Metal Expanding Table: Prototype

[@exilis2]

This will NOT be the Wooden Lake Maps all over, this is awesome! If you ever consider to deliver to Europe tell us :)

[@wrightdu83]

Great video Scott, and really look forward to seeing as you progress through completion!

[@surfcello]

That, my friend, is spectacular.

[@DIYTyler]

Am pretty excited to see this process!

[@CodeFoxAus]

the kit is a great idea! can't wait.

[@CesareVesdani]

That table prototype is excellent for a rough model.

[@ford56798]

Incredible!! I was definitely intimidated with your first all wooden table, however with the mechanism out of the way it will really take a large amount of complexity out of the project.. I will definitely be interested in one of the kits! Great job!

[@ScottRumschlag]

Thanks, a lot of effort has gone into this project and I would love to see it gain some traction. The first customers are some of the most important!

[@chickenonugget2269]

Scott Rumschlag are you still! doing this

[@allthings2allmen]

Very nice work Scott! I would like to build the counterweighted table/bench that you made a couple years back, I don't know when I'll ever get to do it, but I could sure use that! I'm a painter. It would make a great taboret! With almost no modifications at all. I love the simplicity & beauty of wood!!! Also like to add enjoy your videos...I can tell that you know what you are doing and that inspires me, makes me a little bit envious, but I'm happy that you are doing something you enjoy! Hope the business goes well with these tables!

[@bigguy78246]

I'm excited to see how this goes.

[@yinn2yang]

great project... i'm very interested in seeing and perhaps buying the final version kit... where is the star

[@d.i.d]

Good work!

[@DBYNOE]

Saw the Kick Starter recommendation, read through the FAQ and was surprised to find that the funding is with minimum to no strings attached, and the main requirement is that you make a good faith effort and update the funders with your progress. You are already doing all of that and I for one, can't afford your kit at this time, but I could and would contribute to a Kick Starter fund for your project. You may want to take a look. There is a visually appealing version of one of these designs that has each section meet at a curvy edge, do you think that could work with your kit? Keep up the good work, we would love to see this work for you.

[@ChozoSR388]

So, you made a mechanical table design that already exists. I thought I was the only one who had those kinds of ideas.

[@stephenstacy2621]

Yeah, I gotta agree. I don't know if people have heard of it but the Fletcher Capstan Table has the same design, I mean almost exactly. So I don't know how the patent will work, they probably got that covered.

[@nateauld]

Awesome. I love the idea of the customizable kit. Also I wonder if the machinery would allow wires if the secondary panels had lights or touchscreens installed. Good luck with the market btw.

[@treypowell6579]

Was this kit ever completed? I would love to purchase one!

[@lilypower]

oh, that a REALLY sexy industrial, bit grose, yet AWESOME piece of mechanism! i love it! thank you!

[@HomeHaunter1]

Could you incorporate a second ring around the first ring that was attached between the two horizontal rails of the first ring? In essence the second ring would rotate around the first forcing the first to rotate around the table after its fully lowered. Then after expansion the skirt would only raise to the height of the first ring, with the second ring staying in the lowered position. Think of it as a two step process.

[@johnfisher1021]

What is the best desk material?

[@micahhowell2832]

Scott, I like the the design of these mechanics. I bought a set of your plans, as a plan to build one of these tables soon. I think the leaf support arms could be wood if the were mounted to a metal riser ring. I like the metal rings and metal cylinder concept to support the mechanics, but would like to know your thoughts about hard wood "shelf support" instead of the square aluminum and with sidewall extensions. I think fastening a wood skirt to the outer rings would be really simple and having wood support for the leaves will allow carpenters to shape and finish in a manner that will hide the center metal cylinder and mechanics. Love to hear and see your thoughts. Micah

[@micahhowell2832]

also removing the metal support arms, replacing them with drawings for hard wood replacements, will reduce the shipping weight and production requirements.

[@ScottRumschlag]

Thanks for the order. I've thought about wooden arms and it's possible, with their relatively thin cross section and lack of support I'm concerned about stability though, as they need to stay very straight. Joining them on the end with the required strength would be challenging too.

[@micahhowell2832]

It looks as though the arms would be about two inches thick. If that is correct may a face plate for joining to the center hub and a face plate to accommodate the top rolling mechanism. Oak or any of the various hardwoods could easily accommodate the required support, but you are correct with limited space for joining them to the center hub, machine screws are best. I think a good face plate might work though. I am interested in purchasing the kit.

[@ScottRumschlag]

I'm certainly open to ideas, boring a vertical hole and using a dowel nut (or similar) setup might work, I like they fact that they distribute the force while also being easy to drill accurately with standard equipment. Send me an e-mail and we can discuss further: [e-mail] Thanks.

