Sloping garage floor and workbench

[67corvette]

I have a small 2 car garage for the cars. I take them out when I want to do a project. I have miter and table saws on wheels. Problem is that when I build something like a small stool it is not level even though all measurements are the same. My floor slopes towards the door and also to one side making level very difficult. It has to be portable unless I can convince the wife to keep her car outside. Fat chance of that happening.

 

[couch67]

You didn't mention it in your post but the thread title says workbench. I'd build a mobile workbench that has adjustable locking wheels. If you want something really sturdy and adjustable, you can make or buy a retractable caster system.

Here's a great thread with a lot of great ideas:

Lets see your workbench

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Problem is that when I build something like a small stool it is not level even though all measurements are the same.

That’s not the fault of the floor. Somethings wrong with your joinery.

 

[kbs2244]

^^^^ I agree^^^^
the Navy builds square stuff on wave rolling ships

 

[nadogail]

You can level your workbench. My workbench, refrigerator and cabinets are level; even though the floor has a drain.

Adjustable feet and legs are easily fabricated.

 

[67corvette]

I just ordered adjustable casters. My joinery might be off but doubt it. I double checked and unfortunately my garage had many dips in it. now I will be able to adjust the table. I will be making a foldable table. Small garage. Still trying to get the wife to park the car outside.

 

[rayra]

yeah it's your joinery. Or you are foolishly building to level while working on an unlevel surface.

What folks are trying to tell you is that you are doing it wrong. Your technique is wrong. The levelness of the floor is irrelevant. People all over are building nice things on sloped garage floors.
If you won't alter your technique, then you need a small level platform to work from. But you'll be doing things backwards.

If you are trying to make something square and level, you don't measure ANYTHING from the floor. You instead make all the legs / vertical elements exactly the same height, you set any brackets true to the top piece, you drill any peg holes to the same angle for each hole / location. How level or crooked the floor is has nothing to do with it.

Change your methods.

 

[Zeke]

Small stool and table saw. What am I missing? The flattest thing in your garage is the TS. All of us wood butchers use the TS as a reference table.

 

[ycgoat]

I had the same problem recently, I did some research and found a 3 point contact rule for making my base. You will have to look it up, I have not tried it yet. The fabrication section has some good insight on how to get builds right. I would no try to level the floor, if you were considering it.

 

[Jeff C]

Build everything with three legs. Then it will sit still.

 

[fourjeepin]

Small garage. Still trying to get the wife to park the car outside.

there’s the problem. And a larger (or additional) shop/garage is always the answer.

 

[rayra]

All (and a lot more) built / fabricated in an attached suburban garage with a floor sloped 3"+ over 22' of run. The floor has nothing to do with it.
About to build a whole lot of new pieces for our new home, sideboards / buffets, hutches, bookcases, a bar / hutch that will cover a chest freezer.

I had a quarter / corner of a 2-car, with a car kept in it. I built a large rolling work table, same height as my budget table saw so it could serve as an outfeed support. When not in use, the table and the rest of the woodworking stuff was shoved up against the sidewall shelves in the garage, with stuff on it and under it.

When we moved, a 3car garage was part of the criteria, now I've got a full bay that I'm still turning into a workshop. And that rolling table still figures. Still in the Suburbs, still on a sloped garage floor. Lot more building projects to come.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Build everything with three legs. Then it will sit still.

If you build it with 6 legs … will it sit twice as good?

 

[Grimpala]

If you build it with 6 legs … will it sit twice as good?

It will sit half as good, it's the inverse stability equation. Only half the legs will contact.

 

[Pierre2021]

Pro 603512 - Toolbox Distributors Workbench

Workbench - 12 drawers

toolboxdistributors.com

 

[ycgoat]

I had the same problem recently, I did some research and found a 3 point contact rule for making my base. You will have to look it up, I have not tried it yet. The fabrication section has some good insight on how to get builds right. I would no try to level the floor, if you were considering it.

This video seems to explain the 3 point contact for fabricating a flat square frame

Here's How To Make Sure Your Projects End Up Flat Even If You Don't Have A Welding Table. Here Is How 3 Points Can Make You Accurate. - BangShift.com

So you’ve got your welder, a saw to cut metal, and a stack of tubing you want to make into something. It doesn’t matter whether it is a table frame for your house, a back half chassis section for your hot rod, or some special project the spouse put you on. Regardless of what it […]

bangshift.com

 

[ycgoat]

This video seems to explain the 3 point contact for fabricating a flat square frame

Here's How To Make Sure Your Projects End Up Flat Even If You Don't Have A Welding Table. Here Is How 3 Points Can Make You Accurate. - BangShift.com

So you’ve got your welder, a saw to cut metal, and a stack of tubing you want to make into something. It doesn’t matter whether it is a table frame for your house, a back half chassis section for your hot rod, or some special project the spouse put you on. Regardless of what it […]

bangshift.com

Sorry about the plug for another tool I did not watch the video in its entirety before linking