Workbench... mobile or stationary?

[Rezarf]

Hey guys I am putting together a new workbench. I picked up three lower cabinets from craftsman and I am going to incorporate them into the lower portion of the workbench.

I am trying to decide if I should put the workbench on casters (locking) or put leveling feet under it. I have found in the past that I like a rock solid work bench for stability, and that I find a lot of use from workbenches that can be rolled out into the center of my garage for larger projects... I have a mobile welding table that is about 4'x2' but it gets dwarfed by some projects. I have owned both and I hope this is the last workbench I will ever need.

I don't have room for both. Unless I nest the tool boxes under the workbench, which I am not sure if I will like. I like to have about 8" under my workbench to store some tools like a floor jack, oil catch, creeper and other random stuff, so I would need to build a rack for the cabinets to sit on.

Clear as mud?

If you could only pic one, which would it be? Why?

 

[iibgdi]

This is something I've been kicking around as well.

I think a mobile work bench has many advantages, especially for someone like me who doesn't want a ton of benches etc cluttering up my garage.

One thought I've had was to mount a bench to rolling tool boxes.

The other was to build one out of 4x4's and 2x4's with a solid top on it and mount it on soft wheels to be able to move out to clean under and behind easily and to be able to use it in other parts of the garage.

I'd vote for mobile. But I'm not a ********, heavy duty shop guy either. I have simple, basic needs.

 

[JakeKohl]

I chose both. It still has a little way to go with trim, doors, and drawers, but it has a pneumatic lift system that allows it to be mobile but to set it down on very solid feet. The lift system consists of two 1 gallon tanks (to hold three or so lifts worth of air) and four hinged caster assemblies that use 2" air cylinders to provide the motion. It's also at the right height to serve as a discharge table for my table saw. The big center openings (on each side) hold my wood miter saw and my metal miter saw. The side drawers will hold nailers, router, and other misc. hand tools.

Wheel system complete. by -Green Room Graphics-

 

[Chitown_hillbilly]

I chose both. It still has a little way to go with trim, doors, and drawers, but it has a pneumatic lift system that allows it to be mobile but to set it down on very solid feet.

Wheel system complete. by -Green Room Graphics-

Are you telling me you "Bagged" your work bench???

 

[JakeKohl]

Are you telling me you "Bagged" your work bench???

I'm not sure I want to know what that means in this context.

 

[kbs2244]

My work bench is along the wall.
But I nest roll around tool boxs and roll arond work tables under it.

 

[SlowAl]

I'm not sure I want to know what that means in this context.

He means this.

 

[JakeKohl]

He means this.

Aaaaa...dang. Got it. That made me feel old.

 

[ddawg16]

You do need both. I've got lots of fixed work bench space....but my next project is a rolling work bench....which will also double as a woodworking table....and table saw table.

 

[ez-duzit]

Unless you can get the bench entirely off the wheels, it won't be stabile. If you need a portable workbench because you don't have space for a permanent installation, get a Workmate. Otherwise a heavy, stabile bench that won't move around while you're trying to do precision or heavy work is far superior. Underneath is dedicated to tool storage, further adding beneficial weight.

Depending greatly on what type of work you will be doing and how tall you are, height wants to be around 35+", for a stand-up bench, and 29" for a sit-down bench. My welding bench is 29" and is comfortable to use while sitting in a secretary-type rolling chair. My general fabrication and assembly bench is over 35" but is normally used while standing. Though a standard stool can be used.

Leave several inches of overhang on the top, so there is room to belly up to it.

A woodworking type vise lets you keep the top clear.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I've never wanted a moving bench.

 

[Guster]

Solid stable workbench never moved since built. Otherwise everything else but the mill, lathe and storage shelf is on wheels or castors. It can be tightly stacked and moved out when I want to use it or clean under/around it. Not as tidy as Jack's setup(yet) but I cat a lot in for a small space.

 

[RivennHewn]

What's wrong with having both?

 

[justanengineer]

Everything should be "mobile".....via a pallet jack. My goal is to be able to empty my garage including the benches, mill, and all of the other equipment in under 15 mins yet have nothing beyond my toolbox and cart on wheels.

My workbench has fork slots underneath the cabinets, which makes for very easy moving.

 

[Thumper68]

Personally I vote for both, I heavy mobile table is nice for working on larger things and being able to get to all sides. and a fixed bench is nice for its stability.

I keep my mobile bench (heavy steel) parked a few feet in front of my tool chests, but when working on larger things it can be rolled out into the work bay.

 

[98TJ]

I used four dual-locking casters on the one I'm building. We're a military family and have one or two moves left.

 

[djjsr]

I have one bench that is both mobile and stationary. It's on wheels but I keep it attached to a wall with turnbuckle hooks. When I want to move it, I loosen the turnbuckles, unhook the hooks and roll it to wherever I want it.

Since I built it at the same height as my table saw, I often use it as an outfeed table.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd prefer to have my workbench solid where I'm doing heavy work. On the other hand, on the wood side of the garage I have a work bench mounted to the wall and a work table that can be moved. The main reason to move is tool position, so the work table isn't in the way.

