Hi Shirley. Patsy Thompson has a quilting dvd where her husband, Ernie, shows how to make an acrylic table yourself. It's very professional looking. The machine quilting lesson on the dvd is fabulous as well. Here's the link:
http://patsythompsondesigns2.danemcoweb.com/shop/product/fast-and-free-volume-2/



Susan in CA

I have always wented a table for my michanies I got the quilters dream last year for christmas and love it it was the best gift ever Happy

Oh speaking of inserts, I also have a solid rectangle insert when my machine is lowered and not in use. Glad I could help, and can't wait to see pictures of it when its done. Cheryl

Thanks so much, Barbara and Cheryl. This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm a visual person, so Cheryl the pics really helped too!

I think my solution for the opening is to have the manufacturer build an insert for the cutout rather than trying to slide the machine out of a custom cut. He should be able to cut and glue some acrylic strips underneath the top, mounting them so they create a ledge for the insert to rest on. This would give me a full continuous acrylic table top that offers more flexibility with the 24 x 12 1/2 opening.

Now I need to take my stuff to the manufacturer and hope he has no problems with the design.

I really appreciate all of your suggestions and support. It has given me the confidence to take the chance and go for it. You all are AWESOME!

I'll keep you posed on how it goes. Cross your fingers for me....Shirley

Shirley, i just took some pics of my table and will post in my profile. The opening is also 12 1/2 X 24. it is 4 inches from the arm to the front of the opening and another 2 1/2 to the front edge of the table. Also don't forget to add something to hold up the insert. you can see what mine looks like. Cheryl

I have a Horn Quilter's Dream table. My machine opening is 12 1/2" x 24". There is a 2 1/2" wide strip of wood along the front of the opening.

If my machine is sitting in the center of the opening there is 10 inches from needle to front of table.

Hope this is of some help!

Barbara

Could I ask someone who has a regular sewing machine cabinet to measure the distance between the needle and the front edge of their cabinet? Just need an idea on what is normal so I don't goof when I have them cut the acrylic. I have the 440QE.

I would appreciate it very much!

Happy Holidays......Shirley

This is a really cool idea. You could also use it as a light box. For the cut out, you would probably have to either make the cut near the right edge of the table so you could simply slide it out to the right, or make a rectangle hole and a separate machine shaped cut insert like it is for sewing tables. Hard to describe in writing. good luck and let us know how it goes. Cheryl

Thanks everybody for the great input which I will definitely consider. I discovered that the legs on my Sew Steady Extension Table are countersunk and screwed in. They are also adjustable. Might have to "borrow" them for my new table since it's cut for my old machine which I'm not using right now.

I haven't quite figured out exactly what it'll take to cut the opening for the machine in such a way that I can lift it out. Would need to do that so I can do my routine cleaning and take my machine to classes.

Another thing, a notch will need to be cut in the "apron" under the table top to accommodate my knee lift.

DH is helping me with this project and he's pretty handy. Would sure make a great anniversary present. We're celebrating our 40th next Monday!!!!

If everything works out, I'll try to post a pic when finished.
Shirley

Instead of cutting off the legs, use an adjustable height chair. i have a stenograghers chair that works great for me. I use an old newspaperman's desk (from the days of typewriters!) that I've added wheels to. I put the foot pedal on a 2 inch thick piece of board. Just a thought.

Jean in Windsor, ON

You can counter sink screw holes. So, you could use wooden dowels for the legs. Plexiglass is really easy to drill and with the hole counter sunk (?) the screw heads would not interfere with your quilt sliding and would not snag either.

Sounds like you have thought of everything, Shirley! You might look for wooden dowel's at the home store and cut to the needed length for feet. Super glue or contact cement the legs to the acrylic. Maybe some florist putty to attach the legs to the table so you can remove them and not damage the table.

You have one heck of a good idea!

Barbara

What a super idea Shirley. I took a table of my mom's and cut the legs off so the height was right but it is an expandable table and I keep hitting my knees and thighs. I would never have believed you could do the acrylic for that cost. I may have to consider your plan. I'm not sure how you would attach the support legs and they would need to be adjustable too. Let us know how that works out. Gloria

Quilters are so innovative and I would love your opinions...
I have a sturdy, inexpensive farm style kitchen table (60" x 36") that I want to adapt to fit my 440QE with a surface that is flat with my machine. I was thinking....instead of cutting a hole, building a platform for the machine and making an insert, I thought I could have a large piece of acrylic custom cut to cover the top of the table. It would be similar to one of those Sew Steady extension tables, only supersized..

Would need some type of feet (short legs) to attach to the corners at the correct height for my machine. It'll probably require 3/8" thick acrylic plus extra legs installed somewhere in front and behind the machine for additional support.

Would need to have acrylic cut to fit arm of machine, but leave enough room to slide the machine to the right in order to lift it out when needed.

Would need to have the edges beveled and corners rounded.

Would need to cut the legs off the table about 3 inches.

If I can get this to work, I'll end up with a large smooth quilting surface with a see thru top with storage underneath. (like having a shelf underneath)

Found a manufacturer who can do it for between $150 - $250 depending on the size.

Am I missing anything with this design? Thanks for brainstorming with me....Shirley