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  • 1.  Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-07-2025 13:35

    Hi Everyone,

    We are looking for a large worktable with easy height adjustment and casters. Preferably the height adjustment would be pneumatic. It cannot be electric. This criteria has been the difficult one to find. A colleague has previous experience with the Knoll Interaction Counterforce table but unfortunately Knoll no longer makes these. I would appreciate any recommendations!



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    Ashley Kowalski
    Curator of Collections
    National Cowgirl Museum
    Fort Worth, TX
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  • 2.  RE: Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-08-2025 12:03
    Hi Ashley,

    Phoenix Workstations in Lowell, MA, can build you exactly what you need. https://www.phoenixbenchline.com/px/products.shtml 
    Their Ergonomic Series 400 bench raises and lowers via a pneumatic crank. You can specify the size and bench top material you prefer. I like a grey laminate surface and a table with square edges, allowing several tables to be abutted for a larger, continuous surface.

    Several years ago, while I was at the Art Institute of Chicago, they made us several tables for the Textiles Conservation lab. They may have records of our design that you can use as a starting point.

    Kathleen Kiefer, Conservator

    Material Culture Conservation
    Klein, TX








  • 3.  RE: Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-08-2025 12:03

    Hi Ashley,

    Formaspace in Austin offers a hand-cranked option for adjustable height, and an excellent variety of tabletop materials. Be wary of the optional drawers, though--ours ripped out of the tabletop during shipping.

    Basix - Mobile American Made Workbench | Formaspace

    Best,

    Ingrid



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    Ingrid Seyb
    Objects Conservator
    New Orleans Museum of Art
    New Orleans
    United States
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  • 4.  RE: Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-09-2025 10:41

    Hi Ashley,

    I'll also toss in a plug for Production Basics workbenches. I've worked with them across multiple labs and love their functionality. They offer several standard sizes, featuring casters and hand-crank height adjustment, and can also produce custom sizes. They are sturdy yet quick and easy to move, allowing them to adapt to different needs. When we priced out multiple vendors, they were also cheaper than other options.

    One small caveat: if you do order from PB, you need to firmly reiterate what you want. They sent us the wrong color tables when we ordered some last year. Not a huge deal, but still frustrating...

    Good luck!



    ------------------------------
    Roger Williams
    Head of Libraries Conservation
    Brown University Library
    Providence
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-11-2025 14:53
    There was a discussion of work and processing tables in July and August 2023. You use the search for "tables"  My recommendations are still current. Let me know if you have questions. Best, Michele Pacifico



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Worktable for collections

    Posted 09-11-2025 14:53

    Hi Ashley,

    I bought a couple of tables from RDM Industrial Products. https://www.rdm-ind.com/product-category/industrial-work-tables/adjustable-height-tables/.

    My contact is Michele Gomez and currently working with them on two more tables. They will customize for you too and bonus they are in Texas, so close to you!

    Best,
    Dawn



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    Dawn Jaros, MA
    Associate Director, Library Conservation
    AMPAS, Margaret Herrick Library
    Beverly Hills, CA
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