My Adjustable Height Workbench Design

[StevenMorgan]

So I don't do any heavy metal fab, but I do a lot of assembly work and general garage projects and wanted a heavy duty workbench that doesn't move when I lean on it. Most of my projects are aircraft related, so I want a wood top. I also do everything from TIG welding to detailed aircraft electrical harness buildups, so I wanted to be able to adjust from a seated position all the way up to standing height, without sacrificing the sturdiness.

This is designed around a 8' length of bowling alley lane at full 42" width. Ever since I saw a local Craigslist ad for some bowling lane sections this table has been on my mind. The real challenge was to design a table that had a great range of motion, was easy to adjust, movable if needed, but rock solid once in position. I poured over the many welding table builds and also Jack's arched workbench build for inspiration.

The result is a table that has a single scissor jack in the middle to lift the upper table off of a separate lower section, and the ability to remove outrigger legs and adjust the scissor jack to engage the casters. Hopefully the CAD images explain it. The only thing missing is a scissor jack right at the intersection of all the arched tubes. Material will be 2x2x3/16" tube for the legs, receiver tube for the larger pieces, and .120" thick 2x2 and 2x4 for the cross members.

The upper table section will have holes drilled and cam spring latches welded to the lower section to engage the upper legs at various heights from 28" up to 48" and jamb nuts welded to clamp it all up tight.

In the cad files you can see a dimension in the middle, which represents the scissor jack height from fully collapsed 5", up to 24" max lift height. The jack will be bolted or welded to each section, allowing it to lift the lower section and then the outrigger legs can be removed.

 

[machine_punk]

Interesting idea. I've been moving toward that style of wheels for benches I don't need to move often...casters inboard of the solid support legs (bolts with pads).

I've also been thinking a lot about using a screw jack to raise and lower.

I'm going to be interested to watch your actual build and see how these ideas work out for real.

KDub

 

[dirt_dobber]

I like the idea and design

 

[torched]

I really like your design. found with mine that being able to level the table quickly at any height is invaluable.

 

[StevenMorgan]

I'm still collecting parts and pieces and spreading out the purchases so my wife doesn't know how much I have into it.

I only have a TIG welder, and I'm also contemplating paying someone to do the actual cutting and welding to save me some time which is so precious right now.

 

[astroracer]

Just a few things to consider if you have never built anything like this. These are just my thoughts as a designer and fabricator and an end user of a table like yours.
It's a cool design but I have to ask myself how practical an adjustable height bench actually is. I build my benches to suit my height and would never have the occasion to change height on them with any frequency to need that option.
I also have to question how easy it is going to be to raise or lower the design without having two people there to lift both ends evenly. Even then, if the tubes are a nice slip fit, you will find it difficult to slide those assemblies inside one another unless the tubes and table legs are PERFECTLY aligned with one another after welding. This is difficult to do even if using jigs and fixtures.
I work alone in my shop 99% of the time and I doubt very much I could lift that table straight up to change the height all by myself.
I would keep the design but make it a single level table.
Mark

 

[StevenMorgan]

I also have to question how easy it is going to be to raise or lower the design without having two people there to lift both ends evenly. Even then, if the tubes are a nice slip fit, you will find it difficult to slide those assemblies inside one another unless the tubes and table legs are PERFECTLY aligned with one another after welding. This is difficult to do even if using jigs and fixtures.
I work alone in my shop 99% of the time and I doubt very much I could lift that table straight up to change the height all by myself.
I would keep the design but make it a single level table.
Mark

It will be lifted by a scissor jack, not by hand. the jack will be "pressing" the two pieces apart. If it binds up, then a whack or two with a hammer outta free it up.

You've got a legitimate point about this whole frame needing to be square and true to function properly. I figure 1/4" thick receiver tube and 3/16" square tube sliding inside it outta have just enough slop to not get out of alignment beyond what a hammer whack can fix.

