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Post by aberwacky on May 31, 2017 22:19:35 GMT
I have rearranged my studio so that I can accommodate a longer wet-felting surface. (yay!)
Because of size limitations width-wise, my felting tabletop will be 8 feet long by 32" wide (243 cm by 81 cm). I wish it could be wider, but that is the space I have to work with. Here is what I'm thinking of doing, and would like to get your input.
The tabletop will be a double-thickness of plywood for a total of 1-1/2" thickness. I am going to put a rim around that, also made of wood and rounded on top to be comfortable for my arms and high enough to keep water in.
Over that (tabletop and rim), I plan on putting a rubber-like pond liner to make it a water-proof surface. Over that will go my pool-cover bubble wrap felting surface, etc.
I'm also thinking about putting in a drain in one corner (maybe a shower-type drain) that I can attach a hose to to drain off excess water when I get too enthusiastic about wetting down my fiber.
The height will be counter-height, because it's going on a counter, LOL, and that's the height I like to work at.
Anything else I should be thinking of?
Leigh
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Post by Pandagirl on May 31, 2017 22:33:05 GMT
Wow Leigh that is some project. I don't have any thing that elaborate, but my only suggestion would be to waterproof the wood before putting on the pool liner. Just an extra step in protecting your work area. Liners and pool solar covers can get punctures. You wouldn't want to have mold growing underneath. I frequently have to change the liners and pool cover because of this, but I have a waterproof table I work on. Good luck!
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Post by aberwacky on May 31, 2017 22:36:45 GMT
That's a great point! My husband bought marine plywood, but another layer of protection certainly won't hurt.
Leigh
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Post by MTRuth on Jun 1, 2017 2:01:20 GMT
I have seen something similar to this online. It was built on a slight angle so that the water ran towards the drain.
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Post by halay on Jun 1, 2017 5:13:46 GMT
How about this table? www.facebook.com/ilovewoodwork/videos/vb.1495579170729225/1934202926866845/?type=2&theater it requires more woodworking skills but would be perfect for felting. I am also planning to change my felting table. I've visited the woodworking department and have some ideas how to improvise it and use minimum tools. I would cost me about 100$. I'll take some photos when I buy materials and start putting it together and post about it. |
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Post by lyn on Jun 1, 2017 6:46:29 GMT
Wow Nada - what a table - would be handy at Christmas when the world and his wife come for dinner! Leigh - I first saw the idea of a 'water table' in this video, and I really like your idea of improving on it with the pond liner. Good luck with the build. water table |
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Post by aberwacky on Jun 1, 2017 12:31:01 GMT
My current setup is an extra large plastic dog crate pan on a countertop--it does a great job of containing the water, but at 52" x 34" it just wasn't big enough. The crate pans are great portable wet-felting surfaces, by the way--I use them when teaching classes to contain the water.
That folding table is fabulous! I used to have a kitchen table with a similar mechanism--I never thought about incorporating that into a work table!
Leigh
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Post by Shepherdess on Jun 1, 2017 14:32:00 GMT
I love the folding table. if it has a countertop base why are you building it so heavy? The inch and a half can make quite a difference in comfort when felting. I do agree that waterproofing the wood is a good idea and make sure everything is sealed. How do you plan to attach the pool liner? A drain with a hose to a bucket is important to get rid of excess water. If you don't do it you will be kicking yourself before long I think. I am looking forward to seeing a picture of your finished working space.
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Post by aberwacky on Jun 1, 2017 14:59:04 GMT
The base cabinet doesn't extend the whole length of the countertop, so needed to be reinforced.. Also, I am tall and prefer to work at a higher counter, and standing on my gel mat makes me even taller. (My kitchen counters are at 36".) The extra thickness brings it to the right height.
There will be a drain in the tabletop--bought a shower drain assembly for it today. I want it to drain into a bucket--my husband wants to run a pipe through the wall outside! The guys at our local hardware store are used to my odd purchases for non-standard uses by now, and always ask what I am building, lol.
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Post by aberwacky on Jun 1, 2017 15:00:31 GMT
The pond liner will be attached only to the outside of the rim so that it can be replaced if needed. It is pretty heavy, and doesn't really shift once it is in position.
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