I'm going to build a grooming table

[Thule's Mom]

My plan is:

Purchase the folding legs; and,

2 pieces of 5/8" plywood (24 x 48); one for the platform and 1 for the ramp

1 piano hinge; to attach the ramp

rubber matting; for the platform

carpeting; for the ramp

What am I missing? I've ordered the arm and the noose accessories from the Pet Supply house.

Deb

 

[Murphy]

You go girlfriend !!! :groovy:

 

[lacey9875]

Pictures of it when you are done. I am so tired of wrestling with Maggie on the ground when I'm trying to brush her yak butt.

 

[SheilaT]

I think you've got it covered! I built my own table, too. But I made my stand out of PVC. My table stays outside, so I've had to replace the plywood once, but next time I will buy pressure treated wood so it will last longer. Also, I have no ramp but I have a set of styrofoam steps for the guys that don't want to jump up the 20 inches to the table.

 

[Thule's Mom]

I think the table will be 29inches so I'll need the ramp, and it will be an inside table, hopefully it won't be so heavy that I can't move it outside if I want. Going to pick up the materials this weekend... I got the idea from Cindy Savory's facebook pics... her husband made the most gorgeous one out of stainless steel... very handy man to have around!

 

[Angela]

I got one made and the guy cut the legs down to 24" which I find manageable, they jump up, I help them down.
The stainless steel ones would be awfully heavy. He had made a stainless steel cart that was auctioned off at the Cdn National last month, very nice, but very heavy.

 

[twright1231]

Would love to see the pics when you are finished.

 

[Thule's Mom]

24 inches would be good, but with Thule's knees.... better to go with the ramp, I think. I'm anxious to get started!

 

[pecanpiepatti]

We did the same thing ... ours didn't last long once they figured out they could put two front paws on the short end, make it rock, and it gave way. Make sure you have the plywood top attached to the folding legs with a gazillion screws.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

A four foot ramp on a 29 inch high table will likely be too steep. YOu can get around that by either shortening the legs (easy if they are round tubing, but those legs are hard to find). If square tubing, then it's more difficult. Also, the legs used to be long in the bottom span, and you could cut that down, but now the bottom span is always short and the length is above....What I would suggest is having something for the bottom of the ramp to sit up on, about the height of a regular stair step, to cut the angle. I still have my original grooming table that I made back in the 80's...outside, and my newer one inside. Both are cut to 24 and I get the dog to put front paws up and lift the butt up if they don't like to jump up on it without help. I ALWAYS help them down.
Also, I don't know how heavy Thule is, but you might want to consider 3/4 plywood, and make SURE that the grain is lengthways, it's not strong enough the other way.

 

[Thule's Mom]

The legs I'm buying are the ones for the folding tables, you know, the ones that lock, so I don't know how they could be cut down. I was going to buy one full sheet of plywood, they're 4 feet wide so I'd get it cut strait down the middle - I'll check first, but that should be with the grain. I just checked the angle; appears to be about 45 degrees.... I could go with 4 1/2 feet; I'd be afraid 5 feet would sag too much. What do you think? Maybe the 3/4 plywood wouldn't sag too much?

for fastening, I was going to use flat top bolts through the platform secured with nuts at the bottom. I thought that may be a bit more secure than screws, but I don't know if the legs will accept that... I have to check.

and, the other thing is, well, I'm six feet tall and 24 inches would be way too short for me.... not much better than having to get down on the floor with her and try and groom her that way. I wanted something where I could stand, or at least use a chair without having to bend or kneel too much.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

