I just bought Joe Lefler's large pro table. I want to make a decorative cover. Not a transport cover, but performance cover to give the table a little more personality during the show. I'm thinking through materials and design ideas. I'm wondering about the open back. Do you think I should design the cover with material to close off the back? I'm thinking of situations where I might be surrounded and people would be peering at my stuff, or for those after show moments when children like to come and get into things they shouldn't. I'm trying to balance the need for privacy, with the need for quick access in an already dark spot. Any experience with this or thoughts?

Interesting idea. I have a backdrop so that does a good job of keeping prying eyes from peering into my Lefler table. I had a sign made to velcro onto the front as a decoration.

Its not a bad idea, have the back split so you can reach in when need be.

I had a Lefler table until recently...probably would have kept it if I could have found a nice cover for it.

Link a bit old but here goes.

Went to fabric store with same case you have.

When I said case was used for me to do magic 3 ladies
showed up to help the poor “guy” in the fabric store, me.

It is a stretch type of fabric that looks like velvet.

It is bolt width in one direction, and longer in the other.
This allows it to be used in two ways.

1. With narrow width hanging down until fabric just touches floor
allow the automatic folding of fabric you see in pic, the back is
open to get props. Sides of case are covered.

2. With narrow width hanging side to side, fabric still touches floor
so front looks same but back of case is now covered too. (Sides are not
that long but still look good. No one can see inside.

I have various colors. Some covers with velcro sewn in to hold them in place.
Others with no velco and I use clips from staples to hold.

Put some velcro on some small battery powered florescent
lamps for light and stick inside, easy to move around as needed.

Some velcro strips stuck on side to pull off and used to "route"
audio cables, video cables and power as needed.

Power strip taken out of case when I arrive and velcro on power strip
holds in on back of case toward bottom.

Even have two velcro'ed wooden dowels to hold glasses and
"towel holder" from cooking store to hold silks. In back.

Click here to view attached image.

Any good seemstress, especially one with upholstery experience can fix you up with a cover that will still give you good access to the back, plus look nice on the front. Quick and easy on and off. I had such made for a similar table and it worked great. As for fabrics, go to a fabric store and look around, you will find all types of finishes, colors, and textures. Also check on how it should be cleaned (you might find that necessary some times). Upholstery fabrics tend to be thicker and wear better, but sometimes aren't smooth, unless you plan to put a close-up pad on top. I used iron cloth. Heavy cloth, tight weave, wore like iron, but you have to be careful about keeping it pressed. Wrinkled pretty easy. There is no reason why the fronts and sides can't be of one fabric and the top of another, provided they can all be cleaned by the same method.

Tony,

I think that Tim Sonefelt makes custom table/case covers. He also carries the Lefler tables so he'll be able to make it fit perfectly.

http://www.wonderimagery.com

Sincerely,
David

Brings up an idea I've wondered about: is there anyone (company, person, cottage-industry outfit) who ONLY does tables?? :/

I make only magic tables. But I don't sell them... I just don't have the shope space to make multiples.

Here's a look at some things I've made:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......4347.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......4349.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......4355.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......e039.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......-Top.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......le_2.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......-17c.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......form.jpg

Chad can you post your plans ?

Here ya are:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......4361.jpg

Enjoy!

Here's a few pics of the first magicians table I made. I use it for birthday parties only. I built it before I had heard of Lefler tables.

My motivation for this table was to be able to pack my entire show in it & to have a "light and heavy" effect that needed no set-up.

Yes it's a bit large to be luggin' around, but I can enter into a house in one trip and do my "no-bunny" show with no set-up or take down time. Plus, everything resets instantly in this table.

So, there are some positive trade-offs for its bulk.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......1671.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......1673.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193......1672.jpg

Nice job Chad. I especially like how the first table you posted folds down completely. The space allowing your top to be stored against the front prior to the sides folding in is genious. I also like the pic of your plans - ha! A real craftsman. Thanks for the pictures...

Chad has some great looking tables for close up!