Table project (pics), In my '90 Freedom Deluxe, I keep the rear dinette ...

In my '90 Freedom Deluxe, I keep the rear dinette in bed mode and only use the side table, but I was never very happy with it: It tilted at an angle, tended to wiggle around when it was used, and the particle board surface was beginning to warp. While at the West Marine store looking for hardware for my electrical upgrade project, I came across this table pedestal in their bargain section for about $75. It's a Garelick 75350 set, with a 2-7/8 inch diameter post and 9-1/4 inch diameter end pieces, all in heavy-duty aluminum.

Garelick Manufacturing

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I thought I knew the source of the factory table's unevenness: The base had been mounted on top of the carpeting, which would not provide a stable base. So I cut out the carpeting to get to the raised floorboard to mount the base directly to it. That's when I found out that the floorboard itself was tilted. Getting around the tilt called for a little bit of engineering.

I used 1/4-inch washers, stacked on top of each other, underneath each mounting hole to bring the base into level -- each mounting hole required a different number of washers. I glued the washers together with super glue to keep them from falling apart during assembly. Blocks of wood were also glued under the floor to reinforce it where the base plate's mounting screws would go. Then I mixed up some 2-part polyurethane expanding foam and poured it on the floor between the washers under where the floor plate would go, then quickly put down the plate and screwed it in place. Around the baseplate I set this ring made of aluminum flashing to keep the foam inside the base, like a spring-release cake pan.

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Here's a close-up of the base plate showing the foam filling the gap. Note that the gap shown is only the portion that is above the carpeting, there is that much again below it. Between the steel washer stacks and the rigid foam, I now have a very solid base.

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To complete the project, I made a top using 3/4-inch oak plywood trimmed with solid oak. It was then stained and sealed with 3 coats of polyurathane satin finish. The plywood is able to handle the overhang without warping better than solid wood, and far better than particle board. The result is flat, level, and stable. Now THAT's a table!

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Eric,

Looks like a very innovative fix. And it turned out really nice.

Carol

Man, Eric, you are really a talented guy. I wouldn't mind having that table in my dining room!

I bet Pam would !

WB Willy

http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com