Thinking about building a rolling workbench.

[signcrafter]

I have a decent sized garage but wall space is pretty much taking up right now. I do have a couple workbenches along the walls, two craftsman ones with the drawers under the top, one nice one with a butcher block top and also one built into a row of shelves that I just put some 3/4" plywood on to make a workbench out of it. But my garage is in an L shape and most of these benches aren't around where I work on cars.

So I'm thinking about building a rolling workbench that I can keep around where I work on cars. Just a 2x4 wood frame covered in 3/4" plywood. Maybe a double layer for the top. Some decent casters and then mount my vise to it. I can wheel it to wherever I am working and set parts on it and use my vise. Right now I either have to work off the floor or walk over to a bench, both aren't ideal situations. A place to set new parts, clean old parts, etc.

Anyone have and use something like this in your garage? Likes or dislikes? Any neat features you added into it? What height did you make yours? I'm thinking 30"x48" or so for size. Not too big to be in the way but still big enough to give a decent work area.

 

[Robert Haas]

yep, more useful then most folks could imagine.

Built this a couple years ago for my brother.

 

[Jinks]

When I remodeled I thought lots of cabinets in the shop area was a great idea, until the first time I needed to use my drill press... No room under the cabinets to set the press on the bench...

I ripped the router mounting plate out of an old, cheap router table, built a rolling cart out of 2 x 4 & plywood. I mounted the router plate in the center, added an outlet box to one leg, made the bottom a tray, & put locking casters on the bottom. I now have a mobile work station. It's bench height, & can be used as a simple bench, a handy holder to clamp stock to while I saw with a skill saw, a stand for my chop saw, a stand for my metal band saw, a mobile paint stand, & oh yeah, a stand for my drill press.

I use it more than almost anything else in the shop. If it's relatively clean work, I use it in the shop. If the work is messy, I roll it outside. One of the best things in the shop..........

 

[signcrafter]

yep, more useful then most folks could imagine.

Built this a couple years ago for my brother.

That is really nice. A lot nicer then the scrap 2x4s and plywood table I was thinking about making. LOL.

 

[Robert Haas]

That is really nice. A lot nicer then the scrap 2x4s and plywood table I was thinking about making. LOL.

I understand, and a simple rolling bench is what you want. I was not trying to shame you or anything like that.

This bench has a 100 foot pull out male cord that allows it to be "live" where ever it ends up parked. Just plug it in. It even has an on-board air compressor.


My brothers shop is a 2 car garage and he likes to pull stuff out on the driveway to work o it so I built this so all he needs is to role this out and plug it in. I set up his bench grinder on a piece of 2" hitch stock so he can plug it in to one of the 2 receivers on this bench.

He uses it all the time, you drive up to his house and he will have one of his cars up on jack stands, his tool box and this bench rolled out sitting on the driveway. His neighbors hate him.

 

[DFB]

We have one at the motorcycle shop, A big rolling workbench with lower shelves built years ago all made from wood. Nothing much elaborate but it is solid.

Only real problems are finding a place to park it out the way and to NOT keep piling all the junk on it

Over all if you have the space its a great project and should be a lot cheaper than buying a 40" steel base cabinet with worktop

Makes a great buffet table at the Christmas Holiday time too

I'm headed down there now maybe I can get a pic

 

[ScottsGT]

My version of Robert's design.

I work from the back side where I have about 8" of overhang.

 

[Jinks]

yep, more useful then most folks could imagine.

Built this a couple years ago for my brother.

DAYAMN! I'm glad I didn' post any pictures & get blown away by that! Anyone accuses you of bragging, just tell 'em "it ain't bragging if you can back it up!" That's beautiful!

 

[welder57]

You may need to make them out of steel and angle. I made several using 2'-0 x 2'-0 or bigger, flat steel and angle for the legs with casters to make rolling tables. They would work great with the vise. May need a friend with a welder.

 

[pepi]

We have one at the motorcycle shop, A big rolling workbench with lower shelves built years ago all made from wood. Nothing much elaborate but it is solid.

