Suspended shelf over rolling workbench

[iminocca]

I built a nice roomy rolling workbench that seems to collect so much stuff on it there's never any room for anything else...a lot of the clutter is stuff I use all the time and I want it handy, if my bench were up against a wall I could just put up a shelf or two and be done. But it's not. So one day I'm at Home Depot and see these connectors that have a lag screw on one side attached to a nut that accepts allthread and thought that's really cool, and an idea evolved from there. I wanted something strong and stable that didn't overwhelm the space or create large shadows. This works well but I think I'm going to add LED tape lighting on the bottom, my old eyes love lots of light!

 

[Caman]

Looks nice, but have to just mention the oddity of building a rolling workbench, but now you have no way to roll it out of the way because you have an object sticking down from the ceiling?

 

[iminocca]

Actually, think of it more as an Island workbench with wheels, it probably weighs 1200-1500 lbs. and the only time I ever moved it was to make room for the mill...guess that does sound a little odd, hadn't really though about how I referred to it! When I originally built the bench it was larger and I did move it around from time to time. When I moved to my present location I cut it down in size, built in a couple of tool boxes and really only kept the wheels because I had them and "just in case..."

 

[ilovevocs]

Nice work. Personally try to keep everything in my shop on wheels. Just makes cleaning easier.

If you ever have the desire you could use some unistrut to mount to and use rollers so the shelf could potentially relocate laterally. I like your idea. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rixtrix1]

You don't happen to own a plane do you. Nice

 

[rixtrix1]

I meant to say" a biplane".

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

To the OP: Were the fasteners that you mentioned ( lag screw on one side attached to a nut ) called "Sammy Bolts"?

I heard about them a couple of years ago, but can't find them locally, have to mail/internet order them. The problem is the freight often costs more than the fasteners.

About every 6 months, I do a patrol of all of the local HD and Lowes stores and ask if they have/can get them. Each time, they look them up on the internet, say "wow, those are cool, I'll order some" but in my next visit they always say "sorry we can't get them, and don't know why."

Even the local Fastenall guy likes them, but can't get them.



JBP


.

 

[barks]

It's more interesting when thought of as an "island" bench and consider all kitchen designers have developed to hang lamps, pots and pans, shelves, etc. above the island. Bringing down electricity from the ceiling, for instance.

 

[machine_punk]

That is an interesting solution to the problem and well executed. I think I'd be more inclined to build the shelf into the bench (one t-shaped riser on each end, right in the center), rather than hang it from the ceiling over a moveable bench.

But, I always enjoy seeing how others overcome barriers. Well done.

Kev

 

[taumac]

I think it a unique idea and looks like you put some money and time into doing it. My only suggestion or question. would be why didn't you make a T style support off the sides of bench and then your shelf? The bench looks great and I like the shelf above the bench idea but only issue I see with hanging it as you did if what if you rearrange garage?

 

[iminocca]

Nice work. Personally try to keep everything in my shop on wheels. Just makes cleaning easier.

If you ever have the desire you could use some unistrut to mount to and use rollers so the shelf could potentially relocate laterally. I like your idea. Thanks for sharing.

I like that idea...might use it somewhere else...thanks!

I meant to say" a biplane".

Nope!

It's more interesting when thought of as an "island" bench and consider all kitchen designers have developed to hang lamps, pots and pans, shelves, etc. above the island. Bringing down electricity from the ceiling, for instance.

That's one of the reasons for attaching it to the ceiling, so I can bring down air and electricity and mount receptacles to each end of the shelf. Honestly it didn't occur to me to attach it to the bench, across the end of the bench to the rear of my garage is a Grizzly mini-mill and mini-lathe and the work really well in that location (right where a support would need to be placed). I also like the idea of the shelf being isolated from bumps and vibrations on the bench, keep all the cans and bottles upright! Beside, I had this idea and I just wanted to see how well it would work, it's surprisingly rigid with very little mass and doesn't create too much additional visual clutter.

Oh, those are "Sammy Bolts", off the shelf at my local Home Depot...can't imagine why any other HD wouldn't carry them...tried Amazon or Ebay?

 

[iminocca]

I think it a unique idea and looks like you put some money and time into doing it. My only suggestion or question. would be why didn't you make a T style support off the sides of bench and then your shelf? The bench looks great and I like the shelf above the bench idea but only issue I see with hanging it as you did if what if you rearrange garage?

Not much chance of significantly rearranging the garage anytime soon...on the other side is a 9X42 B'port clone mill and a 12X36 Grizzly lathe. Not much portability there! Wouldn't be that hard to move the shelf if I had to, just 4 bolts in the ceiling. My only limitations are the overhead door and from front to back I can only move in 16" increments (c.j. layout). The cables will adjust to compensate for small variations in layout of the bolts. Or I could mount the whole thing to a piece of plywood and put it anywhere.