Leveling Feet for Metal Workbenches

[Colin Len]

I'll be embarking on a workbench build soon and although I'm almost done drawing up the basic designs I've hit a little bit of a wall with what sort of feet to put on them.

Specifically, this will be two benches - one Steevo style bench with a wood top that will house my tool box and then a second on which will just be open underneath and will have a metal top (probably 1/4-3/8" steel plate). The benches will be bolted to the wall, so no need for casters. But, I'd like to have leveling feet so I can account for the garage floor slope and allow for me to **** them up end to end creating one long, uniform level bench top. The wood top bench will be for pretty light duty work but the metal one may see some more abuse - still nothing very extreme though. Also, the floor will be epoxy so it'd be nice to have feet which provide some protection to the flooring.

I had assumed there may be some sort of off the shelf weld-in thread insert out there which I could buy to make things simple but so far I've only found press in types. Any input on just welding in a plate and nut on the bottom vs using one of these press in types? I don't mind making my own but it'd also be nice to shorten the overall build time by using a ready made product.

Threaded Tube Ends EN 448

EN 448 Plastic Threaded Tube Ends, Square Type, with Nickel Plated Brass Insert order online directly from the manufacturer

www.jwwinco.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Then for the feet themselves, there seem to be thousands of options on McMaster so I'm a bit overwhelmed. I found these which seem like they may tick all the boxes:
https://www.mcmaster.com/6111K182/ But open to suggestions.

 

[Kev In]

I have bought a few threaded bolts with a plastic pads, but they don’t stand up. I have made a few with bolts with washers welded to the head too.

I finally have settled on my hockey puck feet that I use on my mill that has at least 1500 lbs on 4 feet. I can level the mill perfectly and if I need to move the mill, I use a pallet jack to pick it up and move it.

I made these with scrap pipe and ready rod I had laying around. You will see that I cut the pipe on the side and welded them up, so I could make the pipe into a smaller diameter. The steel pipe now hugs the outer diameter of the puck and stops any deforming or movement of the puck. The ready rod uses two jam nuts to lock the height. I absolutely love these feet.

 

[Colin Len]

I have bought a few threaded bolts with a plastic pads, but they don’t stand up. I have made a few with bolts with washers welded to the head too.

I finally have settled on my hockey puck feet that I use on my mill that has at least 1500 lbs on 4 feet. I can level the mill perfectly and if I need to move the mill, I use a pallet jack to pick it up and move it.

I made these with scrap pipe and ready rod I had laying around. You will see that I cut the pipe on the side and welded them up, so I could make the pipe into a smaller diameter. The steel pipe now hugs the outer diameter of the puck and stops any deforming or movement of the puck. The ready rod uses two jam nuts to lock the height. I absolutely love these feet.

Nice setup, love the ingenuity. Unfortunately, I don't have the equipment, time, or experience to do the same for my workbenches. I'm looking for some more ready to use solutions here that I can just weld/attach to my workbench legs.

 

[dscheidt]

You're looking for a 'weld nut', which is a plate with a nut welded or formed into it. Mcmaster have a number of styles.

 

[Colin Len]

You're looking for a 'weld nut', which is a plate with a nut welded or formed into it. Mcmaster have a number of styles.

Thanks, that may be helpful. Not exactly what I was hoping I'd find, but maybe halfway there. I was hoping there might actually be a product already made specifically for bench legs - something that was already designed to fit square tubing ends. But perhaps a weld nut and some plate will have to do. Or maybe I could get some perfectly sized plates made up by send cut send or something.

 

[KwikFab]

Being the Metal Fab section, I take it you can cut and/or weld.

I'd just cut some steel, weld a nut, and run a threaded/adjustable foot. I've done this for many stands/frames/etc. and even did so for a 3D printer stand I recently made on a whim.

 

[KwikFab]

You're looking for a 'weld nut', which is a plate with a nut welded or formed into it. Mcmaster have a number of styles.

Not necessary - those sometimes cost 10 times as much as a regular nut.

Just using a bolt with a tapered head will self-center your nut you plan to weld. I do this all the time and share it with others as it's fast, cheap, and easy.

 

[Colin Len]

Being the Metal Fab section, I take it you can cut and/or weld.

I'd just cut some steel, weld a nut, and run a threaded/adjustable foot. I've done this for many stands/frames/etc. and even did so for a 3D printer stand I recently made on a whim.

Not necessary - those sometimes cost 10 times as much as a regular nut.