The 'grain" on plywood is the long way...so make sure that the table is built with the grain..that's how it's strongest. You can probably even get the lumber yard to do the cutting for you...they are pretty good about that. Just tell them you need a piece such and such cut WITH the grain. Yes, I also used the folding legs, but seems I can only find the square tubing ones now...old table is the round ones. Keep in mind that even though you are tall...you have to remember the height of the dog in this. I often sit on a chair when grooming the underside of the dog, and some of my dogs will actually lay down on the grooming table to have their tummy done...which I love. My table is against a wall in the house, so they have the security of the wall behind them. It takes a while to "learn" the grooming table if they don't start young and you have to be careful with the noose because if they leap, they are taking the table with them, and it's very scary for them.
To make carriage head bolts work through the top, you will have to have a bit of an indent for them or they will bump up under the matting. Mine is just screwed on from the bottom...and I check them periodically to make sure they are tight. (Much simpler because you don't have to figure out where to drill the bolt holes...you just set the legs up on the table upside down and screw them in YOu can use a 3/4 inch screw and it won't come through. The other advantage to thicker wood...longer screws. ON the last table, I found 29 too high, so had the legs shortened, and if you find you need that, it can be done after.

on 3/4 plywood, five feet should not sag too much - it's pretty strong. But if it does, you could always put something to reinforce it. As to whether it's too steep...I always think...would I walk up that slope myself easily? MY young dogs would probably do 45 degrees for a cookie, but the older ones, or ones that are not used to it, would not. Coming down, however, yea, I think they would, but I don't have room for that much length in my dog room....

 

[Pipelineozzy]

Hubby says you can get tapered head bolts...which I have never seen...but you will still have some fun figuring out where to put them as bolts need holes drilled for them...screws are much easier.

 

[Thule's Mom]

I'm thinking I may have to keep the ramp separate - not attached; concerned tho about it slipping. Any ideas?

One idea I had was 'eye and hook' set up; one one on each side of the ramp. The hook on the ramp, and hook it into an eye on the table - you know, protruding out from the side of the platform?

 

[Pipelineozzy]

That could be made to work ...a hook and eye system... just make sure that you test it first really well

I would probably do a drop pin type thing...with eyes on the table at the end and drop pins on the ramp...but I have access to a LOT of tools etc being on the farm and can weld a bit so can make stuff like that.......and that opens things up as far as possibilities. It would be nice to have the ramp separate, so that you can also work from that end of the table once the dog is up, just by removing the ramp.

 

[Thule's Mom]

Good idea... I have access to tools, but not welding, but I may be able to come up with something...like drop pins.. Home Depot has alot of hardware. Thanks for the ideas! Main thing is I guess for it not to be shakey.

I could cut down the angle of the 4' ramp by putting it on a 6" step at the bottom, which I might try since a 5' ramp is long. I could use piece a 6" x 6" post. Thule would just have to step up 6" to the bottom of the ramp.

 

[Ginny]

The ramp sounds a bit unwieldy to me. Thule would have to turn around to exit and some aren't comfortable enough on the table to be turning. Many dogs don't do well with ramps. Mine is 24" and for those that won't jump up on it, I get them to put their front paws on and then I lift the back end. I, too, help them off by supporting their weight under the chest and at the back end. You can easily sit and groom if you're tall. Good luck. Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Thule's Mom]

I'd really like a ramp tho.... I don't really want her jumping up or down 2 feet with her knees - she did have double TPLO last year. I could turn her around from a siting position, I think.

This is the link to the only legs I can get, and I don't see how I could cut these down;

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/Furniture/TablesChairs/PRD~0463004P/Folding%252BTable%252BLegs.jsp?locale=en

but.. take a look at this Table, it has telescopic legs, I wonder how sturdy it is?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...pic%2BTable%2BGracious%2BLiving.jsp?locale=en

Even if the top wasn't any good, and the legs were, I could always put the legs on another top.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I have found ramps not to work, also. My Sophie can't jump on the table due to ortho issues, but she will put her front up and I just hoist the back.
Ginny is right about turning, also. It took me awhile to figure out that the reason Gabriel wouldn't turn around on the table is because he can't see his feet and the actual table surface, so wasn't sure where he was stepping......
It took a long time and MANY grooms for him to get comfortable enough to let me guide him through a turn on the table.....

 

[Thule's Mom]

I've checked on line... if I were to buy a table, I can't see one under 30" high. I understand about the turning around on a 24" table; that is rather narrow; what about a wider table?