Henricogolfer
Well-known member
Does anyone use a Mobile Work Bench? I am curious on the pros and cons.
Thanks
Thanks
Mobile Work Bench
- Thread starter Henricogolfer
- Start date
taumac
Well-known member
All my 44’s have bench tops. Allmy benches and welding tables are on casters. What’s great is can more them around when needed. Only downside I have sometimes is if have something in the vise and sometimes bench moves. It wouldn’t be issue if those casters had brakes on them.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
"Work benches" are not mobile.
But I have been in need of a "surface" that mobile when around the engine compartment- and there's no real good place to place tools; so I bought this-
https://www.palletforks.com/industr...6XmGLQsxAWu1s9ixSRVFRVokTkEKaEKRoCpmcQAvD_BwE
It's suppose to be here in less than a wk- I think it's just what I've been needing!
But I have been in need of a "surface" that mobile when around the engine compartment- and there's no real good place to place tools; so I bought this-
https://www.palletforks.com/industr...6XmGLQsxAWu1s9ixSRVFRVokTkEKaEKRoCpmcQAvD_BwE
It's suppose to be here in less than a wk- I think it's just what I've been needing!
BigGarage
Well-known member
I put wheels on mine but I've only moved it one time, when I painted the floor. I now have shelves on top of it and it would be hard to move but possible.
Dennis
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Chevota Guy
Well-known member
In my garage/shop everything has to be mobile and stored against walls away from vehicles. Although often a PITA the mobilty provides ultimate flexibility.
This includes my workbench. One disadvantage of a mobile bench is the potential lack of stability if casters are used and even with brakes, mine would sometimes still move if using the vise.
To get around that, I made a set of feet that can be placed under the bench and then retract the casters. It takes a minute or two to install them, but once the bench is set down on them it doesn't budge. To make quick work of setting the levelers, I used loctite to attach a flanged nut to the top of the adjusters and use a cordless drill to lower them. Works nice.
When I need to work on heavy or metal items, I cover the top with a sheet of tempered hardboard and wrench or pound away with out worry.
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This includes my workbench. One disadvantage of a mobile bench is the potential lack of stability if casters are used and even with brakes, mine would sometimes still move if using the vise.
To get around that, I made a set of feet that can be placed under the bench and then retract the casters. It takes a minute or two to install them, but once the bench is set down on them it doesn't budge. To make quick work of setting the levelers, I used loctite to attach a flanged nut to the top of the adjusters and use a cordless drill to lower them. Works nice.
When I need to work on heavy or metal items, I cover the top with a sheet of tempered hardboard and wrench or pound away with out worry.
View media item 97236
View media item 97237
View media item 97238
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Henricogolfer
Well-known member
Great set ups!
bad_idea
Well-known member
I have a 3'x4' rolling weld table. The carpentry/woodworking tools are on a 4'x8' rolling work table. My automotive tools are in the 2'x14' stationary work bench along the middle of the back wall.
For large projects I roll the 4x8 table out and the 3x4 welding table out. Having the work tables on wheels makes it easy to reconfigure the shop to support the current project. For that matter, I can roll one of the tables into the driveway for exceptionally nasty projects.
For the projects a stationary bench is preferred (something clamped in the vise and reefing on it) I use the stationary bench along the back wall. It isn't yet (just moved into this shop), but it will be bolted down to the floor to keep it from tipping.
So, to answer your question, I use both stationary and mobile work tables/benches. Each has it's benefit. If I had a small space that I had to choose just one, I would have a rolling bench (my garage is 30x40). My weld table gets moved around for damn near every project. The woodworking table is a recent build (since moving into this shop) and I have moved it around at least a half dozen times already.
My last project was a king size bed frame for our master bedroom (woodworking project). I had the 4x8 table pulled out to work on and the 3x4 weld table pulled over to set tools on. The stationary bench was still covered with my last automotive project.
For large projects I roll the 4x8 table out and the 3x4 welding table out. Having the work tables on wheels makes it easy to reconfigure the shop to support the current project. For that matter, I can roll one of the tables into the driveway for exceptionally nasty projects.
For the projects a stationary bench is preferred (something clamped in the vise and reefing on it) I use the stationary bench along the back wall. It isn't yet (just moved into this shop), but it will be bolted down to the floor to keep it from tipping.
So, to answer your question, I use both stationary and mobile work tables/benches. Each has it's benefit. If I had a small space that I had to choose just one, I would have a rolling bench (my garage is 30x40). My weld table gets moved around for damn near every project. The woodworking table is a recent build (since moving into this shop) and I have moved it around at least a half dozen times already.
My last project was a king size bed frame for our master bedroom (woodworking project). I had the 4x8 table pulled out to work on and the 3x4 weld table pulled over to set tools on. The stationary bench was still covered with my last automotive project.
Chevota Guy
Well-known member
Workbench is fixed...
Assembly bench roles. Use it for cabinet work...oversized stuff and if I need to be outside on the apron of the shop...
Nice assembly bench! What type of storage cases are you using below it? Looks super well organized.
78C-10
Banned
This bench looks very close to mine. I put wheels on mine too, I wanted to be able to move it so I could sweep under and behind it. We are in the country and get ALOT of bugs, webs, hay that blows through so the wheels have been a real back saver.
DGersic
Well-known member
I have one small stationary bench in the corner, over the air compressor. The other work surface is a Craftsman workbench modified with a thick wood top, retracing casters, and feet made from hockey pucks.
In the spring/summer/fall working in the garage season, the bench is usually against the back wall. It’s a 21’ deep one car garage, so this leaves some room around the sides for working.
In the winter, the bench gets moved to the side, so I can put the bumper of the car at the back wall, leaving enough room behind it to get the snowblower in and out.
It gets moved around depending on what I’m doing, as well. The wheels make it easy to move. The feet make it rock solid when the wheels are retracted.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
In the spring/summer/fall working in the garage season, the bench is usually against the back wall. It’s a 21’ deep one car garage, so this leaves some room around the sides for working.
In the winter, the bench gets moved to the side, so I can put the bumper of the car at the back wall, leaving enough room behind it to get the snowblower in and out.
It gets moved around depending on what I’m doing, as well. The wheels make it easy to move. The feet make it rock solid when the wheels are retracted.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Lynden
Well-known member
If your workbench is going to be used for serious woodworking or metalworking, it's important that the casters be retractable so that the bench is stable. There are many videos which show different ways to make casters retractable. Here are a few to give you some ideas.
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/the-easiest-way-to-make-your-bench-mobile/
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/the-easiest-way-to-make-your-bench-mobile/
A**holes Garage
Banned
I have 2) mobile, steel workbenches. One is a solid steel top, the other is water jet slotted for Strong Hand clamping.
For a quick set up bench I use steel saw horses with a steel plate or the Certi-Flat steel top.
These combos take care of everything I need in a garage hobby welding shop.
For a quick set up bench I use steel saw horses with a steel plate or the Certi-Flat steel top.
These combos take care of everything I need in a garage hobby welding shop.
I built this bench to be able to be moved, but without casters. I mounted the UHMW feet. It is stable when working and if I don’t have everything I own on it I throw a nylon sling around the legs and I can move it anywhere in the shop I want it. It has worked out well and gets moved to support whichever project needs it.
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