Building a workbench, need it to go up and down foundation curb...

[Kelp]

I don't know the term for the curb in garages, but we have a 2.5 car garage, and the 2 car section is set below the level of the rest of the house by about 4 inches. Here's a drawing of the garage:

I am looking to build an approximately 5' by 4' rolling workbench where I have marked in red in the drawing. I would like to be able to roll the workbench out to the left in the drawing, which would have to step down about 3 or 4 inches. Then once I am finished with my work I would like to put it back in that corner, so it would have to go up that 3 or 4 inch foundation step.

Are there any ideas on types of casters or legs or something I could use to make moving the workbench up and down that step do-able? I think the workbench would be too heavy to try and manually lift and lower for that step. I was thinking maybe using a trailer jack wheel on each leg of the workbench so that I could roll one wheel off, lower the wheel, then do the next, etc. But it might be tedious to raise and lower all four of those individually.

Anything I'm not thinking of? Thank you!

 

[Stuart in MN]

How about building a ramp out of 2x lumber and/or plywood, something that could be picked up and leaned against the wall in a corner to get it out of the way when not in use.

 

[Lennda]

How about building a ramp out of 2x lumber and/or plywood, something that could be picked up and leaned against the wall in a corner to get it out of the way when not in use.

+1

 

[Kelp]

How about building a ramp out of 2x lumber and/or plywood, something that could be picked up and leaned against the wall in a corner to get it out of the way when not in use.

That's a really good idea! I thought about making a little ramp, but I didn't think it was going to work since I need that parking space. I didn't think of making it so I could move it out of the way. Thank you, excellent idea.

 

[tarmy]

My garage had the same lip...after tripping on it, stepping off it and straining a knee...and just generally being annoying...I cut it out...poured new slab flush with the main slab. Worth ever penny.

Think about the garage/shop over time. That lip will probably be a pain in the *** for years...

 

[Dozerhand]

Well since you are planning on wheels how about fitting each corner with a wheeled trailer jack. If you mounted them on the outside of the legs you could roll to the edge and let each side drop off. To get it back up you could roll right up to the lip,retract the jacks to let it sit on the legs,give it a shove, lock the front wheels the extend the jacks on the top level, raise the front end, push until the rear legs are on the top level, give it another shove so your rear wheels are on the top level and you'll have it. This would be a pain in the rear but I think you can understand the concept and maybe tweak the idea to make it more workable.

 

[SALIV8]

Why does it have to move? I'd build a workbench there that is non moving.

 

[Lynden]

Would stair climbing wheels work on a workbench?

https://cdn3.volusion.com/nfczr.pzckq/v/vspfiles/photos/VXB015160-2.jpg?1559214790

 

[Kelp]

Would stair climbing wheels work on a workbench?

I think that would work fairly well. I think the most economical solution so far is to make a portable ramp that I can tuck away somewhere. Those wheels might still make it difficult given the weight of the bench. I'll look into it.

Why does it have to move? I'd build a workbench there that is non moving.

It's going to be a workbench with a table saw and miter saw station, so it would need to move out to have full access to those tools.

Well since you are planning on wheels how about fitting each corner with a wheeled trailer jack. If you mounted them on the outside of the legs you could roll to the edge and let each side drop off. To get it back up you could roll right up to the lip,retract the jacks to let it sit on the legs,give it a shove, lock the front wheels the extend the jacks on the top level, raise the front end, push until the rear legs are on the top level, give it another shove so your rear wheels are on the top level and you'll have it. This would be a pain in the rear but I think you can understand the concept and maybe tweak the idea to make it more workable.

Yeah I have been throwing that idea around in my head, but I think it would be tedious. That was the only thing I could think of before I made this thread.

My garage had the same lip...after tripping on it, stepping off it and straining a knee...and just generally being annoying...I cut it out...poured new slab flush with the main slab. Worth ever penny.

Think about the garage/shop over time. That lip will probably be a pain in the *** for years...

If I fill it in then the garage entrance is going to be 4 inches too tall, and I can't cut down the step and repour since I have a post tension slab; there's too much risk there I think. That would be ideal though.

 

[johnnyradiant]

It seems more like the solution is put the bench where you really want it and kick the cars out.

 

[Shiftless]

“If I fill it in then the garage entrance is going to be 4 inches too tall, and I can't cut down the step and repour since I have a post tension slab; there's too much risk there I think. That would be ideal though.”

Are you looking for a good excuse to pour a new driveway?
Problem solved!

But I’m sure that more than one of us thought like Johnny Radiant and would say kick out the cars!

The moveable wooden ramp is probably looking better and better isn’t it?
How about a small electric winch mounted on a wall stud to pull your heavy workbench back up the ramp?
.
.

 

[matt_i]

This is easy

Buy a forklift with 60" or 72" forks. Just reach right out over that ledge and pick up the bench and put it wherever you want

 

[dfiler2]

I think what tarmy was saying is to cut out the high part, dig down and re-pour, so it is all at the lower height.

 

[taumac]

For one that’s a big bench. I would be think more like 3x5. The ramp is going to be probably best option. Just much sure you get at least 4 or 5 inch casters to handle going up the ramp. You can never have enough work space so my idea is simple. Folding table or saw horses.

 

[dfiler2]

I was going to suggest going 4x8, especially when you are going to have a table saw built in. The 8 ft will give you enough room to have a built in out feed table. It will give you enough room to work on your project on one end and still do some cutting on the other end.

 

[rslaback]

Why does the ramp have to move? Leave it on the floor and straddle it with the car. Then when you move the workbench down, straddle the ramp with that to prevent tripping on the ramp.