Description
This is the base that started it. In 2011, Greg Hankerson built the first version of this mechanism in a Phoenix shop — a hand-cranked screw lift salvaged from factory-floor equipment, welded into a steel base, topped with a plank of solid hardwood. There was no market for it. No category name. No competitors. Just a table that went up and down when you turned a wheel.
Fifteen years later, the mechanism is the same. Two 3-ton rated screw mechanisms, a 10″ cast iron crank wheel, and a steel base handmade entirely in our shop. Turn the wheel and the top rises — from dining height through counter height to bar height — smooth, fully mechanical, and silent. No electricity. No motors. No failure points that can’t be serviced in the field.
The dual 3-ton mechanisms distribute load across two points, supporting tops up to 500 lbs while still adjusting with one hand on the wheel. Extend to three mechanisms for tops up to 750 lbs — the configuration used for boardroom-scale slabs and conference runs. This is the same engineering principle used in the industrial screw jacks this mechanism descends from.
The base is fabricated from hot-rolled steel, hand-selected for grain and character. Compatible with solid hardwood, glass, plate steel, concrete, and stone tops. Available with casters for mobility. A tilting architect-style top can also be commissioned for drafting or presentation use. Base size, height range, and top compatibility are all finalized during your commission conversation.
Built for tops from 6 feet to 25 feet or more. Longer configurations use multiple base sets engineered as a system — consistent crank placement, unified footprint. Dining tables, conference tables, communal workstations, chef’s tables. The mechanism that started the crank table movement scales to any room.
Available finishes: natural steel, blackened steel, and aged paint. Custom paint and color matching available. See the full industrial table bases collection for the complete range of base designs, or the finished crank tables if you want the base and top together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the original Vintage Industrial crank mechanism?+
Yes. Greg Hankerson built the first version of this mechanism in 2011 in a Phoenix shop — before height-adjustable tables existed as a mainstream category. The dual 3-ton screw mechanism and 10″ cast iron crank wheel have been the foundation of the Vintage Industrial crank line ever since. This is the base. Everything else is a variation.
How does the crank mechanism work?+
A 10″ cast iron crank wheel drives two 3-ton rated screw mechanisms simultaneously to raise or lower the top. The adjustment runs from dining height through counter height to bar height. Fully mechanical — no electricity, no motors, field-serviceable with standard tools.
What is the weight capacity?+
Two mechanisms support tops up to 500 lbs. Extend to three mechanisms and the capacity reaches 750 lbs — the configuration used for boardroom-scale slabs and longer conference runs. Mechanism count is finalized during your commission conversation.
Can I order just the base without a top?+
Yes — this is a base-only commission. You source your own top, and we provide fabrication specs (mounting hole locations, weight capacity, recommended top thickness) once the base is in production. We can also build the top if you’d prefer a single commission.
What size tops does this base support?+
The Crank Table Base is built for tops from 6 feet to 25 feet or more. Longer configurations use multiple base sets engineered as a system — consistent crank placement, unified footprint. Top dimensions are finalized during your commission conversation.
What steel finishes are available?+
Three standard finishes: natural steel, blackened steel, and aged paint. Custom paint and color matching are also available — we’ll match a swatch, a Pantone reference, or a sample you mail us.
How long does a commission take?+
Twelve weeks or more from the date the commission is confirmed. Lead times can extend during high-demand periods — your specific timeline is confirmed at the start of your commission.
How is it delivered?+
Standard delivery is freight curbside. White glove service — inside placement, unpacking, and full assembly — is available; delivery method is confirmed during your commission conversation.
I’ve seen something that looks exactly like this on another site. Is it the same piece?+
No. Vintage Industrial designs have been copied extensively since 2009, primarily by Asian manufacturers selling through direct-from-China storefronts. The pieces look similar in photos but weigh a quarter of what ours do — they’re not designed to last, they’re designed to sell at a cheap price. Vintage Industrial sells direct only, through retro.net. We have no other sales channels, no third-party retailers, no Amazon storefront. If you’re seeing something like this anywhere else, it’s a counterfeit. Every Vintage Industrial piece is built to order in our Chicago shop by hand, from hot-rolled steel and solid hardwood, with a 12+ week lead time.
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