Height adjustable bench/horses?

[kaharoa]

I'm interested in building a minimalist bench, understanding that Japanese benches/horses tend to be low enough to allow you sit on the work.

I have limited space and I thought it would be ideal to have an adjustable height bench that would also allow working in "western" mode...

What I am wondering about is how to attach the legs to the bench top. I have found this design:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=120032

but it's a bit over-complicated to me.

Has anyone seen anything that fits this bill?

[Sheets]

Hate to see this question go so long unanswered and wish I had something useful to say. But, I looked at the bench for which you provided the link, and I think it is too complicated if you basically need only two height positions (I wonder if that particular one will have wear/rusty marks at only two spots after some time as well?).

I can envision a few possibilities, but without pictures to illustrate (my skills with SketchUp are sadly lacking), it would be confusing to try and explain. Other than to say one idea would be to have detachable legs in an "L" shape with the differing sides of the "L" providing two heights. They could be hinged to fold underneath or just manually rotated from one position to the other. Another option would be the higher height legs attached to the wall and fold flush when not needed.

Methods of attachment are many, so depends on how easily (quick takedown - pegs/wedges, etc.) or sturdily (less quick takedown - nuts and bolts) you need everything and how often you would make the height switch.

I use horses for the low work (adjust the distance apart to accommodate the work) and a "Workmate" for raised work, but it has a limited surface area and may not suit your needs. But it folds up and can be hung on a wall, so doesn't take up too much room.

I hope this is at least marginally helpful. I'd be interested to see what you ultimately decide on.

Steve

[joe greiner]

I agree it seems over-complicated, and, as Steve says, there are many possibilities.

It might be simpler to devise ways of adjusting yourself, so to speak. For work while seated, a vertically-adjustable office chair could be dandy. They usually also have wheels to provide lateral "adjustment." For work while standing, a thin platform of about 100mm height could be stored under the bench, to provide two vertical positions. In one of my previous lives as a manual draftsman, I used a wood soda crate about 5" high, to facilitate access to upper regions of large drawings.

Cheers,
Joe

[NeilS]

I use horses for the low work (adjust the distance apart to accommodate the work) and a "Workmate" for raised work, but it has a limited surface area and may not suit your needs. But it folds up and can be hung on a wall, so doesn't take up too much room.



Like Steve, I use various saw horses and a Workmate that I modified. These work well in restricted workshop spaces as you can pack them away between uses.

The Workmate (see here (http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=7812)) does have the advantage of two heights. I replaced the top table/jaws on mine with more substantial thick hardwood planks. Also plan to replace the screw mechanism with a heavier duty arrangement one of these years.

There is a forum thread on the Workmate that may be of interest.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=60832

I have seen adjustable height office tables that might come up at a reasonable price secondhand. Some are even electricky... :U Would need a better bench top added and perhaps some extra bracing:

e.g. http://www.debetrek.com.au/think/height_adjustable_desks.html

http://www.ergostoreonline.com/911_control_room.html


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