Workbench Receiver Hitch - Yay or Nay?

[Terra Nova]

Building a new workbench, the frame is welded out of 2x2 0.120 wall tubing and the top is 1 3/4" maple butcher block. The plan is to bolt it to the floor when completed. Current shop is a 2 car garage so space is at a premium. I'm toying with the idea of adding a couple 2" receiver hitches to the frame for temporary mounting of power tools, etc (bench grinder, chop saw, etc.). Vise will be mounted to the top in one corner.

For those that have done it what is the verdict? Did it work out or not so much? Concerned with the amount of play in a typical receiver hitch setup.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[PCustoms]

If you do it now and don't use it, no harm.

If you don't do it now and suddenly have a use later.....

 

[drivesitfar]

I started a thread in fabrication years ago asking members to post their vise and grinder mounting ideas and a lot of these hitch mounted posts are on that thread. I haven't heard any complaints, but you might check out the thread and either make another post there or maybe PM some of the members that have similar benches.

when I start welding I will definitely have one or more in my small garage.

 

[2oolhound]

I have receiver hitches on 12" centers all along my bench. That way things like a big vise can be fitted with a dual tube mount and there is zero wobble. Most other things I just use a single tube mount and there is no wobble issue 95% of the time. If wobble is a problem I tap a small wedge under the tool to tighten it up till the work is done. Other guys weld a nut on the side and thread a bolt through to tighten.

My 13' bench has 14 receiver tubes exactly on 12" centers. I always have at least 3 of these stocked with the next size down tube just sitting nested inside. When my bench is too cluttered to lay something on it I can just extend these nested inner tubes out as far as I need to. This basically changes my 20" bench into a 36" bench when ever I need the extra depth for a project. I consider this one of the best features on my shop and use it daily. I will never NOT have a system like this on a bench again.

 

[tarmy]

I have them on outdoor work benches so that my good vices do not sit in the weather…
‘I also have them on my welding tables and rolling layout table for various vices and bench grinders. Use a screw type/threaded dog to keep things from moving.

 

[Terra Nova]

Thanks for the replies guys! 2oolhound and tarmy it sounds like you're happy with the setups and they work well for you. Think I'm going to go that route as I've got some receiver hitch material kicking around.

Thanks drivesitfar, I'll dig up the thread. I tried searching before posting but didn't have much luck on my keywords.

 

[foghorn1966]

I like the receiver idea but storage of what you set up to be mounted could be a pain.
I would think of mounting the bench grinder, chop saw etc on some 3/4" ply. Then have them
bolt down to your bench top using through holes & threaded inserts on the bottom of your bench top.

 

[Tools4Me]

I think it's mostly personal preference, but I prefer to connect lesser used shop items to a T shaped steel base plate and then clamp the vertical leg of that base plate into the jaws of my main large bench vise. Some of my base plates were purpose made, some are steel I-beams that were cut lengthwise down the center to make it into two T's, and others were garage sale T plates left over from construction projects. I prefer that way of doing it because everything sits nice and firm with no wobble and it lifts things up to a working height I prefer for the tasks I use that system for.

I currently have 5-6 vise mount setups on T-plates, but I only have pics of two of them. One is a smaller sized Ridgid chain pipe vise (shown in pic1), and one is a larger Ridgid yoke pipe vise (shown in pic2).

For anyone that does use a receiver hitch setup, there are several good anti-wobble products out there for quickly making the connection tight once installed. Do a couple internet searches for "hitch tightener" or "hitch anti-wobble" and you will see several different styles. Most are pretty quick to engage and disengage.

 

[drivesitfar]

Terra: it's a pretty big thread so hope you have some time, but tons of great ideas there to help you. here's the link: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-in-limited-space.252799/page-20#post-9233974

nice posts guys showing off your workbenches and how you make the hitch mounts work.

 

[haveissues]

I have a couple on my welding bench and find them handy. One of them usually holds one of these cheap vises. As a bonus the kubota has a receiver welded in the top of the bucket and I have slapped the vise in there many times when I needed one somewhere else on the property.

 

[Adk Mike]

I did this one on a bench I just built for my son in law. The idea was so he can take it off if he heeds a clear bench top. I also have one on my own welding bench. Same idea set it off to the side when doing big projects.

 

[Fatboy148]

I have receiver hitches on 12" centers all along my bench. That way things like a big vise can be fitted with a dual tube mount and there is zero wobble. Most other things I just use a single tube mount and there is no wobble issue 95% of the time. If wobble is a problem I tap a small wedge under the tool to tighten it up till the work is done. Other guys weld a nut on the side and thread a bolt through to tighten.