Only real problems are finding a place to park it out the way and to NOT keep piling all the junk on it

Over all if you have the space its a great project and should be a lot cheaper than buying a 40" steel base cabinet with worktop

Makes a great buffet table at the Christmas Holiday time too

I'm headed down there now maybe I can get a pic

I've never ever needed every single tool to work on anything at once. Pushing that rig around, not to shame you, seems to be less than desirable.

 

[CN Spots]

Are you talking about a rolling work table or something to mount your toolboxes in or both? I built a rolling table out of a larger pallet that a printing press came in on. It was some kind of Italian wood and was very well made. Too nice to trash. The most important addition was a couple of table locks like the ones you can see on the bottom of Robert and Scott's designs. When those things are engaged it won't budge. My biggest regret is that the top is flush with the edge. I should have left a few inches of lip so that I could clamp things onto the top like Robert and Scott did.

 

[larry_g]

View media item 48442
One of my tables. This one is 20"x 48" and about 30" high. It can be made from on 20' stick of 1 1/2" steel tubing and a few misc bits. That chunk on the left is part of the counterweight from an excavator. The top is pressboard with Formica laminated to it. I've had it in the shop 20 years and it is still in good shape.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[engineer2]

I have an old mobile shipping bench from a company that was closing down. It has a formica top and a metal drawer. I added a second drawer and more shelves. I don't move it around though. Places like Global Industrial Supply sell them, but I would check CL too. Metal construction is going to be much sturdier than 2x4s.

 

[Robert Haas]

I've never ever needed every single tool to work on anything at once. Pushing that rig around, not to shame you, seems to be less than desirable.

Having a nice sized bench/shelf within arms length of what I am working on is a godsend.


In my shop I use one of the three Snap On mechanic's tool tables and I have them covered with **** during most jobs.

It has very little to do with having "every single tool" as having enough tools to keep working and not walking back and forth to my box.

 

[Perrorojo]

Here's a simple one. Two 4x4 steel tables on casters. Clamped together most of the time.

 

[bdbecker]

I actually have a couple of rolling "benches" in my garage that tuck under my main workbench. One is my saw cart that I typically use for either my miter saw, or for small woodworking projects.

View media item 65689
The other is my weld/fab bench that I've recently put retractable casters on and use for welding and beating on stuff.

View media item 66764
View media item 90161
Still working out the storage bit on my weld bench, but the idea is that both will hold the necessary tools for the activities related to each bench. I also have my drill press mounted on a rolling tool chest. Having the ability to setup separate work areas is pretty handy for keeping my main bench clear for the main project at hand.

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...Only real problems are finding a place to park it out the way and to NOT keep piling all the junk on it...

Lol... I recently helped my Dad build a heavy duty rolling bench with fold away legs (stainless top, heavy channel and angle iron substructure). The intention at the time was that he'd be able to fold it up and tuck it against the wall when not in use to avoid the situation you describe. We built it in December, when I was home a few weeks ago, it was still setup and has become a storage area for all sorts of nonsense. He's in his early 60's and I worry that his case of FSD (flat surface disease) is too ingrained in him to ever recover.

 

[ScottsGT]

He's in his early 60's and I worry that his case of FSD (flat surface disease) is too ingrained in him to ever recover.

This is my fear as well. With myself. I'm 56 and I've been trying my best to retrain my way of thinking with all my bad habits. It was about the time I turned 51 (And about the time I joined this website, and I credit this website for my desire to change) that I started focusing on a neat and orderly work area.
Biggest change, taking time to slow down and clean up things, A) before moving on to the next project and B) cleaning up things that you casually set down while just walking through.
I now think twice about buying something if I know I don't have a place to put it away while not using it which leads to coming up with a work-around for not getting that new whiz-bang tool.

 

[bdbecker]

ScottsGT - I was the same way for a long time and I also credit GJ for helping me rehab. Your comments on retraining yourself are the same things I do as well. My main workbench has 24' of linear space in an L-shape. When I built it, I promised myself that I would not let it turn into a storage shelf. While it will get cluttered up when working on a project, it never stays that way once the project is completed. It is a fantastic feeling to walk into the garage and have a clean work area ready for whatever the next project may be.

 

[ScottsGT]

Annndddd this thread reminds me I need to move a few things around this evening when I get home!

