Thread: Mobile Workbenches

I don't know about 'tastefull', but a lot of the 'tip' web site have some variation on this idea.

Screw pairs of castors to boards. Hinge the boards to the ends of the bench so that they can reach the ground & hold the legs off the floor when folded under, but can be folded up out of the way. Some of them use a spring to assist the movement in one direction or the other.

If you are feeling particularly strong, another tip was to use 'fixed' castors & bolt them to the sides of the legs so they barely touch the ground - but not enough to support the legs in normal use. You can them pick up the appropriate end/side of the bench and move it like a wheel barrow.

One of the lads on the list made a posting some time ago about making his own machine bases with a jacking system to engage the wheels which could be easily adapted.

This chap suggests he has it licked
http://www.workbenchworld.com.au/top-of-the-range.html

cheers

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

This chap suggests he has it licked
http://www.workbenchworld.com.au/top-of-the-range.html

cheers

This is what I initially had in mind, somehow, I think there would be too much freeplay in the wheels.

I would prefer that the bench is supported by its legs alone.

If I can't figure out a mechanism I may have to make my bench the same way.
Zelk

A few folks incorporate the idea in this thread. Works quite well.

http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/f...assembly+table

Regarding tastefulness -If it works and even Norm uses it then it's very tasteful



A more detailed plan is here...
http://woodworking.about.com/od/shop...tableTable.htm

Originally Posted by Bri

A few folks incorporate the idea in this thread. Works quite well.

http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/f...assembly+table

Regarding tastefulness -If it works and even Norm uses it then it's very tasteful



A more detailed plan is here...
http://woodworking.about.com/od/shop...tableTable.htm

Thanks Brian,

I have come across this design before and at the time thought that it was a little light in construction.

Even though I planned to use solid timber for my bench construction, I may have to do some kind of hybrid design.

Zelk

Originally Posted by zelk

This is what I initially had in mind, somehow, I think there would be too much freeplay in the wheels.

I would prefer that the bench is supported by its legs alone.

If I can't figure out a mechanism I may have to make my bench the same way.
Zelk

The wheels I've seen lock both casters and swivel mechanism
carbatec and hardware stores sell them - maybe have a gander and see if there is much play - I've got a set waiting for a project which seem to lock tight but I suppose the proof is when there is some weight on them and force being applied

Originally Posted by Bri

A few folks incorporate the idea in this thread. Works quite well.

http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/f...assembly+table

Regarding tastefulness -If it works and even Norm uses it then it's very tasteful



A more detailed plan is here...
http://woodworking.about.com/od/shop...tableTable.htm

I don't like it because Norm uses it.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

The wheels I've seen lock both casters and swivel mechanism
carbatec and hardware stores sell them - maybe have a gander and see if there is much play - I've got a set waiting for a project which seem to lock tight but I suppose the proof is when there is some weight on them and force being applied

My Fallshaw castors do lock wheel spin and direction. The brake works by applying pressure to the tread surface. When locked, I can still force the wheel to turn, I'm no HULK BTW.

Originally Posted by Wongo

I don't like it because Norm uses it.

Hmmmm.....OK then. Looks like we'll have to let this guy loose on you to bring you more in line...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNF0hEpWdY"]YouTube - The Old Crankee Workshop - Episode One[/ame]


That being said my workbench is too heavy to lift onto the wheels. I'd have to lever it up with a bar or something to let the wheels down.

Originally Posted by Bri

Hmmmm.....OK then. Looks like we'll have to let this guy loose on you to bring you more in line...
YouTube - The Old Crankee Workshop - Episode One


That being said my workbench is too heavy to lift onto the wheels. I'd have to lever it up with a bar or something to let the wheels down.

I think the guy is more likely drunk than cranky!

I was talking to SIL last night about the very same workbench idea. On mine the mechanism had to work from the front both ends so if against a wall it could still be raised/lowered. I am wondering if maybe permanent wheels but have feet go up/down.

Also mine will have steel plate one half and 2 inch timber the other half but the finishewd height will be same both ends.

I am very intereste in any design. I was thinking of 1 metre high x 1.5 metres long x 600 wide.

I noti=ce that Hare & forbes have a set of 2 fixed and 2 castor wheels in there "special" dogalog.

I like Norm's idea....so much so that i've done the same ot my workbench

Originally Posted by Calm

I was talking to SIL last night about the very same workbench idea. On mine the mechanism had to work from the front both ends so if against a wall it could still be raised/lowered. I am wondering if maybe permanent wheels but have feet go up/down.

Also mine will have steel plate one half and 2 inch timber the other half but the finishewd height will be same both ends.

I am very intereste in any design. I was thinking of 1 metre high x 1.5 metres long x 600 wide.

I noti=ce that Hare & forbes have a set of 2 fixed and 2 castor wheels in there "special" dogalog.

David,

having the feet adjustable, one would have to make sure that they are as rigid as possible when the weight of the bench is on them. I think it would be better if the legs are permanent but the castors are height adjustable. The permanent legs would have to be furthest from the bench center for stability.

I agree that the height control should be operable from one side of the bench. If we use Norm's idea but with a hand operated cam system so that you don't have to lift the bench to engage the castors.

Zelk

My bench stands on four Fallshaw full-locking castors and even with only two locked there is not a hint of movement when planing. But these castors are rated 200kg each (and cost $160 for the set of 4).
Some photos in an earlier thread:
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...ta+workbenches