Repurposed hospital table for underhood mechanic's tray ideas

[Always_Thinkin]

Picked up a used hospital tray on wheels today for less than $30. There is a local used office surplus resale store. I plan to make some modifications to make it a mechanic's underhood tray. I am open to your ideas on how I can modify it.

EDIT: I took some of the suggestions and the last two photos are what I came up with for mods. I added four vinyl coated hooks to the underside for hanging adjustable wrenches, larger tools etc. I stapled a gripper mat to the top to use as is with tools or i can put the cookie sheets for dirtier jobs/tools and cupcake tins for loose parts on top and they won't slide around. Let me know what you think.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

How about covering the top in a sheet of that self-adhesive magnetic material? Since the table doesn't have a lip that might small parts from sliding off.

 

[RoscoTom]

I have one I've used for 25+ years, if you count the 20 years that my Dad had it.

A simple 1/2 x 1/2 lip around the edges keeps sockets and such from rolling off.

Tom

 

[Lippyp]

Screw a metal or plastic tray to it, a nice big cheap kitchen roasting tin would work well, you might have to put two side by side to cover the area.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Cookie sheet top. Just the right size lip to keep things from rolling off. Cut a round hole and drop in a cheap cup holder with the mount cut off for you beverage of choice.

Tommy

 

[cat-mechanic]

Cookie sheet top. Just the right size lip to keep things from rolling off. Cut a round hole and drop in a cheap cup holder with the mount cut off for you beverage of choice.

Tommy

I like this idea, you could get some cupcake pans from a thrift store then you have individual bolt retaining cups, or get several smaller cookie sheets then you can keep stuff separate and organized while working.

 

[Ocho]

Add a wire basket to the bottom for holding more stuff like parts just removed or new parts about to be installed.

 

[wnstwolf]

Funny I have had one for at least 15 years just like that and have used it just as is Was at a surplus store today and they had a pile of large sheet pans that were too nasty to cook on but perfect for top of this. You guys keep costing me money. I will go back and get a few now.

 

[dumper]

Here's mine. Replaced original top with a wood top with indoor/outdoor carpet, and foam bumpers around the edges. Also changed all 4 wheels to swivel. Works great, and best of all- takes up no space when not needed.

 

[redmondjp]

Steel cookie sheets are a great idea - magnetic parts trays will stick to them. I would screw the pans onto the top.

The beauty of these tables is that you can put the top of the table right over the engine.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Thanks for all of the input guys and keep it coming. I want to see if anyone else can come up with something else. So I went to the store today and bought a cupcake tin...i thought my old lady wouldn't like it if i took one of hers. I had a cookie sheet already. I also picked up one of those rubber gripper mats for it so my tools wont slide around on top. If i have time tomorrow after church i will try to get everything attached/setup and take some pictures of it. I am thinking i need to attach a handle of some sort so i can grab a hold of it better. I used the table for a couple of jobs in the garage right after i bought it...and it is handy. The thing is height adjustable from 30" to 46". It is light and easy to move around and with the top surface measuring 15" by 30" it is just right...I would definitely recommend to you guys that don't have one to get one.

 

[volleyball]

You know a bedpan is great for those draining fluids

 

[Outlander]

You know a bedpan is great for those draining fluids

I see what you did there

 

[Norcal]

You can buy economy overbed tables new for $50-60 bucks new. HD supply sells them. BTW, that's what they are called. The tilt function can be confusing if you use the tilt lever instead of raising or lowering it, the price quoted above is for a non-tilt model.


http://hdsupplysolutions.com/shop/s/search/overbed-tables-25246

 

[dumper]

Can also find them at thrift shops, for $5-$10, or as some guys on GJ have...on the side of the road!

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Well, I had time this afternoon to modify the underhood table. I edited my OP with new pictures and mods. Let me know what you think and if there is something else I can add to it to make it more useful. Thanks to all of you who contributed your thoughts.

 

[redmondjp]

Maybe a gooseneck lamp on one corner with a directional LED bulb on it (judging from the 143-page HF tool cart modification thread, this could go on for a long time!).

 

[Lippyp]

One of those cookbook stands so you can prop a manual up open at the right page!

 

[wrench409]

Remember those school cafeteria fiberglass food trays from our youth?

I use them all the time when working under vehicles to keep tools from rolling away, bolts in one place, etc. Even to catch small drips from lines and filters too. And you just slide the tray out from under.....



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