Portable Massage Table
Construction Plans
Last modified on Monday, January 24, 2000
Last modified on Monday, January 24, 2000
Introduction: As an old engineer, computer nerd, woodworker, Shiatsu Master and new Reiki Master, I had wanted a portable massage table since seeing my first in the early seventies. It had to be friendly and light enough that I can handle it with my arthritis and bad leg, easily adjustable in height so my students could use it, yet solid enough to work on people up to 400 pounds. It also had to be inexpensive as this is my hobby and I have limited funds with a growing family. A friend let me use his old table (pictured above) giving me plenty of time to find my own. I fell in love with that particular table, but in two years of searching was unable to find a used one at a price of $200 or less. I decided to build one myself. Finding no plans anywhere I drew up my own borrowing the best features from that table and a few others that had no patents or copyrights. In 1997 I shared my efforts on this Internet site. The above pictured commercial table costs about $600, but my design can be built by someone with lots of time, good woodworking skills and a full set of tools for about $250. The numbers of responses and positive suggestions have been incredible. I thank everyone who has shared!
Unfortunately, as has been the case with the rest of my dealings with the firm I modeled this table after, I have recently found that they "forgot" to include in their literature the fact that they are using someone else's patent. Having just been advised that I was showing how to build a table using that patented design and believing in the intellectual rights of the owner, I have chosen to take this site down. I have asked the owner of that patent if he would be willing to directly deal with individuals who would be willing to pay him his royalty fee for a copy of his plans. He has to discuss this with his attorneys and see if it would infringe on the many makers of massage tables who are supposed to be paying him for the use of his design. As soon as he gets back to me with a decision, I will share that decision with you on this site.
Alternatives: Sadly, not very many people have the skills, tools, time, patience, or the money to build such a nice table. Here are three alternatives that people keep suggesting:
1. Buy one from me: Many have asked if I would be willing to build them a table. My answer has been consistently no. The problem is my plate is already far too full with my family, teaching, job as a computer analyst, and the complication of having a bad leg. Although I can force my limits, if I spend more than about an hour standing or walking I pay a price in terms of pain and lost sleep. This limits me to minimal time working on a table during each day resulting in it taking me an unacceptable amount of time to build a table.
2. Build a Less Expensive Table: Many have also asked for my help in coming up with a less expensive solution. To help them out, I have added another page showing you how to quickly make a nice massage table from an inexpensive folding table for about $80 (US). Click here for more details.
3. Buy a Commercial Table: I suggest considerable care in buying a commercial table as I had a terrible experience. I bought a table from Creative Touch Massage Tables who sells the "Oval" that inspired my design. I had been doing a little work here and there on my own table when suddenly my loaner had to leave when my friend moved out of the area. With a commitment to teach a class I had to have a table right then. Based upon my good experience with a superior table made years prior by that firm, Marty Booth, their current owner, had no trouble selling me a new "lifetime" table at almost double what any other major brand table would cost. He had even less difficulty enlisting my aid for free then later hiring me to build his firm an Internet web page.
Sadly I lost all the way around. My "lifetime" massage table has so many cost cuts it may only last a few of years. The worst is having been made with lightweight foam requiring new upholstery and foam every few years. The fine print in the "Lifetime" warranty only covers foam for two years. Working with them was even less satisfactory as he reneged on paying me, stole my efforts, and tired to intimidate me to go away. I took him to court. While waiting for our hearing my family and I were harassed with telephone calls, so I filed a complaint with the police. The harassment stopped immediately. In spite of his court "performance", I won and was paid. Since sharing my discomfort I have been harassed, threatened, and scolded by friends and loyal customers of that firm. I have also heard from many healers and parts suppliers who also were hurt by this man. The police report, results of our court case, and the quality of that table stand for themselves. I choose to move on and will not respond to those trying to either defend or prosecute this firm. Instead, what I have done is go to a huge amount of work for those of you who want to just build your own table of real quality for a fraction of the cost.
I hope this site is of value to you. Thanks for visiting.
Bill
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