****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
In three hours today, I unboxed the table components, read the instructions, and assembled the table.I'm really impressed with the easily readable detail in the instructions and the numbering of every part number that also corresponds to the instructions. Instructions are primarily diagrams, with just a little text. A lot of text is not needed. Anyone with little to no ability to assemble something, or anyone who doesn't generally do well following instructions, will find the instructions very easy to follow. I've never seen instructions so well done and easy to follow.As for the table itself, it appears to be very well built. The engineered parts and inserts that the screws and bolts thread into were all perfectly placed and I had no trouble lining up or inserting anything. Everything but the underside of the tabletop had metal components to screw or bolt into. The underside of the tabletop had partially pre-drilled holes to attach the hinges with screws. These screwed into the wood. A few of the holes were only slightly misaligned, but I had no issues firmly attaching the hinges.I really like that the height can be adjusted. To do so, the table would have to be laid on its side so that the knobs can be unscrewed (all metal into metal!) and the legs adjusted. When assembling, I would recommend determining the height you want when first inserting the legs--it'll be easier to do at that time than waiting until the whole table is assembled, since in the early stage you'll only be dealing with a light frame vs. a fully assembled, heavy table. Fortunately, I had the forethought to do that and it made adjusting the legs much easier.The only thing needed for tools that were not provided is a Phillips screwdriver and an Allen key that's slightly larger than the provided one. That Allen key is for the last of the two bolts that go into the bottom of the table, but if you don't have one, finger tightening it will probably be fine since it's just a stopper for the swing-out support leg for the side panel. I would also recommend using a regular/better quality (thicker) open-end wrench, since the one that's provided is very thin and a little harder to position and hold in place.The instructions say to not use power tools. The main tool used for the majority of assembly is the Allen key. I don't even know if there is a power tool for that. I certainly don't have one. But when I did get to screwing in all those 48 screws into the 8 hinges with the Phillips, I manually inserted the screws halfway, and used my low-power screwdriver to screw them most of the rest of the way--I did so gently and slowly so as to not damage the hole since it's wood. It was just too much for me at that point to do all that by hand. I'm a woman in my early 70s with a bad back, so by the end of the 3 hours, I had to either take a long break and finish later or use some power! If you do use a power tool, don't use an impact wrench, since that's likely to cause damage. I screwed them in slowly and gently until nearly completely in, then hand-tightened all the screws the rest of the way.TIP #1: When you've finished installing the hinges on the tabletop and are ready to lift the frame onto the tabletop, do something like I did to make that easier and to keep the side panel support leg from swinging outward. I used velcro strips to strap both side panel legs to each adjacent support leg of the main frame (center frame). You could use anything like cording, strong tape, etc. Just something that will keep the leg in place as you invert the frame onto the tabletop which is bottom-side up on the floor. Then after you attach the tabletop, you'll also be able to turn the unit right side up without the side panels swinging outward and banging into something or damaging the hinges from force of gravity.TIP #2: After completing assembly, I noticed that I had the tabletop panels installed incorrectly. One side is metric and one is imperial. Since I was working upside down, with the printed side down, I didn't realize there were two types of measurements, so now I have metric in the middle of the imperial, and vice versa! And I can't correct it because the hinge screws are inserted into wood, and I don't think I'd get a tight fit if I removed and reinstalled them. So that's one flaw in the instructions--if they would have cautioned about that, I'd have gotten it right. So, watch for that!I've attached a few photos from the instructions, hardware, and frame parts so you can see how they are numbered and how easy it'll be to follow the instructions where each part to be installed is numbered on each page.Shipping ripped out a large chunk at the corner of the exterior cardboard box, but the table was so well packaged that there was no damage. Pic attached.I have lots of plans for this table, and really like how when it's not in use it can be folded so that it takes up very little room. I highly recommend this well designed, engineered, and constructed table!
