Temporarily mounting power tools to a work bench

[66HertzClone]

I've got some Lista cabinets on the way and will top them with a 10' long maple top. The top will be 6 1/2" longer than the cabinets, I plan to offset all that to one end for mounting a vise. I think it would be nice to be able when needed to use a bench top drill press on this bench.

I don't want to have it there all the time taking up a lot of space. I'm thinking of installing a few threaded insets in the front 1 3/4 flat edge of the top. I would have a piece of plywood that would be positioned on top of the bench, it would have a lip that would have holes that line up with the inserts to secure it in place. The plywood would have holes with inserts that match the base of the drill press and other bench top tools I might acquire. I could then fasten these tools as needed securely to the work bench on an as needed basis.

Anybody tried something like this before? Seems like it might work, I have some storage shelves nearby that the power tools would be stowed when not needed. Do tools like these need to be mounted in place, in addition to the drill press and bench top band saw may show up in my garage one day. Seems that it would be far safer to have these secured rather than hoping that gravity keeps them where they should be.

 

[LoneGunman]

Sure it will work, I like the trailer receiver and hitch method myself, it will cost more in the beginning but you won't have to put holes in that nice bench, you'd need to figure out a way to mount the receiver on the side or front of the bench.

Heres the thread with some pics
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25960

 

[bomber]

YOu might also consider those little knock-down, folding workbenches whose tops are basically one big vise -- Work Mate is the brand, though there are lots of knock offs now -- plenty strong to hold any bench-top power tool, and fold up maybe 6 inches deep -- it's nice to be able to take the job outside in the summer!

 

[66HertzClone]

That method would work for the vise as well, the trouble for me is I would have to pay someone to make all of the parts and mounts. The cost would start to add up, and for the tools that have a large base it might get a little dicey.

Duh, using the Work Mate didn't occur to me. That might be the bast way to go.

 

[LoneGunman]

That method would work for the vise as well, the trouble for me is I would have to pay someone to make all of the parts and mounts. The cost would start to add up, and for the tools that have a large base it might get a little dicey.

Duh, using the Work Mate didn't occur to me. That might be the bast way to go.

You are going to "need" a mig welder one day anyone, this is the perfect reason.

Seriously, the work mate is not a bad idea if you are not looking to do a lot of fabrication, for me that's part of the fun.