I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not backpacking).
Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I might as
well just buy a commercial camp table.
It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate or
something.
Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here already
has plans for a small table like this?
Thanks,
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
HerHusband <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not
> backpacking). Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I
> might as well just buy a commercial camp table.
>
> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate
> or something.
>
> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here
> already has plans for a small table like this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
I've seen designs where turned legs have a screw thread on top. The
table would then have some sort of metal insert that the screws would
thread in to.
You can use hangar bolts (wood thread on one side, machine thread on the
other) for the legs. As for the metal insert, that will take some
looking around. Insert nuts or a nut and some epoxy would be a place to
start.
You may need to gently splay the legs out 5 degrees or so, but I don't
know for sure. I wouldn't imagine a camp stove would be too heavy... but
a human is. (Something that size would be easy to use as a step stool or
seat.)
I'd probably figure out some way to make the legs store with the table,
so the entire thing can be taken as one unit.
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
Sonny <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Friday, April 18, 2014 11:59:25 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
>> I've seen designs where turned legs have a screw thread on top.
>> You can use hangar bolts (wood thread on one side, machine thread on
>> the other) for the legs. As for the metal insert, that will take some
>> looking around. Insert nuts or a nut ....
>
> "T" nuts? Used in many cases for hanger bolt and similar
> applications. Lots of T nut use on upholstered pieces and, of coruse,
> they come in various sizes.
> https://www.google.com/search?q=t+nuts&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Addre
> ss&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7MXGB_enUS512
>
> Sonny
I prefer insert nuts for most places T-nuts are used:
http://www.leevalley.com/us/hardware/page.aspx?p=44236&cat=3,41306,45375
T-nuts are prone to fall out as the wood fibers start compressing, while
insert nuts work more like a screw and are much less likely to fall out.
Insert nuts do have a tendency to back out with the screw if tightened too
tightly. For a portable table, though, there's no need to turn the leg
past snug.
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
HerHusband <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> I was thinking something similar, maybe with T-nuts in the table, and
> hanger bolts screwed into the legs. Then I could just screw the legs
> in to setup the table. Of course, I would have to figure out a way to
> stow the loose parts.
>
> Heck, I'm almost thinking of edging a simple piece of plywood and
> setting it on top of our cooler. It would be the right height, and
> would protect the cooler from any heat the stove might put off. Still,
> it would be nice to leave the cooler separate so we could still get
> into it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
If you put an apron under the table, then you could install some extra
hardware in the apron and screw the legs into that. The legs would be
oriented parallel to the table top rather than perpendicular to it.
A little extra thought and you could use some of the under-table space
for things like a firestick or flash light & batteries. Maybe a little
table cloth for that table. (If it's not broken, it doesn't have enough
features yet!)
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
"HerHusband" wrote:
> Roy,
>
>>> I would like to build a small table to take car camping.
>>> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
>> Post pics when you make what you want.
>
> Here is what I ended up building:
>
> http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
---------------------------------------------------
Neat
Lew
"HerHusband" wrote:
> My initial plan was to sew up a cloth bag I could use to store and
> protect
> the pieces. I'm not sure if I'll take the time to do that or not.
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------
SFWIW, I used to go to the fabric store and buy a couple of yards of
the
ugliest awning fabric I could find and then sew up duffle bags.
Each person who was crewing on the boat that week would than
have their own uniquely colored bag for their "stuff".
Going to weather in a pitching boat at 0400 on a pitch black night,
you appreciate being able to find something with the aid of a unique
color duffle bag.
The fabric was almost always a "Rem" which meant cheap
and the sewing was simple.
A designated duffle for this table would be straight forward.
BTW, forgot to mention, might want to break the corners of the
table top to say 1/2" radius.
The corners would not then get hung up in the duffle bag.
Lew
On Sat, 19 Apr 2014 06:05:55 -0400, "dadiOH" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>"HerHusband" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]
>> I would like to build a small table to take car camping
>> (not backpacking). Something approximately 16" wide x 12"
>> deep x 16" high.
>> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in
>> the car.
>>
>> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble.
>> Otherwise, I might as well just buy a commercial camp
>> table.
>>
>> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and
>> maybe a plate or something.
>>
>> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if
>> anyone here already has plans for a small table like this?
>
>Piece of plywood, four lengths of 3/4 or 1" dowel. Drill holes in ply for
>dowels but not all the way through.
>
>If the legs are too wobbly use a 1x2 or 2x2 to frame or corner to thicken so
>the hole is deeper.
>
>If still too wobbly, insert legs, drill a 1/4" hole from top down into the
>legs but drill it slightly off center; remove legs, glue in dowel. Now you
>can insert legs, twist them and they will cam tightly into their socket.
Someplace I have plans to make a table like that out of a single
sheet of 1/2" plywood. It knocks down and stores flat and uses NO
fasteners, and NO glue.
On 4/30/2014 3:47 PM, HerHusband wrote:
> Roy,
>
>>> I would like to build a small table to take car camping.
>>> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
>> Post pics when you make what you want.
>
> Here is what I ended up building:
>
> http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
>
> I made it from scrap plywood cutoffs and leftover finishing materials, so
> it didn't cost me anything to build it.
>
> I'm very happy with the way it turned out.
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
>
Nice job.
--
Jeff
> Piece of plywood, four lengths of 3/4 or 1" dowel. Drill holes in ply
> for dowels but not all the way through.
> If the legs are too wobbly use a 1x2 or 2x2 to frame or corner to
> thicken so the hole is deeper.
> If still too wobbly, insert legs, drill a 1/4" hole from top down into
> the legs but drill it slightly off center; remove legs, glue in dowel.
> Now you can insert legs, twist them and they will cam tightly into
> their socket.
I was thinking something similar, maybe with T-nuts in the table, and
hanger bolts screwed into the legs. Then I could just screw the legs in to
setup the table. Of course, I would have to figure out a way to stow the
loose parts.
Heck, I'm almost thinking of edging a simple piece of plywood and setting
it on top of our cooler. It would be the right height, and would protect
the cooler from any heat the stove might put off. Still, it would be nice
to leave the cooler separate so we could still get into it.
Thanks,
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
> Watch the line wrap....
>
> https://www.google.com/search?q=rendezvous+table+plans&tbm=isch&tbo=u&s
> ource=univ&sa=X&ei=B6NUU9mDCo-nsASf-4BA&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=618#q
> =folding+slat+table+plans&tbm=isch
Yep, I already did the Google searches...
I don't care for the "X" leg designs that look like the old TV trays. :)
Something like this one would be nice, except the height would be lower
unless I made the table wide enough to accomodate longer legs:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,20796660,00.html
I'm not expecting to use this much, so I don't really want to invest a lot
of time, effort, or expense on it.
I'm still tossing around a few ideas. Thanks for the feedback!
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
Roy,
>> I don't care for the "X" leg designs that look like the old TV trays.
> We've been using the X leg "rendezvous" tables since the late 70's,
> and I still have a couple I bought back then.
> Good luck in your search. Post pics when you make what you want.
After looking at a number of different options, I think I'm going to build
a knockdown style table. Mainly because I already have several pieces of
scrap plywood sitting around, and won't need to buy any kind of hardware
for it (hinges, T-nuts, or whatever).
I drew up some crude plans and am heading out to the shop this afternoon to
see how it works out. If all goes as planned, it will knock down to five
small plywood panels. I will post pics when I get it finished.
Thanks,
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
Roy,
>> I would like to build a small table to take car camping.
>> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
> Post pics when you make what you want.
Here is what I ended up building:
http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
I made it from scrap plywood cutoffs and leftover finishing materials, so
it didn't cost me anything to build it.
I'm very happy with the way it turned out.
