New Lab Table

[Runningwolf]

I was able to get out just before a big storm yesterday and get my new lab table. It ended really exceeding my expectations. It's 30x72 with a stainless top. Very sturdy with a back splash. The bottom shelf is adjustable and is a great place for "carboys in waiting". Having a large restaurant supply store near by, I did not have to order it. I still have room for my computer stand and rolling lab chest.

 

[Runningwolf]

One more picture

 

[ibglowin]

Sweet!

Costco carries one similar to it. What did this one set you back?

 

[Wade E]

Totally out of control there!!!! LOL

 

[Runningwolf]

It was $240.00. This company specializes in used equipment but a used SS table would have cost just as much and they were pretty beat up. The difference is the used ones are welded together and are all stainless. This one I put together in about ten minutes (easier to transport in put in my basement). The top is all reinforced with galvanized beams underneath meaning I could load it up with carboys if I wanted to. Plus I was able to adjust the bottom shelf to the height I wanted.

 

[ibglowin]

Seems like a good price for sure plus its bigger (longer) than the Costco one by 24".

Well done!

 

[Runningwolf]

Mike, I was going to build one but by the time I bought everything including the formica and all it would have probably cost me more money. Plus the time and mess it would have made.

My next project is to update my carboy table. It difinately cost me more to build than the lab table. It has colored slate on top and is really beefed up. I bought a gallon of "Glaze Coat" to put on top of it. I am planning on it being about 1/4" thick abd it'll be just like a glass top, instead of a bumpy slate top. It'll actually enhance the colors of the tile. Of course I'll post after pictures. Below is what it looks like right now.

 

[Rocky]

Very nice, Dan. I know you have a lot of secrets in making your wine that you would not divulge, but can you tell us how you use the Animal Crackers?! I am guessing they are some kind of thickening agent to give the wine more "mouth."

 

[almargita]

Ancient Chinese secret, Confucious say, man must have many, many toys & need good tables to store them on!! Animal Crackers have finning agents, Chitosan & Kiesesol as a secret ingredient & only Dan has this knowledge!!!

Al

 

[ibglowin]

How do you like your "Harbor Freight" IR temp gun?

 

[Runningwolf]

Very nice, Dan. I know you have a lot of secrets in making your wine that you would not divulge, but can you tell us how you use the Animal Crackers?! I am guessing they are some kind of thickening agent to give the wine more "mouth."

How do you like your "Harbor Freight" IR temp gun?

HUH Hawk eyes, all of you!

@ Rocky; Animal Crackers are for tastings not kids, silly Winemaker!

@ Mike; I love it. Is is accurate and dependable. You can find them on sale a lot at $39 sometimes $29 and rarely like Black Friday for $19. Especially interesting measuring different heights of your primary bucket with a brew belt on it. I don't use anything else. The outside of the carboy/pail differs by about 2* from the must.

 

[Kev]

Wow

I think some wineries would be happy with your lab.

To bring everbody back to reality for the rest of us, let me show you my Newbie set up. Kind of temporary, until I can prove I can actually make some reasonable wine, as I only started the hobby late November.

Squished into two corners of the basement, I have a WET area and a dry - aging area.

The wet area has a laundry tub and a drain in the floor in case of an accident.

The dry area may have the same wine racks as Running Wolf. I got them for $99 each and they hold 168 bottles.

My wet corner:

Storage and aging:

The main thing is, lot's of wine underway, so some of it gets to age.

We easily kill 4-5 bottles a week, so this is a good investment.

 

[Flem]

That looks really great Kev. The only thing that scares me is the skinny legs on your carboy table. I can't tell from the picture how sturdy they are. I'd hate to see you lose all that wine to a preventable accident. Good Luck!!

 

[ibglowin]

+1 on that table!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That looks scary even WITH 4 sawhorses underneath it. It only takes a failure on ONE and the whole thing can come crashing down. It HAS happened before on this forum.

 

[Runningwolf]

Good looking area Kev. I see the slim leggs but with four horses I'm thinking your ok. I bet those leggs are stonger then they look in the picture.

 

[Kev]

Table

The saw horses are metal, and pretty strong. The wood top is fairly thick as well.

It seems very solid, but thanks for the caution. Don't want to build something, until I have more experience. I would like to have more of a shelf that can go two carboys high, 2 deep and 4 wide. I have not seen anything ready made that looks strong enough.

 

[ibglowin]

You have OVER 600lbs on those tiny (1" aluminum) legs and that is not including the weight of the table top!

Are you worried now.......

 

[SarahRides]

Impressive set-up Dan! It definitely looks strong and easily cleaned! Whenever my hubby rolls his eyes at me when I add to my obsession......I like to show him pics of all the lab equipment you all have! I'm planning on finally building my new table next month once we get our tax return. I'm planning on buying a countertop and essentially building a deck on top of 6 4x4's for legs and cross beams for support. I'm finally going to get a nice big utility sink too so that I don't have to keep going up and down the stairs with the carboys and equipment every time I want to rinse something off.

 

[Runningwolf]

That sounds great Sarah. I look forward to hear how you make out and some pictures.

 

[Rocky]

Impressive set-up Dan! It definitely looks strong and easily cleaned! Whenever my hubby rolls his eyes at me when I add to my obsession......I like to show him pics of all the lab equipment you all have! I'm planning on finally building my new table next month once we get our tax return. I'm planning on buying a countertop and essentially building a deck on top of 6 4x4's for legs and cross beams for support. I'm finally going to get a nice big utility sink too so that I don't have to keep going up and down the stairs with the carboys and equipment every time I want to rinse something off.

Sounds like a good plan, Sarah. Don't forget to gusset the legs to the top and I recommend a two bowl sink. I only have a single bowl and it would be nice to have washing and draining sides.

Oh, and get a sprayer head if you can for washing and rinsing things that will not fit into the sink.