Sliding platforms for workbench top tools??

[RinOak]

Hi, looking for an odd solution for the “workbench” thingy in the pic below:

The miter saw is bolted down and used often. But since I don't use my bench grinder or router table very often, I'm looking for a way to easily move them back when not in use. (The can’t be permanently attached along the front as they'd interfere with boards being cut on the miter saw.)

Does anyone know of any sliding tracks I could put these tools on to slide them forward/backward around 18” so the miter saw space is clear when they’re not in use? Or any other ideas? The only other criteria would be that they can be firmly locked in place when in use.

Thanks so much

 

[Youngandfree]

Heavy duty drawer slides on a piece of wood for platform. Drill a hole in the corner and a corresponding hole in the bench top and drop a pin into the holes to lock it in working position and storage position.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I like to use unistrut. I buy it at Menards electrical department, and they have a good assortment of fasteners and brackets. If a strip was mortised into your tabletop, the threaded fasteners can be slid to the correct spot. Then use threaded knobs or wingnuts to quickly mount/dismount.

Another option I have on my chop saw cabinet, it easily rolls outside then the wings fold up supported by sawhorses. I put a series of t-nuts corresponding to the bolt holes of my saw. I finger tighten bolts to hold it in place.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Here is a project using unistrut

Vise-a-Roni and Clamp-a-Tini

Yea, I know, confusing title, that is why I liked it. Well I am not sure what to call this thing I built for the gahraj. Its a vise stand that is multipurpose as it also is a C-Clamp, Vise Grip and Quick Grip stand / holder, but... it is very very small. Oh, and I added a light for that dazzle...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[bdbecker]

T-track might be an option. You can find it cheaper if you shop around, but this link will give you an idea of what I'm talking about...

https://www.rockler.com/17-piece-universal-t-track-kit

I'd propose embedding it into your workbench top, and making a plywood base that is wider than the footprint of the tools so you can securely mount the tools to the plywood base, and also have easy access to the lock knobs. It'd be pretty cool to see if you could figure out a universal spacing for the tracks which would allow you to swap other tools onto the bench down the road.

I don't know that you'd need a lock knob on all four corners of the base - maybe just on the front two corners to start. You'd likely want to oversize the lock knob holes a little to allow for any variation of the track, but if you go too big, you might end up with binding issues. Keeping the tracks clean and clear of debris would also be a potential problem.

If you really wanted to get crazy, using some casters like this on the sides would make sliding the tools back and forth easier.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B9ZNBA0?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rusty Wrench]

Flip tops are pretty popular. Also saw a workshop YT where the fellow had his vise and grinder hinge mounted to the bench so it could fold under to be out of the way.

Edit: YT w/ hinged gear-

Shows up around 10 minutes in

 

[moparfreak]

Although I don't have this in my shop anymore, cause I've since gotten rid of this workbench, I previously had a sliding platform on a lower shelf that I used for my planer. It was similar to described above, where I mounted a set of wood rails, mounted drawer slides on those rails, and then the slides supported a platform for the tool.



One thing that I think is key is to make sure that if you put the miter saw on a sliding platform, that you have a means to lock it in place. You definitely don't want to be using the saw and then the platform is moving while you use it and causing an unsafe operation.

 

[Jackfre]

Not exactly an elegant solution but you can mount receiver hitch’s below the bench surface. Mount a plate to the stem to insert into the rec hitch Mounting whatever you want to that plate.

 

[RinOak]

Thanks so much for everyone's thoughts so far. I think the Unistrut and T-tracks might be good choices as they look sturdy and also allow you to lock things in place. I'll look further into things, but this is all very helpful and a great start...thanks again.

 

[Kaizen]

really your main problem is securing in place. Neither are too heavy or awkward that you can't move easiily forward and back by sliding by hand. So elegant is not needed.
Also as your miter saw is on top of the bench there is a few inches that the wood being cut on that will not be touching.
So i'd use the Tnuts listed above screwed into the bench top for the 4 mounting holes on each device OR run bolts up and have them protrude above top half inch or whatever and use wing nuts to secure tools.

 

[tarmy]

Second the idea of mounting tools on receiver tube. I also mount steel working tools on cabinets so I can roll them outside and not make a metal shavings mess out of my shop. Those blue cabinets contain other portable tools and various supplies for the shop.

 

[LopezBart]

Second the idea of mounting tools on receiver tube. I also mount steel working tools on cabinets so I can roll them outside and not make a metal shavings mess out of my shop.

Funny, I do the same w/ the woodworking tools

 

[no704]

This would be easy using 80-20 stuff, but it can get a little spendy!

 

[Old tool guy]

Hi, looking for an odd solution for the “workbench” thingy in the pic below:

The miter saw is bolted down and used often. But since I don't use my bench grinder or router table very often,

Why are the grinder and router table photoshopped into the picture?

 

[4x4Pete]

A base plate mounted to the tool is easily bolted to the benchtop with t nuts to make a sturdy, easy to remove tool mounting system. The tools can be stored anywhere, the benchtop is available for any other uses and if you're taking the tool elsewhere, it can be clamped to almost any work surface.

 

[mrheater]

Hi, looking for an odd solution for the “workbench” thingy in the pic below:

The miter saw is bolted down and used often. But since I don't use my bench grinder or router table very often, I'm looking for a way to easily move them back when not in use. (The can’t be permanently attached along the front as they'd interfere with boards being cut on the miter saw.)

Does anyone know of any sliding tracks I could put these tools on to slide them forward/backward around 18” so the miter saw space is clear when they’re not in use? Or any other ideas? The only other criteria would be that they can be firmly locked in place when in use.

Thanks so much

I use Shop Dock - fast, secure and easy to install. You can check it out at myshopdock.com