Ideas for a mobile workbench.

[Xauterus]

I have just started working in a large engineering workshop that specializes in making machines to produce timber trusses. Because the machines are very bulky I am looking for a better way to work around them. The current machine we are building is over 120 ft long. I am working from one end to the other fitting out parts like electric motor gearboxes, fitting keys, drilling and bolting etc.

I am looking for ideas to build a mobile workbench with a vice and probably storage of a roll cab. I want decent sized wheels/ castors so it will roll well but I also need to be able to lock it in position to work with vice. There is a large range of steel sections to use. Weight is not a major concern but on the other hand if want to take it with me I need to be able to atleast unload it off a trailer at home. I do have an engine crane.

I was trying to decide between locking casters or floor locks such as these.
http://www.richmondau.com/floorlocks-620.aspx

If it something heavy I need to swing off a vise then there are heavy benches with large vises attached. I was only going to use around a 3 or 4 inch vise. I was also considering using a tow hitch to mount the vice or other items.

I would love to hear from the great people here.

 

[bad_idea]

I work in ship repair, in the pipe shop. All of our tables are "portable" w/ a pallet jack. For a work table in a large shop, I don't like wheels. Our typical table is 4x5 w/ a 1" thick top, 4x4x1/2" square tube legs, 3x3x1/2" angle for a lower shelf frame. The lower shelf low enough to be picked up w/ a pallet jack and now it is easily portable. Weld 1/2" plates to the bottom of the legs w/ a 3/4-10 nut welded to the plate w/ a bolt threaded in, makes leveling the table easy. Nothing worse than a hefty table rocking because the floor is uneven. Most of our stuff is built w/ pallet jacks in mind for moving the item. Even stationary tables are moved occasionally to clean under them. Drill and tap the top for a vice. Inset the legs 3-6" to allow you to clamp things to the table.

 

[BarquestDan]

I've been working on this 2x4 mobile monster design... Not sure if it'll be heavy duty enough for your shop, but it's turning out to be pretty damn handy around mine.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251530

 

[jimgood]

I would not use locking casters if you think you'll need to really exert force laterally on something on the bench. If you don't, then go for it.

I saw a really neat design recently on here of a half-ton bench that had small bottle jacks built into it to push down on a truss, which in turn lifted the table onto the casters. Something like this, if you can understand my crude drawing. This would be the end view of the bench.

 

[Playwme]

You just need one of these.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/monash/miscellaneous-goods/taylor-dunn-electric-vehicle/1053311633

 

[Xauterus]

That is a good idea, I was looking at floor locks but they are fairly expensive. I wonder if I used a screw type bottle jack and made a simple crank handle to wind it up and down.

 

[Xauterus]

Now that is a flash unit, just mount tool box and bench on the back lol

 

[jimgood]

Here's a picture of a welding table with the design I'm talking about: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4056098&postcount=2463

 

[Xauterus]

That is a good way of doing it. I was thinking of jacking up the feet instead of the casters but I was concerned I would not be able to keep it steady enough. That way eliminates the issues.

 

[DIC]

 

[BikerDad]

The question is, how frequently do you need to move, how steady does it need to be when "fixed" in place, and what's the condition of the floor you'll be traversing? How heavy do you anticipate your tool load being? Balance those three based on your needs and you'll come up with a design.

Floor locks can carry a humungous load, rock steady, but they're a nuisance to engage. Big honkin' pneumatic tires are best for dodgy floors, but they take up more space. Me, I'd find a good, heavy duty wagon/platform, put a box and vise on it, and put floorlocks under it. Something like this from Little Giant