Toolbox risers/spacers

[JS428]

Hey everyone, new member here.

So i have a new mobile workbench thats going to be stationary most of the time but on a rare occasion might get pulled out. The one item i slide under my current workbench is a floor jack. I want to be able to store it under the new one. Literally its a half inch too short. Stumbled across a thread where one or a few guys mentioned using risers/spacers in between the casters and the bench. Probably gonna try to use 1/2in aluminum plate and cut out the rectangles to fit the caster plates. Has anyone ever done this and did it cause any issues?

 

[bri_man57]

That idea should be fine. I assume the bench is solid enough to be moved, half inch to three quarters inch shouldn't make a difference

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[kbs2244]

It dosen't have to be metal

Give yourself some room to work

A doubled up piece of 1/2 inch plywood would work well

 

[nadogail]

You could also use high density polypropylene plastic.

 

[rburke65]

Yes...install a spacer of your choice.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As long as it fully supports the box, it shouldn't be an issue.

Would it fit if you simply removed the jack pad ?

 

[JS428]

It dosen't have to be metal

Give yourself some room to work

A doubled up piece of 1/2 inch plywood would work well

I was thinking that at first but after talking to a few buddies they both mentioned the wood might compress overtime.

 

[JS428]

As long as it fully supports the box, it shouldn't be an issue.

Would it fit if you simply removed the jack pad ?

Its the backside of the jack that doesn't fit. Its low pro so it slide under no problem, most of the way haha. Theres about 8in that hangs out. Im just a stickler and want it tucked under completely.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was thinking that at first but after talking to a few buddies they both mentioned the wood might compress overtime.

That would is only going to compress when you tighten the fasteners down.

Any compression from the box, if there is any, will never be noticed.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Its the backside of the jack that doesn't fit. Its low pro so it slide under no problem, most of the way haha. Theres about 8in that hangs out. Im just a stickler and want it tucked under completely.

Well if the jack pad fits under it, jack the box up and slide a block under the caster.

If you need to move the box, jack it up and slide the block out.

Go a chunk of PT 2x6 lumber laying around ?

 

[JS428]

Thanks for all the input guys! After i make a few calls tomorrow ill let ya guys know what i do and post pics later this week! Thanks again!

 

[JS428]

That would is only going to compress when you tighten the fasteners down.

Any compression from the box, if there is any, will never be noticed.

See thats kinda what i thought. Just in case i thought of maybe trying to find a piece thats 5/8 thick. Now ya got me going back to my original idea haha.

 

[p00p]

That would is only going to compress when you tighten the fasteners down.

Any compression from the box, if there is any, will never be noticed.

The fastener shouldn't compress the wood. The caster's plate will sandwich the wood between the tool bench/box frame. Any torque applied to the fastener that would severely compress the wood is likely to split the wood or snap the hardware before reaching that ability imo.

 

[p00p]

Grab a thick synthetic cutting board. I've ran across various thicknesses of them. 1/4" to 1".

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HQTJX5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gearhead1]

I was thinking that at first but after talking to a few buddies they both mentioned the wood might compress overtime.

I don’t think it will. The studs in the wall in your house are in compression. You may get localized compression if the fastener head is directly on the wood, but not so much if the load is spread out.

 

[gearhead1]

The fastener shouldn't compress the wood. The caster's plate will sandwich the wood between the tool bench/box frame. Any torque applied to the fastener that would severely compress the wood is likely to split the wood or snap the hardware before reaching that ability imo.

+1. I agree.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The fastener shouldn't compress the wood. The caster's plate will sandwich the wood between the tool bench/box frame. Any torque applied to the fastener that would severely compress the wood is likely to split the wood or snap the hardware before reaching that ability imo.

True, I was just thinking of the fastener being in the wood, but it'll be sandwiched like you mention.

Still no compression in the wood to worry about.

 

[JS428]

Well here it is guys! 3/4 wood cut to match the face of the caster plate. Longer bolts of course and shes solid! Thanks for all your input guys!

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[bri_man57]

Easy money!

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[Vahispd]

That'll do.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Well here it is guys! 3/4 wood cut to match the face of the caster plate. Longer bolts of course and shes solid! Thanks for all your input guys!

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OH NO, you don't get off that easy. Now you've gotta post a picture of the jack slid into place or it never happened!

 

[evildky]

You could replace the casters with a larger set. Of course blocks are cheaper.

 

[JS428]

OH NO, you don't get off that easy. Now you've gotta post a picture of the jack slid into place or it never happened!

Before, it would slide under then stop when it hit the top of the slope. Stuck out rough 6 to 8 inches and it was bugging the **** outta me. Perfect fit now! Ill post another pic in the coming days of my completed work area.


Thanks again everyone for your input!

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[vavet]

FWIW, I just did some compression testing on LSL lumber at work. A 6" long 2x4 compressed about 0.060" when under a 2000lb load. I loaded it in the 6" direction. The load was applied over about 3 minutes and then released.
It might compress more over days, weeks and years, but I wouldn't expect it to even be measureable without a micrometer for a 1/2" spacer under a toolbox.

 

[JS428]

Well here it is all set up guys. Thanks again for all your input. My "workshop" is pretty much done. Few final touches here n there and thats it.

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[gearhead1]

That’s the power of GJ. Someone on here has experience at whatever the given issue is.....

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

What are the little dolls above the workbench? Enquiring minds (nosy people) wanna know!

 

[unslow1]

Well if the jack pad fits under it, jack the box up and slide a block under the caster.

If you need to move the box, jack it up and slide the block out.

Go a chunk of PT 2x6 lumber laying around ?

That's how I did one of mine. I put slightly taller ones in the front because the drawers had a tendency to slowly creep out after I disabled the latches. I store oil and antifreeze drain pans under mine.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

You could replace the casters with a larger set. Of course blocks are cheaper.

This^. SnapOn and some other big dollar boxes have decent size casters to start but most don't. Unless your casters become so large the box stability is questioned I would increase caster size. I almost always replace my casters with larger ones. Many of the original casters will bring your box to a screeching halt if you try and roll over a nut or even a washer on the floor.

 

[p00p]

This^. SnapOn and some other big dollar boxes have decent size casters to start but most don't. Unless your casters become so large the box stability is questioned I would increase caster size. I almost always replace my casters with larger ones. Many of the original casters will bring your box to a screeching halt if you try and roll over a nut or even a washer on the floor.

a ziptie always wins the rolling wheel fight...

 

[JS428]

What are the little dolls above the workbench? Enquiring minds (nosy people) wanna know!

They are rick and morty funko pops. Eventually id like to collect more from other shows and NASCAR

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[cassidy]

I wanted to raise my toolbox at work up so I made these out of a piece of square tubing I got from the salvage yard for $20.00 They worked out good

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[unslow1]

That looks pretty good.