Hello Mrmassage,
I looked up lightweight massage tables to get an idea of how much
they typically weigh. I think it may be hard to beat 23 pounds!
However, plywood is very heavy compared to the materials I have found.
Weights were not readily available, but upon contacting companies, I'm
sure they will supply you with that information.
These lightweight tables utilize aluminum framing, and can support
Sumo wrestlers 400lbs. and more!
?Ultra Light, The lightest massage tables worldwide"
?Constructed from aircraft grade aluminum and anodized in three
complementary colors, our table legs boast the largest range of
adjustment available. Our most popular adjustable legs can be raised
or lowered a full 14 inches. Our tables also adjust easily in 1-inch
increments (the smallest on the market) allowing you to select the
height that is just right; rather than just close enough.?
?The "Select Lighter Frame" option (1/2 pound lighter) is for the
therapist needing the lightest weight table possible for light body
work on average size people.?
http://www.ultralightcorp.com/Construction/table_construction.html
Made of birch plywood and aluminum frame - Width 27" (22 lbs), 29" (23
1/4 lbs), 31" (24 1/4 lbs)
http://www.ultralightcorp.com/massage_tables/massage_tables_therapy_tables.html
This comparable table holds around 400 pounds, and is 23 pounds.
?Earthgear light weight portable massage table, the ExtremeLite, has
an aluminum frame. It provides a table that is both sturdy enough for
out-calls and light enough for any massage therapist to carry. At
under 23 pounds, it dominates other professional massage tables in its
class because it has a full-size bed. Other manufacturers may
advertise lighter weight massage tables, but those tables have as much
as 20% less table area, and a sub-standard amount of foam. Adding area
and foam adds weight. Pound for pound, you won't find a better,
stronger, lighter professional massage table anywhere. This table has
the popular modified Reiki end-plates, allowing therapists who use
seated massage modalities to get closer to the client, while
preserving the stability of the table. The Xtremelite has a Shiatsu
release for those modalities. As if that weren't enough, it comes with
a lifetime warranty on the frame, and rounded corners to preserve the
life of the vinyl. Finally, like all Earthgear tables, the Xtremelite
comes with Earthgear's Total Satisfaction Guarantee. This table is
rated at 400 lbs working weight and 1600 lbs static weight.?
http://www.massageking.com/categories/Massage-Tables/13/1
Wood
======
Sitka Spruce is a very strong, but lightweight wood. This page lists
the weight of some woods.
http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_wood.htm
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Calculating_the_weight_of_lumber.html
Eastern White Pine
http://www.lewislp.com/woodchar.htm
Carbon Fiber
============
Carbon fiber is reported to be lighter than aluminum and stronger than
steel. Framing and legs could be made from carbon fiber.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/rf.htm
About Carbon Fiber
http://www.midwestproducts.com/carbonfiber.htm
?To increase the negative moment capacity of the deck over the pile
caps, workers embedded Xinch-diameter pultruded carbonfiber rods into
slots saw-cut into the deck (Figure 2). Containing
65% carbon fiber and 35% epoxy, the carbon fiber rods have a tensile
strength of 240 ksi?six times that of the existing reinforcing steel.
The 10-foot-long rods were placed into 5/8-inch-wide, 7/8-inch-deep
longitudinal grooves saw-cut into the deck on 4-inch centers.?
http://www.nfesc.navy.mil/shore/files/7838sp.pdf
?As golf shafts made of Carbon Fibers (carbon shafts) are far lighter
than those made of metal, the swing speed with a given power becomes
higher with carbon shafts than with metal shafts.?
http://www.carbonfiber.gr.jp/english/tanso/use02.html
?Carbon Fibers are used also for high-speed railway trains.?
