I’d like to design a drafting table with an adjustable Drawing surface. The surface should angle toward the user, and be adjustable for the user’s preference. But, I want to also have the table angle away from the user, revealing a box that will house synthesizers or other items, being in itself a work surface. How would I make a single surface hinge at both ends? I imagine gas lifters will be used to help make lifting easier, but I can’t think how to make it hinge in two places without cutting a portion out of the middle to be raised separately.
Has a bit in common w/ Thos. Jefferson’s Lap Desk:
We discussed various hinges recently here:
Do you want to use hardware or make the hinge of wood? Budget?
I rented a car one time that had a console which could unlatch and flip open for either the driver or passenger. I marveled and pondered at the engineering at the time, but not enough to examine the mechanism closely.
It did not pivot about the middle, it opened fully to either side. Good luck
If you attach rails to the underside of the top, it will pivot either way. You could attach your gas shocks to the center & they would work both ways as well.
Maybe some finesse on the shape of the rails & the box sides to reduce wear??
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I’ve seen this done with a frame that lifts in one direction and stays down in the other. Choose carefully since you have to reach through the frame in one direction.
If you attach rails to the underside of the top, it will pivot either way. You could attach your gas shocks to the center & they would work both ways as well. -@Tod1d
That could work. It’s the most elegant/simple solution I’ve seen so far. The only other requirement not mentioned in my original post was to have some kind of stops to lift it to preset heights. I’ve seen hardware that allows that, but I think that’d be too loud.
I rented a car one time that had a console which could unlatch and flip open for either the driver or passenger. […] It did not pivot about the middle, it opened fully to either side. -@CullenS
I think I’ve seen something like this too! Very fascinating, but I can’t seem to find it either.
I’ve seen this done with a frame that lifts in one direction and stays down in the other. Choose carefully since you have to reach through the frame in one direction.
-@DAH
I think I follow you. I wonder if that would make the desktop too heavy. But then again, the right gas shocks will take care of that.
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