Mobile Monster 2x4 Workbench

[BarquestDan]

I have a one car garage, so space is at a premium. My plan is to create a sturdy workbench that's compact, mobile, and made almost entirely of inexpensive framing 2x4's.

Sketch

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[BarquestDan]

I want to mount a bandsaw and bench grinder to the bench, and I want to be able to put a good amount of torque on random items in a bench vise. Locking casters are pretty good, but they sometimes fail to keep their hold due to a lack of friction and surface contact.
Mobility Design v1

Mobility Design v2

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[BarquestDan]

Here's some of the math behind the mobile monster for those who may want to create their own.

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[BarquestDan]

Time to start measuring and re-measuring!

The leg height of 37.5inch is based on the distance from my wrist to the ground when I'm standing in front of the bench. (I rarely sit down to work on something in the garage)

 

[BarquestDan]

I decided to write the length of each component of the bench so I'd be able to easily recreate the bench if/when I lose the notebook with all the sketches.

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[BarquestDan]

Pilot holes for the lag screws will be drilled at 1inch and 5 inches from the end of the legs.

I went with 2.5inch 1/4 lag bolts

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[BarquestDan]

I don't recommend drilling the ends of the 2x4's based on measurement alone... We're dealing with cheap lumber here people, this stuff warps and twists so I suggest clamping pieces together then drilling.

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[BarquestDan]

This is how you make a 2x4 into a Monster bench! Lightweight, cheap, and strong!

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[BarquestDan]

I cheated on my work surface, I went with MDF instead of creating a butcher block style top out of 2x4's because it was actually way cheaper, faster, and nicer.

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[BarquestDan]

Now it's time to start making this monster mobile!
I decided to go with mobile design 2 out of the gate because it seemed to make more sense on paper.
I'm not quite thrilled with the result...

It's functional when you throw a bottle jack in there, but the pivot point of the bottle jack causes the bench to easily tip back and forth even with no load on the bench. Imagine how wonderful it's going to be when I've got tools and raw materials all over it!!

I'm going back to my original design and will post updates soon.

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[stonesfan68]

Nicely done!


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[BarquestDan]

I work... But I tip like a teapot!
Back to the drawing board

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[ADSR]

The lift system is fantastic!

Great work, brother!

 

[BarquestDan]

Muchos gracias diesel! Stay tuned because it's going to get better...


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[Krash Kadillak]

Just getting started with my bench design. Innovative thinking on the leveling!

 

[BarquestDan]

Thanks Krash... I think I've got a solution for the pivoting issue. Going to start work on that prototype shortly!


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[BarquestDan]

The current design has shown a tendency to tilt on all 4 axis while on the bottle jack, so a fully boxed frame should solve for this problem.

Anybody has a better idea I'm all ears!

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[NKlamerus]

If I may ask, why did you mount the wheels so close together? Are they only so far in for swivel room?

 

[NKlamerus]

Also not sure If you plan on keeping stuff stored underneath it. But I'm a HUGE fan of adding cross cables on anything for strength. Or maybe a sheet of plywood on the wheel sub frame. (More shelf storage than cables)

But not sure how much that^^ would help with the pivoting issue.

 

[BarquestDan]

That's a roger on the swivel room, but now that I'm on rev2 I'm taking your advise and moving them as far out as possible! As for the cable suggestion, I'm intrigued. Do you have any examples or links I can research. I'm planning on plywood for the upper shelving but not against anything that will add stability... Plus I've got some 1/8th steel wire left over from another project and some hardware to mount it.


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[BarquestDan]

Here's an update on the full boxed double jack design... Seems more solid already!

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[Wuaname]

Looking real good. You just used lag screws?


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[Yarz]

This is how you make a 2x4 into a Monster bench! Lightweight, cheap, and strong!

Good idea, it looks like it'll be sturdy!

Is there also a covered lag bolt through the front stretch 26?, and into the left rail 23"?
Or did you use a longer one through the leg and the front stretcher 26", into the left rail 23"?

 

[BarquestDan]

Great question, I used a longer lag screw that went all the way through the front leg, front iStretcher, and into the left iRail!

Suffice to say... It's stuck together.


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[BarquestDan]

Looking real good. You just used lag screws?


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Yup! All 1/4 lag screws
This isn't really required but it satisfies my OCD. I can't stand switching bits when there's no good reason to!!


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[BarquestDan]

Building out a fully boxed frame design appears to be a much stronger approach


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[BarquestDan]

IT WORKS!!! Mwahahaha!!!

Here's the down and stationary position:

And here's the up and mobile position:

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[BarquestDan]

Once the bottle jacks lift the bench, scrap pieces of 2x4 can be used to hold it in place and there are no concerns about tipping due to uneven loads on the work surface.


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[BarquestDan]

Let's roll!

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[sean Buick 76]

I really like this bench design! Great work!!!! I know you are likely too busy however I know that a bunch of us would love the measurements so we could copy it!

 

[BarquestDan]

Great idea! I'll put together a breakdown of the components and post it... Right after I'm done with some honeydo's


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[2WheelsOnly]

Once the bottle jacks lift the bench, scrap pieces of 2x4 can be used to hold it in place and there are no concerns about tipping due to uneven loads on the work surface.

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You could tether the scrap pieces with a thin gauge wire. They can hang freely when the cart is stationary. Then, when you jack it up in mobile mode, they can be quickly put in place. That way, you don't have to go looking for them.

 

[BarquestDan]

I was thinking of using hinges and a magnet to hold the pieces in the up position but I hadn't thought of just letting them hang... The hinges and magnets might be overkill now that you mention a simpler way.


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[mdbeck1]

I was thinking of using hinges and a magnet to hold the pieces in the up position but I hadn't thought of just letting them hang... The hinges and magnets might be overkill now that you mention a simpler way.


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You could also pivot them from the top, swing to the side when not in use and when lifted old man gravity would swing them into place.

 

[cashishift]

It appears you are also a Dewalt *****...

Welcome to the club

 

[BarquestDan]

It appears you are also a Dewalt *****...

Welcome to the club

I prefer to think of it as "brand loyalty" but that's probably just the classy way of saying "*****".

Dewalt makes an awesome tool and for some reason it's the first thing people go to pawn. Almost all my stuff is second hand!

 

[BarquestDan]

You could also pivot them from the top, swing to the side when not in use and when lifted old man gravity would swing them into place.

So you're thinking full length "legs" (for lack of a better term) could pivot from the middle level support area?

 

[mdbeck1]

So you're thinking full length "legs" (for lack of a better term) could pivot from the middle level support area?

Go from just below the brace that the top of the jack hits to the one that the jack sits on. You will have to either angle cut the top inside corner or round it.

Look at the black "board" that I added. PM me if I didn't explain this well.
View media item 41536

 

[Plombob]

Very creative OP! Thanks for sharing.

 

[BarquestDan]

I threw together a lower shelf using an old computer desk... It was kind of a rush job but it's not the most critical part of the build so I don't mind picking up a little speed on the project.