Thread: Bench - moving, retractable castors

You haven’t seen this one? Concealed wheel workbench - YouTube

Here is another one, which I have posted before, similar to the original post, but to my mind a little tidier. Not as swish as RB's solution though.

Adjustable wheels.jpg

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

You haven’t seen this one? Concealed wheel workbench - YouTube

how is that done.

Originally Posted by Tonyz

how is that done.

Tony if you look up my YouTube channel there’s a 10 minute walk around video which shows it.
I just pulled it out of my head really.

Tony

Initially I could only find RB's "short" video. If you are like me, looking for the full video was a challenge and if you are even more like me in that you can't afford to lose any more hair, here is a quick link to RB's 10 minute walkaround.

The Beast Workbench Design walkthrough of custom timber workbench - YouTube

I was going to state at what point the video concentrated on the bench, but as the location is intriguing, if not exactly easily accessible, I will let you watch the whole clip.

Regards
Paul

I had it filed away for a rainy day, BUT !!! instead of saving it under workbench it was saved under wood and then under dads stuff only so the wife wouldnt go looking.

RB's solution is neat.

I assume the inside of the leg has "tracks" routered into the timber for the metal knobs to follow? (or it probably just self guides on the insides of the timber tube!)

I am constantly moving my bench, and use this design for machines aswell.
I have yet to see something which would equal my needs, as my bench has a floating top which goes hand in hand, as I can tuck it away in a corner and not need have access for a leg.

SAM_4081.JPG

Yes a bit clumsy lookin and doubly so being made out of scraps, but definitely worth doing.

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Been considering designing one for this bench, something possibly partially concealed, and possibly some part of the mechanism maybe borrowed from the bench Riverbuilder has made,
but then again...I might just make something like a Harbor freight lifting cart instead, as it would double up for other jobs
an outfeed for the machines for example.

From what I've been told a screw version like say Marius Hornberger's cart doesn't actually lift anything well, as it apparently jams ???
so would be no good for the second bench.
A ram might not be so cheap to get, so am on the fence about making one sometime.

Would love to see other suggestions, it seems many designs are to be found on various machines rather than benches though.


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This is a small surface plate bench on retractable castors that tucks under the end of my main assembly bench.
Those two levers at the bottom are pushed down rotating 4 small cams to push the wheels down.

Surfaceplates2.jpg

Full WIP here Small surface plate bench
It may not suit many WW as it involves a fair bit of metal working but it may provide some useful ideas.

If I was building a work bench or worktable from new I would build so my pallet jack has access under for shifting around the workshop. The pallet jack is great and it stores away under the least used machine sitting on a pallet. Just the handle end sits out front that way.

For my two existing work tables I added these wheels . It raised their height 5mm . A friend gave me a box of the wheels. They came with shot bearings mostly but with the bearing removed the housing in the cast iron was 30mm . 30 mm steel welded to angle iron for the axle and a hook on lever with two castors at the other end and moving these tables is easy . They are so heavy otherwise. This table is basically a hardwood box filled with full length drawers that are full of nails and screws. A 50mm Karri top with a Emmert Pattern makers vice attached. I couldn't shift it once it was on the concrete floor. The old workshop with wooden floor was no problem . A decent nudge would get one end sliding and I only ever had to move it a few feet in any direction then .

This system works good when the top has enough overhang to cover the wheels . So Im not tripping on the wheels when walking around it.

IMG_8915a.jpg IMG_8914a.jpg IMG_8916a.jpg

I looked at home made options for castors on the bench I am building but decided to buy a set of removable lift castors instead.

I purchased them from Dandenong Wheels and Castors and am very happy with them. They fix to the bench legs with a quick release kit and the same one set of castors can be used on other benches/machines etc by fitting more quick release plates. By removing them they can’t be tripped over or get in the way when sweeping up shavings and saw dust etc

Go to Dandenong Wheels & Castors and search for WBCS04.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

You haven’t seen this one? Concealed wheel workbench - YouTube

That's got to be one of the nicest solutions I've seen yet.

My solution to keeping things mobile are these:

21IMG_9045.jpg 20IMG_9046.jpg 19IMG_9044.jpg

I've only got them on my new worktable at the moment but I'll be getting some more as they're rock solid.

do tell more EagerBeaver. price, where from etc