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Car engine tables
jonabonospen - 8/3/13 at 07:59 PM

Am thinking about having a bash at building a car engine table, the type of thing that has been seen on Top Gear before. Just wondered if anyone on here has ever built one themselves?

My thought was to maybe think about doing these as a bit of sideline business, buy an old V12 Jag XJS or perhaps get an old V8 engined car, strip the engine out and then strip and sell the rest of the car while building a table or two from the engine / engine parts (thinking of using the crankshaft as a single leg table).

What thoughts or preferences would any of you have on building one?

Would you buy one? And what would you be willing to pay for one if you were to buy one?

Any colour / finish preference? Paint or powdercoat? Grey / silver or coloured?

Would you consider buying a table made using an engine other than the standard V8, V10, or V12's? Am wondering if there would be a market for looking at ones for particular car clubs like using a particular Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru engines etc

mookaloid - 8/3/13 at 08:30 PM

I would make my own but wouldn't buy one someone else had done - sorry

jonabonospen - 8/3/13 at 08:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
I would make my own but wouldn't buy one someone else had done - sorry


Can I ask why?

mark chandler - 8/3/13 at 08:42 PM

Zero interest here, I think you would find this a very limited market.

Ninehigh - 8/3/13 at 08:43 PM

I'm sure the scrappies have a lot of blocks you could use

I might well buy one too, but no idea how much a similar "normal" table would be to compare

matt_gsxr - 8/3/13 at 08:58 PM

If you do an ebay search for "v8 coffee table" and go to "advanced" and click the "completed listings box" they you will get a sense of what people are prepared to pay for these ~£250 for a nice one it seems.

I wouldn't want one though.

jonabonospen - 8/3/13 at 09:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
If you do an ebay search for "v8 coffee table" and go to "advanced" and click the "completed listings box" they you will get a sense of what people are prepared to pay for these ~£250 for a nice one it seems.

I wouldn't want one though.


Yeah I did that and had a look. When you look at the current or completed listings though, the V12 ones are always much more expensively priced (about £850 minimum) and I would be looking to try make a V12 table more affordable in order to get a jump on others.

I know it is a very limited market, but it would be a limited output business as just a thing on the side and something interesting, and a way to still get a use out of what otherwise could be a worthless engine if it isn't running.

[Edited on 8/3/13 by jonabonospen]

Confused but excited. - 8/3/13 at 10:00 PM

Starting off a new venture with a price war with established competitors is not good business idea.
Why not think of something original?
Just my humble opinion of course.

perksy - 8/3/13 at 10:08 PM

As you say it would be a limited market and price of delivery may be a problem ?

If i put one in the lounge it would probably end in divorce


Just a thought, There might also be a market for the left over engine components etc (polished up) perhaps turning them into paper weights, Door stops etc etc
Bit of imagination and bobs your uncle

indykid - 8/3/13 at 10:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jonabonospen
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
I would make my own but wouldn't buy one someone else had done - sorry


Can I ask why?


I'd say similar. While they may be sort of cool, I don't see the value in someone else preparing something I could do myself. It's not exactly inventive to clean/paint an engine block and knock up some legs.

There may be a market (I think it's very limited as stated above), but I don't think you're asking in the right place. We wouldn't be here if we didn't enjoy making things for ourselves.

Perhaps ask on pistonheads. General car interest, typically low practical ability

jonabonospen - 8/3/13 at 11:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by indykid

Perhaps ask on pistonheads. General car interest, typically low practical ability


jonabonospen - 8/3/13 at 11:53 PM

I take your points on board. Like you say, perhaps I am asking the wrong crowd on here as you / we are all keen to make / work on things ourselves.

My idea wasn't to have this idea like a full on business, just a way to make a couple of quid and explore a bit of creativity...... if I have any ..... whilst having some pleasure doing it.

Bare - 9/3/13 at 03:07 AM

Colleague had a glass top table in his office reception area. It was an Alfa 1750 engine block.
Interesting initially. But it was off coulour corroded ali.
He cleverly neglected to have it Vapour Blasted in preparation for it's new life as a table top support.
Shabby in appearance and frankly it was like a one line Joke:
Great the first time.. subsequently worse than boring.
Be careful in what you wish for :-)

Ninehigh - 9/3/13 at 07:32 AM

I just got a picture of a futon with moped blocks in the corners

jeffw - 9/3/13 at 07:58 AM

This on the other hand is quiet cool



or these










Or this as an idea
http://www.drivingsuites.com/index.html#top

[Edited on 9/3/13 by jeffw]

woodster - 9/3/13 at 08:16 AM

my 10ps worth .... i would think you'd have more success with seats and chair type furniture like the ones on TG

owelly - 9/3/13 at 08:40 AM

As ever, you'll also need to look at things from a legal point of view. I take it your tables won't carry any such CE or Safety Standard markings?
I don't even know if furniture needs any 'type approval' but beware of idiots who will let little Timmy get his head stuck in the table and try to sue you!

mookaloid - 10/3/13 at 09:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jonabonospen
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
I would make my own but wouldn't buy one someone else had done - sorry


Can I ask why?


It's not even the money really, I would just want to be able to say 'I made that' to visitors. If I didn't make it myself they would probably be asking me why not ...

monck - 10/3/13 at 10:58 PM

I have one

Rover SD1 v8 block

Bought it blasted it primed then had it powder coated the fact i did the work bar the powder coat is the best bit for me

Mine has 4 pistons holding the glass above the block it also still has a camshaft and crankshaft with pulleys and timing chain this really does make it stand out from the rest on fleebay in my opinion with just a bit of extra detail

Its stupidly heavy especially as i have crankshaft in there i do think a v12 would be a right pain to move ...