So, remember that puzzle I mentioned that I had purchased? It arrived on Friday, and as I assembled it, I came across my first red flag: a packet covered with a sticker that said, “If you find the board cracked, please use this glue to fix it or contact us.” If I’m paying over $200 for a puzzle board and it arrives cracked, I will not attempt to repair it with glue. It needs to arrive all in one piece, cracks not included.
If you’ve been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I have a puzzle board that I really like. I like it so well, I’ve purchased it five times so far: Two as gifts for friends, one for my grandsons, one for my home in Georgia, and one for the house here in Ohio.
What attracted me to the puzzle board that I recently ordered was two main features: 1. It rotates, thus can be used to work vertical puzzles, and 2. Its height is adjustable, so puzzles can be done standing or sitting. It does neither of those well.
Though the board is large enough to work on a vertical puzzle, I could find no way to tilt the board while it’s in the vertical position. The whole reason I prefer using a puzzle board to work puzzles is for that back-saving tilt feature. I can do vertical puzzles all day long on my dining room table.
The other main feature I purchased this board for was/is a complete nightmare to use. I was so looking forward to being able to raise and lower the board, so I could stand or sit to work on puzzles. This board is an absolute nightmare to adjust up or down. In order to adjust the height of the board itself, I had to get down on my knees underneath the board, or try squatting down on one side of the board. Next I had to unscrew the knobs that’s located on one of the legs on that end. Then, after that leg was no longer supporting the board and the whole weight of that end of the board was pressing down, I had to reach over and unscrew the knob on the other leg, on that same side.
Next, I had to push as hard as I could upward on that end to raise the board up as much as possible. Since the other side of the board is still completely secured down, the board would only go up a few inches. To make a bad situation even worse, as I tried to support and raise up that side of the board, the entire metal frame kept lifting up off the ground because the board itself is much heavier than its stand. I ended up pressing my knee into the bottom cross piece on each side to try to keep the frame down on the floor while I was pushing up on this heavy board. Once it went up as far as it would go, which was around 4-5 inches, I would retighten the two knobs back down, having no idea if that side was level from front to back. There are no markings, notches, or anything on the legs, so you never have any idea exactly where you are on the leg as you’re adjusting the board. Then, that whole nightmare process, those same steps, have to be repeated on the other side.
Since the board can only be raised a few inches at a time, as described above, those steps have to be repeated over and over until the board appears to be at the height you’re going for. Again, since there are no notches or markings on the legs, as you’re completing this process, you have no idea if the board is going to be at the height you want or even if the playing surface is going to be level until you stand up and walk around to the front to look at it. If it’s uneven, as it is in the picture below, or if it’s not at the height you want, the whole process starts again!
If I had attempted to unscrew/unlock all the knobs on the legs at once to raise the board, this massively heavy wooden board would most likely come crashing down, which I’m sure would have damaged the stand or the board. This was the most even I could get the board when I tried to adjust it to a standing position. Because there are so many adjustments to be made, it is easy to end up with the board tilted toward one of the four corners. Trying to get it even is one of the most frustrating experiences you can imagine. I am guessing that the people who left positive reviews for this board must never adjust its height. They probably have it in their living room or in an office in front of a comfortable chair that is perhaps in front of a TV, and they always work on their puzzles in that position, never attempting to raise or lower it. Or, they have a large family, or a very strong person whom they can call on, day or night, whenever they wish to adjust it. A person would only go through this nightmare height adjustment process once before they would swear to never move it again.
This was the puzzle I worked on yesterday and today, and it was a lot of fun, despite the puzzle board issues. (Puzzle is available here: Donut Puzzle.)
Another issue with this board is how you adjust the tilt of the playing surface. To adjust the tilt, you have to walk around behind the board to reach the tilt mechanism. As you lift up this heavy board from the side or the back, this metal prop randomly falls down. It doesn’t naturally land in any of the grooved notches, so while trying to support the board with one hand, you have to guide the metal prop into the slot that you “think” you want. Then you have to walk back around to the front to see if it’s at the angle you need. If it’s not, you have to go through that process again.
My current board has spoiled me. To raise it upward in a tilting position, I stand in front of it and pull up on the edges or top of the board. This is easy since the board is not that heavy. The wooded bar that spans across the entire back of the board beautifully falls into the first notch. As you continue to pull the board toward you, it continues moving across each available notch until you stop at the tilt angle you like. Again, this is done from the front of the board, so there’s no need to walk back and forth trying new angles
Another feature I love about my current board is that there are 5 available tilt notches in the back, not four as seen on the other board. So, I can enjoy having the board tilted at a much stronger angle than was possible with the other board. I love that since it saves my back! The puzzle pieces don’t slide since the felt holds them in place.
In this photo, this board is at its steepest tilt mode. Though not as bad as working on a flat surface, I still had to lean at an awkward angle while working on this board. I don’t know why they didn’t design it to tilt at a steeper angle.
