Build a huge Drafting Table for less than $50

scottr · 12-24-2005, 01:12 AM

I don't know if this is common knowledge, but thought I would share a little 'how-to' on modifying your desk into an 8' long drafting table, for less than $50. Go here to see photos and a brief description.

scottr · 12-24-2005, 01:17 AM

Forgot to mention that the super glue is something called 'gorilla glue', it claims to be the strongest glue on Earth. Wear gloves.

ArtisticBlasts · 12-24-2005, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottr

Forgot to mention that the super glue is something called 'gorilla glue', it claims to be the strongest glue on Earth. Wear gloves.

Where can I get this GORILLA GLUE? I'm in Indonesia. Can I order it somewhere?

Eric Rabbitsmasher · 12-24-2005, 10:31 PM

Gorilla glue ought to be available online from any number of sources - just google it.

Masonite has been the standard el cheapo drawing surface for as long as I can remember - best if you get it cut where you buy it, any lumber store pretty much, the stuff is hard as rock and very smooth. You need to waterproof it though, prlonged contact with wetness or dampness will cause it to blister.

It comes in various thicknesses, 3/8 or even 1/4 you could probobly just screw to a couple of 2x4's, while the 1/8 or 3/16 you could either screw to a door, piece of plywood or waferboard, or use any decent construction adhesive, spread with a 1/16 toothed trowel - most places carry cheap disposable ones.

I picked up a $200 drawing table at a a garage sale for $25, and it's pretty big, like 2 1/2 x 3 feet which is actually pretty good sized, but still too small to really do serious perspective stakeouts - I'm experimenting with movable extension arms, more actual table would just be wasted for me, I hardly ever draw at the one I have, mostly just use it when I ink - seldom at this point.

With a table this size, what I'd have done is glued on a shorter piece of surfacing material, say a foot or so shorter, centered it, then put rubber or cork or something softer at either end - something you could stick a pushpin into for VP's, then get one long-ass ruler.

I did pick up a couple of four foot flourescent fixtures at another garage sale for $5 - I'm gonna make a 4 x 3 lightbox.

D.J. Coffman · 12-25-2005, 11:15 AM

You can get Gorilla Glue at Walmart, or Lowes, or any hardware store at all.

It definitly is the strongest glue ever. A door came off it's hinge here, and the holes were stripped-- so i tried the gorilla glue on it, and DAMN, it holds the whole door on!!!! Crazy. Just be carful not to glue yourself into your room! heh.

I also had a showerhead that was installed wrong by the guy we had do the shower, and it was sticking out an inch from the tile, and loose... I was pissed for a year, but used that Gorilla Glue to securely fasten it in.

I love that stuff-- and man, I bought a big bottle, and I only used a TINY amount of it so far.

Justice41 · 12-25-2005, 07:14 PM

Dude A plain unfinished soft core door would have been the best way to go. They make all kinds of doors of differing sizes. Just go to Lowes and look in the door section. Get an internal closet door. Should run you about 25 bucks tops. From the bottom of your old table just screw the old table to the door and voila a long table of about 7 feet. This way you can push pins into it for far perspectives.
If not you could buy three doors and create a complete desk for yourself.
here's what it would look like. One door for the top one door cut in half for the sides and one door in back between the sides to brace it. You can cut the sides at any angle you want if you want the top to be floating.

Justice41 · 06-08-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justice41

Dude A plain unfinished soft core door would have been the best way to go. They make all kinds of doors of differing sizes. Just go to Lowes and look in the door section. Get an internal closet door. Should run you about 25 bucks tops. From the bottom of your old table just screw the old table to the door and voila a long table of about 7 feet. This way you can push pins into it for far perspectives.
If not you could buy three doors and create a complete desk for yourself.
here's what it would look like. One door for the top one door cut in half for the sides and one door in back between the sides to brace it. You can cut the sides at any angle you want if you want the top to be floating.

why do i have to quote my own posts?

Phatman · 06-08-2007, 01:07 PM

That's a great idea J41. I'm going to build one of those.

**Kep!** · 06-08-2007, 01:32 PM

Anyone in Chicago can have my monstrous drafting board for a song if they come and pick it up...I'm not moving the damn thing, it's TOO big for me!

shushubag · 06-08-2007, 06:15 PM

I guess you can buy a smaller sized door. That's a great idea but it's too big big for my tiny house.

Multisync143 · 06-08-2007, 06:20 PM

"With no doorknob hole" if you leave it in you can have a cup holder.

Ravencore · 06-08-2007, 06:32 PM

LOL cup holder thats actually a brilliant ass idea.

wisper · 06-09-2007, 02:03 AM

I have a home depot one 8ft. long screwed to the wall with fancy victorian wood fence post shortened to hold up the one side. I use it as a office table. but I draw on it all the time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/6-FOOT-MESA-VERD...QQcmdZViewItem

jakebilbao · 06-13-2007, 01:48 AM

i had this made for less than $20

honestly!

well it's not yet finished, i would like to attach a formica material on top so it would be smoother. the material goes for $10 so that makes it $30

hellblazer72 · 06-15-2007, 12:52 AM

hey jake how did you make the t-square ?...i like the fact that it goes all the way across the board..

