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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The side walk shuffle » » Busking Table (2 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Leo H
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What are the options these days for a good busking table? I like the design of the School for Scoundrels table. Any suppliers out there?

Thanks!!!
gaddy
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Are you referring to a tray-jack style table? You buy those at restaurant supply stores.

Keyboard stands are also of the same style and are usually adjustable and made of lightweight metal.

As for the tabletop, I suggest you make your own out of plywood with some decorative moulding, glued & screwed, around the edges.

Use a close-up mat or other soft surface like a carpet square insert, with a very short pile (the sort you see in industrial areas) You can buy small samples of this carpeting for next to nothing.

Make the insert as inexpensive as possible (while still being useful & not looking cheap) so it can be changed out periodically as the sun inevitably degrades it.

Gazzo talks about his table on his street cups DVD, as does Kozmo & Cellini on theirs.

I know that there are some people manufacturing "busking tables" out there (and charging several hundreds of dollars for them!), but tables are such an individual thing, and your needs are never going to be 100% met by someone else's cable design.

It really is best to make your own.

I hope this is the kind of info that you are looking for!
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
Leo H
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Thanks Gaddy! I don't have the time and the tools to build my own table. Do you have links to the builders?
gaddy
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Off hand, the only one I can think of is Rolando Medina.
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
imgic
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Moved back to Midwest to see
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Look for a laptop stand like this one on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Laptop-Projec......4&sr=8-6

Then Harbor Freight has an aluminum case that fits perfectly on it. Then if you want you can take off the tray and drill a few holes into case and attach it to the stand.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
Leo H
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Medina is pretty good but right now he's sold out. Down the road he might work. I'll check out that laptop stand! Thanks!
markmagic
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Kristian Charles makes a great one
Xcath1
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The laptop stand listed is really quite good. Pats Mats will make a closeup pad to fit any size table.
Leo H
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Quote:
On Jun 12, 2023, markmagic wrote:
Kristian Charles makes a great one


Oh they're nice!
nnylfmit
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Tim Flynn has some Great Busking tables in stock.
That's me! You can look me up on facebook if you like where I have multiple pictures.
I went to a Gazzo two day seminar back in 05. I made my tables after his design.
I have sold about a hundred world wide.
They are 21X36 outside dimensions.
I have a couple that are about 21X27.
I do not make nor sell a stand. I recommend a keyboard stand.
Hit em straight and long!
JohnChaos13
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Jimmy Talksalot just put out a video that talks about the type of rig that he uses for show. Hopefully this will be able to help you out.

https://youtu.be/xHGytFmp8ls
markmagic
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Leo, Kristian Charles is a busker and makes a great table. He’s on Facebook
imgic
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My kit is an old metal suitcase I found on Craigslist ($10) on a tray jack/stand ($5). Case measures 26" x 14" x 8"

I took some scrap hardboard to make a show sign and felt mat. The sign is hand painted with acrylics. For the mat, I got felt sheets ($3) from WalMart and glued two layers of felt. Both pad and sign and fit inside the lid of the suitcase or attached to outside of case.

Originally I used magnets for sign and pad, but they didn't always hold and with the mat on top of case, it caused issues when I did chop cup. So I now us velcro. Better hold.

Recently picked up a folding dolly to make it easier to transport everything if I have to go any distance ($20 at Harbor Freight)

Photos of the whole kit are at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/198489442@......08976807
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
davidpaul$
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Quote:
On Jun 11, 2023, imgic wrote:
Look for a laptop stand like this one on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Laptop-Projec......4&sr=8-6

Then Harbor Freight has an aluminum case that fits perfectly on it. Then if you want you can take off the tray and drill a few holes into case and attach it to the stand.

Smile

I have this stand available for sale. Never used.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
ed rhodes
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Rhode Island
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Quote:
On Jun 11, 2023, imgic wrote:
Look for a laptop stand like this one on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Laptop-Projec......4&sr=8-6

Then Harbor Freight has an aluminum case that fits perfectly on it. Then if you want you can take off the tray and drill a few holes into case and attach it to the stand.


My wife bought me that!

https://imgur.com/YXUYjvI

It's awesome. I'd been using folding tables from Walmart, which were too low. This I like, a lot!
Smile
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
Zack
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I just bought the Pyle laptop stand. It's a great table. Problem is, the tabletop doesn't disconnect from the bar. You can fold it down, but you can't tear it apart at stick it into a bag. How do you carry the thing to the pitch?
gocall911
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Salem, VA
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I made my small busking table from a cigar box with felt and a pad on top. And the for the base a tri-pod folding camera/certain stand. Works great. Cigar box can hold most of my act that isn’t in my pockets and keeps things minimal.
"Use your head." ~Dai Vernon~
gaddy
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I just made a new one. My old one lasted about 15 years, and I wanted one that was bigger and lighter (I over-built my last one... Basically bulletproof, but way too heavy to lug around all the time)

I'd share pix, but this is the Magic Cafe and y'know...
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
markmagic
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Just get out there, you’ll come up with something suitable after trying it a few times.
gocall911
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I developed a street table from a cigar box and a tripod for a photography curtain. Been using for a few months super light, some storage, and versatile. Considering building them to order.
"Use your head." ~Dai Vernon~
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