ideas needed for portable stands for WW tools

[rick carpenter]

I'm going to be getting a few woodworking tools from my father sometime after this virus goes away. I'll be receiving a bandsaw, a sander, a mortiser, and a planer. All bench-top models.

My garage space is 1/2 of a 2-car garage that already has 18" benches attached to the wall all along the depth. I think I can mount the sander and mortiser on the existing wall benches and be OK for 90% of what I'll be doing. The bandsaw and planer will need to be out in the open, but able to be shoved out of the way when not needed. So I'm looking for ideas for two small-footprint heavy, sturdy stands/benches to mount the bandsaw and planer. I'll probably build two more for infeed and outfeed which could also serve as temporary mounts for the sander and mortiser if ever needed.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I have a number of bench top tools (planer, grinder, miter saw, belt/disk sander, etc) mounted to scrap pieces of plywood with a 2x4 cleat attached to the bottom. Easy to chuck into a workmate.

 

[rick carpenter]

Thanks Jeff, good idea for temporary mounts. Where/how do you store the ones not in use? Does mounting on the workmate (I have one too ) make them too low for comfort in extended use? I know store-bought sawhorses are at that height so that's a positive.

 

[Lynden]

Flip-top tool stands...

https://www.google.com/search?q=fli...cLK9APu-bX4CQ&bih=1016&biw=1307&client=safari

A tall tool storage rack...

https://www.johncalvinpres.com/imag...-plan-from-wood-magazine_8729afe76bcb8637.jpg

 

[ford33]

Plenty of plans available for mobile work stands. If possible, I like to build one design style of stand and all at the same height as the table saw table. Then I can use the stands together as long tables or out feed tables for the table saw. I also stain trim and paint the plywood panels with a consistent color scheme so they look nice.

All my work stands are on locking swivel, locking caster wheels of 4 inch diameter wheel minimum. The larger wheel rolls over cords and cracks easier.

One lesson learned was designing the wood mobile base for the heavy cast iron vintage drill press. The drill press is a table top model that weighs about 75 lbs. I made the wood stand about 18 inches wide. I must be careful when moving the stand with drill press attached as the drill press is top heavy. I am cautious to not move it too fast or over cords or I fear it may tip over. I wish I had made the stand wider for greater stability.

 

[greg13]

I use a workmate and a couple of C clamps for many of my "portable" tools like the router table, planer, Miter saw. Been doing it for years.

 

[bugnut]

I made a couple stands using these plans very simple and can be sized to your needs. I made one for the drill press and one for the router. both at about 39" working height.

These are from Steve Ramseys wwmm plans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=iQC1fCUI9wg&feature=emb_logo

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Thanks Jeff, good idea for temporary mounts. Where/how do you store the ones not in use? Does mounting on the workmate (I have one too ) make them too low for comfort in extended use? I know store-bought sawhorses are at that height so that's a positive.

Rick,

The height has been fine for me with all the tools I have mounted that way. When not in use, I store the tools in cabinets or on a cabinet top, depending on the weight and awkwardness of removing from a cabinet. Most balance on the cleat just fine, but on one tool I used a scrap piece of 2x4 under the heavier side.

Jeff

 

[Vahispd]

The tall tool storage rack that Lynden posted a link to was my first thought.

Rick, sounds like you want the bandsaw and planer setup and ready to use at a moments notice?

I built a plywood case on casters to mount my benchtop tools (bandsaw, 1" belt sander and scroll saw) on. The plan was to add shelves inside the case for storage of all three tools so I could use the case top for assembly/glue-ups etc. I haven't added the shelves because the bandsaw is mounted about 98% of the time and I can swap places inside the case if I need to use one of the other tools.

 

[Vahispd]

One plus to using a Workmate is that you can design and build the tool mount to whatever size and height that works for you.

 

[rick carpenter]

Thanks for the good ideas y'all. I'll hafta wait til I actually get the tools because I really need to minimize the several footprints. The critical height will be as Vahispd John said, for the bandsaw and planer. I should be able to make one mount for them both since in general the workflow will be bandsaw (for re-sawing) then planer. For the sander and mortiser I can stand over the work moreso than the others so I may be able to make one mount for them too.

 

[Matt M PA]

My late father made wood “bases” for tools like a sander and grinder. The tools bolted to the plywood top..and there is another smaller piece of plywood underneath so that they nestled into the top of a rolling tool box. I can take a pic if wanted/needed....

 

[CraigStu]

Similar to MattM's dad, I have my belt sander mounted to a 4 drawer tool box w/ casters.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...r-Steel-Rolling-Tool-Cabinet-Black/1000746798
This gives me storage for the belts and discs and some band saw blades etc.