[@dlennertzdl]

Your previous 6 videos suddenly make sense now. HA!

[@aliamiran4179]

It was great and i would like to have list of details and dimentions if its possible for you ...

[@funzone3076]

Where can I buy this in India?

[@jamesmccloskey3651]

Scott, how necessary is the outside tubing? Can you make the table with just the 8 center Arms? I feel like I might hit my knees on the tubing, but I could probably avoid the arms.

[@lilypower]

+James McCloskey i guess the tubes are ther for two reasons, holder for the skirts and keep the leaves out of harns way when the're folded in/down, but as far asi can tell it'll work without skirt!

[@ScottRumschlag]

The tubing is accounted for within the 5-1/4" depth, it doesn't hit my knees. The skirt could be skipped but the tubing between the main arms provides extra panel support not shown here.

[@lilypower]

thanks for clearifying! :)

[@simonleonardomascarenomuji7269]

hello Scott, I designed the expandable table however I have a problem: I do not know how to make the central star stay in the same plane when the table is completely open, before starting to open the table, the parts that complete the table should be on a level higher than that of the star, but the whole set rises the same distance, and can not be on the same level when starting to open the table, if you can help me with this detail I would greatly appreciate it please.

[@johnladerer7884]

I'd be interested in the kit. Would it be possible to have a 72" top fully expanded?

[@ScottRumschlag]

Yes, but you would probably have to start out at about 56" initial diameter. There's an expansion % limit as you run into issues with the panels overlapping and having no attachment points. Feel free to send me an e-mail (see video description) and we can investigate further.

[@TheBlakethomson]

Are the plans that you are selling for this new version of the table or the original timber frame version?

[@ScottRumschlag]

Original wood frame. I've also made a note to state this explicitly on the site.

[@djonesey5]

Scott..smart of you to consider 6 leaf small table design if a round in both states design is desired. As I bet you appreciate, as more leaves are introduced, the facets of the smaller table configuration approach (but of course never reach) the roundness (notice I said roundness, as in "less facetization," NOT circumference) of the expanded configuration. And more roundlike facets make life easier for the creation of the top portion (of the 2 parts you mention) of the skirt that would encapsulate those facets on its inside, while on its outside present roundness. That would be one heck of a skirt to make, as if the one for the original wood version of this table, round on its inside and out, wasn't challenging enough with its 5.5" inches in height of staggered glued levels. === Business plan--this sells to craftsman or gets licensed to a mass producer, or is used by you to make a custom tables to high end customers without the $ for Fletcher-Capstan. DIYers usually have more time than money, and I am afraid this design's price, as utterly reasonable as it is compared to Fletcher-Capstan, is still too prohibitive compared to the wood version's plans. Could aspects be made in uber strong plastic resins by a mass producer rather than aluminum to reduce marginal cost and shipping weight? Unfortunately to get the demand to warrant such production price has to drop. And for price to drop, it has to be mass produced based upon this very demand that would warrant the mass production marginal price drop--sort of a catch 22. Go to craftsman trade shows and furniture builder shows. Seek, like someone said, high end industry, like yacht makers.

[@rorylobban4789]

At 100lbs weight I take it you won't be making your kit available in the UK?

[@ScottRumschlag]

I'm more concerned with customs fees, etc (whether the UK or anywhere else) than the weight.

[@drmkiwi]

Amazing work. Well done. Thanks.

[@hlash99]

Great work! Put me down for one

[@frisbeephil]

I don't find any prices for your kit. I am a finish carpenter and have a client who wants one of these and you have done an excellent job of design and manufacture.I am totally the attention to detail, grain match guy but didn't want to reinvent the wheel and here you are. Please let me know costs on your kits.

[@ScottRumschlag]

I will be developing the metal plans later this summer. E-mail me if you would like to be notified when the KZbin series begins. Thanks.

[@frisbeephil]

Yes I am interested. Please give me an email I can write you on. I don't see any contact details on your website. Thanks.

[@ScottRumschlag]

My e-mail is in the description of this video, also on the page about metal plans on my site.

[@DHARMAPURI1000]

Good, is it possible you to show internal mechanism!!!!

[@fctoashton]

Make a Kickstarter for this... That would let you know interest

[@scotthaun8582]

but if it fails, KS pockets all the money

[@fctoashton]

+Scott Haun yeah that's not true at all, and it took me 2 seconds to Google out that fact. www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics Why so lazy?

[@JohnMarkIsaacMadison]

Are you sure? I thought people get refunds if it fails.

