Bond Machine Knitting -Tables and Extensions

From: bahrens@pacbell.net

>Hi Guys,
>I have been debating for months since the intial purchase of my knitting
>machine on what do do for a table for it...I looked in catalogs...posted
>questions to the list...And got a lot of great ideas...Here is my
>solution...I have a sewing room...With a 6 foot long cutting table...I
>can't attach my knitting machine to that as the clamps won't fit around
>the side rails...It's an old office conference table with a thick metal
>frame....It will work on my desk but only with one extension and I have
>more than that...My ironing board is too short too...I don't really want
>to add another peice of furnature to that room...It's crowded enough...I
>got two table top ironing board at walmart that messured 32 1/2 inches
>each....I took two hasps and attached them to the bottom of the flat end
>of each ironing board.....I put a small nut and bolt in the
>hole...Turned it over and guess what...A new knitting machine table that
>will fit on my cutting table....my desk...any where...and it only cost
>about $22.00.....It messures just over 65 inches and will fit all my
>extensions...And the best part is I did it my self...Hope this gives
>other ideas too...Gina
>

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Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 15:17:29 -0500
From: Laura_Magee@cabot-corp.com
Subject: [BOND] Extending the ISM bed

As a new member of this group, I must say that I have really enjoyed all of
the messages everyone sends.  I don't know anyone locally that knits like I
do, either by hand or machine.  Some of the comments and suggestions have
been good ones!

Over the weekend, I purchased a second ISM at a nearby store that had them
on clearance.  I got a really good deal and am excited about being able to
double the bed I currently have.  I love to make afghans and hate having to
make strips.

I know that this has been done before because I have heard about others
doing it.  I was wondering if anyone has any "tips and tricks" to combining
the two beds.

I was concerned about what I was going to do for a table for my "expanded"
machine, but the suggestion for using ironing boards is a good one.
Currently I am using a table that I purchased on clearance that has worked
very well.  It is a drafting table--the kind that the table itself lifts up
on one side so you can adjust the angle.  Of course, I don't angle it in
this way, but it has a nice edge for the ISM to attach to.  It also has a
recessed area beneath the table top that the ISM and supplies stores very
nicely in--the machine itself is rarely stored, but supplies are kept
neatly away from my children in the table.

I look forward to any suggestions anyone may have for me to attach the two
machines together.  It is really nice to know there are so many others that
share my excitement over creating beautiful things on the knitting machine.

Laura Magee, Tuscola, Illinois
Laura_Magee@Cabot-Corp.com

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Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 16:46:07 -0400
From: Cassandra Rosser (clrosser@umich.edu)
Subject: Re: [BOND] Extending the ISM bed

Hi, Laura

Check out http://www.southern.edu/~williams/machinek.html and under two
machines?, there are instructions on how to take apart the bond and add on
to it.

Cassandra
clrosser@umich.edu
Ann Arbor, MI

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Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 19:56:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Midi73@aol.com
Subject: Re: [BOND] Knitting machine table solutions

I too, needed a table for my bond ISM.
  I went to Eagle hardware and purchased a shelf board (finished on both
sides) It is 12" wide x 60" long. 
 Then I purchased a set of folding legs for it.
  I put them together, and put a T board under the middle for support.  I can
remove the T anytime, and also fold the table.  Works great, and cost me
about $24.00 all together. (The shelf board was on sale that day, but they
are not expensive). I don't have any nifty storage, but under the table sets
my plastic rubbermaid boxes with yarn, etc.  And on the wall above I put up 4
shelves.  
     I don't like chasing yarn either, so I took some empty coffee cans, and
cut a round hole in the top of each plastic lid, and put my ball (or if I'm
lazy, just the way it comes from the store)  in the can and string the yarn
through the hole.  VOILA!  No yarn rolling around under my feet.  If you have
more than one color, just use more cans.  Works for me......         Sylvia
   (midi73@aol.com)    

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Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 10:23:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: TolerB4@aol.com
Subject: [BOND] table for bond

I too have jumped through the hoops trying to come up  with a solution .  I
usually keep my machine in my computer/sewing room (which is very small--not
much room for a table), but I like to take it  downstairs to watch TV
occasionally.  I  ended up clamping my ISM to a shelf board, and I was
clamping it to whatever table I  could find (what a PAIN).  Then I got a
piece of that non-skid rubber things that you put under throw rugs, laid it
on the table wherever I  was and set the shelf with the machine on top of
that.  No slipping whatsoever!  Easy, fast, and no damage to tables.

Yours in Tennessee,
Elisha

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Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 09:12:28 -0800
From: Linda (lsirbuly@eee.org)
Subject: [BOND] Attaching Bond to a table...

Thought I would tell you how I was able to attach my extended Bond to 
a built-in table that was too wide for the hooks.  My husband bought a 
piece of plywood, cut a little longer and wider than machine.  We 
hooked the Bond onto that and then layed the entire 2 pieces (now 
treated as 1 larger piece) onto my table and purchased those large "c" 
hooks and turned them upside down and screwed them over plywood and 
stationery table.  Works great and I can now take it anywhere and 
attach it to a fat table...like a picnick table or those long tables 
you can buy........

