Hospital bed conversion to ??

[Flatland Dave]

Has anyone converted an adjustable hospital bed into some type of adjustable workbench or ?
Local auction always has some electric ones that go cheap. Thinking there could be alternative uses. Pics if you have them.

I saw Ducksface's. The ones around here have a MDF top and many adjustments.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've got a short salesman cart that uses some of the same designs as the gurneys and they are pretty nice. It is used a lot for my space.

As for a hospital bed- It would be pretty clunky and awkward. I don't think I'd use it for anything but its original use.

 

[toymn6366]

makes a great bike lift got a buddy who uses on for that

 

[Too_Many_Tools]

Has anyone converted an adjustable hospital bed into some type of adjustable workbench or ?
Local auction always has some electric ones that go cheap. Thinking there could be alternative uses. Pics if you have them.

I saw Ducksface's. The ones around here have a MDF top and many adjustments.

No pictures but the right ones make GREAT adjustable benches.

If I were doing bikes, body work or cabinet woodwork I would have several set up as adjustable benches and tables...think of any work that keeps changing heightwise.

Be aware beds come in electric, hydraulic and manual types...all that fit certain needs.

They also come in heavy duty ones that will hold 700+ pound people.

 

[LutzTD]

No pictures but the right ones make GREAT adjustable benches.

If I were doing bikes, body work or cabinet woodwork I would have several set up as adjustable benches and tables...think of any work that keeps changing heightwise.

Be aware beds come in electric, hydraulic and manual types...all that fit certain needs.

They also come in heavy duty ones that will hold 700+ pound people.

when I worked for a hospital bed co I got a manual hydraulic bed they were throwing away. the wheels and awesome and all of the controls are simple and precise. I used it to hold my corvette body for a while.. From what I remember even the lowest were rated over 1000lbs. We used to test with people over 500lbs. you also have to account for the live load which can 3X the actual weight.

 

[Flatland Dave]

They often sell for cheap. I might buy one to see what I can do with it op parts I can steal from it.

Thanks

 

[nine4gmc]

I made a lathe bench from a vintage medical exam table seen in my "Projects, Restos and Blunders" thread, also scavenged the hydraulics and foot operated multi-switch from an old obgyn exam chair for a future project. I have not bought a standard hospital bed to play with yet but I'm sure I will eventually, they go for $15-100 all the time at our auction.

 

[LutzTD]

They often sell for cheap. I might buy one to see what I can do with it op parts I can steal from it.

Thanks

just be careful what you buy, lots of nasty things on a used hospital bed.

 

[GoodoleBoy]

just be careful what you buy, lots of nasty things on a used hospital bed.

True.Lots of people died on them on 100% true with ones you see in classifieds ad in local papers/CL.

 

[D rock]

Thanks for the new possibility's...I have a dish/tray cart I got at an auction I made into a scrap wood sorter...

 

[Too_Many_Tools]

FWIW...just saw a picture in one of the Wood magazines (special issue) that showed an electric hospital bed with the top removed and a butcher block top attached for a cabinet shop use.

 

[Pwta]

I have designed a work bench that doubles as a bike bench. I wanted a bike bench but due to limited space in my workshop, I wanted a bench that could be used for both. It was a challenge to have a bench that would go low enough to put a bike on but be able to raise it enough to make it a good working height as a bench. Its an old hospital bed that I made massive changes to make it a great bike/work bench. I made a slide height system using the mounts on each corner of the bed designed to hold the drip pole on a hospital bed. I made another bench top that slides up and down on the hospital bed drip holder slides on the corner of the bed. I can lower the bench to 450mm to allow me to push a bike onto the bench, and raise it to any height up to 970mm height. Its a one person operation as I never have anyone around to help. I also made a winch system that clips on to the end of the bench if I need extra help to get something like a ride on mower or mobility scooter as it one of the pictures. I can tilt the bench to assist in the right angle to get things on and off the bench. All ramps and winch are stored under the bench when not in use. It has a 2mm galvanised top for easy cleaning. It works a treat and the best addition to my workshop.