well as CP artist who has had 3 spinal surgeries and will probably be using the table in as verticle a position as possible to keep the stress off my back.
I appreciate any input!  |
05-26-2002, 02:37 PM
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Senior Member
Denver
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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Well how exotic would you want to get? Adjustable pneumatic? If you want a GOOD drawing table...stay away from art stores. Go to Office Depot where the cost will be cheaper and the tables are the same. Art Store=markup! I would also look into getting an executive chair instead of drawing chair..that is what I use and the pleasure on the back is wonderful! Figure total cost around $170 with the chair.......
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05-26-2002, 02:49 PM
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Moderator
So. California
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I'm going to be watching this thread with interest, 'cause I'm in the market for a drafting table, too. Here's the site I've been looking most closely at: http://www.scarabgraphics.com/catalog/saftabl.html. I like their graphics workstation because it has a split top, so I could put my palette and brushes on the horizontal part, while keeping my work upright. That only works for right-handers, tho... [later: just found this for about $30 cheaper than everyone else has it at: http://www.deskomatic.com/deskomatic/draftingtable.html]
This similar one has an optional horizontal bit about 10 inches wide which can be attached to either side, solving that problem: http://www.draftingsupplies.com/tablesss.htm
__________________
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Last edited by Rose Queen : 05-26-2002 at 03:03 PM.
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05-26-2002, 04:21 PM
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Senior Member
Denver
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05-26-2002, 09:08 PM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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Quote:
Originally posted by IllustrationsByJohn
Well how exotic would you want to get? Adjustable pneumatic?
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LOL! Adjustable pneumatic sounds tres expensive! Though I could see how it would be quite convenient!
Thanks for the tip about Office Depot. I had thought that it might be the other way around; but, I will go check it out tomorrow. Do you have a favorite brand?
I agree about the executive chair. My husband bought me one for my desk several years ago and it is wonderful! |
05-26-2002, 10:26 PM
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Senior Member
Denver
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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Not sure about brand......Look at the height of the table and the size.....see what fits you personally. it is all about Function and not form |
05-27-2002, 12:13 AM
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the Deep South!
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WOW! Thanks for all the terrific links, Rose & John! Wonderful stuff!
Yeah, I usually am not into name brands (unless it is Prismacolor); however, I have an old drawing table that I got second hand which is REALLY bad!! It didn't even have a pencil ledge (I nailed a piece of scrap wood to the bottom) and the wing nuts holding the board in position are impossible to get even. I have been using it all askew because after hours of adjustment, it just slips back into its old position.
Tonight I wandered through an antique mall while waiting for our Chinese take-out order and happened across a gorgeous old "draftsman's table". It would be terrific to draw on and even has vertical storage for sketchpads, drawing boards, etc.; but, don't know if I can justify the $300.
Tomorrow, I'm gonna be on a mission though and ya'll have supplied me with great info! I've gotta get something before I really mess up my neck!
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05-27-2002, 12:20 AM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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Okay. Stupid question.... What is the difference between a drafting table and an art table and a drawing table?  |
05-27-2002, 12:31 AM
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Senior Member
Denver
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art and drawing tables are basically the same. Drafting tables are often much larger and can have machines on them such as Maylines. Drafting tables also are VERY attractive and cost mucho dinero MORE! A variety of shapes and sizes with them. One I saw that I wanted was one that sat up high where you need a drafting style high chair...was 7 feet by 5 feet!!!!! HUGE and tilted to 80 degrees to boot! All for $2200 LOL I don't think so but I can dream! |
05-27-2002, 12:46 AM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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LOL! And here I was freaked out by the $500?700 tables I saw! Yeah, I think the antique table that I saw tonight is one of those dreams.... But, I can put in on my list along with the purple SUV and the Power Mac G4 with the 22" cinema display!  yeah, like THAT is going to happen! LOL! |
05-27-2002, 11:53 PM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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update
Well, I ended up spending $200 on a Berkely drawing table desk set by MUD, Inc. We shopped all day today and freaked out when we found out that the Binders and Dick Blick near us had both recently gone out of business.
We found two tables which were okay at Office Max; however, Hobby Lobby had the largest selection of four tables. There was a neat little table with all sorts of storage attached; but, the device for raising and lowering the incline looked like trouble waiting to happen when considering my mischievous 6 year old.
We ended up spending more on the MUD table; but, in comparison it was the most sturdy combined with being the second easiest to adjust. Plus it came with a chair and an elbow lamp (don't know what they are really called... that is just my name for them!). The downside is that we will have to add a pencil ledge.
So maybe, in a couple of months after I've used it awhile, I will report back on how well it is holding up!
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05-28-2002, 12:41 AM
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A WetCanvas! Minion!
Smiths Station, Alabama
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Join Date: Mar 2002
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I wish I'd found this thread before you actually bought the table....
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Let me tell you my own little story about buying a drafting table. In downtown Kansas City, waaaaaaaaay over in the section that it requires a needle to thread your way through, there's a little surplus store called Surplus Exchange. I got a drafting table there for $150. I got it delivered for another $100. It was made in 1989 and when it was brand new it sold for $8500.
Nice eh? It gets better. The table top is 5 feet long, 4 feet wide, and stands 36 inches off the ground. It has a hydraulic lift, I can lift the table top up to 5 feet off the ground. It has a dial-a-torque tilt that lets me tilt it 90 degrees, completely vertical. The table top has an inset lightbox that covers all but a 3 inch strip all the way around it, with a dimmer switch. The legs have a built-in bookcase and two power outlets that are extended from the wall (it has two plugs you plug in. One for the two power outlets, one for the light). It even has a pencil tray. It is the coolest table I have ever seen, and I wont give it up without a serious loooooong fight.
So.. The moral of the long winded story is... Check the surplus and used office furnature places first. The Surplus Exchange place is for office furnature mostly, but they just happened to have this. I don't think you'll find a Hamilton Industries just laying about whereever you may look, but if you look, you will find a lot of used, and therefore cheap, drafting and light tables. You will pay a WHOLE lot less than you would buying them new as well.
Good luck! |
05-28-2002, 01:20 AM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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Holy cow, you got an awesome deal Jeanette! Yeah, we tried to check out the used office supply places; however, Atlanta traffic is murder and we ended up wasting half an sfternoon driving around lost. So, hot, tired and disgruntled, we ended up at Hobby Lobby!
Sure wish I had been able to find a deal like yours though!
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05-28-2002, 01:40 AM
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A WetCanvas! Minion!
Smiths Station, Alabama
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Join Date: Mar 2002
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Yeah, I did. I think it's just luck, though.
I know about Atlanta traffic. I lived for 8 years in Phenix City, and my brother and sister-in-law live in Atlanta. She's a fashion designer, he's a computer geek. My 'rents are still in PC and my hubby's family in Columbus.
If you decide that you don't like your table, I could see if my father is up to making a drafting table. He made a table the size of mine, but longer and a bit taller that doesn't move for my sister. It's got a cork top for pinning pattern paper and cloth to. Book cases underneath. He's sorta retired, so the answer would probably be no, but still.
Hasta! |
05-28-2002, 08:00 PM
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Enthusiast
the Deep South!
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Quote:
Originally posted by jinn
If you decide that you don't like your table, I could see if my father is up to making a drafting table. He made a table the size of mine, but longer and a bit taller that doesn't move for my sister. It's got a cork top for pinning pattern paper and cloth to. Book cases underneath. He's sorta retired, so the answer would probably be no, but still.
Hasta!
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Thanks so much for the offer! Your sister's table sounds wonderful! |
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