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
Keith,
>> Here is what I ended up building:
>> http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
> Is there some way to connect the pieces, (short pieces of Chain?)
> so when you get to the campsite you will be sure to have all of
> the pieces?
My initial plan was to sew up a cloth bag I could use to store and protect
the pieces. I'm not sure if I'll take the time to do that or not.
I also thought about wrapping the collapsed bundle with a couple of straps
to hold them together. I suppose your could use that plastic wrap they wrap
pallet loads with if you have some handy.
Another option might be to stick velcro to all of the pieces so they could
simply stick together.
For now, I already have a storage container that I keep other camping
supplies in (tent stakes, tarp, etc.). There's plenty of room to store the
four base panels in the container, then I can set the table top on the lid
of the container.
There's only five panels total, so it's pretty easy to keep it all
together.
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
Lew,
> A designated duffle for this table would be straight forward.
Yep. I've done my share of sewing from upholstery for my car, to a bath
robe for my wife. A tote bag would be a no-brainer.
The only catch is that I bought my wife a new sewing machine, and so far
she hasn't let me use it. She told me I had to use the old broken one. :)
> BTW, forgot to mention, might want to break the corners of the
> table top to say 1/2" radius.
> The corners would not then get hung up in the duffle bag.
I'm not sure why I didn't round over the top corners like I did the
stretchers. No biggy. I don't think it would be a problem though, as I
rounded over all edges of the panels so there's no sharp edges to catch on
anything.
Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com
Mike,
>> Yep. I've done my share of sewing from upholstery for my car, to a
>> bath robe for my wife. A tote bag would be a no-brainer.
>> The only catch is that I bought my wife a new sewing machine, and so
>> far she hasn't let me use it. She told me I had to use the old broken
>> one. :)
> I do not do much sewing, but I have knocked out a few draw string bags
> that I use for hunting, golf, etc. I soooooooo understand the last
> comment above though. My wife will not let me within arms reach of
> her janomi - I have to use the old what-ever-it-is machine.
Funny, I bought my wife a Janomi sewing machine for her birthday last year.
Our daughter has actually used it more than my wife, but she really likes
it so far.
Our old machine was a Singer model that was passed down from my mom. The
thing is built like a tank and weighs about as much. It's at least 30 years
old, if not older. Over time the alignment or something got off on it, the
needle doesn't always line up, the footer doesn't always work right, etc.
My wife says I broke it sewing through my thick upholstery materials. I
say nonsense, let me at that Janomi! :)
I haven't sewn anything for the last few years, but I do need to do some
uphostery work and make a new shift boot for my car. A bag for the camp
table would be a good refresher project to learn the new sewing machine. :)
Anthony Watson
www.mountainsoftware.com
www.watsondiy.com
Watch the line wrap....
https://www.google.com/search?q=rendezvous+table+plans&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=B6NUU9mDCo-nsASf-4BA&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=618#q=folding+slat+table+plans&tbm=isch
On Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:55:22 +0000 (UTC), HerHusband <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not backpacking).
>Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
>It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
>It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I might as
>well just buy a commercial camp table.
>
>It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate or
>something.
>
>Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here already
>has plans for a small table like this?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Anthony Watson
>www.watsondiy.com
>www.mountainsoftware.com
On Friday, April 18, 2014 11:59:25 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
> I've seen designs where turned legs have a screw thread on top.
> You can use hangar bolts (wood thread on one side, machine thread on the other) for the legs.
> As for the metal insert, that will take some looking around. Insert nuts or a nut ....
"T" nuts? Used in many cases for hanger bolt and similar applications. Lots of T nut use on upholstered pieces and, of coruse, they come in various sizes.
https://www.google.com/search?q=t+nuts&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7MXGB_enUS512
Sonny
On Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:24:14 +0000 (UTC), HerHusband <[email protected]>
wrote:
>> Watch the line wrap....
>>
>> https://www.google.com/search?q=rendezvous+table+plans&tbm=isch&tbo=u&s
>> ource=univ&sa=X&ei=B6NUU9mDCo-nsASf-4BA&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=618#q
>> =folding+slat+table+plans&tbm=isch
>
>Yep, I already did the Google searches...
>
>I don't care for the "X" leg designs that look like the old TV trays. :)
>
>Something like this one would be nice, except the height would be lower
>unless I made the table wide enough to accomodate longer legs:
>
>http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,20796660,00.html
>
>I'm not expecting to use this much, so I don't really want to invest a lot
>of time, effort, or expense on it.
>
>I'm still tossing around a few ideas. Thanks for the feedback!
>
>Anthony Watson
>www.watsondiy.com
>www.mountainsoftware.com
We've been using the X leg "rendezvous" tables since the late 70's, and I still
have a couple I bought back then. I made up bottom shelves with cleats that fit
across the stringers and hold the shelves in place. Turned out more useful than
I thought. I made one out of Ipe from a scrap pallet that really does look
nice, but weighs a ton. Been using that since about 88. Good luck in your
search. Post pics when you make what you want. Might be something I want to
use myself.
BTW, I have a small folding camp grill that is very similar to the type of table
in your picture. My grill is much smaller though at about 6 inches square.
Regards,
Roy
On 4/18/2014 6:55 PM, HerHusband wrote:
> I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not backpacking).
> Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I might as
> well just buy a commercial camp table.
>
> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate or
> something.
>
> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here already
> has plans for a small table like this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
>
My father made a table/stool for the same purpose. He made a wooden
top and attached to rods. The rods connected to two X's. One side of
the top was attached to on side of the two X's There was another rod in
the other X's side.
When folded the X;s collapsed against the top. To open you lifted the
top, and the side of the X's with the rod fit into a slot in the bottom
of the top.
If you think about it you can see it better.
He used it for many years, and I believe it was sold when Mom gave up
the house.
On 4/18/2014 3:55 PM, HerHusband wrote:
> I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not backpacking).
> Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I might as
> well just buy a commercial camp table.
>
> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate or
> something.
>
> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here already
> has plans for a small table like this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
>
I made one, that I still have. Made it out of metal, tho. Hollow
tubing. Made it specifically to hold a 3 burner Coleman stove and a
small Weber grill. A little space was left over. Design your table for
what you are going to use on top of it, and you won't be out trying to
find "stuff" that fits on top in any semblance of order.
Steve
"HerHusband" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> I would like to build a small table to take car camping
> (not backpacking). Something approximately 16" wide x 12"
> deep x 16" high.
> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in
> the car.
>
> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble.
> Otherwise, I might as well just buy a commercial camp
> table.
>
> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and
> maybe a plate or something.
>
> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if
> anyone here already has plans for a small table like this?
Piece of plywood, four lengths of 3/4 or 1" dowel. Drill holes in ply for
dowels but not all the way through.
If the legs are too wobbly use a 1x2 or 2x2 to frame or corner to thicken so
the hole is deeper.
If still too wobbly, insert legs, drill a 1/4" hole from top down into the
legs but drill it slightly off center; remove legs, glue in dowel. Now you
can insert legs, twist them and they will cam tightly into their socket.
--
dadiOH
____________________________
Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net
"HerHusband" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> > Piece of plywood, four lengths of 3/4 or 1" dowel.
> > Drill holes in ply for dowels but not all the way
> > through.
> > If the legs are too wobbly use a 1x2 or 2x2 to frame or
> > corner to thicken so the hole is deeper.
> > If still too wobbly, insert legs, drill a 1/4" hole
> > from top down into the legs but drill it slightly off
> > center; remove legs, glue in dowel. Now you can insert
> > legs, twist them and they will cam tightly into their
> > socket.
>
> I was thinking something similar, maybe with T-nuts in
> the table, and hanger bolts screwed into the legs. Then I
> could just screw the legs in to setup the table. Of
> course, I would have to figure out a way to stow the
> loose parts.
