Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 08:49:38 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: The Swellegant junior
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6mmvuypnpWr=7-AS8t6DDQ-e-hM3bzikHLH9jaOhYja1w@mail.gmail.com>
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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
>>
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>>
>> > 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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