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Post by Franklin1 on Jan 12, 2008 20:24:25 GMT 10
G'day All, I scored this old picnic table and chairs set at the local Recycle Centre. Now I need to know if it qualifies as pre-1970 since it's got a plastic locking handle (the rest of the framework is metal). Also, can anyone tell me what the rest of the wording on the sticker would be? I'm guessing the second word might be FOLDAWAY  Does anybody have a identical set that can shed some light on it?  thanks, Al. |
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Post by cobber on Jan 13, 2008 9:19:02 GMT 10
Apparently the firm who designed this type of fold up picnic table didn’t do a very good job of protecting the patent (if they had one) because similar designs keep popping up under different brand names. The one I got fairly recently, sometime in the late sixties or early seventies, has “RITEC FOLD AWAY PRODUCTS made in Australia” on it.... it has a bakelite handle. If you enlarge my avatar the table is the one the two young ladies are sitting at on the left of the photo..... I think yours wood  be older Al. Cobber. |
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Jikah
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Post by Jikah on Jan 27, 2008 0:37:39 GMT 10
Hi Franklin, I think it is pre-1970 as we received a foldaway table and chairs made by Ritec Foldaway Products as a wedding present in 1967.   I didn't unfold it for a photo as there is not enough space in the garage. The table top and chair seats are made from ¼" ply with a wood-grain plastic laminate as you can see in the photo. Very heavy as the frame is made from steel. Cheers, Jikah. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2008 6:26:10 GMT 10
Hi I have had several of these old tables. The current one is a woodgrain Ritec. I dont pack it very often when heading off on Holidays or Vint van events nowadays due to the weight of the thing. I prefer to use old card tables as they pack away better, take up less room and are much lighter.  I suppose if i was to pack 4 fold up chairs ( i usually only pack 2) i would be taking up more space than the ritec  I call the Ritecs "Bambi tables" as they have trouble staying up properly on all fours. Especially if you have 4 adults sitting on them on anything but dead level ground..  Here's a safety tip from "Reddotel and the shed of invention". Cut yourself 2 lengths of 20mm plastic conduit about 600 to 750mm long. When you set up the table slide the conduit down through the hinged mechanism that locks the seats in place . Then use duct or insulation tape and lash the conduit in place. Just a couple of turns around the top and down the bottom .This stops those hinged "Knee joints" from collapsing in the middle of a card game or when you have a stack of top shelf drinks poured and sitting on the table during happy hour.  The conduits will fit inside the table when it is folded up . leave the roll of tape in there too for next time. I still use the Ritec as a reserve when partying at home or out for a day picnic. Reddo |
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Post by boblor on Jan 28, 2008 9:34:50 GMT 10
Hi.
We have a table still in the original box, green plywood top, white frame and black plastic handle. Details Ritec 'Foldaway' the perfect picnic table, manufactured by Ritec Pty Limited Tamworth NSW, Pat No. 247614, Pat. Pending 3301???. We purchased this unit in '71/'72 era.
Hope this is of some help re vintage.
Cheers Boblor
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Post by cobber on Jan 31, 2010 10:10:16 GMT 10
Tuther day I was pointed to-wards this 1937 English catalogue of caravan accessories on the UKs oldclassiccar site. It shows the "Flexion" folding table which also shows the design didn't change much between 1937 and the 1970's aye?  Cobber. |
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Post by DC3Td on Mar 27, 2010 20:39:36 GMT 10
Sounds like you got a real bargain Dragonfly. Did it come with the cardboard box? Couple of pics of it wouldn`t go astray.You`ll need to get a period umbrella now to suit.Sort of like this:  And here`s my 'jack in the box' picnic table:   cheers gordon |
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Post by cobber on Nov 15, 2014 17:18:43 GMT 10
G'day you all Regarding the 'Ritec' folding table mentioned in this thread ..... the patent number quoted.. 147614 relates only to the handle fitted to the table. It was applied for in 1961 by 'Mastercraft Products' which is probably the name on the table posted by Al that started this thread. There is no mention of the actual table in the application so...... it doesn't necessarily mean that was when the table was designed but I reckon Mastercraft must of made 'em before 'Ritec'. ..... still looking  The patent application can been seen CLICK HERECobber. |
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Post by zenliving on Jul 5, 2016 12:22:50 GMT 10
The table you have is a Mastercraft foldaway table manufactured early 1950's. My parents bought the exact table which I still have now.I have photographs of them using this table in 1952 so I can be sure of it's age.
Cheers,
Steve
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Post by cobber on Jul 6, 2016 9:43:17 GMT 10
G'day Steve,
Do you have a photo, or can you tell us if the table you have has the patented self locking handle on it ?
Cobber.
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Post by Roybeth on Dec 10, 2016 10:31:22 GMT 10
A couple of items from my garage sale crawl this morning - check out the fold up Leg-o-matic chairs, one is up the otherone is still folded up sitting on the floor in front. These are very cool. :-)  |
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Post by Roybeth on Dec 10, 2016 11:51:17 GMT 10
Now to work out how old the chairs are.  |
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Post by walter on Jun 10, 2024 18:01:13 GMT 10
G'day All, I scored this old picnic table and chairs set at the local Recycle Centre. Now I need to know if it qualifies as pre-1970 since it's got a plastic locking handle (the rest of the framework is metal). Also, can anyone tell me what the rest of the wording on the sticker would be? I'm guessing the second word might be FOLDAWAY Does anybody have a identical set that can shed some light on it? thanks, Al. |
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Post by walter on Jun 10, 2024 18:06:04 GMT 10
I worked for Mastercraft as a toolmaker and made presstools for table,first model was a wider with grey handle,updated model in the sixties was narrower had black locking handle,left the company in 1973 than
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be older Al.