Shock cord on the bottom.
--
dadiOH
____________________________
Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net
On 4/30/2014 5:12 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "HerHusband" wrote:
>
>> Roy,
>>
>>>> I would like to build a small table to take car camping.
>>>> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>>
>>> Post pics when you make what you want.
>>
>> Here is what I ended up building:
>>
>> http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Neat
>
> Lew
>
That looks like a nice workable solution
Is there some way to connect the pieces, (short pieces of Chain? ) so
when you get to the campsite you will be sure to have all of the pieces?
HerHusband wrote:
>
> Here is what I ended up building:
>
> http://www.watsondiy.com/campingtable.htm
>
> I made it from scrap plywood cutoffs and leftover finishing
> materials, so it didn't cost me anything to build it.
>
> I'm very happy with the way it turned out.
>
Nice little table.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
HerHusband wrote:
> Lew,
>
>> A designated duffle for this table would be straight forward.
>
> Yep. I've done my share of sewing from upholstery for my car, to a
> bath robe for my wife. A tote bag would be a no-brainer.
>
> The only catch is that I bought my wife a new sewing machine, and so
> far she hasn't let me use it. She told me I had to use the old broken
> one. :)
I do not do much sewing, but I have knocked out a few draw string bags that
I use for hunting, golf, etc. I soooooooo understand the last comment above
though. My wife will not let me within arms reach of her janomi - I have to
use the old what-ever-it-is machine. Go figure...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
HerHusband wrote:
>
> I haven't sewn anything for the last few years, but I do need to do
> some uphostery work and make a new shift boot for my car. A bag for
> the camp table would be a good refresher project to learn the new
> sewing machine. :)
>
Just remember - pedal to the metal. My wife yells at me for stepping on the
gas pedal too much. What the hell - it's a gas pedal, right?
I am impressed by my wife's janomi though. Very well built - and built to
last. Hers is not the most computerized model available, but it does a lot
of stuff. She loves it - which is why she won't let me near it...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 19 Apr 2014 17:32:22 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>Sonny <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> On Friday, April 18, 2014 11:59:25 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
>>> I've seen designs where turned legs have a screw thread on top.
>>> You can use hangar bolts (wood thread on one side, machine thread on
>>> the other) for the legs. As for the metal insert, that will take some
>>> looking around. Insert nuts or a nut ....
>>
>> "T" nuts? Used in many cases for hanger bolt and similar
>> applications. Lots of T nut use on upholstered pieces and, of coruse,
>> they come in various sizes.
>> https://www.google.com/search?q=t+nuts&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Addre
>> ss&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7MXGB_enUS512
>>
>> Sonny
>
>I prefer insert nuts for most places T-nuts are used:
>http://www.leevalley.com/us/hardware/page.aspx?p=44236&cat=3,41306,45375
>
>T-nuts are prone to fall out as the wood fibers start compressing, while
>insert nuts work more like a screw and are much less likely to fall out.
>
>Insert nuts do have a tendency to back out with the screw if tightened too
>tightly. For a portable table, though, there's no need to turn the leg
>past snug.
>
>Puckdropper
With a t-nut samdwiched between 2 layers of wood it is virtually
impossible for it to work loose or come out.
On 4/18/2014 6:55 PM, HerHusband wrote:
> I would like to build a small table to take car camping (not backpacking).
> Something approximately 16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high.
> It needs to fold or knockdown easily so I can stow it in the car.
>
> It should be cheap and simple to build and assemble. Otherwise, I might as
> well just buy a commercial camp table.
>
> It will just be used as a place to set a camp stove, and maybe a plate or
> something.
>
> Before I bother designing my own table, I'm curious if anyone here already
> has plans for a small table like this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony Watson
> www.watsondiy.com
> www.mountainsoftware.com
>
I have a table like that, it rolls up. You could do the same of all wood
and some canvas strapping.
Interested? I'll take a pic.
--
Jeff