Securing workbench on wheels

[bora492]

I’m just starting to organize my 3-car garage after moving in 6 months ago. I bought one of the Whalen butcher-block top workbenches from Costco this weekend, on swiveling casters. I’d like to design some sort of “quick release” mechanism to lock the workbench to my garage wall when in use. I know I could use lag bolts, but I was thinking more like the quick-release hood pins on the cars from the 60’s. I could mount the pins to the garage studs, then drill a corresponding hole in the workbench frame. Has anyone come up with a sturdy, clever solution on how to secure workbenches on wheels?

Dave S.

 

[trbomax]

My "island bench" that I built is heavy enough (400#) that it stays where I put it.To roll it around I have 3 trailer tounge jacks mounted to it.

 

[ODIS]

I’m just starting to organize my 3-car garage after moving in 6 months ago. I bought one of the Whalen butcher-block top workbenches from Costco this weekend, on swiveling casters. I’d like to design some sort of “quick release” mechanism to lock the workbench to my garage wall when in use. I know I could use lag bolts, but I was thinking more like the quick-release hood pins on the cars from the 60’s. I could mount the pins to the garage studs, then drill a corresponding hole in the workbench frame. Has anyone come up with a sturdy, clever solution on how to secure workbenches on wheels?

Dave S.

Perhaps a sliding latch bolt or look at the various toggle clamps available at any woodworking supply store.

Ody.

 

[Steevo]

How solidly do you want it anchored to the wall when it is "parked"?
Strong enough that you can yank on a vise handle attached to the bench without it moving around?
I like the idea of the "hood pin" type of attachment, but your wall studs would have to be exactly the same spacing as the bench legs for that to work out.
You may have to make a piece of steel flat bar that spans a couple of studs, with the "hood pin" mounted in the middle somewhere.

 

[Sureshot]

I never did it but my plan was to use a small load binder and short chain as required. I have yet to cut my bench legs and add the castor wheels.

You can also get cam locks etc like they use on tire chains.

Use the eye or hook threaded in the wall to fine tune the tension.

You could also use a ratchet strap. Even tack or bolt the body to the bench and cut the strap so you have enough to work with but it is not sprawled all over.

 

[koditten]

I just wrap short pieces of chain betwen the floor and the castor. Doesn't go anywere and is real easy to pull the chain out to move the table. Do all for if you want the table to not go anywhere.

KO

 

[Dustball]

Angle brackets + PTO draw pins (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200315649_200315649) + lynch pins (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200519398_200519398).

 

[bad_idea]

I went the route of lifting the table off of the wheels for stationary use. There are many ideas on how to accomplish this on the forum. Several of the methods are used with very heavy steel tables with ease.

 

[bora492]

Great ideas, all. Steevo, I like the idea of a flat steel bar, as I could re-mount it anywhere if I reconfigure my garage. Dustball, those PTO draw pins would be perfect mounted on the flat steel bar, though I might size it down a little, as a 7/8" pin might be overkill.

Thanks everyone.

Dave S.

 

[egnorant]

I was thinking of a keyhole approach.

Keyhole is on the wall and a L-shaped bar that slips in and turns to lock it in place.
A handle on the slide bar sticks out horizontal to engage the keyhole and swings down to lock.
Stole this idea from my stock trailer door. If you find a door latch mechanism from an 18 wheeler trailer you could be golden!

Just went and looked at "keyhole strips" and now I am designing (in my head) modular stuff that can be moved for use or cleaning behind, locked to walls or each other for stability and versatility.

Hate it when my brain does this!

Bruce

 

[Torque1st]

For holding tight to a wall you could use a turnbuckle and a couple of eye bolts/screws on each end.

 

[Dustball]

Your other option could be to use pull-action toggle clamps mounted on the bench top and hooking onto wall-mounted eye hooks.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#latching-clamps/=i5i2is

 

[bora492]

More great ideas. Thanks!

Dave S.

 

[drsnuggles]

Do you have any pictures of the area in question?

 

[jannejan]

Your other option could be to use pull-action toggle clamps mounted on the bench top and hooking onto wall-mounted eye hooks.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#latching-clamps/=i5i2is

So what do you do with these? Sorry if i don't understand right away, it doesn't seem very obvious.

 

[Dustball]

So what do you do with these? Sorry if i don't understand right away, it doesn't seem very obvious.

Screw one of these into the studs at each end of the work bench.

Mount the toggle clamps on the work bench facing the eye screws. When you pull back on the toggle clamp while it's hooked onto the eye screw, it'll pull the work bench towards the wall and lock into place.