My 13' bench has 14 receiver tubes exactly on 12" centers. I always have at least 3 of these stocked with the next size down tube just sitting nested inside. When my bench is too cluttered to lay something on it I can just extend these nested inner tubes out as far as I need to. This basically changes my 20" bench into a 36" bench when ever I need the extra depth for a project. I consider this one of the best features on my shop and use it daily. I will never NOT have a system like this on a bench again.

Heck of an idea. I have four acceptance tubes in my 12' "Steevo" bench all just below the top one at each end and one separating the three boxes. IF.... I was to do it again, I would also have a couple at different heights on the vertical supports, not just at the top tubes. My initial thought was to use one of these to lower the height of the devices as needed:

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-hitch-extender-69881.html?_br_psugg_q=receiver+hitch

There are times (most of them for me) when it is nice to have the vise at a height lower than bench.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a 2" receiver tube mounted at each end of my large L-shaped workbench. I don't use it for items like bench grinders but mine are for transmission adapters and motorcycle engine adapters that I've fabricated over the years. They work well for those such items with weight hanging on them but I cannot testify on their usefulness as a bench grinder support.

 

[2oolhound]

For anyone that does use a receiver hitch setup, there are several good anti-wobble products out there for quickly making the connection tight once installed. Do a couple internet searches for "hitch tightener" or "hitch anti-wobble" and you will see several different styles.

Thanks for the tip Tools4Me, I hadn't thought of this type of devise.

 

[Terra Nova]

Thanks for all input guys! Definitely on the list to add as time allows. Had to move forward with getting it built but plan to circle-back and add two receivers, one on each side tucked up in the corner where the legs meet the top cross bar. Need to hit harbor freight and pick up a couple recievers. Just Rustoleum rattle can paint so no problem modifying later.




Frame is 2x2 0.120 wall with 1/4" feet and tabs for mounting the top and vise.



Vise has a 1/4" plate between it and bench top that matches the plate welded to the frame. Should be fairly sturdy.

 

[JradM]

Beautiful. Nice work

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for all input guys! Definitely on the list to add as time allows. Had to move forward with getting it built but plan to circle-back and add two receivers, one on each side tucked up in the corner where the legs meet the top cross bar. Need to hit harbor freight and pick up a couple recievers. Just Rustoleum rattle can paint so no problem modifying later.




Frame is 2x2 0.120 wall with 1/4" feet and tabs for mounting the top and vise.



Vise has a 1/4" plate between it and bench top that matches the plate welded to the frame. Should be fairly sturdy.

That does look sharp. I'm jealous.

 

[JradM]

Looking at the size of what you built, I don't know that a receiver for rapid vise removal is really necessary. Seems like you have a good bit of counter real estate and it might be better to just have the vise in the position it is now - where it can be held as rigidly as possible.

If, on the other hand, you want to mount other tools that way (e.g. maybe a grinder, a bandsaw, an arbor press, etc), then I could see adding that so those tools don't need to take up table space.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I made a workbench out of a solid wooden door and some pallets. All of which were free. It will work for now.

 

[drivesitfar]

nice looking bench. not sure if it will work well with hitch mounts unless you maybe add heavy items on top of it, but I do like the extra 1/4 inch plate above and below your vise. WELL DONE !!

if you get a chance to look at the vise stand's thread I provided a link to you might get more ideas for a free standing stand that can hold multiple tools?

 

[Terra Nova]

Looking at the size of what you built, I don't know that a receiver for rapid vise removal is really necessary. Seems like you have a good bit of counter real estate and it might be better to just have the vise in the position it is now - where it can be held as rigidly as possible.

If, on the other hand, you want to mount other tools that way (e.g. maybe a grinder, a bandsaw, an arbor press, etc), then I could see adding that so those tools don't need to take up table space.

Thank you! Yeah, the thought was originally for other tools like a bench grinder or chop saw or other misc/seldom used items. Even kicked around the idea of sticking my multi-mount winch in and running a ****** block off the ceiling for lifting the front of the zero turn. We'll see

nice looking bench. not sure if it will work well with hitch mounts unless you maybe add heavy items on top of it, but I do like the extra 1/4 inch plate above and below your vise. WELL DONE !!

if you get a chance to look at the vise stand's thread I provided a link to you might get more ideas for a free standing stand that can hold multiple tools?

Thanks!! The plan is to bolt it to the floor once I finalize where it's going in the garage (hence the feet with holes rather than leveling feet). Should be good and sturdy then.

I'll look into the vise stands, that's something I've been kicking around as I am really fighting the good fight not to pre-order one of those Fireball Tool Hard Tail Vises... It's a struggle, taking it one day at a time

 

[Terra Nova]

I made a workbench out of a solid wooden door and some pallets. All of which were free. It will work for now.

All you need! If it wasn't buried under the mess of a project I would grab a picture of my basement / hobby work bench. Made mostly out of recycled 2x6's and plywood from a large shipping crate a piece of equipment came in we ordered at work.