Hope this helps.
Linda in Southern California
lsirbuly@eee.org  
        
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Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 13:42:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: CathThorn@aol.com
Subject: [BOND] knitting table

Hi,

    I too had problems finding a table to clamp my ISM on to.  I finally
solved a rpblem.  I got a sewing machine cabinet.  It is the kind that open
on both ends to form a very long table.  It works great and I have thecabinet
below for tools and such.  I found my cabinet for 7$ at a garage sale.  I am
short on space so this is great as it folds up when not in use.

CAT

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Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 20:19:51 -0700
From: patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca
Subject: Re: [BOND] two ISM together?

First of all take the end caps off of one of the ISM's they are the
leads that start the machine off, you will only need one set on a machine.
Now, look under and see where the rod goes through the machine, gently tap
this back until it clears the hole where the black nut and bolt go, I would
then add the machine at this point and tap the new bar into this slot so
that you have it more secure.  Remember as well, if this gets to be too big
a machine that you can add a bracket at a time, but make sure you also tape
the needles down before proceeding or you may be picking them up from the
floor.  Good luck.

Linda
Bonding on the Net.
patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca	
Linda Boudreau
			        

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Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 21:53:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: KarenF621@aol.com
Subject: [BOND] re:table

My DH took a piece of shelf board and cut it into three piecesand attached it
to a kitichen cabinet we got at HQ with drop leaf table hinges.  He also put
it on wheels. It not only provides storage put when not in use the sides fold
down and it can be wheeled out of the way
Karen, Brockton, MA

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Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 08:25:45 -0700
From: patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca
Subject: [BOND] Bond Table + extensions

        My table consists of an old countertop that has the knock down legs
on it that come for around fifteen dollars at the hardware store, this way
it is sturdy and out of the way.  I use the knitting table that I purchases
years ago for a cutting table for my sewing room.  Another great tables is
the 29.00 computer tables that are referred to as cheap student's desks this
time of year. they are sturdy and there is room under them for storing the
accessories.

        I have in the past used more than one module for my Bond/ISM, but
remember when connecting them, our arms are only so long and then you have
to contend with dropped stitches, sometimes we learn by adventure and I did
not like that trip.  I have learned to just add the modules as needed, to
the ends, and replace the caps.

Have fun bonding,
Linda
patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca	
Linda Boudreau
			        
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Date: Thu, 21 Aug 1997 08:50:08 -0800
From: Linda (lsirbuly@eee.org)
Subject: [BOND] Detailed instructions for joining 2 ISMs

Hi all

I sent this out to 2 of you , but thought I would post it for anyone 
that thinks about getting another Bond.  This is a combined effort as 
I asked for help many months ago when I wanted to put 2 Bonds 
together.  I actually left some off and only use 150 needles.

This is how I joined 2 ISM's  (great notes from Sandy)

1.  Flip original bond upside down (Bond #1)
2.  Take a very small screwdriver and carefully pry off the metal 
disks
on each end of #1 Bond.
3.  Slip off the end caps.  Pull each rod back (towards the center) 
just
enough to clear the outside holes.
4.  Remove plastic end pieces and put away.
5.  Take Bond #2 (which is still in 2 halves), and hook 1/2 #2 to each
end of Bond #1.
6.  Now slip the metal rods back through the holes and replace the 
metal
disks or just slip the rubber tips back onto the rods since they will
provide enough tension to hold the parts together. (Nothing pulls on
them anyway.)
7.  Flip your Great Big Bond over.
8.  Using a pair of pliers, with a piece of cloth or felt held in the
jaws to protect the plastic, pull the red rails off the empty needle
spaces.  Also, pull up the rails over the outside 10 needles on each
side.
9.  Take the outside 10 needles, put them in the holes of the gap, and
snap the rails back down.  You need to take care that the rails are
still level with the ones on either side.
10. Re-number needles.
11. Now, clamp your machine down, and knit something really, REALLY
BIG!!

- -- 
Linda in Southern California
lsirbuly@eee.org  
        
"Bring a Smile" to someone today :-)        
"We are blessed to be able to share our gifts with others."

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Date: Wed, 17 Sep 1997 08:29:57 -0400
From: Nancy McGeveran (MCGEVERN@stjohns.edu)
Subject: [BOND] Joining two ISMs

Thanks to all who responded with info on joining two ISMs.  I printed 
out the instructions from Clifford's web page [ 
http://www.southern.edu/~williams/machinek.html ] and got to work.  I 
realized that the Bond is really a collection of 15 needle units, with 
detachable end caps on the end units.  Those end units have 5 needles 
and ten "empty" slots.  Once I removed the rods from under the new 
machine, I could configure those units (6 middle and two end ones) any 
way I liked.  So I now have a 60 needle extension--4 middle units-- for 
my first machine, and a 40 needle Bond--2 middle units and the two ends. 
 I love the "mini Bond," because it's quite portable and fits anywhere.  
I think it will be good for small projects (read narrow--an afghan strip 
or mittens).  I also think it will be useful for making swatches and 
trying new stitches, especially if there's a project on the Big Bond.  
If I want the extra needles for a really wide project, I can add the 
extra thirty center needles (an extension really) from the mini for a 
total of 190.
As you can see, I'm thrilled with the new toy.  Quite a bargain for $60 
. . . and if I weren't on the list, joining two machines would never 
have occurred to me.  Thanks again!

Nancy McGeveran
New York City
mcgevern@stjohns.edu

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Author : Steph Thornton.
Last modified on : 9th November 1999.