Thread: movable work bench (using pallet jack) design sought

You could reduce that clearance to 100mm.

Many bench designs would work. Do you want a side lift or end lift. In working on a similar principle for many of my tools

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

You could use lifting castors rather than a pallet jack
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Honestly Dave, side or end wouldn't matter..

what I do have is a 4m wide "gap" to store a metal working bench, AND a woodwork bench in, and their sizes would dictate if it's end lift, or side lift. I envisaged a welding/ metal work bench at a maximum of 2m x 2m, and the only woodwork benches I have extensive experience on is the small one I use at home (1200W x 800D) and the big 4 sided ones they used to use at high school wood work shop.

I guess what I'm trying to get a sense of is the suitable size and shape of a general purpose bench suitable for carving, cabinetry, etc - and then I'd work up a bracing/ lifting from there.
I'd also be looking for some guidance on a "target weight" for a free standing bench for hand tool work (planing, chiselling, etc) - my current freestanding bench has a siing bech dog for planing, but racks if you use anything bigger than a block plane (due as much to the joints as the mass)

Thanks,
Des

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

You could reduce that clearance to 100mm.

Many bench designs would work. Do you want a side lift or end lift. In working on a similar principle for many of my tools

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

I cant claim to be an expert by any means but I reckon around 100kg would probably be a good starting weight.

Also to consider is if you want a tool well or just a flat top



Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

As below, I used simple cast iron castors from Bunnings, some hinges, and some scrap wood. The scissor action pushes the castors down to move the bench.

Carl Holmgren on YouTube gives some good examples too.

The castors cost me about $18 all up, hinges about $6 I think. Had the scrap hanging round, so under $25. Works fine even now that I have installed drawers in the bench for planes etc, and it's REALLY heavy.

I like that bench Bob

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art