Garage island set up ideas?

[Ksem89]

Hey guys.

I was given this industrial workbench. It's very heavy duty. 60 in wide and 29.5 deep.

I am trying to figure out a good set up with it. Should I throw a spare vise on it? Or make it a grinder and buffer wheel station?

I do mostly automotive work, home building projects (I have a wood working bench), tool restorations and typical DIY stuff


How would you utilize this table?

Just looking for ideas

Garage is messy right now sorry?

Thanks!

K

 

[rdoty]

I would put it on casters. They make combination casters like Retractable Leveling Machine Plate Casters that let you either move the bench or screw the feet down and lock it in place. Being able to move it makes a huge difference.

 

[tarmy]

Get some good non flat spot locking casters on that thing for starters.

 

[Milton Shaw]

A garage island sounds like a good idea. Does it come with palm trees, beach and grass skirts. Sounds like it would be ideal if it had a Home depot close and Amazon delivery overnight. Ha Ha

 

[Lassen Forge]

Definitely locking casters. It's hela convenient to be able to move the table around.

 

[Ksem89]

I here ya on the castors. Im looking, Harbor freight did not have them. Seems the heavy duty 5/8 11 thread is hard/expensive to come by!

thanks for the suggestions, keep em coming.

k

 

[Hank11]

Look for retractable castors. When in working position, your bench is on its solid feet, push down the castor levers with your foot and its on wheels.. Another thing is drawer cabinets underneath. Maybe a power strip.

 

[Fixr]

I agree with everyone else. Keep it mobile, but let it sit on feet when you aren't moving it. Go upscale from HF for the caster/feet. It will be worth it.

 

[Jazz1]

i have a table bit smaller i installed my welders in bottom along my tanks. On top a vise, bead roller and 30” brake. Ive had it 20 years since my son dragged it home,,he found it,,only had 3 legs at the time..

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have a multipurpose shop so I needed a heavy duty work table. I have an inground 12,000 lb. in ground lift that is designed for auto's and trucks so I made a top for it. I built a frame from 4x2x3/16 steel tube, leveled it on the top in all directions, then used a 1/4 inch piece of steel as the top. I secured it with minimal welds to reduce any warping. I have attached pieces of hitch tube, vertically (drop in stubs with plates) to the ends of the 4x2 tube and use them for vises, grinders, benders etc. I have casters welded on a "T" bracket to permit me to roll table outside shop for storage that fit the hitch tube. I lift the table for storage with a 500lb electric hoist to install casters and roll it out. As its on a lift it is adjustable height, strong as can be and with a Masonite cover is useful for woodworking. I also installed a cord outlet strip on one side so it's fully electrified. Almost perfect, haven't installed a wood vise as I am not into wood working right now.

 

[Spareparts]

Keep that top uncluttered, clean, 2"X2" sq tube mounted on the underside and 1- 1/2" sq tube to slide
into that and put whatever on the smaller tube. slide in when you need it and on the bottom shelf
for storage. If you use the tube method on the bigger tube drill for a bolt,weld a nut on side of the tube
I use 1/2" course nuts and bolts that locks them down so they are solid. I got a couple 3/4" wrenches from H.D.
and hang them from the bolts on the tubes to tighten them down, handy and not looking for a wrench all the
time.










i

 

[Milton Shaw]

Keep that top uncluttered, clean, 2"X2" sq tube mounted on the underside and 1- 1/2" sq tube to slide
into that and put whatever on the smaller tube. slide in when you need it and on the bottom shelf
for storage. If you use the tube method on the bigger tube drill for a bolt,weld a nut on side of the tube
I use 1/2" course nuts and bolts that locks them down so they are solid. I got a couple 3/4" wrenches from H.D.
and hang them from the bolts on the tubes to tighten them down, handy and not looking for a wrench all the
time.










i

I cut the weld on 2" ID hitch receiver in half and drilled the cut off with the same depth pin hole and welded them upright on the ends. So far 4 years I have not mounted anything on top but a lot of weld BB's

 

[NUTTSGT]

There's another option for the casters, mount 2 on one end, beside the feet. Mount them so the caster is about a 3/8- 1/2" off the floor. When you need to move the bench, pick up the opposite end and the casters will touch the floor and allow you to easily move the bench around the garage to where it's needed or out of the way.

 

[JohnX14]

I used these on my rolling work table. https://www.rockler.com/rockler-workbench-caster-kit-4-pack

Like everone else, casters was my first thought when reading the OP.

 

[finn]

I used these on my rolling work table. https://www.rockler.com/rockler-workbench-caster-kit-4-pack

Like everone else, casters was my first thought when reading the OP.

I should look into a set of these. My bench is some sort of old hardwood topped cabinet with 3/4” ply back and sides, and three full width and depth shelves. I have a small brake on one side, a bead roller on a HF hitch receiver, and a 6” vice.

Problem is there’s maybe 4” of overhang and the way the casters are mounted, there’s a couple mor inches of effective overhang, making it a little tippy when using the brake. I added a retractable foot to stabilize the entire bench, but the real solution is to kick the casters to the outside a little.

I had the same issue with the cheap HF welding cart. In that case I welded up a flat plate to relocate the front casters to an outrigger position.

These look like maybe a neater solution, at least for the bench.

 

[rsparks64]

Casters are a great idea. My tool boxes are on casters and all but one of my storage unit shelves are on casters. I have a table similar to yours and it is against a wall, but I never put it on casters. I looked into it when new, but never added wheels to it. However, having so many things on casters makes it so much easier to move things around if you need to. I agree on locking casters too.

 

[Snip]

I agree with all the others about locking / leveling casters but consider making the final height of the top match your other bench/ benches. It gives you a ton of options when fabricating or working on longer items.

 

[BombShelter]

I'd keep the top clean and make bases for the tools that can attach through four holes in the table. A space like that is great for working on big projects.

 

[JohnX14]

I agree with all the others about locking / leveling casters but consider making the final height of the top match your other bench/ benches. It gives you a ton of options when fabricating or working on longer items.

I made my rolling table 36" high. After building a few sets of cabinets on it, I cut it down to 32" It was too difficult to reach eveything I was working on. My stationary bench is either 36 or 42". The lower height of the table just works better, for me.

I have a plywood "grid" that I use to support plywood when I use the track saw. That is around 3" high, so that was part of my issue. My table saw and chop saws each are on dedicated portable stands, and they are at different heights, as well.

I do see your point though. Not saying your idea is wrong. Just relaying my experiences.