Just using a bolt with a tapered head will self-center your nut you plan to weld. I do this all the time and share it with others as it's fast, cheap, and easy.

Yes, and no. I can weld but my cutting/grinding/finishing tools are extremely limited. Plus, my garage is currently gutted and undergoing a remodel so everything is boxed up and in storage. Thus why I'm looking for some easy/fast options for some of this project. The welding isn't an issue and cutting the tube will be easy with my chop saw. But cutting or shaping smaller parts won't be convenient as I have no band saw, no drill press, and no workspace other than the floor. After the benches are built and garage is remodeled I hope to have a better fab situation but for now I'm just trying to throw some benches together in the small window between when the drywall is finished but before the epoxy floor goes down.

I'm familiar with the method you posted where you just weld a nut on. I've done a little of that before. Just didn't want to have to deal with cutting/drilling the plates and figured there may be an off the shelf solution out there.

Also, I see your plates are larger than the tubing with a weld around the edge, I'd been planning to try and get the plate to be inset into the tube for a cleaner look and so that the legs can **** right up against each other. I'd planned on putting these two benches end to end so the legs will be immediately side by side. I do see how your setup is stronger though so this gets me thinking a little.

Would you mind sharing where you got that foot in the picture and better yet a part number? Looks pretty much like what I need.

 

[KwikFab]

Yes, and no. I can weld but my cutting/grinding/finishing tools are extremely limited. Plus, my garage is currently gutted and undergoing a remodel so everything is boxed up and in storage. Thus why I'm looking for some easy/fast options for some of this project. The welding isn't an issue and cutting the tube will be easy with my chop saw. But cutting or shaping smaller parts won't be convenient as I have no band saw, no drill press, and no workspace other than the floor. After the benches are built and garage is remodeled I hope to have a better fab situation but for now I'm just trying to throw some benches together in the small window between when the drywall is finished but before the epoxy floor goes down.

I'm familiar with the method you posted where you just weld a nut on. I've done a little of that before. Just didn't want to have to deal with cutting/drilling the plates and figured there may be an off the shelf solution out there.

Also, I see your plates are larger than the tubing with a weld around the edge, I'd been planning to try and get the plate to be inset into the tube for a cleaner look and so that the legs can **** right up against each other. I'd planned on putting these two benches end to end so the legs will be immediately side by side. I do see how your setup is stronger though so this gets me thinking a little.

Would you mind sharing where you got that foot in the picture and better yet a part number? Looks pretty much like what I need.

Offsetting the legs as little as an 1/8" from the edge of your table top will allow you to place your mounts like mine.

And yep, definitely stronger set up this way.

Assuming you only need 4 small pieces, I can easily cut some out and mail them to ya as I have a little bit of 1/8" left. No charge other than shipping.

It's what I used for the stand pictured above as well as another stand I made a few weeks ago for my SIL.



For the feet I used? They were left over from over a year ago so I can't recall where they came from.

This is the closest match - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHHDG9ZY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The feet I used in the 12' wide bench here were from Amazon, using I believe M10 hardware? My 3D printer stand's feet were M14 which were way overkill

 

[Colin Len]

Offsetting the legs as little as an 1/8" from the edge of your table top will allow you to place your mounts like mine.

And yep, definitely stronger set up this way.

Assuming you only need 4 small pieces, I can easily cut some out and mail them to ya as I have a little bit of 1/8" left. No charge other than shipping.

It's what I used for the stand pictured above as well as another stand I made a few weeks ago for my SIL.



For the feet I used? They were left over from over a year ago so I can't recall where they came from.

This is the closest match - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHHDG9ZY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The feet I used in the 12' wide bench here were from Amazon, using I believe M10 hardware? My 3D printer stand's feet were M14 which were way overkill

Thank you, this is all very helpful.

 

[RMERR]

I have the threaded plastic inserts on the ends of tubing legs of one workbench. Leveler feet like you're considering. They worked just fine, quick and easy to install. If you prefer welded and want something already cut and drilled, some square plate washers are pretty cheap. They come in lots of sizes, Amazon's got a good selection, search "square plate washers" and get all the sizes. Weld the nuts on and you're there.

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[Colin Len]

I have the threaded plastic inserts on the ends of tubing legs of one workbench. Leveler feet like you're considering. They worked just fine, quick and easy to install. If you prefer welded and want something already cut and drilled, some square plate washers are pretty cheap. They come in lots of sizes, Amazon's got a good selection, search "square plate washers" and get all the sizes. Weld the nuts on and you're there.