 

[DFB]

Lol... I recently helped my Dad build a heavy duty rolling bench with fold away legs (stainless top, heavy channel and angle iron substructure). The intention at the time was that he'd be able to fold it up and tuck it against the wall when not in use to avoid the situation you describe. We built it in December, when I was home a few weeks ago, it was still setup and has become a storage area for all sorts of nonsense. He's in his early 60's and I worry that his case of FSD (flat surface disease) is too ingrained in him to ever recover.

This is my fear as well. With myself. I'm 56 and I've been trying my best to retrain my way of thinking with all my bad habits. It was about the time I turned 51 (And about the time I joined this website, and I credit this website for my desire to change) that I started focusing on a neat and orderly work area.
Biggest change, taking time to slow down and clean up things, A) before moving on to the next project and B) cleaning up things that you casually set down while just walking through.
I now think twice about buying something if I know I don't have a place to put it away while not using it which leads to coming up with a work-around for not getting that new whiz-bang tool.

FSD

From self diagnosis I think I'm afflicted too


Lately it seems like these days I have more stuff that just stays out on the benches and workcarts than is put away in the big chest and roller cabinet combo

 

[DFB]

I've never ever needed every single tool to work on anything at once. Pushing that rig around, not to shame you, seems to be less than desirable.

I think your missing it's actual use...

With the motorcycles up on the table lifts and as the various parts get stripped off during the disassembly phase of a repair, its moved into a nearby position to provide place to set them down and safe spot store them, especially paint and chromed items, pipes and mufflers and like then roll it all out of the way as any of the rest of the work progresses engine/trans driveline.

Its not a tool chest...its a workbench

 

[signcrafter]

Some really nice work tables you guys made.

I wouldn't mind having one with a tool box under it and sure could use the extra storage but for now I don't think that is in the budget. Too many other things I need/want more then another tool box. Went and priced a parts washer yesterday and a 40 gallon one is only 269 on sale. Great deal. Then priced the fluid to fill it and it will cost over two times the price of the washer for the chemicals to fill it.

Another member mentioned a tear down table with a drain like this one, https://www.bendpak.com/shop-equipment/workbenches/rwb-1td/. That would be nice for engine and other oily part work but again pricey. At that price I could probably buy a bottom box and a decent top on it and have the storage space and the top to work on. But wouldn't have a drain table.

I was also planning on getting a HF 5 drawer roll cart for tools. After this thread I guess I have some thinking to do. For the 200ish bucks for the roll cart and then if I buy some kind of table I could just get a bottom 44" box and put a nice work surface top on it. Or just get a drain table. Or a roll cart and build a work table out of wood for next to free. Then spend the other money on other shop needs like parts cleaner fluid. Too many choices.

 

[Bronson]

This is a very simple and economical (cheap) rolling workbench that I built to store motorcycle projects on.
While waiting for parts, I can push the bench aside and work on other stuff.
You could modify this design easily to any height/length you need.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263835

 

[TexasT]

Not mine but I thought the jack setup to make it mobile was the way to go. I dig the vice too.

 

[ScottsGT]

Not mine but I thought the jack setup to make it mobile was the way to go.

This was my original plan but using HF scissors jacks. In the end I decided the floor locks would be adequate for my needs.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Another option for medium-light duty work are total locking casters. They lock both roll and swivel. Homdepot has them in 3", 4" and 5" (among other places). I have them on my mobile bench and with all 4 locked it's very stable.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-4-in-Polyurethane-Caster-with-Brake-4120745EB/203672250

 

[1WickedEvo]

So many options. Some nice custom bench designs on this thread. If I had my way, steel would be the way to go, however, the alternative for me is wood. Not a welder and I can’t imagine starting another hobby. That said, http://dreamdesigndiy.com/diy-garage-workbench/ This site has a basic rolling bench. Appears to be solid, equipped with storage.

 

[James-W]

I have mixed feelings about a workbench. I know that I need a place to work on projects, so having a workbench is a necessity. However, keeping the workbench cleaned off is another matter entirely.

