How to Make Drafting Table Plans

Drafting tables are an invaluable tool for woodworking enthusiasts that like to have their projects duplicated. Building one requires drawing a set of plans that will distinguish the different parts that make up the whole. Drafting table plans can be drawn on any paper, but the best is graph paper. Depending on how intricate the drafting table will be, some components can be purchased separately, with the tabletop being the one main custom-made piece. The support system used for the drafting tabletop can be portable or stationary; adjustable or set.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Planning Pad
• Straight ruler
• Triangle Ruler
• Pencil

1. Tape a sheet of the graph paper from the planning pad to a smooth surface. Apply tape only to the corners. Determine the length and width of the desired drafting table. Create a scale by interpreting each of the blocks on the graph paper as a designated measurement. For example, one block can equal one inch.

2. Draw a horizontal line the length of tabletop according to the chosen scale. Draw another horizontal line one row of blocks below the tabletop line with a break in the line that covers two blocks on the graph paper. This space is where the number representing the length of the tabletop will be written.

3. Draw a diagonal line from the right end of the tabletop line moving to the left to represent the width of the tabletop. This line will dissect the blocks from corner to corner and will be on a 45-degree angle. Draw another diagonal line parallel to the width line one block to the right of that one. Again, leave a space in the center of that line to write the number representing the width of the tabletop.

4. Draw a horizontal line from the end of the diagonal line drawn in Step 3 the exact number of blocks as the horizontal line in Step 2. Finish the tabletop drawing by starting at the end of the last horizontal line back to the first horizontal line. This represents the size and shape of the tabletop of the drafting table.

5. Draw a short perpendicular line on the ends of each of the lines with a break in them. Make the length of these lines exactly one-block width. Do not connect these lines with the lines representing the tabletop of the drafting table. Write the numbers inside the line breaks that correspond with the length and width of the drafting tabletop.

6. Triangle ruler

   Draw a horizontal line above the one drawn in Step 2 to represent the paper stop. This wood piece is exactly perpendicular to the horizontal edge of the drafting tabletop. It can either be flush with the edge of the tabletop or up from the edge one inch. This will also serve as the point of reference for using the triangle ruler.

Tips & Warnings

• A suggested support system for the drafting tabletop is a set of filing cabinets.

• Be certain that the paper is securely taped to a flat, smooth surface to avoid confusion while drawing.

Resources

• Build Your Own Drafting Table