Moble Work Bench...

[Jey]

I am looking for a simple moble work bench set up on the cheap.

I'm a software/controls engineer and we build custom test machines at our shop.

I'm often using simple hand tools while I'm working on the software for the machine, wire cutters, screw drivers, couple of wrenches etc if i have to reroute some hydraulics or redo some wiring or whatever it maybe.

I used to work as a diesel mechanic, and I understand the whole "keep the **** out of my tool box" thing, because I was the same way. I want to lose my own tools not everyone elses!

Anyway, I also always have a laptop with me, and voltmeter etc. I would like to have a smallish desk, with a couple drawers in it, and maybe a vice if need be.

I thought of buying a box from mac, like the "work station" but it's an over kill for drawers, and over budget.

I found a place that makes simple 'lab carts' on wheels, but they're $900.00, which again seems over kill.


Not sure if anyone has a good idea of how to make a nice one, or someone that has a porta-desk for sale. I can add a tool box or whathave you later.

I'm trying to avoid making one, as I'm in an apartment until we find a new house, and i'm nervious to make one at work, because the experts will probably try to help, and I don't want to burden them with a stupid project... if that makes sense.

Thanks!

 

[bluesman2a]

I've had good luck with Sams Club.

They have a couple of solutions that may help you:
1) baker's rack on wheels (3' long with 5 adjustable shelves) ($80)
2) rolling basket/trolly 2 trays ($40)
3) rolling stainless credenza with butcherblock top ($200ish?)
4) rolling stainless table with underself about 4' ($100)
5) workbenches with butcherblock tops ($250) not normally mobile, but would be easy enough to put casters on them. (NICE)

 

[ba614]

I've got a son-in-law that's one of those "experts" like the ones you've got at work. When he comes over I do my best not to work on anything to keep his monkey hands off anything I'm doing. hahahaha LOL

Here's a link that might help you out: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW87.html

I've bought quite a bit from these people. No worries when doing business with them.

 

[burger]

There are a few of these rolling around work. They're very handy. If they weren't so expensive I'd have one for my garage.

 

[Jack]

I found a scaffolding at home depot a yellow one with black metal shelves not a large scaffolding but a one person personal scaffolding. You get three shelves and can arrange thoses how ever. Then i cut wood shelving for the other levels and put sides on so nothing would slip off the sides and a tool box on top and now have a rolling work station with everything I need. Cheap and can be creative as the design, so far the casters have held and it works great. You can put a outlet to the side and run an extension cord to power you tools or a PC...........Works for me

 

[kbs2244]

I like the scaffolding idea.
But if you are a real scrounger, like me, you will do what I have. It is a couple of old steel desks pedestals. The round corner ones. Not the newer square ones. The older ones are stronger.
Anyway, use the 3 drawer side, not the file drawer side. If you get the top of the desk, use it. It will be about 1 1/2 inch thick particle board under the formica top. Or keep on the lookout for a piece of white counter top at the curb. You only need about 2 feet. Take the desk all apart to clean it up, then replace the feet with a pice of plywood (or a part of the top) with 4 swilvel castors, the top with the same. You now have an apx. 20 x 30 inch work top on a 30 inch high, 3 drawer, roll around base. It is a nice support for your tool box, has some nice drawers for big stuff, and is ugly enough that nobody else wants to be seen with it!

 

[Jey]

Thanks everyone for the imput.

I'm just cheap, and these ideas look like they might work...

I'll post some pix when i get it set up!


Thanks

 

[Jey]

I've got a son-in-law that's one of those "experts" like the ones you've got at work. When he comes over I do my best not to work on anything to keep his monkey hands off anything I'm doing. hahahaha LOL

Yea... It ***** because they think that because i'm an 'engineer' that i'm retarted. It's unforunate because i'd almost rather be doing their job on a daily basis than my own... I miss working on stuff regularly.

But, i don't have much of a chance to prove to them i know anything besides the cars i build and drive... but again, a lot of people ******** that stuff too.

 

[Jey]

i just realized how stupid it looks to spell mobile wrong.

 

[kbs2244]

Mobil work stations

I realized that my description of the desk mods may have been a bit wordy. So in the spirit of a pic is worth a 1000 words, this is what I was trying to say.


1. This is the overall view of my first, and most used, conversion. As you can see, it is my tool box carrier and is pretty rough.

2. I do not use a vice very often so I didn’t want to take up workbench space with one. At the same time I got spoiled bringing the tools to the work instead of the work to the tools, so I decided to have a sometimes vice on the roll around.

 

[kbs2244]

OOPS! I have to learn how to post pics!

 

[russlaferrera]

Take a look at harbor freight they have a 2 drawer model 47418 for $90 You can turn the top tray upside down and install a vice.