So what are my puzzle plans going forward? I have already taken the newly-purchased board apart and will be boxing it back up tomorrow to return. A few days ago, I noticed that Bits and Pieces added a new feature to their already best-selling puzzle board.
It now rotates so it can accommodate vertical puzzles, too. (Puzzle Board, like mine but with the new rotating feature for vertical puzzles, is available here: Puzzle Board.)
Eventually, I may order one, along with an electric, height-adjustable desk/table. I’ve seen those in the past, but never thought about using one for my puzzle board. Height-adjustable desks and tables have become quite affordable now, even much less than what I paid for the puzzle board that I’m returning. It would be so nice to press a button and have the table rise to the height I want for working on a puzzle while standing, then press the button again when I feel like sitting. I think I’ll order the table first and see how I like it with my current Bits and Pieces Puzzle board.
Update: This is the table I ordered: Electric, Height-Adjustable Desk/Table. It has great reviews (4.7 stars after 1,506 reviews), and the width/depth should be perfect for my current puzzle board and the location where I wish to place it. I’ll share how it looks and works once it arrives. It should be great for when I would like to use my laptop and work in a standing position, too. Multi-purpose!
Almost forgot, these large puzzle trays were a great success! I used them for my recent puzzle, and they are excellent. Though large in size, they are not heavy like the large trays I have back in Georgia. I will go so far as to say these are the best puzzle trays I’ve ever owned. Definitely recommend! You’ll find them available here: Large Puzzle Trays, Easily Hold a 1,000-piece Puzzle.
Susan, I think I suffered a breakdown while you described that new board and table. Ugh. I no longer believe reviews. I have a lot of groceries delivered by the giant store I don’t like since I am not driving. I really like this one frozen white mac and cheese, but one day I saw a smaller one and ordered it. It wasn’t frozen and had poor microwave instructions. I called the company for a replacement coupon and that the product needed to ho back to the drawing board. She asked a lot of questions about the store and product. Told her the reviews were bad. The very next day the negative reviews were gone and replaced by good reviews and happy customers.
Please say you aren’t getting any part of the blizzard to hit the NE. It’s about 80• today but by Monday morning in the 30’s.
I sometimes wonder about the reviews I see on some sites, too. Sometimes they will sound AI-generated. You can usually tell the real ones, but it’s getting so good now, it getting harder to know. Sad.
Thankfully, we only got a little dusting that should melt quickly.
If an amazon review sounds like it might be fake or too good to be true, I always click on the reviewers name to go to their full review page. If every single review they leave is a 5 star review, or, if there is only the one review (for the product I am looking at) I often move on because that indicates to me there is a good chance they are fake reviews.
Hi Pam. I didn’t know you could click on reviewer’s names. I’m going to do just that. I’m banned on Amazon. Not really sure what they didn’t like about my review. Some reviews it is obvious the reviewer didn’t know how to properly use the item they bought. One time a reviewer complained about a sink drainer saying how disgusting it was and all I could think is how good a job it was doing keeping the drain cleaner!
Hi Kathleen, yes, amazon seems to have a crazy banning policy. It seems they love to ban people, but then not tell them why, other than to read their ‘community guidelines’ for an answer. Phooey.
I agree about some reviewers not properly using the product. And just as bad, or worse, are those who leave a 5 star review but say, “I haven’t used this yet but I think I will like it,” or something along those lines. Crazy! One benefit I’ve found reading other comments is occasionally I will come across a product on another person’s review page that I was not aware of, but thought I might like, lol. Thanks for commenting and Happy Investigating!
Several years ago I saw a comment on line from someone claiming to be a businessman who was being extorted by a certain large review site. They told him if he would pay them $500 a month, they would make sure he didn’t get any bad reviews on their site. He told them to pound sand.
At the time, I was skeptical, but not any more. Nothing would surprise me. I know I have seen gig sites where people offer to give ‘your product a five star review’ for a small sum. Yikes.
Hello Susan! I have the rotating puzzle board/easel from Bits & Pieces, ordered it a couple of years ago. Its large and bulky but I’ve been happy with it … was a bit pricey I thought but I purchased it when on sale and for me, worth the cost. Hope you enjoy it!
I didn’t realize they had been making the rotating one that long! How did I miss that all this time? I have a feeling I’m going to eventually get that one. I love my current one by them, so I know I would most likely love it! Thanks for letting me know your experience with it, Mary.
You always recommend such interesting things, Susan and I have purchased items that you have shown us on more than one occasion.
However, this is not the first time you have shown us something you bought that then turned out to be terrible so I wonder if instead of sharing products straight away when you order them, you should wait until you have actually used them.
A lot of people here highly regard your opinion and this will save them from ordering something that is not fit for purpose.
Love & light, Karen-Marie.
Thanks, Karen-Marie! Unfortunately, if I did that with everything I see and order, a lot of the things I purchase would be gone by the time I had it in my hands and had the time to sit down and review it, especially if the item was on sale or in limited supply. I always like to share what I’ve ordered, but as you know, I always mention in the post —that I’ve ordered it.
