Need ideas for a moveable work surface

[mattc119]

Hey all,

Heres what Im looking to do;

I want to build a smaller (48"x24" or so) work surface that would be on wheels. Easy enough, but I also want to be able to lock it down easily so it doesn't move. I have considered the casters with individual locks on them, similar to what are on tool chests, but I want to do something a little better than that. It's my goal to have some sort of lever system, so when you operate one lever, either the casters raise enough to come off the ground, or the feet of the bench drop below the casters to prevent the table from moving. Any ideas? Has this been done before? Thanks in advance!

Matt

 

[ToolJunkie]

That workbench was feature in Best -Ever Home shop Ideas 2009. Go to www.woodmagazine.com/videos and search for Space-Saving Double Duty Tablesaw Workbench. I got the plans, PM your email

 

[mdbeck1]

Hey all,

Heres what Im looking to do;

I want to build a smaller (48"x24" or so) work surface that would be on wheels. Easy enough, but I also want to be able to lock it down easily so it doesn't move. I have considered the casters with individual locks on them, similar to what are on tool chests, but I want to do something a little better than that. It's my goal to have some sort of lever system, so when you operate one lever, either the casters raise enough to come off the ground, or the feet of the bench drop below the casters to prevent the table from moving. Any ideas? Has this been done before? Thanks in advance!

Matt

You could go with something like this: http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003703/2023/Retracting-Casters.aspx

Picture this on the side of the leg pointing down... when you want to stop it just flip the lever. You could set it to lift about 1/4" or so.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2083524/34015/Bessey-AutoAdjust-Inline-Toggle-Clamp.aspx

 

[machine_punk]

i built pretty much exactly what you are asking for.

I built my small woodworking bench with double 2x6 legs (ends up around 4x6). On one end, I cut a 45-degree bevel...just enough to fit the fixed wheels. I set the wheels up so they are just a fraction of an inch off the ground while the bench is sitting on the ground. If I pick up the other end, the wheels hit the ground and the bench rolls easily (sort of like a wheel barrow). This way, I end up with COMPLETELY solid legs while the bench is sitting still (4x6 contact patch on one end of the bench, about 4x4.5 inch contact patch on the end with wheels), but I have a bench which moves VERY easily.

 

[bb1970]

Around here (K.C. MO.) the local milk companies deliver on dollies that have a brake set in between the casters that forces a rubber foot down on the floor acting as a brake. They stop the dollies from rolling in the semi's during delivery. You might see if your local milk suppliers have old dollies you can buy parts from.

 

[toymn6366]

one i saw that i liked was a metal table using trailer jacks with wheels at all 4 corners then when rolled up it sit on the legs can't remember where i seen it though

 

[Leadfoot3232]

I built one like that..all steel square tubing..had four fixed legs,the casters on each end were on a pivot with clevis's connected to a center pivot with a locking foot pedal..you push down the pedal then move it slightly sideways with your foot to lock it in the up position to transport..push down and sideways the other way to unlock and lower..the casters would raise all four fixed legs about 1/4" off the ground to move it..it worked out great..

 

[StarWolve]

Here's what I did for my welding table. The work surface wasn't attached, but you get the idea.

The "outriggers" make it VERY stable. Despite being tall, I can lean into it and it won't budge. It does take a couple minutes with a socket to adjust the feet, but I find I'm only moving is occasionally. The plan is to enclose the bottom for scrap steel storage, add some storage for clamps and my vises, and add some receiver stock to mount various grinders and vises on it. Here's my google sketchup plan for it, prior to realizing that the feet needed to go out further to clear the wheels:

 

[shopnut]

My docking island workbench is on heavy duty casters, swivels on the front and rigids on the back. I added "floor locks" at each end that I can set when I want to it stabilize it. They are the things between the casters. you just step on the pedal and the rubber foot contacts the floor like a brake.

BUT what I found is if you have the type of casters that can lock the rotation on the swivels and position the casters at right angles to each other as shown, the bench can't move. The wheels themselves don't even need to be locked from rolling. The rings hanging out to the side pull on the swivel locks. Makes it real quick to roll it out and lock it in place. I hardly ever use the floor locks anymore.

 

[kbs2244]

I have two 2x4 roll around work tables.
Plus all my major tools are on casters.
To keep them in place I use sand bags I have made from old T-shirts ******* with plastic wire ties.
That is just one of many things I use those stupid simple things for.
One of those things you wounder how you got along without.

 

[pj_rage]

Here's what I did for my welding table. The work surface wasn't attached, but you get the idea.

The "outriggers" make it VERY stable. Despite being tall, I can lean into it and it won't budge. It does take a couple minutes with a socket to adjust the feet, but I find I'm only moving is occasionally. The plan is to enclose the bottom for scrap steel storage, add some storage for clamps and my vises, and add some receiver stock to mount various grinders and vises on it. Here's my google sketchup plan for it, prior to realizing that the feet needed to go out further to clear the wheels:

Cool setup, but shouldn't take more than a few seconds per corner with a drill or impact driver with socket adapter to adjust Can't believe you adjust them by hand! Though I guess if you don't move em much.

