Tables and Seating for 50

[jkc123]

Does anyone have advice about how to provide tables and seating for a 50 person camp at a reasonable price? Right now we're looking at a combination of craigslist/freecycle and build-your-own plywood furniture, but it's proving a bit expensive, and we would welcome any insight folks can offer. Thanks a lot

[gustavh]

I'd go with playatech furniture

table http://playatech.com/downloads/turning-tables-two/

and couches (a twin mattress fits perfectly on these) http://playatech.com/downloads/desert-daze-bed/

[lucky420]

Everybody bring their own damn chair

[trilobyte]

It might be that building and creating a space for a camp of fifty is an expensive undertaking. Most camps grow more organically, and I cringe at the idea of a first time burner also being the planner of a camp of that size.

Tell your campmates to bring their own chairs and, if they can, a table or two to be used for the group.

[andy]

One thing you didn't mention is whether or not your camp has a communal kitchen and all 50 people are planning to eat together. That makes a huge difference, because if so, you need tables and chairs for 50. If not, you could probably get by with tables & chairs for 10-12.

Regarding the suggestion for Playatech: I've done Playatech for a couple of years now. It's beautiful, it's great, but it's not that easy for a first-timer to do quickly. I don't know for sure that you are but as this is your first post I am guessing so. And if so I concur with Trilobyte that it's scary for someone going to their first burn to take on a serious build responsibility.

I think the post that everyone bring their own chair, and that you buy some off-the-shelf tables. A sheet of 3/4" plywood is about $30, and you can come up with a camping table or one of those sturdy plastic folding tables for about the same price. You're 6 weeks out max, at this point I would buy or find them on CL.

If you do choose to go plywood, remember "build at home, assemble on the playa". Any cutting, drilling, etc should be done at home because it's MOOPy and when your electric drill runs out of juice recharging is a far more difficult thing on the playa.

Best of luck though, and welcome to the Dust.

[pink]

We all bring our own chairs, and those driving in bring a few extra for the ones flying in. And no, we don't eat at tables.

[skippy3k]

If you do choose to go plywood, remember "build at home, assemble on the playa". Any cutting, drilling, etc should be done at home because it's MOOPy and when your electric drill runs out of juice recharging is a far more difficult thing on the playa.

Just a small clarification to this; build at home, assemble at home, dissassemble, re-assemble, dissemble, THEN assemble on the playa.

I've done Playatech furniture too and agree it's great. But if you aren't familiar working with wood, it can be a bit frustrating and definitely time-consuming. There are a lot of cuts to make, and if you make them slightly off, the damn thing won't assemble properly. Which is why I recommend assembling several times to make sure you got it. If you are looking to seat the masses, I would forget Playatech and go with sheets of plywood (maybe round the corners off to minimize bruising when you stumble into it) on sawhorses and screw it down. Throw a tablecloth over it; done.

[VultureChow]

KISS.

Wal-mart has a folding camping chair for $6.88. Buy one folding table for a buffet. Total expenditure of around $400

Given the time you have left, I don't think you'll find a cheaper/easier method.

Or you could always just get some cushions and try to find some used persian style rugs and claim you're doing floor seating in honor of the caravansary theme.

Unless you're doing this for some special event, most camps do not have formal dining tables for everyone.

[mosquito]

jkc123, are you still around?