If you’re concerned about an item that I’ve mentioned having just ordered, wait until I blog about how it worked out, if that gives you more confidence about ordering the same thing. Or, feel free to email me and ask how it turned out, if you’re curious or eager to go ahead and get it ordered. I get emails like that from time-to-time…asking about something I ordered and if I liked it. That’s often one of the ways I know when I need to do a post about something.
I was laughing as you were describing your ordeal. (Here’s some glue if it’s cracked.). I have an IKEA adjustable desk that I paint watercolors on and it is one smooth operator with a wide range of heights, but is much more expensive. I hope your new desk works out for you.
I know! When I saw that, that really worried me, and I hadn’t even started putting it together yet. lol Oh, that’s cool that IKEA has them, too. Do you find that you raise yours pretty regularly? I think I’ll be doing that a lot. One thing I learned about this desk last night is that certain heights can be set as presets, kind of like we do in a car for our seat. So, once I set that, I’ll be able to just press one button and it will move to height I’ve previously programmed. Love that feature! I guess most of the electric desks have that now. I feel I sit too long when working on puzzles so I can’t wait for the desk to arrive.
The puzzle board on wheels that I have is different than the one you pictured. I can rotate and incline it at the same time. I bought it on Amazon but it was a while ago. I will try to find it in my purchases and send it to you although the table you ordered looks like it would work fine. Happy puzzling!!
That’s awesome, Barbara! Glad it’s not this one. If you find the link, I’d love to see that one.
I always look forward to your reviews and have yet to be disappointed by anything I’ve purchased after you’re given it a ‘thumbs up’.
Cheers
Thanks, Hetty! I will continue to do that, especially for the ones that do or don’t work out.
Love your reviews! I’ve purchased a few things that you recommended.
I have a question about puzzles. What do you and the other ladies do with them when you finish putting them together?
I usually break them back apart and save them to perhaps do another day. Right now my youngest grandson loves to visit the “Puzzle Library” in the movie room and choose one for us to work on together. We were working on one together right before they left for their ski trip.
You can see my puzzle collection on the shelves in the movie room in this previous post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-halloween-hoodie-3-updates-for-the-movie-game-room-including-additional-seating/
There are also puzzles below in the cabinets. I may start donating them, although I enjoy them so much, I hate to part with them. They are like favorite books in a way.
On rare occasions I will save a puzzle, although I’ve never actually framed any of the ones I’ve saved so far. I should do that. Here’s the best and easiest method I have found for saving them. using the method seen in this post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/best-easiest-way-to-save-or-preserve-a-puzzle-without-using-messy-glue/
Ugh that puzzle table sounded like it was designed by a committee and then built by another one! Really hoping that the new plan works perfectly. I find myself sitting waaayy to much, especially in winter so have started investigation walking pads. If you see any recs from people you trust, please relay them
Ha! True! The electric desk/table arrived this morning. Can’t wait to put it together and try it out with my puzzle board.
Those walking pads are great….just one bit of advice. If you plan to use it in front of a desk, you should be fine, but if you want one that’s out in the middle of a room, make sure it has handles/bars to hold onto. I purchased one without handles initially, and I never felt secure while walking on it. Afterward, I bought one with handles, and it was great! I could watch TV and walk without constantly having to look down to see where I was on the pad.
Aww, Susan. Sorry that turned out so badly for you. And even more frustrating is having to take it apart, box it back up and get it out to mail. Ugh. I too have been on a bit of a roll with disappointing products. I recently ordered some Laura Ashley sheets and one day when making the bed, put my thumb right through the bottom sheet! I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I have bionic thumbs, lol. And I’ve purchased LA sheets before and loved them. I do think some of those companies change vendors / manufacturers at times though and that might make the difference.
I hope you’re able to get that other puzzle board soon and that it works out much better! Have a great week. Apparently the North East is in for quite the storm. See you tomorrow for Met Monday.
That is wild! It sounds like the fabric is defective. I hope you were able to return those. Yes, I completely agree. The one company that I’ve had consistent quality with in this world is L.L. Bean. They are consistently awesome! You may want to check out their sheets.
Instead of ordering the puzzle board, I ordered an electric table that raises at the push of a button. It just arrived this morning, so I’ll be putting it together today. Hope that storm missed you. We ended up getting an inch or two and the roads look great here.
I didn’t bother returning them, it seems I have been returning so many things lately. I’m glad to hear your endorsement of L.L. Bean. I’ll check them out again. I seem to remember they didn’t have the right depth sheets last time I looked. I’ll check again.
Good luck with your table. I saw it and it looks great, and so reasonably priced! Hopefully it will work as you need it to. And yeah, we got lucky. The storm missed us but the temperatures dropped so much, it’s sooo cold. Better than what happened last month though, so I shouldn’t complain!