Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:13:26 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: The Swellegant junior
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxOoAOuWvnyNCOCiJyenn5zbvs3+q+gb7N9R4yhzNNDz2A@mail.gmail.com>
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Hi Dave and others,
I have the same camp table and Thanks to this list and random kindness I have a prototype of the Alistair table.
The tripod is a thing of beauty and simplicity. It turns any westy later table into a dual purpose inside outside table. So, for little space you can use your table in either place or use your original table in a different location.
And if you store your second table in the special slot between the window and the rear storage cabinet you get a extra table with limited storage space needed.
And, it is just fun!
Eric Caron
With fancy table tripod.
> On Jul 21, 2022, at 1:17 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> 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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