[@ubertenorsaxyman]

John Madison Kickstarter doesn't even charge supporters unless the project is fully funded. I'm in on a card game KS and haven't been charged yet (campaign underway)

[@TheFreshmanWIT]

First, great project! Second, I just bought the plans for this, and was wondering if there was sufficient interest for a 'hardware' kit for the wooden model? I'd love to be able to buy all of the non-wood components of that pre-made, saving me from having to cut metal :) Thoughts?

[@ScottRumschlag]

Thanks for the order. I looked into it at the beginning of the year and it wasn't practical but I may re-examine in the future.

[@buildstoys]

I'm also an owner of the current plans. Will you be selling the plans for this new design or just ready-made kits?

[@ScottRumschlag]

I would offer plans if the demand is there. The equipment and skills required to build this has a much higher barrier to entry though, so for now I'm focusing on pre-built mechanisms.

[@buildstoys]

Great to hear and I look forward to the future assembly videos. I would definitely be interested in new plans, I am much better equipped (tooling-wise) and competent in working with metal than wood :)

[@EricSchwartz02]

I was wondering this myself. I have the plan for the wooden model, and I know you send us any updates on that. Would you consider this model a new plan or an update? I am definitely interested in plans which ever way you view this.

[@joebritton1481]

Scott. I just found your channel. I am very interested in this. To see your effect go into something like this is amazing. I believe you should Patten it. For those that say you can't, that's like saying Ford can't make the Mustang because Chevy made the Camaro first and it's basically the same car. Your table and designs are completely different from the others while achieving the same look and feel. I current don't have the money for your table but once I get it saved up be assured I will be purchasing one. I would love you see you're new build video walkthrough. Also I noticed before your ring was very thick because it was needed to cover the insides of the table. But because this one is made out of metal and doesn't require as much size to strength ratio would you be able to make it thinner and the outer ring thinner. Of course I understand like you stated this is the prototype and you won't have a finished version until about 3 or more versions in. Maybe just something to look at. Also what state are you located in, I'm just curious. These are very beautiful table at a very affordable rate especially compared to the top competitor. If you start a kick starter I will definitely donate. You could do basic donations for plans, and then upgrade to piece sets for the two tables and then even a completed wooden table for 1000, or whatever you have it priced at, and the final donations for a new set for the metal and then largest a completed table metal table with all the works. Just an idea.

[@ScottRumschlag]

Thanks, keep in mind that the ring must also contain 2X the thickness of the upper panels in the small position, so the skirt depth is actually pretty reasonable. It could be thinner if you used extra-stiff materials for the frame but I don't think the cost is justified.

[@mikewall1375]

Ugly is relative. I think it's awesome. I like the industrial look.

[@user-oc1jn3hj6y]

I might be missing something, but it seems to me that for the skirt, you could just put a skirt segment on each leaf segment of the table and let them join together just like the horizontal surfaces. It looks like the outer edges of all the segments have clearance for a skirt, or could be lengthened by an inch to give the needed clearance. The dropping and raising mechanism for the skirt seems overly complicated to me.

[@ScottRumschlag]

The raising panel skirts would collide with the main ones during expansion. This also creates 8 more mechanical interfaces and 8 pieces that must be manufactured independently and retain their shape in order to mate correctly. A single piece skirt is a convenient reinforcement at the location where it's needed most.

[@deadbambi]

if you had a kickstarter Id definitely sign up for this

[@daviddoodle87]

So what's up with the kit? You have it fore sale yet.

[@ScottRumschlag]

Not enough interest in a kit, plans are in progress but on hold pending my time availability.

[@JoakimGarde]

Great project. Good luck with going into bussiness with this :)

[@randystuart1196]

great work! it is looking very good. I look forward to seeing how much the cost is!

[@ScottRumschlag]

Projected price on my site, I'm pointing to there since comments and videos live forever so it can get awkward if things need adjusting: mechanicallumber.com/table-kits/

[@Ravedave5]

Nice! A square top would work as well, right?

[@ScottRumschlag]

It would be cantilevered much further from the slides, which would need to be addressed, but otherwise yes, it would work fine as far as the geometry is concerned.

[@azyfloof]

Holy crap, I forgot you did that table! :O THAT'S what the bent tubes were for! :D

[@ot0m0t0]

How do you fill in the cross? Like automatically or manualy add in boards?

[@buildstoys]

They will automatically pop up and fill in the space once the table is expanded -- they are mainly just removed in the video so you can see the mechanism in action.

[@ot0m0t0]

Oh that is seriously cool. So glad im subscribed.

[@pjm780]

Google capstan table and you'll see lots of examples of this type of table. This is probably the least expensive one you could get too.

