Computer desk as sewing cabinet?

Leslie,

Several years ago there was an article in Threads magazine about someone that did exactly what you're talking about. As I remember she cut out the top of the desk & set the machine on the pull out keyboard tray. Then she put one of the plastic table thingies that you can buy specifically for your machine in the cutout desk top. Made a really nice sewing space that was just a fraction of the price of the sewing machine cabinets. I think they are horribly overpriced and some I have seen are nearly as well made as the computer desks.

Donna in Idaho

That is really an attractive computer desk, haven't seen anything like that over her in Oz but then I haven't looked to far.

Can't see why you couldn't do that. The only thing would be the depth from the keyboard shelf to the top of the desk, was it deep enough and would you have to drop the tray down more to get the machine bed level with the desktop.........John would know more about these things

Wendy in Nsw

I'd put the sewing machine on the right side... then you would have the left side to lay quilts (carry the weight) when quilting them!

Looks like it could work wonderfully!

Leslie, I have been looking at things like that for a couple of years. There are 2 problems.... first, you end up centered on the machine, not centered on the needle. The table I have right now is such that you have the same problem, unless you are very slender. The older I get the more it bothers me. Second, DH pointed out that you really don't want the machine on any kind of support that slides. The vibration of sewing could make the shelf/drawer slide and cause problems. And none of us needs more problems.

I keep on looking for a good way to go. I don't really want a "lift", because I leave my machine up all the time. And don't use the free arm either, so no need to raise it for that. The only thing I would need the machine at "another level" would be with the embroidery unit, and that can be flat on the other desk.

Last year at the Houston Festival I did find a place that does tables that are really usable. They even do custom designs. I think it was "Tracy's Tables". Will have to find the paperwork and double check. But their standard tables were really nice. You sit centered on the needle, and such. Lots of options too.

Pati, in Phx

Leslie & The Furbabies > First check this out-

Well lady, I thought I had the lead of all leads for you, but things have apparently changed! About 3-4 years ago, I bought my Koala Outback Plus from the company I linked below for the whopping price of about $700! Yes, that's right, just $700. They told me that since all the cabinets were drop shipped from Australia anyway, they just took a small commission to forward the order. Now, these cabinets were retailing, at the time, for about $1,500 US! I'll tell ya, I got mine at the killer price and I still love it!!

So, I go bank to check it out, before I tell you about it, and I see a message on their site that says that Koala has changed their policies and only accepts orders directly through their own site. My lovely Outback Plus is now listing for about $2100, and is only available directly from Koala. Boo!! Hisss!!!! Anyway, I did check out the original site for Horn cabinets. They do NOT post prices on line, but you can either call or eamil them for a quote. My understanding is that the Horn is quite similar to the Koala. Anyway, it might be worth checking into. Of course, NAYY....

If you do decide to do it, Leslie, I definitely think the keyboard shelf rather than the drawer, because of the weight-bearing doubts I would have about the base of the drawer Looks a rather nice piece of 'kit'. . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

Leslie, Here are some things to think about with that converson: You should be sure of the material that the top and sliding shelf are made of. For that price they probably are pressboard with a formica covering over it. That is not made to very high standards. The shelf that slides is only meant to hold a light keyboard and if you place a "heavy" sewing machine the shelf "might" start to warp downward and pull against the sliding mechanism and then pull out the screws holding it in place. If you did do the conversion, I would firmly and permanently position the shelf in place and not let it be a sliding shelf again. Maybe even replacing it with a 3/4" plywood shelf that is properly attached to the sides of the cabinet. The cut out of the top could be accomplished without much effort, but you will need a fine saw blade to avoid the fraying of the edge of the cut and probably would be better served by using a router with a flush cut off bit to make the edge square and true and not raggedy. the whole thing could ber done and accomplish what you are loking for, but it would entail some expertise in carpentry, and it is not for the tool challenged. I would hate to see you try it and not be satisfied, because you thought it ws as simple as a few cuts and there you go saving hyndreds of dollars. If youa re a gambler then give it a try, but for my money, I would think about getting an old table, and cutting the legs down and then cutting the top out and building a support shelf below and attached to the top to support the machine. If you look at the linked picture you will see the results of that approach. You should be able to find a table at a yard or garage sale that would work and for not much money. It would not have the storage capacity but you can add storage bins for not to much money from Joanne's which will hold everthing you might need.I personally like the unencumbered space uner the table approach and have gone back to that on all of my sewing tables. I hate the crowded feel of a cabinet where my feet are stuck in asmall space.

The wierd thing is, I understood all the niggly details that John just wrote about.......

G>

First thought: Clever idea!

Second thought: Make sure it's real wood so the weight of your machine will be secure. There's a reason it costs less.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Leslie, check out the link below. DH and I made my sewing table from MDF. We planned the major cuts and had them done at the home center. I have bolt storage at one end, my machine is set to the left so that I can sit in front of the needle. DH made the cut-out and installed a shelf below at the correct height for my machine. I thought about adding a lift table at the back for quilt support, but it wouldn't work in my room configuration. Instead, I lower my ironing board and place it behind my table while machine quilting. It supports the extra weight, and the fabric cover clings slightly to the quilt to prevent quilt waterfall. I believe my entire table came from one 4 x 8 sheet, with the addition of a purchased bookshelf unit for one end.

I bought my cabinet 2 years ago from a vendor at ebay that I'm very happy with. The item number for one currently on sale is 150159868947. I have a pic of mine on my webshots. I also bought the matching drawer unit and the extension piece that goes on the drawer, and the Plexiglas insert for my Juki TL98Q.

I would be leery of using the keyboard tray on a computer desk, as they are generally not built to hold much more than a keyboard.

That said, I have a lot of the Hawthorne furniture from Home Decorators. I can tell you that while the pieces I got are solid wood, it's a pretty soft wood, so soft that it is easily dented with just a fingernail. Not heirloom pieces by any means, but they look pretty good. $599 seems like a lot to pay for that desk, though. Have you checked their outlet site? Last time I looked it seemed there were several desks at clearance prices.

This look like it Pati?

Pressboard 'assemble yourself' furniture is pretty oddly designed compared to real wood working. It may not be easy to re-work to the point of your being happy. Taria

Pati C. wrote:

I have the Horn Quilter's cabinet and love it. I did a lot of research before buying. The LQS was running a great "Deal" on them, however, no delivery. And they are HEAVY! I searched the web and found a sewing-vac. store in TX that had very good prices, including shipping. I got it shipped by Fed EX, delivered to the house, and the driver waited to see it uncrated to make sure there was no damage (both times). ( I liked it so well I ordered another one). And they were way cheaper than locally. I'd had the Koala Outback, but hated the bar across the bottom. I just didn't have room to stretch out my leg under it. Now, after the surgery on my foot, I'm doubly glad I switched. Lots more room with the Horn. I also really like that there's a top that fits on the open drawer to the left of the machine---really handy for quilting. Gen

"TwinMom" Boo!! Hisss!!!! Anyway, I did check out the original site for Horn cabinets.

Taria, that does look like it. Thanks for finding it. As I remember pricing was a lot more reasonable than some of the other places, and they are willing to customize as you wish. I see they now have a serger set up too.

Pati, in Phx

Taria wrote: