Hardware for cockpit table

[CaptAirman]

Hey all,
One of my winter projects is building a new lightweight wood cockpit table with leaves, to replace the edson clunker without em. I'm also switching from a 1" grab rail to a 1.25" one, and I have the old style wrap-around flange for the wire table support to slot into when the table is deployed. Edson would love to sell me some of the newer collar-style table clamps for $50 a pop, but there just has to be some industrial fitting out there that does the job. Been scouring McMaster-Carr etc but I need a good search term to look for.

Would anyone have any idea what one of these would be called? It looks like they just have a guy bodge the socket on to a standard U clamp. I'm sure that's a $1 job in most parts of the world, but not in mine sadly.

[Spot]

For this one I would say 50$ is a good deal, considering it is forged or cast stainless and not a typical 'muffler clamp' setup.

The one that annoys me is a 50 cent cent stamped plate and 3 screws sold as a 10-15$ mounting kit when it should have come in the box with the 200-300$ device.

[Mickeyrouse]

If you’re building the table, then you can build the clamps. I did mine by boring two blocks of wood the diameter of the pedestal stand (usually 1”, but can be 7/8”), then sawed those in half vertically to make clamp halves. Route the edges before boring the complimenting radius of the table edge route. Attach the table hinges to the table side (facing away from the pedestal), then attach each hinged half to the opposite half of each clamp with machine screws. Mine have worked fine for 25 years. Teak, they match the teak of the table itself. Only downside is they would like to be varnished as often as the table is. Cheap, maybe cost $5 total, in my book classier, more graceful than heavy metal clamps.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse

If you’re building the table, then you can build the clamps. I did mine by boring two blocks of wood the diameter of the pedestal stand (usually 1”, but can be 7/8”), then sawed those in half vertically to make clamp halves. Route the edges before boring the complimenting radius of the table edge route. Attach the table hinges to the table side (facing away from the pedestal), then attach each hinged half to the opposite half of each clamp with machine screws. Mine have worked fine for 25 years. Teak, they match the teak of the table itself. Only downside is they would like to be varnished as often as the table is. Cheap, maybe cost $5 total, in my book classier, more graceful than heavy metal clamps.

Good idea.
Do the clamps need to be much larger/wider than the hinges?
Are the hinge screws the ones holding the clamp together?
Any pictures?
Thanks.

[Mickeyrouse]

No, they need to be the width of the hinges plus the rounded ends. I’m not at the boat at present, but will either this afternoon or tomorrow. I’ll be glad to send you pictures. PM?

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse

No, they need to be the width of the hinges plus the rounded ends. I’m not at the boat at present, but will either this afternoon or tomorrow. I’ll be glad to send you pictures. PM?

Sure, thanks!

[Spot]

Mickeyrouse, if possible, could they be posted here too please?

[Mickeyrouse]

Sure thing

[Lazy Jack 32]

My old boat came with two holes in the galley cockpit sole where posts once went but no posts and no table. The hole diameter was a weird size , but it turned out that recreational vehicle supply stores had the hardware: https://www.campingworld.com/sequoia...ble-legs-bases
My table didn't have leaves, though.

[Discovery 15797]

Another option is to get rid of the table support rod that fits into those slots and go with a stainless steel folding bracket (https://www.sugatsune.com/product/st...ing-bracket-2/).

I made the change for my cockpit table and they work wonders. Lift with one hand and snaps in place. Folds up nicely against the binnacle grab rail when not in use. I bought mine from Fisheries Supply in Seattle. (https://www.fisheriessupply.com/suga...3-ep-eb-303-ep)

[Captain Anthony]

Following, I can't wait to see the photo's. I'm going about the same project now.

[billdre]

I've been looking for a solid cockpit table. After a bunch of Edson variations I came upon this company. Lagun USA. It gets away from a center mounted table. It's just an adjustable support system attached to any vertical cockpit surface. You find your own table top. I think its a game changer. Bought it but won't install until Spring. Good luck.

[dfelsent]

I’ve got the Lagun. I’ll probably change to a different setup when I’ve the time. It is well made for sure.
The issue for me is that using the pedestal as a table support, and the Lagun on one side of the cockpit, ends up making things tight.
I’d rather a setup where the non-pedestal end of the table is supported from the middle, leaving more (I hope) leg room. I’ve had tables like that before.
I think I can rearrange the existing bits to do the job.
Of course it came with the boat and has not been a priority. As I said, it is well made.

[billdre]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

I’ve got the Lagun. I’ll probably change to a different setup when I’ve the time. It is well made for sure.
The issue for me is that using the pedestal as a table support, and the Lagun on one side of the cockpit, ends up making things tight.
I’d rather a setup where the non-pedestal end of the table is supported from the middle, leaving more (I hope) leg room. I’ve had tables like that before.
I think I can rearrange the existing bits to do the job.
Of course it came with the boat and has not been a priority. As I said, it is well made.

My reason for buying the Lagun is that the table doesn't need any other support. It frees up the space completely by letting you put the table and support away in the cabin, bring it out when needed. Only the mounting plate on the wall of the lazarette stays. No need to attach to the pedestal.

[CaptAirman]

Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse

If you’re building the table, then you can build the clamps. I did mine by boring two blocks of wood the diameter of the pedestal stand (usually 1”, but can be 7/8”), then sawed those in half vertically to make clamp halves.

Brilliant idea! I'm a lot more handy with wood than stainless. Looking forward to seeing any pictures of peoples' solutions.

I'm sure the Edson parts are of a high quality but this is a table mounting bracket not a critical piece of deck hardware. It needs to last but it certainly doesn't need to be a jazzy forged part. I'm gonna scavenge all the harware off the existing table but the sockets for the wire support to slot into are the only things that won't carry over.

The old Edson table, for as much it cost, appears to have had a veneer that has come off exposing glue on the table top. I can replace it with good marine ply half the weight and thickness, and laminate it to the point it'll be at least as strong. Epoxy and varnish and it'll be low maintenance and pretty. I'll bump this thread whenever I get done with it.