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

Thanks! Man, I guess I should have started looking at Amazon. I know they have everything on there but for some reason just didn't even think to look there for this kinda fab stuff.

 

[Beerhippie]

I have the threaded plastic inserts on the ends of tubing legs of one workbench. Leveler feet like you're considering. They worked just fine, quick and easy to install. If you prefer welded and want something already cut and drilled, some square plate washers are pretty cheap. They come in lots of sizes, Amazon's got a good selection, search "square plate washers" and get all the sizes. Weld the nuts on and you're there.

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

heneng 12 Pcs Square Washer Plates, 5/8"(ID) x 2" x 2", Flat Bearing Plate Washers, 7/32" Thick, Plain Finish: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

Why the hell didn't someone tell me long ago that these existed? How much time have I wasted making my own with hand tools?

I like to make the caps one thickness of the tubing smaller in size than the end of the tubing and then use an open-corner weld. Cleans up nice and flush.

 

[KwikFab]

Why the hell didn't someone tell me long ago that these existed? How much time have I wasted making my own with hand tools?

I like to make the caps the same size as the end of the tubing and then use an open-corner weld. Cleans up nice and flush.

Most of us call them cut outs/cut offs and throw them away

 

[Graham08]

I've used the exact leveling foot at the McMaster link in the first post for several things, along with other sizes in that style. IMO, you won't go wrong with them. Most times, I've used a thicker plate that I've drilled and tapped to weld to the bottom of the tube structure they're holding up. Welding a nut to a thinner plate will work as well.

This is my horizontal band saw on a leveling stand with feet:

 

[Colin Len]

I've used the exact leveling foot at the McMaster link in the first post for several things, along with other sizes in that style. IMO, you won't go wrong with them. Most times, I've used a thicker plate that I've drilled and tapped to weld to the bottom of the tube structure they're holding up. Welding a nut to a thinner plate will work as well.

This is my horizontal band saw on a leveling stand with feet:

Great looking cart for your band saw! And thanks for chiming in, it's nice to know those are working well for you and likely will for me as well.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've used a ton of the press in threaded inserts from McMaster. They're super easy and the capacities are ridiculous. Definitely worth it in my book.

 

[Colin Len]

I've used a ton of the press in threaded inserts from McMaster. They're super easy and the capacities are ridiculous. Definitely worth it in my book.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The ratings seem good but I'm just not familiar with them so a bit skeptical But they sure could make things easy.

 

[KwikFab]

Thanks for sharing your experience. The ratings seem good but I'm just not familiar with them so a bit skeptical But they sure could make things easy.

Nothing to be skeptical about regarding the ones with the metal prong looking things.

I've used those as well, just figured you'd want something cheap and quick to do same day (until you mentioned your tool situation).

 

[Colin Len]

Nothing to be skeptical about regarding the ones with the metal prong looking things.

I've used those as well, just figured you'd want something cheap and quick to do same day (until you mentioned your tool situation).

Glad to hear that! Yeah, I guess "quick" can mean different things. I don't need it urgently, so ordering and shipping is fine. But if it creates a time saver in terms of production then I think it makes sense.

In this situation, although not cheap, I think I can justify spending $10-12ea for inserts that I can just hammer into place rather than spending the time cutting/grinding/fitting/welding my own ends for the legs. Basically trying to pick my battles here.

My main concern is that the one I found (and linked in my first post) doesn't have any stated weight capacity. And, it appears that really it's just a thing cap at the bottom holding the feet in place. So I just wasn't sure they'd be up to the task. But I think this may all be moot as now that I look more at the specs I'm not seeing any of the inserts which will fit the tubing I plan to use - 2x2 with 3/16" wall. Although if I move down to 0.120 wall then it looks like there are options for that size.

 

[tarbellb]

Ive purchased both the McMasterCarr and "best" Amazon push-in threaded inserts....

There is NO comparison

McMaster always has top notch suppliers, they built their reputation on it

Amazon, not so much. They were noticably lighter duty and once I inserted them you could feel the flex, in both axis

 

[danielbuck]

Ive purchased both the McMasterCarr and "best" Amazon push-in threaded inserts....

There is NO comparison

McMaster always has top notch suppliers, they built their reputation on it

Amazon, not so much. They were noticably lighter duty and once I inserted them you could feel the flex, in both axis

I don't ever want to know how much $ I've spent over the past few decades at McMaster... but I have never been disappointed with the parts.

Maybe just for giggles when I'm on my death bed, I can have someone call McMaster and give me the grand total.