I built a 4ft by 8ft workbench and put 6 wheels under it so it would roll easily and I could move it anywhere I wanted. The workbench is wonderful and all that when I need to work on a project, but I find that for the most part it ends up being a "catch-all" when it's not being used, which is most of the time. Then when I need to use the workbench for a project, I have to spend at least half an hour getting rid of junk and putting away the tools that I used on the last project. I realize it is my own fault for not putting stuff away after working on a project. But the thing about it is, the workbench is there and becomes a convenient place to put stuff and consequently, stuff gets put there and left.

 

[Sparkynutz]

What do you guys do for rolling workbench when the floor is sloped to a drain?
I love having a drain in my new garage but damn it ***** when the monster floor jack gets stuck and wont roll without manhandling it into position.
Spring loaded adjustable hight wheels?
Might work for tables but Jack will just have to be dealt with.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Lynden]

It's hard to beat the price of this 4-foot heavy-duty workbench.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/4ft-workbench-wood-top-workbench/prod21022940.ip?xid=plp_product_1_7 -- 37" high

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/workbench-height-adjustable/prod21252021.ip?xid=plp_product_1_1 -- adjustable height

The legs are tubular steel and the 24"x 48" top is 1.5" thick hardwood. You could add a flip-up extension on the back side of the top to get your desired 48"x 30" bench.

 

[dogzbody1]

I'm envious of the space you all have to have a rolling table! All of the pics look great. I'm a long time fan of Stacey David's "Gearz" show and the green rolling worktable that he has in the shop is awesome, its the first thing I'll build if I can talk her majesty into a larger garage....

 

[A**holes Garage]

funny, OP asks about 2 x 4 wood benches and most all respondents show pics of steel benches

 

[DFB]

See I told you...nothing fancy and there a catch all for everything

The microwave is new it belonged to our pal that just passed

 

[isb cornbinder]

16 years ago. I built a hydraulic lift table/workbench with a removable hydraulic wheel clamp on one end. The other end can b e fitted with a removable ramp. The height can be as low as 4 inches and tops out at about 50 inches. This lift table/bench is mobile. One end has twin caster walking beams on pivots. The other end is lifted a fraction of an inch with an inverted fifth wheel handle. The table can be moved with one person, although two persons make moving it easier.
The hydraulic power-pac is 12 volts. There is a battery in the base. I keep the battery charges with a BATTERY TENDER. The cart has a retractable 20 foot cord to reach a 120 volt duplex plug. The unit is hydraulic power-pac is operated remotely. The lift speed is slowed by using two hydraulic cylinders. The oil return rate is through an adjustable check valve.
I have and use a mobile tool HAZET style cart where I am busy. This kart holds the tools I am using and transports anything to the bench, as required.
My cost to built was about $1300. That cost is over $3000 in 2019.

 

[tarmy]

Everything is on wheels...










Get good casters..

 

[rayra]

Get large diameter casters, rather than 'good', and preferably with softer wheels, so you can roll over an uneven surface or random debris.

Built a large rolling table as a large working surface for many hobbies and built it to the same deck height as my table saw to serve as an outfeed support. Then I also embedded my small table router setup in the larger table. AND I then remade the table top a la Ron Paulk's plywood box truss design and split it in half longitudinally and reworked the legs and support frame height. Take out a few screws and the truss boxes come off and go in my Suburban as a portable workbench / chopsaw cutting station. Made some plywood trestle legs following Paulk's design. But any A-frame supports will work.

Later I added a short (length) mechanic's cart from Harbor freight, topped it wit plywood and added bolting points to mount my bench vise or bench grinder to it. Its top bin is full of welding gear, it's drawer is woodworking tools.

I changed out its very tall casters for a shorter set, wanting to 'dock' that cart under the cutting station I was building into the full length wall shelves in my suburban 2-car.
AND downsizing the casters and addign the plywood top deck gave me another rolling cabinet that matches my table saw deck height.

They make a longer 6' version of this which would make a good sized movable work surface and tool storage. I wanted it, it would have fit in that 'docked' location, but I would have had trouble maneuvering it around.

I'm basically revamping that front quadrant of my 2-car to create a woodworking area that can be curtained off to contain most of the sawdust and most of the stuff is on wheels so I can collapse the whole arrangement against the wall as much as possible and get back to fitting at least one car inside our garage.