 

[bb1970]

These are very similar to what I was trying to explain. Floor locks. I didn't know what to call them.

 

[Falcon67]

Here's some casters with the locks built in
http://www.castersupply.com/NAV/lifting_casters.htm

Not cheap! But good prices on floor locks.

 

[StarWolve]

Here's some casters with the locks built in
http://www.castersupply.com/NAV/lifting_casters.htm

Not cheap! But good prices on floor locks.

For that price, I'll stick with my ratchet and outrigger "feet"

 

[91FE]

Here's some casters with the locks built in
http://www.castersupply.com/NAV/lifting_casters.htm

Not cheap! But good prices on floor locks.

Seriously? For the price of four of those... I could pay some guy that's out of work to come over to my place a couple of times a year to move my bench for me.

 

[AMarshall]

I have a couple shop cabinets in my woodworking shop that have a lever system like you describe. I use them as the base for a woodworking bench so I wanted them to be very stable when the wheels are up.

Here's a SketchUp pic of the underside. On each side there is a hinged board with two casters mounted. A lever through the front of the cabinet pivots the board down when you step on it, which lifts the cabinet up onto the casters.

When you step on the levers enough, a couple door latches pop out and hold the levers down. This holds the cabinet up about 1/4" off the ground, which is plenty.

If you try this, make sure the mounting boards for the casters are fairly thick. My first version used 3/4" ply, and I got some sagging over time. You also need some thickness so you can bolt the levers into the hinged boards.

There is more info and a couple more pics at this link: http://garageshop.blogspot.com/2010/12/workbench-floating-bases.html

 

[jimp]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#floor-stops/=cy9tsw

 

[machine_punk]

I finally went out to the shop and got some pictures of my small, moveable bench...

View media item 10267
Above is a pic from the front of the bench (where you stand to work). I cut off a corner of the legs at approximately 45 degrees. The legs on this bench are two 2x6's fastened together. The wheel is clearly off the ground and the bench is very stable...with about a 3.5"x5" contact area with the floor.


View media item 10266
Above you can see how I have the fixed wheel attached to the back of the angle I cut our on the leg. It isn't the prettiest bench in the world, but it is very stable with a lot of weight on it and yet it moves very easily.


View media item 10265
Above you see the other leg on the same end of the bench. The legs on the other end don't have a cutout at all. You simply pick up that end, the wheels touch down on the ground, and you can wheel the bench around like a wheelbarrow.

Kev

 

[Falcon67]

Seriously? For the price of four of those... I could pay some guy that's out of work to come over to my place a couple of times a year to move my bench for me.

Just pointing it out, not recommending. My mill base uses the same leveling system as StarWolve. Works great.

Don't squak too much about pricing - remember, this is also the forum with shops using hotel quality floors and multi-thousand $ lifts.

 

[nickleone]

Try these:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ww...p=search&Ntt=plunger+door+stop&N=0&sst=subset

They hold the door open to my shop in 30 mph winds

Nick

 

[r6_cannibal]

That's exactly what I came up with for my bench, but i used a gate latch to hold the two levers down and it's of metal construction. Also, my bench is made out of 2"x2" metal square tube and the casters are mounted to a pipe with a hole drilled through it. the pipe is also supported in the middle, no sagging.

I really like your door latch idea though, i might steal that for a new bench i'm building.
The pedal on the front of the bench seems to get in the way a bit, for me at least. On the new bench i will try to put the pedal on the inside of the frame to try and keep it out of the way a little more.

 

[91FE]

...Don't squak too much about pricing - remember, this is also the forum with shops using hotel quality floors and multi-thousand $ lifts.

good point.

 

[carhunter]

I finally went out to the shop and got some pictures of my small, moveable bench...

View media item 10267
Above is a pic from the front of the bench (where you stand to work). I cut off a corner of the legs at approximately 45 degrees. The legs on this bench are two 2x6's fastened together. The wheel is clearly off the ground and the bench is very stable...with about a 3.5"x5" contact area with the floor.


View media item 10266
Above you can see how I have the fixed wheel attached to the back of the angle I cut our on the leg. It isn't the prettiest bench in the world, but it is very stable with a lot of weight on it and yet it moves very easily.


View media item 10265
Above you see the other leg on the same end of the bench. The legs on the other end don't have a cutout at all. You simply pick up that end, the wheels touch down on the ground, and you can wheel the bench around like a wheelbarrow.

Kev

That gets my vote for the "why didn't I think of that" idea of the year!
Simple, and it works. Awesome!

 

[A**holes Garage]

You didn't mention steel or wood.

Here is a portable welding / workbench that folds up and sores away. I have a few non-caster steel workbenches but they are often clutered with other projects.

Whenever I need a quick work area, I pull the Nomad out. I also have a 1/4" oversized plate that I place on the top of the bench for larger items.

Works great, vey rigid and portable.

http://www.stronghandtools.com/pdf/welding_table_2007.pdf