Detaching the table tops is a three man job. Or a two-very-strong men job. It is *totally possible* to remove one segment from either end in the manner you describe. However, you cannot remove the inner segments without first disassembling the frames of the outer ends because the table tops are too tightly nested in there along the aprons (you’d also have to unscrew the metal strips joining segments from the under side). If you had a short table (4 to 8 feet long), the method you describe is probably easiest if you didn’t have jacks. In fact, were it that short, once you’d removed the table tops, you wouldn’t even need to turn the frame upside down because you could manually lift the legs and set the bolts on the leg extensions with just two people.

Another matter which is peculiar to my shop (and may similarly apply to others) is that my floor is not even. It dips significantly in spots. So, I need to level the whole 20 foot length of it while it is located in position. As such, I cannot raise the table height *and* level it by turning it over on one side -assuming I could flip the whole 20 foot table length without bending the frame somewhere; I’d need one man per 4ft section. This is important if people have one of those spreaders; the wheels will get caught if the apron segments are disjointed due to floor dips meaning that as one runs the spreader along, tension from jerking (coming to a screeching halt) will be applied on the fabric ply, stretching the goods.

Perhaps I should explain how these tables should be set up properly. The order of table segment construction depends on your workplace constraints. You can either start at one end and build on to that, or you can calculate placement of the center segment and build off of both ends. If you have several helpers, starting with the middle is fastest because you have enough bodies to work on both sides of the center at the same time. Starting from one end means people are getting in the way of each other or are waiting around to have something to do -like moving in those 125lb table tops. I will go with the center method.

You construct the middle table section first, leveling it and setting table height with the leg extensions (table leg “foot”). You have to install the table top before you can level it because owing to the weight of it and possible wonky frames (or not being perfectly square), the frame needs to be settled. Once you’ve constructed the middle frame and installed the table top, have raised and leveled it, then you can add frame sections off to either side of the middle one.

Then you add frame segments to the middle section, guesstimating table height and crudely leveling it however you have to. Set the bolts on the legs to estimated height but don’t tighten them. Then lay in the table top. At this point you can level the table top, aligned to the previous section. At this point, two people can lift a corner of each end with another person tightening the leg bolt to attain the desired position. This really is a three man job. You can use two but it’s harder. Anyway, rinse, lather and repeat until the table is done.

Even doing it like this, you would ideally have jacks because it’s better to lift the segments from below (rather than by using strength to pull up on a corner) and let the leg feet (extenders) fall to rest level. Doing it in sections also means you really only need two jacks at most and one (or two) shorter piece(s) of lumber since it only needs to span four feet and change to raise the lower cross beams.

The next time I have to move, I will photograph this process so people can see what I mean. Moving tables is such a hassle. And then you get all of these invisible tiny metal cuts that make your hands hurt for days. That’s why it’s worth getting a pair of mechanics gloves. My son took mine and got teen-age boy cooties all over them so I need another pair. I am still annoyed about that.

The Vornado fans would definitely help where a swamp cooler is used.

The full spectrum bulbs come in incandescent and flourescent styles. I’m sure the clamp on lights would work with them. Again, do your homework on line before purchasing bulbs because on type (not halogen) runs hotter than the other kind. You can see much better with them. Even black threads are easily seen. The real difference in the room lighting came when I purchased the uplights to illuminate the whole room. How much different? Probably the difference between using cheap diet margarine and a good creamy whole butter.

Or you can substitute a teeter-totter arrangement of your 2x and a fulcrum — just like a little kid at the playground can hold an adult up on the teeter totter if they’ve got a long enough lever, you can raise the table an inch or so at a time and crib it. You’ll need two people for that, though. And watch the grain direction in the 2x.

Don’t try to lift as you drew… the table will teeter on the 2x and be really unstable.

Lifting:
I worked on a farm with a man who was very nice and all, but when he had to lift something hard he turned into the Hulk, he would yell “do it, do it” and lift crazy things – really crazy. I tried to do what he did a couple times, but that was a bad idea – jacks are best, and if your worried about the price check out Harbor Freight, very cheap and you get what you pay for but they do the immediate job.

Air Conditioner:
I live in New England now, but I grew up in Arizona. We did the swamp cooler thing, WOW they work very well in the dry heat, but they sure don’t work in the humid weather, so now I go without. BTW, your right, when its bone dry heat and you walk into a mall its like eating ice cream too fast but all over.

Sales person:
I have had many encounters with industrial sales people both professionally (the company I work for) and paraprofessional (my own company). Two different experiences: professionally, they treat me with kid gloves, the company I work for has been around for 200 years, paraprofessional: they ask me all the questions. Recently, I actually started answering them; you know what?… I was their cats meow and they sent me free samples! and advice! and encouragement! – who would of figured? They are finicky, but when in Rome…..