Designing a moveable/stationary table

[bmwpower]

Yea, I know, makes no sense.

Here's my thought... I want a table that has the ability to move on casters, yet if I want, the casters can be "pulled up" allowing the table legs to sit on the ground. Kind of like those big moveable stairs you see in Home Depot, etc. There is a lever that you step on to make the casters touch the floor. Step on the first step of the stairs and the wheels retract leaving the unit on solid footing.

Yes, I know casters can have locks, but I've never seen any that keep the unit completely still. They all move a little bit here and there. Not good if you need a rock solid table.

One problem is I'd like to make the table out of steel and add a big vise to it. A welding table of sorts. The problem here is the weight may prohibit the "retractable wheel mechanism" from working smoothly. I don't want the table to come crashing down on the floor.

I haven't researched anything yet to see if the parts are readily available. Hopefully, it's doable.

What do you think?

 

[oldgoat]

You can buy casters that lock both the wheels and the swivel, but they get expensive. I have also seen legs that you step on a lever to bring down and it locks in. Don't have a idea other than an industrial supply place for them though.

 

[bmwpower]

Found these...

http://www.castersupply.com/NAV/lifting_casters.htm



Not sure how they work, but one thing is for sure...they're pricey.

 

[Runum]

I did that with my welding table. It's made of 3x3 angle iron and has a 4'x8' steel top 1/2" thick. Table weighs around 1200 lbs. I installed some regular steel casters and then I welded jack screws on each leg near the casters. I just lower the screws and the tables weight keeps it where I want it. Good luck.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Besides the jack screws, if you look at table saw casters, you will get some ideas. There are several designs, which the wheels are up, until you turn a lever, which holds their bracing down.

 

[Coach James]

Found these...

http://www.castersupply.com/NAV/lifting_casters.htm



Not sure how they work, but one thing is for sure...they're pricey.

My lord!!! At that price I would just pay 4 guys to hold the table in place! I'll bet they work good though.
Coach

 

[Stuart in MN]

Norm Abram built a work table on The New Yankee Workshop a couple years ago that had a pretty ingenious caster setup. Here's a link to the web page: http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?0207

It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but the casters were fastened to a board that flipped down on hinges. Two other short boards also on hinges would then fall down and hold the caster board in place. Once the table was moved to where he wanted it, he'd lift up slightly on the edge of the table, pull a rope that was fastened to the two short boards, they'd lift up out of the way letting the board with the casters flip up, and then table dropped back down on its legs.

 

[boiler7904]

Look at mobile power tool bases for table saws, jointers, bandsaws, etc. There are a few companies that make universal bases that have casters and lock in position. If I remember right, they are usually designed to support 300-400 pounds or more.

 

[cc_rider]

Boiler is on the right track. I bought a Delta Unisaw with the mobile base, and I can move it around fairly easily. The saw itself is freakin' heavy; once it's down it is DOWN.

There are four-post car lifts that you can add casters to, you bolt the caster/lever assembly on, then lever each caster under each post. You can move the lift around with a car on it! Maybe there's a smaller version out there somewhere...

Keep us posted...

c.

 

[Ryan87LX]

I have a ridgid table saw that is on wheels. I step down on the pedal and the wheels lock into place and I can wheel it around. Then, click the lock, and the table drops onto the ground again.

If you have a HD nearby, check it out.

 

[Willy Victor]

Check out Rockler.com Ithink they have what you're looking for.

 

[ultgar]

I know I'm going to regret putting this here (the video is 34mb....it'll kill my bandwidth for the month) but I've got 25 of these bases being made for me for various applications including a smoother replacement for a set of Go-Jacks. You'll need a relatively smooth floor for it to work.

see http://www.ultimategarage.com/Hoverpad.wmv . Steve

 

[bahamasair]

Damn thats cool

 

[Itzkwik]

I want one.

 

[enginerd]

Those hoverpads would be great if there was a specific kit made to put under a cars wheels.

How much is it though, $2500?

As for the price of the casters above, thats not too bad actually. Large commercial grade casters for welding tables are a couple hundred bucks each normally.

 

[4t64rd]

Boiler is on the right track. I bought a Delta Unisaw with the mobile base, and I can move it around fairly easily. The saw itself is freakin' heavy; once it's down it is DOWN.

There are four-post car lifts that you can add casters to, you bolt the caster/lever assembly on, then lever each caster under each post. You can move the lift around with a car on it! Maybe there's a smaller version out there somewhere...

Keep us posted...

c.

I concur, I have one of those bases under my REALLY heavy table saw and it move great... except when I push it up back up over the 3/4" step up into the garage.

 

[Vermaraj]

Actually the hoverpads are fairly cheap. Depending on size: $200-300 ea

 

[Inetmonkey]

That's totally cool!

 

[cokeb5]

here goes a lousy description of a system I am going to use on my movable bench.
using a toggle clamp ( sold at most woodworking stores ) mounted on each corner of the bench, replace the rubber stop with a piece of heavy round tubing long enough to reach the floor, run this tubing through a guide located at the bottom of the bench ( angle iron with a hole large enough to accept the tubing ) put a protective cover over the tubing to protect the floor, when the toggle clamp is cammed down the bench will rest on the round tubing and not the casters.
I hope someone can make sense of my madness.
Craig

 

[Truckguy]

Since I repair copiers I used an old copier base that has casters built in. I will be welding in screw jacks to lock my table in place. The copier I got mine from wieghs about 600 pounds. The only real problem i have is that it is small for what want to do. If we dimantle another copier this month I'll get its base and make my table longer.

 

[74-77Camaro]

I'm planning on doing something similar to Truckguy except using the casters and screw levelers from a compaq server rack from work. They can be loaded for up to 2000 lbs. Wish the rack was the right dimensions for a table, save a lot of work.

 

[Willy Victor]

Was'nt there a thread on here awhile back that used that air cushion tech. on a car creeper?

Willy

 

[Willy Victor]

I have a ridgid table saw that is on wheels. I step down on the pedal and the wheels lock into place and I can wheel it around. Then, click the lock, and the table drops onto the ground again.

If you have a HD nearby, check it out.

Ryan I have the same setup on my Rigid saw, works really good.

Willy

 

[TEXACMAN]

How about 4 trailer jacks with wheels . I had seen one welding table on here that had a jack with a wheel on one side and two casters on the other end on there side , when you lifted the one side with the jack it rolled on the casters also. I am trying to figure how to move my huge workbench also , probably use the casters and one jack.

 

[Mikeyworks]

While it doesn't really address your need, I don't have all the space I want in my garage but I did want more workbench space when I need it.

Here's my solution:

Pardon the mess. I missed the last paper recycling day.

The bench is an older bench from my friend's work. All I got was the top. I just hinged it to the studs and put a support ******** it. I use a 2x4 (soon to be hinged) underneath for added support. It's worked great for me thus far.

Mikey