STUDIO DESIGNS Aries Glass Top Drafting Table Sonoma Dark Walnut Brown/Clear Glass

After reading all the negative reviews, I was skeptical about buying this table, but since I found one listed at a low price, I went ahead and got it, thinking: "I don't have to loose much if it doesn't work out." When it arrived, I realize that I did not have the skills to assemble it well, so I asked a furniture upholster to assemble it for me. It took him well under two hours. He did point out that one of the parts was slightly dinged.When assembled by someone who really knows what they are doing, this table is AMAZING! It was MUCH sturdier than anticipated. It does NOT wobble in any way. It does NOT feel flimsey. It is HEAVY and does NOT slide around on the floor of the studio. It does NOT feel overdesigned and the swivel mechanism works well.I bought it because I use it as light table, and need a clear, large surface, unobstructed by support bars. In the picture you can see that the glass surface is not braced on the underside, and this is what I was looking for.Once assembled by a professional, this table exceeded expectations.I would recommend this product if you have access to someone experienced in assembling IKEA-type furniture, who has developed a knack for putting this kind of things together so nothing wobbles and all the joints are level and tight, who is used to identifying the different sizes of washers and screws, and can deal with any slightly bent or dinged components. Perhaps you are one of these people yourself.The result is FANTASTIC, and feels worth much more than what I paid for it. Great design, great heft, great stability, glass arrived in perfect condition and no parts were missing. No need for any additional gluing of anything. Perfect.

So against my better judgement and the reviews of this product I made a purchase for it. This is the only table with a glass top that was attractive and at a reasonable price. This review is written the day I have received it, so I will update my review after some use when it comes to durability and longevity. First thing I want to note is this product is made in China. The composite wood is soft and will scratch up. That’s fine for me, but if you are looking for a high quality wood this isn’t the product for you. Everything was packaged well, no obvious damage to the contents. Relatively simple to put together but it took a single woman three hours to piece together. Needs extra hardware. I didn’t have any missing components but some things you should have an extra of just in case. Very difficult to lock in place at an angle. Other than that on the first day of receiving the table it looks fine and I have no other complaints. So far I’m happy with the table.

As many others said, there was some damage when it arrived. The packaging was fine; it was the little shelf that was damaged. But I knew this upfront based on the other reviews and decided to buy anyway since I am a carpenter and knew I could fix it. That shelf is the only thing that is not real wood and it was put together (apparently very quickly) using tiny pneumatic brad nails, many of which missed. I cleaned out the cheap nails, predrilled holes, and glued & screwed the shelf back together. Another option is to build a new shelf out of real wood.For the price I really couldn't complain. There is no other drafting table that looks this good AND has glass (so it can be used as a tracing table with a light underneath).It was sturdier than many people had claimed. Again, that may be because I know how to put things together and not overstress connections. But even so, it is not a jungle gym. It is a drafting table that isn't meant to be laid on or climbed on.I am completely happy with the purchase! My son has a nice drafting table and I'm not in my shop for a week building one and ordering a piece of tempered glass - which, by the way, the glass alone at a local glass shop would have cost at least half of what this entire table costs.I am a little disheartened at some of the negative reviews this table received. I build furniture for a living and you can't get a piece like this for $200 or less and expect it to be the most perfect, sturdiest thing you've ever owned. If you want one better that is not assembled with such haste, uses all real wood, and will last a few lifetimes, then hire me to build it. But you won't get it for the low price of this one!

After reading some of the other 1 and 2 star reviews I was not sure I should buy this. But when I read a review of a person who actually works with wood and said that it is a sturdy and good table, I thought I would give it a try. I'm so glad I did. I'm in LOVE, this table is beautiful! It is very sturdy, though you shouldn't have anybody sitting on it but then why would you do that on a drawing table. I didn't have a problem with missing or falling apart parts. Got everything I needed and the only time I needed any help was when I placed the table on the legs. Just needed an extra two hands. Not to hard to put together, pretty simple for me. Great product for the price. I am planning on setting up a light under it so I can also use it as a tracing table. I cannot wait to use it.

I have had two of the desks delivered by UPS, the first one came with the box spilling out parts, and the second one came with the box intact. what they both have in common is that the table top is made out of very weak pine or even if that so it cant handle the heavy glass so in shipping or while being packaged at the factory the wood top splits at the corners completely thru so it will fail. Both of mine had split and were ready to break apart. Basically do not buy this table unless the manufacture makes the top out of oak to support the frame.