I have a 48" tall standing cubicle at work and really like it for precision work and drafting, but I'm 6'2 and nobody else has one as tall as me... so its definitely getting built just for me and the work I typically do.

 

[rsanter]

You can also buy an old adjustable height hospital bed, mount the workbench surface to it and use the system that's already made...

Bob

 

[sberry]

I would skip all that too. I built 200 benches, its not a problem especially for your own and it eliminates a useful shelf under it. Depending on the type of top could build it in as little as 6 pieces for the frame and 4 more for a shelf.

 

[nickleone]

Square tube has a seam on the inside that makes the sliding difficult.
Round drawn over mandrel tube might make it easier.

Nick

 

[torched]

Adjustable height is the way to go imo especially if you are working with limited space and needing something to be multipurpose. I can set mine up as a drafting table which works great for tig welding. I like the design, if it works for you build it. Here's a link to mine for ideas.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281866

 

[steel 35]

You can also buy an old adjustable height hospital bed, mount the workbench surface to it and use the system that's already made...

Bob

I have a light duty one of these^ cut to 2' with a 30 X 5 foot top crank the heck out of it, Would like to build its big bro.

 

[BMB]

Check these out.

https://www.retro.net/shop/crank-table-base/

I know they are really $$, but I like the idea.

 

[machine_punk]

I plan to build an adjustable table for my ASSEMBLY table. It won't be a bench for heavy work--it will be a bench for final assembly. If you are assembling a large object, you will have it close to the ground (so the top of the object is near working height). If you are working on something small, you will elevate the bench.

The other reason I can think of for a high-low bench is switching between standing and sitting for a task. Some folks only stand in the shop, but I find myself sitting too.

Kevin

 

[StevenMorgan]

sberry: If I had a larger shop, I'd wholeheartedly agree with you and build a couple benches of various heights. A large standing table and a couple short mobile benches would suit me well with the work I do, but I'm limited to a 26x32 garage with 2 cars in it for my shop.

torched: your table build really got me thinking about the ability to adjust the height of a table to suit a particular task. I can fully see the benefit of setting the table at an angle like a drafting table (we have many at work, and I really like standing) for tig welding or layout work.

machine punk: yup, this will be more of an assembly table and general worksurface, I will still have wall cabinets and other work surfaces, but this will be the huge island work surface in the middle of my shop.

Up to this point I work off of sheets of plywood or scrap lumber screwed together resting on sawhorses of various heights. I like to be standing most of the time, but depending on the project, the ability to drop the table down to ~30" and sit on a cheap office chair is great. This table will replace all this junk that has accumulated around my temporary (for 2 years) 2'x8' sawhorse bench

 

[StevenMorgan]

I got three sticks of steel cut down to 8ft pieces. $200
2x2.120
2x2x3/16
2x4x.120

 

[Greyhorse]

For the legs get tubes that fit loosely together and drill holes to put pins through. You can slide the tubes in and out easier and get all the legs the same height.

 

[EPA7]

Check out the Noden Adjust-a-bench. I built one and used the Silestone island slab from a remodel and it's a great multi-purpose table/bench. Everything from assembly and finishing, to outfeed table for my bandsaw.
http://www.adjustabench.com/

 

[Is0ld0ut]

Check out the Noden Adjust-a-bench. I built one and used the Silestone island slab from a remodel and it's a great multi-purpose table/bench. Everything from assembly and finishing, to outfeed table for my bandsaw.
http://www.adjustabench.com/

Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[larry4406]

StevenMorgan - did you ever build this?

 

[StevenMorgan]

I bought a dry cut saw and have everything cut to length. I only have a TIG welder, and this is a lot of welding for this self-taught novice. I need to knock out a spring full of projects, and maybe I’ll get some time to weld this up in the summer.

 

[tarbellb]

Nice!

Perhaps consider this a table a way to complete all your other jobs a bit quicker.....

Regardless, enjoy the new toys and good luck.

 

[larry4406]

Steven - did you ever finish this?