Artisian Industrial Architect's Drafting Desk - Adjustable Crank Cast Iron Base - Tilt Top

Knox Deco drafting desks combine manual height adjustment with an independently tilting work surface, allowing you to customize both the height and angle of your workspace.

Use the top flat for writing, working, dining, or as a kitchen island, or tilt it to create an angled surface for drafting, drawing, artwork, architectural plans, and other creative or technical projects.

No electricity is required—the mechanical adjustment systems are part of the functional industrial design of the desk.

Our drafting desks use a manual hand-crank mechanism to raise and lower the work surface.

Before adjusting the height, make sure any applicable locking bolts are unlocked. Turn the crank to raise or lower the top to your preferred working height. Once you reach the desired position, the locking bolts can be tightened again where applicable for additional security.

Always unlock the applicable locking bolts before attempting to adjust the height again.

The maximum tilt angle varies by model:

Steampunk LAEDSK001 — 70°

Artisan LAEDSK003 — 85°

Foundry LAEDSK004 / LAEDSK004-70 — 85°

Knox LAEDSK006 — 70°

Shoemaker LAEDSK017 — 50°

The adjustable surface allows you to move from a flat desktop to an angled working position for drafting, drawing, sketching, architectural plans, artwork, design work, and other creative or technical projects.

Yes. The drafting surface can be returned to a completely flat position, allowing the piece to function as much more than a traditional drafting table.

With the top flat and the retaining lip removed, it can be used as a writing desk, adjustable-height work desk, standing desk, small dining table, kitchen island, or creative worktable.

This makes our drafting desks especially useful in offices, studios, lofts, kitchens, and other spaces where one piece of furniture may need to serve several purposes.

Each Knox Deco drafting desk includes a removable retaining lip along the working edge of the top.

When the top is tilted, the lip helps keep pencils, drawing tools, papers, and other materials from sliding off the work surface.

When you want a completely flat, unobstructed surface, simply remove the lip. This allows the piece to transition easily from a drafting table to a writing desk, standing desk, small dining table, kitchen island, or worktable.

Quite a lot. The combination of adjustable height, adjustable tilt, and a removable retaining lip allows one piece to serve several different purposes.

With the top tilted, it is ideal for drafting, drawing, illustration, architectural plans, artwork, design work, and other creative or technical projects.

Return the top to a flat position and remove the lip, and it can function as a writing desk, standing desk, small dining table, kitchen island, or general-purpose worktable.

All Knox Deco drafting desks feature a substantial 1.5-inch-thick solid acacia hardwood top.

Acacia is a genuine hardwood, so variations in grain, tone, knots, markings, and other natural characteristics should be expected. These variations are part of the beauty of real wood and mean that no two drafting tops will be exactly alike.

The substantial solid-wood construction also gives the piece the look and feel of furniture rather than a conventional office or hobby drafting table.

No. Because each top is made from solid acacia hardwood, natural variations in wood grain, color, knots, markings, and other characteristics should be expected.

These variations are part of the character of genuine hardwood furniture and make each top unique.

Wood finish samples are available upon request if you would like to see a finish before ordering.

No. For safety reasons, Knox Deco drafting desk bases are not sold separately.

Because the work surface can be tilted—up to 85° on some models—the size, weight, and positioning of the top are important to the overall balance and stability of the desk.

To reduce the risk of instability or tipping when the top is tilted, we only sell our drafting bases with the properly sized Knox Deco 1.5-inch solid acacia drafting top.

Yes. Knox Deco drafting desks are substantial pieces of furniture and require assembly at their final location.

Weight varies by model, but these are considerably heavier and more substantial than typical office or hobby drafting tables. Many incorporate heavy steel or cast-iron mechanical components along with a 1.5-inch solid acacia hardwood top.

We strongly recommend measuring doorways, hallways, stairways, elevators, turns, and the final workspace before ordering.

We recommend having at least two capable adults available for assembly and placement due to the size, weight, hardwood top, and mechanical components of these desks. Some models may require additional assistance.

Never attempt to lift or move one of our heavier drafting desks alone.

If you would prefer professional delivery, please contact us for a white-glove delivery quote.

Clean the solid acacia top with a soft cloth and use a quality furniture polish or wood oil as appropriate. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, excessive moisture, and allowing liquids to remain on the wood for extended periods.

The moving crank and gear components should also be lubricated periodically. We recommend applying a small amount of bicycle lubricant approximately every six months to help prevent the moving components from drying out and keep the mechanism operating smoothly.

Periodically inspect the tilt and adjustment mechanisms and always follow the proper locking and unlocking procedure before making adjustments.

The Artisan offers a more traditional interpretation of the vintage architect's drafting table. Its substantial cast-iron trestle-style base, exposed mechanical components, and hand-operated adjustments give it the character of a drafting table that might have been found in an early architect's, engineer's, or craftsman's studio.

Its work surface tilts up to approximately 85°, giving the Artisan one of the steepest working angles in the Knox Deco drafting collection.

For customers drawn to authentic old-world drafting furniture, the Artisan combines substantial industrial construction, functional mechanics, and a classic open-base design.