Helix - Wooden Lightweight Drawing Board - 20 x 26 Inch - Metal Edge - Drafting, Art, Sketching and Tracing

I bought this for a makeshift desk. I was skeptical it would hold up to the pressure I put on it (around 25-40 pounds), but having used it daily for the past couple of weeks, I'm very satisfied. I left the plastic wrapping on the wood for minor protection from the things I'm laying on it. There are no dents or chips or scrapes in the surface of the wood so far. I'd been looking at cutting boards for this purpose, but even just an 18" x 22" cutting board can run you over $100. I called hardware stores to cut wood for me. You'd be surprised at the fees they now charge. Then you have to sand and finish the wood yourself... This flat, light board has been perfect for a portable desk, though--at a fraction of the cost of any other options I could find.Simple things, like a board, are some of my favorites to buy. Rarely any unpleasant surprises. For the size of this board and the stability of the light wood, you almost can't find a better large, flat work surface for light to medium-pressure tasks.

I am really loathe to be openly critical because I know this is someone's livelihood. Unfortunately, in this case it is unavoidable. Art supplies are not cheap. This board was $60 and for that I expect something that will last for many years. But this isn't going to.I've been an artist for 40 years and this isn't the first drawing board I've owned but it is the most cheaply made. The last one I bought lasted over 20 years before I finally had to toss it. The metal edging was heavy enough that it did not bend if accidentally bumped on a corner or something. The wood veneer was also quite a bit thicker than this.Before I even had a chance to use this one, the wood started separating and peeling up. I debated whether to return it but since it was just the wood glue not holding and easily fixed, I decided to carefully glue the veneer back down with wood glue and clamp it. It is fine now so nothing lost. That said, the aluminum edging is barely thicker than aluminum foil and one tiny ding and it bent and won't lay down flat now. There are also a few dents and scuffs on the edges that were there when I got it.I probably should have returned it but I didn't want to wait a couple of weeks to get another one. I can't return it now, my own fault, and that's fine, but I wouldn't buy another one from this brand (Helix).No hard feelings towards the seller, but this product, IMO, isn't worth the $60.

Very high quality and lightweight. If you are a little careful these boards last forever. Get rid of your stupid warped foam core and get serious about your art tools.

After reading the reviews I was hesitant to purchase this board but it was the only one I could find so decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did because this is a nice little board. It's light enough I can carry it with one hand (I have arthritis!). It's completely straight and not warped at all like others have said.On the other hand, the surface is definitely imperfect. Don't expect to be able to tape a piece of drawing paper and get a clean, smooth application of your drawing media. I taped 2 pieces of newsprint paper to the board, and then taped my drawing paper on top of that. Eventually I will sand and poly the board to smooth it out, but this works for now. I considered applying a layer of vyco, but decided that would make the board heavier, especially if I wanted to do both sides.Bottom line: this board is worth it if you're willing to put in some extra effort to smooth the surface

I read the reviews for this and decided to go with the good reviews.I bought it four months ago, stored it in my studio and just today took it out for use. I was surprised by its light weight and by the crinkling sound I heard when I was preparing it for use. The veneer must be very thin since I could feel the material that’s filling the cavity on the inside of the board--maybe Styrofoam. As I rubbed my hand over the surface of one side, it had a long raised ¼ inch wide mark along the whole length. On the other side were several shallow dips. When I was rubbing the surface, something was coming off onto my hand. I wiped it down with a dry paper towel and something the color of yellow ocher came off. No matter how much I wiped, the material just kept coming off and onto the paper towel.I was shocked and dismayed! I should have paid attention to the “cons” in the reviews. I just assumed that those buyers must have happened to get a bad one.Since it’s been four months, I can’t return it, so I’m stuck with something only fit for the woodshed. What a shame that it’s not a perfect piece of work on which I can do my work. And how shameful that this company does not include quality control in their manufacturing process.

Just what I needed to replace a makeshift. This drawing board has all of the qualities needed for every artist; no rolling ridges etc. It is very smooth which does not effect your rendering at all!

Excellent drawing board. Very good surface, square sides for t-square. Lightweight.

Honestly I am kind of bummed. I just bought this for my landscape design class and its great as far as lightweight and portability goes, however I have only used it twice now for short amounts of time and it is already flaking away near the bottom. I now wish I had gone ahead and gotten a sturdier one even though they are more expensive. And unfortunately the board is also warped, making for straight lines on my designs to be very difficult.

It’s light weight, good quality and perfect size for my needs.

I dislike this product. Quality not good it came damaged