A submissives journey

Chapter 1
The Asj Community

Chapter 2
Resource Information

Chapter 3
Subbie's Couch

Chapter 4
The Dom's Lounge

Chapter 5

The Library

Chapter 6
BDSM

Chapter 7

Useful Links

Chapter 8
Members share their thoughts

Chapter 9

Members Only

Chapter 10
Asj's Site Index

Chapter 11
Asj's Store

Chapter 12
Recommended Reading List

Chapter 13
Asj submissive slave register

Note: These plans are not my original work, and I have no way of determining the author.

Building Portable Massage Table

Sturdiness must also be considered. A massage table should be sturdy enough not only that your friend stays in place on it, but also that he or she doesn't worry about staying in place on it. If a table shakes and creaks with every stroke you can't very well expect your subject to relax on it.

Whatever the size and shape of the massage table you use, you must place some kind of padding on top for your subject to lie on. A one-inch foam pad is best. A sleeping bag will also work. The idea is to use something thick enough that whomever you massage will feel comfortable, yet thin enough that he or she won't bounce up and down under the varying pressure of your hands.

If you can't find a table that comes somewhat close to meeting these requirements, then the next step is either to build or to buy. Building a massage table can be fairly easy or fairly difficult, depending on how good you are with tools and how elaborate a table you decide to make.

The simplest and cheapest way to build your own massage table is to make two small sawhorses 28 inches or so high and 24 inches wide. (Any carpenter can also build them for you at little cost.) Then buy a piece of 3/4 inch plywood cut 2 feet x 6 feet and a foam pad to match, and you are in business.

If you want to try something more elaborate, a friend of mine recently made a superb massage table that is both sturdy and easy to move and to store; it folds up into a neat package about 2 feet x 3 feet x 5 inches. Here is how you can build one too. First assemble these materials:

2 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood 24 x 36 inches
3 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood 22 x 12 inches
4 1 x 4 inch pine or fir boards 36 inches long
4 1 x 4 inch pine or fir boards 221/2 inches long
6 2 x 2 inch boards 29 inches long
1 24 inch continuous hinge
6 Stanley locking table leg braces #446-1/4 (be sure also to get instructions on how to place them)
2 handles
6 3 inch strap hinges and screws
2 suitcase latches
8 brass corners
nails (1-1/2 inch finishing nails without heads are best. Bigger nails will split the wood.)
a strong glue

(Note: these dimensions are for a table that will stand 30 1/2 inches high including a one inch foam pad on top. if you. want your table either higher or lower, just vary the length of the six 2 x 2 inch legs accordingly.)

Then construct the table as follows:

Cut the plywood and the boards for the frame and legs to size.
Build the frames, gluing and nailing the Corners. (Make rabbit Joints if you feel ambitious.)
Attach the tops and frames, gluing and nailing them. (If you still feel ambitious you can also "set in" the top.)
Hinge the legs to the undersides of the tops, gluing and nailing the cross braces.
Attach the brackets. This is a tricky business, so try to follow the directions that come with them as closely as you can. You will have to play with them a little to find the exact placement spot.
Hinge the two halves of the table together.
Attach the catches, handles and corners.
Stain or varnish.

Put a one inch foam pad loose on top when you use the table.

If you want to buy a massage table there are some excellent ones on the market. Their chief advantage is that they are lightweight and portable: most of them are made of aluminum covered on the outside with either leather or naugahyde, and can be folded up into what looks like an overgrown attaché case. Their chief drawback is their price, usually in the neighborhood of ninety to a hundred dollars. The best place to find or order one is at a large medical supplies house. Be sure to check out the measurements first, as some commercial portable tables appear to have been designed for massaging midgets.

Whatever kind of table you use, put a clean sheet over it and its padding when you are actually about to give a massage. A white sheet on a narrow table has, incidentally, a definite set of psychological overtones; use a colored sheet instead and you will keep your friend from getting a funny feeling that he or she is stretched out on the operating table waiting for the surgeon. Even better, buy a large piece of brightly colored terrycloth at a fabrics store.

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