Help finding table for crafting
 

I have been looking at the white plastic tables on the office supply stores, but I am not sure if they would be heavy duty enough to work with a die cutting machine and paper cutter on top. I want to extend the desk in my craft room so I can have the tools on the side and use the desktop for stamping and putting the cards together. Any advice, links to good deals, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Rachael

Ikea Linnmon tabletop in a size that would suit you, and either legs they also sell that easily attach, or if you’d like drawers, one or two Alex drawer units. (You can put legs on one end and an Alex on the other.) The 39” top is $8.99. That size is my trimmer table on legs and it’s very sturdy.
linmon tabletop - Search - IKEA

Legs (note the sizes): legs - Search - IKEA

They also have the tops and legs together in various configurations:
legs for linmon - Search - IKEA

Alex unit: ALEX Drawer unit - white - IKEA

If you’re not near an IKEA, they’ve recently lowered prices on shipping.

Some of the white adjustable height tables from office supply stores, Costco, etc., are actually pretty sturdy. They’re not all the same, and weight restrictions may be in their full on-line descriptions if you’d rather go that route and double check. I have one I used for work and at home if decluttering an area and needed a table, and put a lot on it. But I wasn’t pushing down on it.

Enjoy the expansion!
Beth

if you have a Lower or Home Depot in your area, check out their workbenches. They have stronger, smoother tops than plastic folding tables and you can get different heights.
Mary Beth

I second the vote for Ikea tables.........they are super cheap and come in different sizes.......mine have held up for years and I do everything on them. Well, when eyelets were used a lot I didn't pound on them with the eyelet setter, but pretty much everything else.

While you're looking now for a table to hold your die cutter and trimmer, I'd try to get a table that doesn't have much "flex" in it. Most of the folding tables I've seen are made of that "flexible plastic", which does not work well for stamping. So if your table might occasionally be used for stamping, go for something really solid.

The other thing you might want to consider is if you'd like to use this table while sitting or standing. Although there are chairs available nearby, I find that I always stand when using my die cutting machine and both my guillotine and Carl cutters. (I use my paper trimmers while seated most of the time.) Because of that it's nice to have a table that's more counter-height than desk/table-height.

Good point. I sit while die cutting since I don’t need to be over the machine (Gemini Junior with no crank, side feed) but stand for trimming using a Carl or standard trimmers. The legs we got for the Ikea top are expandable and set a little lower than a counter top (I’m short). That brought the price up.
OLOV Leg, adjustable - silver color - IKEA

Another vote for the Ikea top and legs. From experience with all kinds of tables, the plastic ones give quite a bit, are rough, and somewhat uneven. If all you have is an electric die cutter and paper cutter you could probably get by. But you know how it is. We all want to expand and the plastic table might become a liability.

Another option is to locate a table in decent condition on Craigslist, FB marketplace, or similar. I've seen some good deals there, and something might show up that fits your space and your use quite well.

Freecycle.org is another one - where everything is free. Creating an account (for free) is needed. Just glancing at the Freecycle in my area, listings from a sofa to a popcorn maker to a portable grill to Stephen King books appear. :)

If using an on-line site to buy from someone local, please take care. Entering a stranger’s home is not the best idea ever. Many police stations have created safe trade zones/stations due to crimes against buyers and sellers. One site that lists them (there are others): http://www.safetradestations.com/

Perhaps an "old fashion" printer cart would work. It would offer storage that just a tabletop won't offer.

I agree about the plastic tables having flex and a rough surface. My main work surface is our old (but new-ish) dining table, so it is deep, long, smooth and sturdy! I really like using it. Maybe you can find one at a thrift store, Craig's List, etc

Hope you find a solution that fits your heeds/wants and budget..

I bought the smallest size Limmon table tecently; it cost me about $25, including the legs. It is sturdy enough that I would feel comfortable using my Platinum die cutter on it

Having to make do with what space I have in my basement, I have several of the white plastic tables. I purchased remnant Formica countertop pieces in the size needed to cover the table top. You have a wonderful smooth & durable surface to stamp, cut, whatever. And you can add color or texture to your craft room for cheap!! And the Formica tops make the tables stable, heavy, and you can move them around should you ever want to redesign your craft space....as I have done numerous times!!!!!

I have a formica counter top that I just placed on two saw horses. Not as spiffy as the pretty white stuff from IKEA, but it sure is durable and wide.

Another vote for IKEA tabletops, legs, and Alex drawers. I have them in my craft room. The table tops come in a number of lengths and widths, so it's easy to find what will fit. Some of my table tops have 'standard' cheaper legs, one has the more expensive adjustable ones so I could fit my plastic storage drawers under it. I also have my main workdesk on top of two Alex drawer units. Another desktop has my Big Shot, Big Shot Pro- that weighs 40+ pounds alone- and a huge box of dies on it, so you can see how sturdy it is.

I already had three KALLAX "book cases" from IKEA. I left two of them in the "vertical" position and attached a work top with two legs also from IKEA. The third "book case" I turned on it's side. I use the top of it for my guillotine cutter, score-pal scoring board, and my Big Kick with platforms. You not only have a stable work surface but you also have the "cubbies" of the book case where you can place custom made storage pieces from Stamp-n-Storage as well as other containers. It has been space saving, and maxed out storage area. I design, stamp, and assemble my work on the worktop that's attached to one of the upright KALLAX bookcases.

Thank you everyone for you input and some points are well taken. i love the idea of finding a used wood table and the Ikea tables as well. I haven't been there in 6 months or so but it's only 20 minutes away. I had planned for just the electric die cutter and the paper cutter but I could possibly see stamping and/or assembling cards on it as well. I am hoping to have time this weekend to look around a little, but it may take me some time as I am emptying my sisters home to put it on the market. I will let you know when I have found the right table. Please feel free to add any other tips, thoughts, recommendations. 

Before and after. I’m so happy. I have a purple chair!!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spl...be2f255ed.jpeg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spl...b2a9cb94e.jpeg

Wonderful! Nice picture on the wall too. Also admiring that you posted two photos in one post. When I’ve tried that using an ipad, only one has shown up.