Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 10:17:16 -0700
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: The Swellegant junior
In-Reply-To: <C188BB3A-B7DD-40BB-9D6E-0AADC291C570@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
So, you are offering them for sale. Price? I expect it is too much to be
practical, but I have to ask. Probably, for me, I just stick with the roll
up table that I bought years ago from REI. Made of aluminum slats, fits in
a bag, adjustable size and height, so can use for dining or for the same
use you make of your highly satisfying self constructed table mount, for
which I congratulate you for your creativity, motivation, skill,
persistence and all that. Good job.
On Thu, Jul 21, 2022 at 8:49 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Yup.
>
> I have a nice Manfrotto tripod. I use it with the camera. You’d have to
> make an adaotef to get to the m10x1.5 threads in the table. That’s easy
> though.
> I’d say go for it with the Manfrotto if you have one.
>
> There are, no doubt, many other ways of having a table stand. I’ll say it
> again at the risk of being pedantic or even stubborn, I made my table stand
> for my needs. I’m sure it’s not for everyone. But I’m offering them for
> sale just in case there are others out there with good taste.
>
> :-)
>
> Cheers
>
> Alistair
>
> > On Jul 21, 2022, at 8:34 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I've seen some people use camera tripods (the aluminum kind), adjustable
> height for table support and photography..
> >
> >
> https://www.manfrotto.com/global/190go-ms-aluminum-4-section-photo-tripod-with-twist-locks-mt190goa4/
> >
> >> On Thu, Jul 21, 2022 at 8:27 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >> Oh yeah Tom, I was ready for the redesign suggestions :-)
> >>
> >> First, I made the table for my own use, my own set of circumstances
> when camping. I think it’s wise to limit the design brief to a defined set.
> >>
> >> I understand the scenario you described. What we do is have the large
> table inside , and use the small table on the Swellegant stand outside. The
> stand is a luxury, it’s sitting between our camp chairs. Books, binoculars,
> drinks, nibbles. You get the picture.
> >>
> >> The quick release idea is interesting. Maybe too interesting . And the
> idea of the legs falling out? Well, way the legs attach right now…pinned…
> works well and defines the amount of splay when deployed. When the table is
> screwed onto the base, it holds the legs securely , the legs don’t move if
> you lift the entire assembly .
> >>
> >> I’ve tried to make it as simple as possible. For two main reasons.
> First, is I like a simple design. Having as few parts as possible pleases
> me. Second, it’s an expensive thing to make in small numbers. Believe it or
> not, the only part that is “off the shelf”is the m10x1.5 stainless socket
> head bolt that is ( it’s screwed and locktite in the stand) used to attach
> table.
> >> The rest…. Legs, feet, main base unit, pins to hold legs… are all made
> by me. ( I really need to buy the 1/4” diameter pins pre cut to length and
> bevelled, it’s a tedious part of the job making those )
> >>
> >> The base unit is a multi op cnc part. First Op creates the shape and
> features, I cut 3 at a time in one block of stock. The parts cut out of
> that machined stock then flipped and decked to final thickness one at a
> time. counterbored and tapped in same op.
> >> Then each part set on edge, pin holes drilled. That’s three holes per
> unit, so in essence three more ops.
> >> So the base itself takes 5 ops, five times I have to position part in
> vise.
> >>
> >> The legs are cut to length on chop saw, set one at a time in cnc mill,
> the angle and the pin hole machined on one end.
> >>
> >> Legs and base put in the big tumbler for a few hours.
> >>
> >> The feet are turned on cnc lathe. Made to a press fit in the legs .
> >>
> >> And the pins, cut to length and beveled , by hand .
> >>
> >> Parts are powder coated before assembly. That’s not cheap either.
> >>
> >> So you see, I want to keep the number of machining steps and the parts
> list low as I can. As is it’s an expensive product.
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >>
> >> Alistair
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> > On Jul 21, 2022, at 7:52 AM, Tom Myers <tm.me@me.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I’m imagining myself using it.
> >> > Bear with me.
> >> > This being a Westy product, not ‘general RV'.
> >> > ============
> >> > We’ve been camped for a little while.
> >> > Need for a table outside arises.
> >> > Find a place to put all the stuff that’s on the table now (inside).
> >> > Which is feasible, but a task that “precedes” the outside plan.
> >> > For us - there will be stuff to manage "every time".
> >> >
> >> > Unscrew the friction knob while balancing the now-empty table.
> >> > Carry it outside, screw on the legs fixture, assemble legs
> upside-down.
> >> > Set table, load table, sit back.
> >> >
> >> > Then reverse of the above.
> >> > Empty the table, flip upside down, disassemble.
> >> > carry inside,
> >> > find the hole,
> >> > balance while screwing.
> >> > Set the tightness. Is it tight enough? If Lisa does it, will I have
> to tighten it later? Always?
> >> > Stow the table fixture & legs.
> >> >
> >> > I think what I would need to make use of this ——> is a ‘quick
> release’.
> >> > Where that CNC block remains on the table inside the westy, and with
> one button/lever, disengages from the Westy L-pipe.
> >> > Requiring ’no adjustment/tightness. Just a lever. Like the quick
> release on a bicycle wheel. You adjust it once, and it’s ‘friction'
> remains adjusted upon the subsequent reassembly.
> >> > Perhaps you can unclip it from the Westy L bracket…..even with some
> stuff STILL ON THE TABLE as you ferry it outside.
> >> > Coming back in
> >> > You lift the table with some stuff on it; the legs just wiggle out,
> fall on the ground.
> >> > Inside it re-engages the L-bracket in one motion.
> >> >
> >> > The legs are "just pipes” in a tight little bundle of 3.
> >> > Or if you wanna get carried away, 3 diameters that store
> concentrically that you could bundle in a pack of 3 - if you don’t feel
> like inserting them concentrically.
> >> > But not 3 different hole sizes that the user has to ‘find' ‘from
> below’.
> >> > So now ya gotta have tube-ends all same size so it’s not "a puzzle".
> >> >
> >> > Anyway, sorry for the complete re-design or different product.
> >> > You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.
> >> >
> >> > Tom
> >> >
> >> >> On Jul 20, 2022, at 8:30 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> I’ll reply to the rad discussion later, I agree with your points but
> have something to add,
> >> >>
> >> >> Meanwhile, I know you can’t be without this , my late test table
> stand iteration. It’s really very good, it’s swell, it’s elegant, it’s
> Swellegant!
> >> >>
> >> >> And it’s not cheap
> >> >>
> https://shufti.blog/2022/07/20/vanagon-the-swellegant-junior-sneak-peek/
> >> >>
> >> >
>
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