Configuring subproducts and shipping

Hello:

I'm trying to figure out the best way to configure subproducts and simple shipping. I've enabled subproducts and simple shipping (flexicharge). I'm going to use shippable, tangible, 'table' products as an analogy of what I'm trying to do:

• Tables
  -- pine dining table
  ---- 4' x 2'
  ---- 4' x 3'
  ---- 5' x 4'
  -- stainless steel dining table
  ---- 3' x 2'
  ---- 4' x 4'
  -- teak desk
  ---- 3' x 2'

My suppliers are in China, and my customers are in Australia. I would like to be able to offer different mailing service levels, without specifying the provider (UPS, Fedex, AusPost, etc.). Quickest uptime is my highest priority, which has influenced my approach:

• duplicate the Apparel product as Table product (thereby enabling subproducts)
• create products (1) Pine dining table (2) Stainless steel dining table (3) Teak desk
• create subproducts (1) pine dining table :: 4' long x 2' wide :: standard shipping :: AUD 100 (2) pine dining table :: 4' long x 2' wide :: expedited shipping :: AUD 150 (3) pine dining table :: 4' long x 3' wide :: standard shipping :: AUD 150 (4) pine dining table :: 4' long x 3' wide :: expedited shipping :: AUD 200 ... etc ...
• the subproduct pricing combines the variation and shipping costs in the surcharge

This approach will be aesthetically uglier and more manual/time intensive, but it should give more control and be quicker to implement. As a Drupal/E-Commerce novice, I would appreciate it if someone could advise as to whether this is completely inappropriate, has repurcussions as stage X, or confirm whether it is feasible.

Many thanks.