 

[Rezarf]

I don't do a LOT of heavy work on my workbench, if it is a beefy job then it usually gets done on the floor or on my welding "table." I've rebuilt one motor and I did that on a stand, not a workbench. My current table is a removable top MDF over two layers of plywood work top, but this new one is going to be metal... Mostly for cleanup and ease of maintenance.

I'm pretty average for what I do in my garage, car work, some welding and fab work, making some knives, and I like to make build and fix things, but I'm not a die hard garage monkey.... okay maybe a little.

 

[Slednut]

When I want to work on something and need access on all sides without moving it I have a solid core door that I set on a couple saw horses. If I had a huge shop a bench that rolls around would be nice.

 

[chicken89]

i built a rolling cabinet with shelves that I put all my car stuff on (jack, stands, oil change stuff...). when I moved into new house, i built a work bench just taller then the cabinet. so the cabinet rolls out when I need it to, and i can use the workbench with a stool under it. works so far, and i got to double my work bench area!

 

[softailgarage]

I chose both. It still has a little way to go with trim, doors, and drawers, but it has a pneumatic lift system that allows it to be mobile but to set it down on very solid feet. The lift system consists of two 1 gallon tanks (to hold three or so lifts worth of air) and four hinged caster assemblies that use 2" air cylinders to provide the motion. It's also at the right height to serve as a discharge table for my table saw. The big center openings (on each side) hold my wood miter saw and my metal miter saw. The side drawers will hold nailers, router, and other misc. hand tools.

Wheel system complete. by -Green Room Graphics-

I like that Idea, baggin a workbench. Since the boss is into lowriders and half of the shop is set up for lowrider Hydraulics, quess what I'm gonna do?!
Right now at home I've got 3/4 of a 2 car garage and would really love a portable bench along with the 2 stable benches. Sometimes it's just easier to have a bench you can walk all the way around. My problem will be where do I store it, as every wall is full. I suppose I could make the legs to fold up while a winch raises it to the ceiling, hmmm...nah.

 

[JakeKohl]

I like that Idea, baggin a workbench. Since the boss is into lowriders and half of the shop is set up for lowrider Hydraulics, quess what I'm gonna do?!
Right now at home I've got 3/4 of a 2 car garage and would really love a portable bench along with the 2 stable benches. Sometimes it's just easier to have a bench you can walk all the way around. My problem will be where do I store it, as every wall is full. I suppose I could make the legs to fold up while a winch raises it to the ceiling, hmmm...nah.

Ceiling...that's good. This one already weighs about 450 lbs!

This will slide in with my future wall cabinets and will be in front of my electrical panel (so I'm not technically "blocking" it) when not setup somewhere in the shop.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Everything should be "mobile".....via a pallet jack. My goal is to be able to empty my garage including the benches, mill, and all of the other equipment in under 15 mins yet have nothing beyond my toolbox and cart on wheels.

My workbench has fork slots underneath the cabinets, which makes for very easy moving.

LMAO, for a minute I thought I was reading a Doomsday prepper post.

 

[JohnCh]

For the new shop I've been thinking about using something like this:

Reviews on Amazon are all excellent. Anyone here tried them?

Thanks,
John

 

[ARCTIC_RAGTOP]

I built a solid workbench with a rolling workbench that fits underneath, and has storage for all the oils and cleaners and is a mobile worksurface.

 

[Rezarf]

Arctic ragtop, that's my general idea but with the boxes below, thanks for the visual.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I've built 3, solid steel workbenches. All are portable and on casters. All can be leveled and locked.

Excellent for those small garages where space is at a minimum, and if you're fabricating large items.

and they're very stable;

 

[tadwolfe]

I just bought scaffolding for a mobile workbench for $129 @ Menards. Customize with a heavier top and peg board and be set up.

 

[tadwolfe]

Nice tool layout on peg board

 

[ez-duzit]

A**hole--nicely finished. But those caster mounts make my ankles cringe!

 

[A**holes Garage]

A**hole--nicely finished. But those caster mounts make my ankles cringe!

The corners are slightly rounded, if that's what you mean?

And the upper mounting plates are inside the table top, haven't has an incident yet with them.

 

[justanengineer]

LMAO, for a minute I thought I was reading a Doomsday prepper post.

Haha...nope, just setting myself a goal for "mobility" since I will likely be relocating cross country several more times chasing my career before settling down. I also like to move things around just for shits-n-giggles once in awhile, just like rearranging furniture.

 

[roadracer97]

mine is stationery, but would like to build a mobile one

 

[fireman164]

I've built 3, solid steel workbenches. All are portable and on casters. All can be leveled and locked.

Excellent for those small garages where space is at a minimum, and if you're fabricating large items.

and they're very stable;

wow I thought mine was cool, thats awesome! you rock

 

[fireman164]

i have both stationary and mobile and use both equally, but the mobile one is way more convenient.

 

[Rezarf]

Well, we are basically split down the middle

 

[OldracerJones]

I have two stationary and one roll around cart 4 x 5 that's acts as a workbench while I'm working on my vehicles. Bet of both worlds.

 

[iibgdi]

Check this out. Pretty sweet little invention to move your table. Good for tighter spaces where you can't reach the back wheel to lock/unlock..

 

[A**holes Garage]

Check this out. Pretty sweet little invention to move your table. Good for tighter spaces where you can't reach the back wheel to lock/unlock..

Rube Goldberg