http://www.carbonfiber.gr.jp/english/tanso/use04.html
Weights of various sizes of carbon fiber
http://www.midwestproducts.com/CarbonFiberCatalogWeb-2.pdf
Aluminum
========
?Rectangular & Square Table Tops:
All top panels, cross bracing and end caps are high strength alloy
6063-T6 extruded aluminum smooth finish. Top surface is .080" with
integral stiffener ribs; end caps are heavy gauge and have a high
impact cast corner protective insert which will take abuse from
frequent set up and take down. Table top will not crack or warp after
extended usage or exposure to heat, moisture or sunlight. Table will
have permanent scratch resistant stacking bumpers attached underneath
the top to prevent damage when stacking. The table top will support up
to 1,800 lbs. of distributed weight. Table will withstand a drop
squarely on its edge/corner from a height of 84" at any temperature
with no splitting apart, cracking, or creating sharp corners. Table
will not emit toxic fumes, gases or smoke in high temperatures related
with a fire (passes California Fire Code 133).?
http://www.tablesnchairs.com/SoAlum/foldingtables.htm
Magnesium
==========
What are the physical properties of magnesium?
? Conductivity (Electrical): 0.226 106/cm
? Conductivity (Thermal): 1.56W/mK @27°C (80°F)
? Melting Point: 922K-649°C-1200°F
? Boiling Point: 1363K-1090°C-1994°F
? Specific Heat: 1.025kJ/Kg.K @ 20°C (68°F)
? Vapor Pressure: 360 Pa @ 649°C
? Optical Reflectivity: 74%
? Coefficient of lineal thermal expansion: 0.0000271 cm/cm/°C (0°C)
Q. Magnesium vs Competing Materials?
Vs. Aluminum:
? 33% Lighter
? Superior Machining
? Greater Die Life
? Large thin-walled near net shape casting
? Similar or greater mechanical properties
? Greater general corrosion resistance
http://www.meridian-mag.com/magnesium/#q09
Resins
=======
Feather Light casting resin ?Feather Lite? is a new heavily filled
low-density urethane casting resin. As the name implies, castings are
lighter than conventional urethane resins (it will float in water) and
can be used for a variety of applications. Cured plastic is strong and
can be carved, machined, drilled, sanded, etc. Feather Lite? can be
pigmented with SO Strong? color tints prior to casting and finished
castings can be painted.?
http://www.smooth-on.com/Update%208-02/Feather%20Lite.htm
http://www.alumilite.com/applications.cfm?Action=view&ID=1
Blow Molded plastics
====================
Have you seen those molded plastic buffet tables seen in many large
hardware stores? They are very strong, and lightweight.
?For light weight, easy handling, and use where top will be exposed to
Foods, Crayons, Markers, Paints, Chemicals, and other Stains.
Light weight, waterproof, and virtually indestructible onepiece
Blow-Molded Plastic Top, resists damage even from Gasoline, Paint
Remover, Battery Acid, and Drain Cleaner.
Paint and Permanent Marker can be removed without damage?
http://www.correllinc.com/plastic.html
http://engineershandbook.com/MfgMethods/blowmolding.htm
?? Color - "Grey Textured" Top / Dark Grey Leg
? Round Tables will hold a maximum of 2,000 pounds evenly distributed
/ Rectangular Tables will hold a maximum of 1,500 pounds evenly
distributed?
http://www.tablesnchairs.com/NPS/PLASTIC_TABLES.htm
Extren
?EXTREN® is a proprietary combination of fiberglass reinforcements and
thermosetting polyester or vinyl ester resin systems. It is produced
in more than 100 standard shapes with all shapes having a surface veil
to protect against glass fibers penetrating the resin surface in
service and to increase corrosion and UV resistance.?
Product Features
? Very Lightweight ? High Strength
? Low Conductivity ? Easy Fabrication
? Impact Resistant ? Dimensional Stability
? Low Maintenance ? Non-Magnetic
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/structuralshapes/sheetplate/
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/structuralshapes/sheetplate/productDetails.html
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/structuralshapes/resources/extren-products.pdf
Other plastics
==============
http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/BFI/lessons/polymers/polymers.html
http://lifecycle.plasticsresource.com/step5.html
http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=2523#_Sources_of_Plastics
http://www.craftechind.com/material.htm
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=1378
I hope this has given you some ideas for your tables. Good Luck!
If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, and allow me to respond, before you rate. I will be
happy to assist your further on this question, before you rate, if
possible.
Regards, Crabcakes
Search Terms
============
Lighter than aluminum
Lighter than plywood
Lightweight massage tables
Blown plastic table tops
resin strong lightweight
light + strong + plastics
lightweight + wood + strong |