12-24-2005, 01:12 AM	#1
scottr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 216	Build a huge Drafting Table for less than $50 I don't know if this is common knowledge, but thought I would share a little 'how-to' on modifying your desk into an 8' long drafting table, for less than $50. Go here to see photos and a brief description.

06-08-2007, 01:32 PM	#9
Kep! Self-Evident Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: He's EVERYWHERE! He's EVERYWHERE! Posts: 8,771	Anyone in Chicago can have my monstrous drafting board for a song if they come and pick it up...I'm not moving the damn thing, it's TOO big for me! __________________ AEIOU, *Kep!* Writer, Letterer, Magician & Sophist www.wordybastard.com Why yes, I am on Facebook, thanks for asking

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-24-2005, 01:17 AM	#2
scottr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 216	Forgot to mention that the super glue is something called 'gorilla glue', it claims to be the strongest glue on Earth. Wear gloves.

12-24-2005, 10:31 PM	#4
Eric Rabbitsmasher Call me Rabbit Fighter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Ballrooms of Mars Posts: 1,678	Gorilla glue ought to be available online from any number of sources - just google it. Masonite has been the standard el cheapo drawing surface for as long as I can remember - best if you get it cut where you buy it, any lumber store pretty much, the stuff is hard as rock and very smooth. You need to waterproof it though, prlonged contact with wetness or dampness will cause it to blister. It comes in various thicknesses, 3/8 or even 1/4 you could probobly just screw to a couple of 2x4's, while the 1/8 or 3/16 you could either screw to a door, piece of plywood or waferboard, or use any decent construction adhesive, spread with a 1/16 toothed trowel - most places carry cheap disposable ones. I picked up a $200 drawing table at a a garage sale for $25, and it's pretty big, like 2 1/2 x 3 feet which is actually pretty good sized, but still too small to really do serious perspective stakeouts - I'm experimenting with movable extension arms, more actual table would just be wasted for me, I hardly ever draw at the one I have, mostly just use it when I ink - seldom at this point. With a table this size, what I'd have done is glued on a shorter piece of surfacing material, say a foot or so shorter, centered it, then put rubber or cork or something softer at either end - something you could stick a pushpin into for VP's, then get one long-ass ruler. I did pick up a couple of four foot flourescent fixtures at another garage sale for $5 - I'm gonna make a 4 x 3 lightbox.

12-25-2005, 11:15 AM	#5
D.J. Coffman Is a Juggernaut Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 1,672	You can get Gorilla Glue at Walmart, or Lowes, or any hardware store at all. It definitly is the strongest glue ever. A door came off it's hinge here, and the holes were stripped-- so i tried the gorilla glue on it, and DAMN, it holds the whole door on!!!! Crazy. Just be carful not to glue yourself into your room! heh. I also had a showerhead that was installed wrong by the guy we had do the shower, and it was sticking out an inch from the tile, and loose... I was pissed for a year, but used that Gorilla Glue to securely fasten it in. I love that stuff-- and man, I bought a big bottle, and I only used a TINY amount of it so far.

12-25-2005, 07:14 PM	#6
Justice41 Piss Off Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,369	Dude A plain unfinished soft core door would have been the best way to go. They make all kinds of doors of differing sizes. Just go to Lowes and look in the door section. Get an internal closet door. Should run you about 25 bucks tops. From the bottom of your old table just screw the old table to the door and voila a long table of about 7 feet. This way you can push pins into it for far perspectives. If not you could buy three doors and create a complete desk for yourself. here's what it would look like. One door for the top one door cut in half for the sides and one door in back between the sides to brace it. You can cut the sides at any angle you want if you want the top to be floating.

06-08-2007, 01:07 PM	#8
Phatman Midi-chlorians are a lie! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 4,445	That's a great idea J41. I'm going to build one of those.

06-08-2007, 06:15 PM	#10
shushubag Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: hilo hawaii Posts: 707	I guess you can buy a smaller sized door. That's a great idea but it's too big big for my tiny house.

06-08-2007, 06:20 PM	#11
Multisync143 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 782	"With no doorknob hole" if you leave it in you can have a cup holder.

06-08-2007, 06:32 PM	#12
Ravencore Gimme another shot of JD Join Date: May 2006 Location: my house, we have alcohol and beds its great Posts: 303	LOL cup holder thats actually a brilliant ass idea.

06-09-2007, 02:03 AM	#13
wisper Isreal/Iran October 2008 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Send Money. Maryland 20910 ,U.S.A. Posts: 3,557	I have a home depot one 8ft. long screwed to the wall with fancy victorian wood fence post shortened to hold up the one side. I use it as a office table. but I draw on it all the time. http://cgi.ebay.com/6-FOOT-MESA-VERD...QQcmdZViewItem

06-13-2007, 01:48 AM	#14
jakebilbao MattWaterman in progress! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pilipinas kong Mahal Posts: 1,734	i had this made for less than $20 honestly! well it's not yet finished, i would like to attach a formica material on top so it would be smoother. the material goes for $10 so that makes it $30

06-15-2007, 12:52 AM	#15
hellblazer72 the love ninja Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 874	hey jake how did you make the t-square ?...i like the fact that it goes all the way across the board..