I want to cut down the length of my table legs

[GaryRichards]

Hi all,

I am short, 5'1" and my table cannot go any lower. I really want to do lots of no hands work, and my table needs to be about 5 or 6 inches lower than the lowest possible setting for this type of work. My table is a wood oakworks table, Alliance I believe.

My dad is handy, and I know he would be able to do this for me. I would have to take the extendable legs off and have them cut at the top and cut the bottom of the leg fixed to the table.

In my thinking, I dont see that this would effect the stability of the table. It may void any warranties I have on the table, which would be minor because I dont have any warranties on my hands right now either. I can always get a new table, but I only have one set of hands.

I would be able to raise the table up if I needed to, just not to its max height if I have my dad chop off the legs. Which for me personally, isnt a problem.

I love my table, it has an arm rest and it reclines up, so I do not want to get a second table.

Any thoughts??

Christine

 

[El Chahusitle]

Have you tried to contact the company to see if there are any alternatives they have before you take a drastic measure like this? The problem I see with doing such a thing is that once it is done, the table has no resale value should you choose to get a new one down the road. Just a thought.

 

[Lee2332]

yup, it might be easier to call oakworks and discuss what leg options they have. it may not be as cheap as dad, but it will CYA if, heaven forbid, something should happen to someone while they are on your table.

 

[Reku]

I am looking for the oakworks website. I went to yahoo and searched for "oakworks massage tables" seems http://www.oakworks.com is their address, but it doesnt work.

Does anyone else have another link for them??

Thanks,

Christine

 

[look]

I called the 800 number for Oakworks. The rep told me they must be updating the site right now.

She also said because my table, the aliance, has the tilt back option (which I love but dont use often) and that is why its lowest setting is 24 inches. They do have table that go down to 21 and 17 inches. Mine would need major surgery, it would need to be sent back in. She is going to call me back with the amount, which she thinks will be A LOT because of the shipping. She claims the cable system under the table would have to be changed.

I dont understand why that would be neccessary.

But, before I do major surgery on my table, I will think it through.

Christine

 

[Baby Blue]

Well at least they are looking to work with you. I hope they figure out a solution. I would definitely be interested in what they would change with the cables, since it doesnt' matter if you are 5'1 or 5'10 they are in the same place!!! The only thing I can think of is that, they would want to make sure to have a double leg and the cables may be in the way.

Another suggestion, is that sometimes if you flip the bottom piece of the leg around, one end is higher than the other for the holes...

 

[Bananaz!!]

http://www.oakworks.net is the site for all of oakworks' massage stuff. The site is working.

 

[icevixen17]

maybe you and your Dad could build a platform around your table....it'd be like standing on a stool, except it'd be all around your table so you could move around it easily...

 

[thor]

I thought of a platform, but all the way around the table would be in the way when I am not in session. What I was thinking about was a platform that is about a little less wide than my table (so it fits under it),about 3 feet long, and about 4 or 5 inches high. Ideally, it would be on rollers so I can kick it back and forth under the table during a session. The type of rollers that push down and disapear and will not roll when you step on them. I have seen step stools made like this, I dont know if I can locate these type of wheels or not. Perhaps there is a stool like this for purchase on massagewarehouse.com??

Christine

 

[SlsB]

that's a good idea! something like a mechanics creeper only wider..

the casters on those step stools are called retractable casters...except those will not add any height to the platform.....you could get regular casters and lock them when you are using it for massage..

and then put an ergonomic mat on the top of the platform to protect your feet and legs as you stand on it...

 

[SCOTT M]

i have the oakworks aurora 17" and love it. i don't know why they stopped advertising it, but they do make it. that's the size my school uses. oakworks says they make it for certain schools.

Well at least they are looking to work with you. I hope they figure out a solution. I would definitely be interested in what they would change with the cables, since it doesnt' matter if you are 5'1 or 5'10 they are in the same place!!! The only thing I can think of is that, they would want to make sure to have a double leg and the cables may be in the way.

Another suggestion, is that sometimes if you flip the bottom piece of the leg around, one end is higher than the other for the holes...

 

[Bluebell]

The woman fro Oakworks I spoke with on the phone never called me back.

Taking a REALLY good look at my table, I would lose the arm rest that is on it currently if the legs were shortened. I could easily lose about 2 inches on the legs before the brace bars hit the floor. But, two inches isnt enough.

So, I will wait it out for a while. Working the way I have been has made an improvement with my hands and thumbs. I have had to take some really wide stances to help me get down a bit lower, and that hasnt been difficult. Legs are easy to work as they are usually lower. The problem occurs when I have a heavy set person on the table. They're backs are up higher than a thin person, and I cant get up on my tippy toes enough to lean in good. I am working on getting a platform, but that might take a while. Another option is to wait until december when it it is gift cert season and purchase an electric table. THen, I could turn around and do my taxes right away in January and get about half back in a tax credit.

Christine

 

[ItseyBitsey]

in the meantime, i'd get an aerobics step for those heavier folks.