I sat at a table like this from 1970 to around 2010. I used Tee-Squares, Straight edges, drafting arms, and drafting machines like this Vemco. The Vemco machine was the best. By the way, those are not rulers, they are called scales. I preferred the plastic edges, engraved wooded scales for ten-hour a day drafting. Plastic scales like those shown here will snap in half the first time you drop your drafting head (the part you put your hand on), like when you turn to grab your coffee cup and let go of it. The plastic "ruler" snaps in half when it hits the triangular shaped architect measuring tool (scale) or erasing machine that are sitting on your drawing. I really liked the adjustability of these tables. The were expensive but still, in a large corporate drafting room there were dozens of them.
I also used a table like this from 1980 to 1989. Then in 1989 worked for a medium size Machine Shop that had me on a Hamilton VR-20 with an Accutrac drafting machine. Power up and down table with variable table tilt positions from horizontal all the way to vertical if needed. Like driving a Lamborghini compared to a Yugo using any other drafting table. Then in 1991 the owner made the decision that we were going to CAD, so he purchased a seat, 386 computer with a 20MB hard drive with Cadkey installed for $15,000 and MSDOS as an operating system. Right then and there I asked the owner for the VR-20 with the attached drafting machine and he said yes. The table is in mint condition and I've had it ever since. For the best rigidity and quality, I use K&E clear plastic drafting machine scales that have the aluminum center core, so there's no way it's ever going to break.
I have one that was left in my barn when I bought my house. Trying to get rid of it but it weighs a million pounds. Interestingly, on mine the lower drawers are on the left side, not the right.
I have a complete Desk O Matic II, it was willed 8 years ago to me by my neighbor. My drawers and cabinet are on the opposite side. It even has the cover roll on it. I use it to do my pinstriping and painting on. Any info on how to properly use it would be greatly appreciated!!
my dad had one of these he was an archectural draftsman ... they used cad at work in the office and he used a manual one at home sometimes for stuff he did privates or practise or whatever ..i used to colour in some of his drawings if he was stupid enough to leave them out ... :D which he rarely minded you can colour on a draftsman's drawings but you mess with the set up of how he has his desk set up for that plan .. YOU ARE DEAD ! I knew even then never to mess with the desk settings until the plan was finished for that job
Set-up wouldn't have been a big deal if he had used a Hamilton VR-20 with power up and down with variable table adjustment. Only takes seconds for preferable set-up.
Those scales/rulers are supposed to be installed and removed with a key, if you can remove them with a side to side wiggle, than they're not fully seated properly.
The top comes off fairly easy. There is four bolts with a couple spacers and washers attaching the top to the base. If you raise it up all the way you will see the first bolt on each side. Then pop the panels off each side (they just slide straight up to come off) and you will see the other bolt. make sure you have a helper as the top is pretty awkward to hold steady while taking apart.
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Even though the side panel is missing, it looks quite cool to see the mechanics of the table working.
I bought my Bruning AccuTrac drafting machine new in about 1975. Still looks and works like new.
Did you have the Bruning key that installs and removes the scales?
I would frigging love one of those. 😀😀😀
I have one May O Matic that will be going up for auction in April Sherwood Auction Service will be doing the auction.
I HAVE ONE IN CHICAGO
Got it about 40 years ago
Never used it but used when I got it
Would you be interested in selling it? I’m just outside of Chicago.
Still have
THAT SOUND ... my childhood
I sat at a table like this from 1970 to around 2010. I used Tee-Squares, Straight edges, drafting arms, and drafting machines like this Vemco. The Vemco machine was the best. By the way, those are not rulers, they are called scales. I preferred the plastic edges, engraved wooded scales for ten-hour a day drafting. Plastic scales like those shown here will snap in half the first time you drop your drafting head (the part you put your hand on), like when you turn to grab your coffee cup and let go of it. The plastic "ruler" snaps in half when it hits the triangular shaped architect measuring tool (scale) or erasing machine that are sitting on your drawing. I really liked the adjustability of these tables. The were expensive but still, in a large corporate drafting room there were dozens of them.
I also used a table like this from 1980 to 1989. Then in 1989 worked for a medium size Machine Shop that had me on a Hamilton VR-20 with an Accutrac drafting machine. Power up and down table with variable table tilt positions from horizontal all the way to vertical if needed. Like driving a Lamborghini compared to a Yugo using any other drafting table. Then in 1991 the owner made the decision that we were going to CAD, so he purchased a seat, 386 computer with a 20MB hard drive with Cadkey installed for $15,000 and MSDOS as an operating system. Right then and there I asked the owner for the VR-20 with the attached drafting machine and he said yes. The table is in mint condition and I've had it ever since. For the best rigidity and quality, I use K&E clear plastic drafting machine scales that have the aluminum center core, so there's no way it's ever going to break.
Thats a beauty right their
I have one that was left in my barn when I bought my house. Trying to get rid of it but it weighs a million pounds. Interestingly, on mine the lower drawers are on the left side, not the right.
Would you be interested in selling it? Where are you located?
I have a complete Desk O Matic II, it was willed 8 years ago to me by my neighbor. My drawers and cabinet are on the opposite side. It even has the cover roll on it. I use it to do my pinstriping and painting on. Any info on how to properly use it would be greatly appreciated!!
my dad had one of these he was an archectural draftsman ... they used cad at work in the office and he used a manual one at home sometimes for stuff he did privates or practise or whatever ..i used to colour in some of his drawings if he was stupid enough to leave them out ... :D which he rarely minded you can colour on a draftsman's drawings but you mess with the set up of how he has his desk set up for that plan .. YOU ARE DEAD ! I knew even then never to mess with the desk settings until the plan was finished for that job
Set-up wouldn't have been a big deal if he had used a Hamilton VR-20 with power up and down with variable table adjustment. Only takes seconds for preferable set-up.
Those scales/rulers are supposed to be installed and removed with a key, if you can remove them with a side to side wiggle, than they're not fully seated properly.
It's Old But Nice.
I have one that needs to be moved: does anyone have any idea how the top comes off? Is anything else removable on it?
The top comes off fairly easy. There is four bolts with a couple spacers and washers attaching the top to the base. If you raise it up all the way you will see the first bolt on each side. Then pop the panels off each side (they just slide straight up to come off) and you will see the other bolt. make sure you have a helper as the top is pretty awkward to hold steady while taking apart.