At 10:46 PM 9/9/96 -0500, you wrote:
pondered several ideas for compact yet sturdy folding legs, until I 
>thought, geez someone *must* have done this already...

I believe they used to call those 'card tables' ? !   

Seriously, I've had great luck & good service from a suitcase shaped/sized
unit that unfolds into a small but serviceable table plus seating for four
(!) Quite a bit sturdier than it has any right to be, & has lasted 5-6 years
so far.  They're available in places like  K-Mart, Walmart, etc for ~$50
(probably cheaper than the plywood & fittings it would take to make one).

Austin

This is my signature - & yup it's still stoopid !

     _         _
     o \     / *
           0
           \/