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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Hacker help: How do I hack a table like this?

Description: Hi! I'd like to realize a hack from Ikea product to obtain a table like that in the photo. Someone has to give me tips to make it happen?

Thanks!!

~ Tiziana
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33 comments:

  1. Will be watching this post very very closely, really like it but way too expensive in France and also pretty ugly in white.

    The problem isn't so much finding the furniture to hack but how to get that cool mechanism that doesn't slam down ...

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    Replies

    1. you could use this hardware there a several stles depending on maker search for coffee table lift hardware

      http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2318

      Delete

  2. It seems like a mechanism similar to an adjustable pool chair or a drafting table.

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  3. look at the post above this for 'standing desk', and adapt it. It will work, and all the instructions are there for the most part. You'll need the hinge mechanism you show in your pix or something similar. Good luck.

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  4. you can get the pop-up table mechanism from Lee Valley Tools...link:

    http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=40573&cat=3,43586,43594

    they have canada and u.s. stores, and i see they have an international link on the home page (leevalley.com) It must be screwed into solid wood however, so pretty much anything from ikea you'd have to reinforce with plywood or solid lumber.

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  5. You want to search for "pop up table mechanism". They retail for $180-200USD in North America.

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  6. Dont know about you guys, but there is no way Im paying $200 for a hinge. This guy used a few pieces of wood to create the hinge action... think it turned out great... Have to figure out which Ikea tables would be best to use with his hinge concept and we are golden.

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Coffee-table-upgrade/step9/The-Final-Product/

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  7. Check out this older IKEA Hackers posting about an adjustable height coffee table, maybe the idea can be adapted.

    http://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/12/lift-coffee-table.html

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  8. I wonder if the strategy in this hack could be used?
    http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/12/pallbo-022.html

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    1. Hi, I entered that Pallbo hack. I suppose it could be technically done, but keep in mind that to switch heights you have to lift the top off, turn it 90 degrees, en place back on. So I guess it would only work for a rectangular table, with a honeycomb top, a massive top would be too heavy. I think the instructables tip from james seems much more practical and do-able for this particular problem.

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  9. Cool link, thanks James! I've never seen anything like this table, and thought it was cool, but figured the hinge would be crazy expensive (same thing that keeps me from trying to make a Murphy bed). That link is wonderful!

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  10. look this (from spain)--> http://www.x4duros.com/2011/10/concurso-diy-x4duros11-la-mesa-lack.html

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    Replies

    1. WOW!!
      WONDERFUL!
      Very good idea...anda simply to do!!
      Thanks!!

      Delete

    2. i maked my own table like this link with two lacks and the mechanism buy in Leroy Merlin (spain).

      Delete

  12. it looks very similar to an opening mechanism for the hood or boot on an old car...so maybe the scrapyard?

    :D

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  13. Isn't that how the Malm storage container opens? It's a storage bench-type thing for at the foot of a bed, not sure if they still make it though. Hack the bottom of the storage container, keep the top opening, and there ya go!

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    Replies

    1. As far as I can tell (we don't even have an ikea for 400 miles, but looking online) the malm storage bench slides, but does not elevate or pop up.

      Delete

  14. While there are a bunch of popup mechanisms in the $150-200 range, you should note that all the ones I've seen - including the rockler.com and leevalley.com ones linked to above - have lateral travel, NOT like the pic in the original post. In other words, while they bring the surface of (sa) a coffee table up to eating height, they also bring it towards one side, like an airplane seat tray - making it only usable from one side of the table.

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  15. Could springs or pneumatics be used to achieve this?

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  16. I have had a lift top coffee table for 10-12 yrs and LOVE them. Mine also has a heavy steel bar on the outside edge to prevent the table from tipping over when it's in the up position and there is 'stuff' on it (computers, plates, etc).

    For my last one, I cannibalized the hardware from our old table, purchased a table frame from Room&Board (just the frame), and built the table 'box' and top. You could try to find a used lift top coffee table just for the hardware.

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  17. Here is my post about my lift top table - http://blog.aerialsoul.com/2008/04/if-you-cant-find-it-build-it.html

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  19. The mechanism looks similar to kitchen cabinet mechanism.

    Take a look at last picture on
    http://www.durasupreme.com/storage-solutions/lift-storage

    These mechanisms also include breaks/stoppers for smooth movement.

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  20. who makes the original?

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  21. I made a coffee table from scratch this summer with a lift-top similar to the $200 mechanism from rockler, only I made all the hardware myself... I'm not sure that Ikea makes anything that will function, but I'll work on uploading some pictures and detailing how I did it ASAP.

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  22. Nice, nice ideas, but... these all are glorifed TV-trays. I need an actual dining room table - not a huge one, but usable on ALL sides.

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    Replies

    1. one could double the same mechanism...
      http://modernika.net/site/tables/kubo

      Delete

  23. they have a similar pop up table at Target!

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  24. It seems like a mechanism similar to an adjustable pool chair or a drafting table.

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  25. The pop up table top mechanisms are manufactured in China for about $10.00 each. A little reasearch will find you one for a reasonable price under $100.00. Try ALibaba.com.

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  26. Anyone try to build something similar that uses one or two pneumatic chair bases (basic IKEA counter/table top + rolling office chair) ?

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  27. Building one this weekend http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/lift-up-coffee-table-accessories-furniture-hardware/911417_548819670.html

    ReplyDelete

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