[@ScottRumschlag]

buildstoys is right, I left off the raising panels to save time on this version.

[@ot0m0t0]

Hey did you consider making this for yachts? I mean... introduce it to that kind of market :)

[@eddiemcmichen9966]

Ok do you have blueprint for the wood expanding table iwould like to build 1 from str iwould be willing to pay 4 the blueprint

[@ScottRumschlag]

Check out my site, link in the description.

[@stephenpovall4037]

where can I order please

[@ScottRumschlag]

Thanks for the interest, these plans are not currently available, but ones for the wooden mechanism are, please visit my site in the description for more info.

[@lglglggl]

nice work!

[@DarkAxi0m]

any thoughts on a ball park cost?

[@ScottRumschlag]

Projected price on my site: mechanicallumber.com/table-kits/ Keep in mind that other expanding table offerings are in the tens of thousands of dollars.

[@dakotareid1566]

Scott Rumschlag u should put a lock so it can't keep spinning after full expansion.

[@ScottRumschlag]

Lock is planned and easy to implement, just not shown here.

[@frankingram3382]

I enjoyed the video. God Bless my friend.

[@ScottHaun]

awesome! best of luck!

[@mrdavidrees]

would you need a welder to construct this on your own?

[@ScottRumschlag]

Yes, I bought 2 welders in the course of this project. (I've been on the verge of buying a good MIG for a while now though, so I guess the "welder delta" is still only 1).

[@Dsmgod]

Hey Scott I have all of the Solid Works files for the Expanding Table that Fletcher Capstan made if you are interested to try and make his mechanism

[@ScottRumschlag]

I appreciate the offer but it's probably best to maintain some distance from those documents if only to calm the internet naysayers. I'm currently going for more of a Ford approach whereas I would characterize Fletcher as the Maybach of expanding tables.

[@EricSchwartz02]

Mack Monsees I'd be interested in those files to see how Scott's model compares...if you're willing to share.

[@MrMemusashi]

Mack Monsees hi Mack my name is lyle carmignani. i am in California. would you be willing to share the solidworks files of the capstan table with me. i have been looking for them for a long time. Are the files in an assembly or separate?

[@Dsmgod]

Sorry for the late reply the only way I would give the files that I worked hard on making is if I were to get paid for my time to create all the files that took forever to create.

[@Dsmgod]

Eric, I have designed these files to be exactly like the Caspan table which is a lot more advanced then Scotts you would need to have access to a CNC Mill and CNC Lathe to be able to build this. The files that I have are not for a beginner you have to have advanced skills in CNC especially when it comes to machining the large gears.

[@jaircamargo1561]

ola morro no brasil e gostaria de adiquirir seu projeto como fasço

[@hieple5459]

excellent

[@chuckhart8970]

Great idea I hope it works for you.

[@markemetcalf]

Very nice engineering!!! If you go into production, I would invite you to explore "water jet" cutting of all aluminum pieces and robotic welding of the main frame. You can pick up a really nice (used) FANUC (brand) Welding Robot w/ welder for under $25K. A helper/assistant could be loading fresh parts and unloading finished frames as fast as the robot could weld them. Once again, very nice work!!!

[@trytrustinmejc]

Yeah that's a bright ideal

[@1SR71]

Brilliant

[@willman76]

I hope you sell a million of em

[@BEE-x1y]

cool

[@grodt88]

you should patent that

[@bengardner8639]

He's not the first person to do it

[@TheFiremonkeyman]

he could still at least trademark the design, if there's not any patentable elements.

[@lehunganh-u6r]

Good...

[@korekapik]

you do for 4 months? me ? 4 years.

[@furrane]

Yeah that's right, 3k$ for an expanding table, pardon me, an expanding table in kit, oops, parts of an expanding table in kit. Well no thank you xD

[@DBYNOE]

Furrane Many assembled versions of these tables start at $30k and exceed $100k, so his plans or kits appear as a bargain. I have seen your development versions and that kit looks miles beyond it at first view. Do you have a six leaf and or motorized versions to display?

[@furrane]

You know there's at least 100 humans out there living their lives as slaves so that one guy like you can live a life where a 3k+ table kit is a bargain right ? I hope you do realize that.

[@ScottRumschlag]

It seems odd that a guy in a garage with cracked floors, secondhand tools and a third hand furnace has stirred up feelings of resentment, sarcasm and vague allusions to slavery . . . To the relevant comment: Six leaf and motorized are possible with the same basic frame but I'm holding off on further development until some revenue comes in, this has been an expensive endeavor . . .

[@seanc193]

@Furrane That's right, because a good business man is going to spend months and a lot of cash developing something amazing just so he can earn peanuts for his efforts. Smh