Thread: Sort of a Workbench WIP - Slow...

G'day Steve, looks like a worthwhile project. I myself are
spacially compromised when it comes to work areas, so i
agree with the idea of putting the bench on wheels. I'd go
with wheels fitted with a good brake though, wouldn't want it rolling
around when using a SCMS, that's a serious powertool that requires
solid grounding.

The concept of the router table in the main workbench would be an
issue for me, if i was working on timber of any length over 1.5m
it would certainly hit the wall in my shed, for that reason it has it's
own dedicated table (on wheels) as i sometimes have to take it outside
to play.

Regards
Col

Good point on the wheel brakes Col, most of my machines are on wheels so that I can move them into a position where they're useful then pack them away again. Brakes definitely required.

I hadn't really thought about use of the router table as I've never had one before so wasn't aware of the limitation this might involve. I had however thought about long lengths on the SCMS and to this end I'd envisioned moving the bench so the router table end points out the roller door. This would give me about 3m on the right hand side of the saw and more than I could use on the left hand side. This would cover the router table use for long lengths but would mean large sheet stock would require hand held routing.

Interesting idea. I have seen plans where the benchtop flips upside down on a pivot such as a stout pipe. With you design, I think you need to address the racking forces that might generate stresses on parts of the structure, eg the joints with the stub legs and the rail.

Cheers
Michael

I thought about the pivoting method but felt that hinging the table would probably be simpler and easier to manage than the pivot.

Since this is a secondary bench I suspect the greatest source of racking forces would probably be sliding the timber across the bench through the mitre saw. Certainly worth considering though. I was thinking most of the joints would just be housed. Would a sheet of ply say 9mm across the entire back face of the bench provide enough support to prevent any problems?

I've considered using a rail on the front of the fold down section but it doesn't really work too well when moving the saw between the up and down positions.

Attachment 106586

Maybe the rail could be attached to the fold down table itself and so provide support only when the table is up. I guess it would need to be a really tight fit to do any good though. The replacement benchtop could also have two rails for support when the table is down, these would also need to be a really tight fit and would considerably bulk up the removable bench top.

Have you thought about the saw moving up and down, instead of on a hinge. The bench top covering the saw could be hinged in two pieces, with a built in fence underneath. The saw could raise and lower with say four support posts and a car jack. Jack the saw up to the height of the bench and cut away.

Just a thought.

Cheers

G'day Doc,

I have thought about moving the saw up and down vertically but it just seemed like too much work. I especially like the way they just push down a couple of handles at the pub and bring up a tray of freshly washed schooner glasses. Not sure how the system works but it's pretty cool.

Finally got underway on this project. Well getting the materials sorted out anyway.

Spent all day removing nails and cleaning up 10 sticks of the recycled hardwood. Some of them looked pretty good. Glad I did the initial clean up with the cheap Ozito power planer as there were a couple of nails that I missed. Also managed to plane straight through the cable at one stage... All good now though.

Attachment 112415

Cut the two rails and four outer legs close to size and jointed two faces on each. That was about as far as I got before the beer called and I had to give up the machining...

Attachment 112416

What system have you decided on for the saw. As for your racking conserns, the 9mm ply attached to the back of the table should fix it.

Cheers

stevemc32

I posted a thread on 28th october 2008 `mitre saw/panel clamp bench` which may help with what you are doing.(i am unsure how to post a link ,but if you do a search you will find it).Hope it helps.

cheers
gidgee 1

Thanks Doc and Gidgee 1.

I'm planning on sticking with the swinging platform for the saw at this stage and using loose tenon joints throughout to help counter the racking. The ply backing will be a fall back position if it still needs help.

I like Gidgee 1's use of the doors to hold the saw table in position when raised. I haven't come up with another method as yet so this could certainly be incorporated. Do the doors get locked into that position? I'd be a little worried that they would vibrate open and drop the saw in use.

Another big day of machining has been completed and I've now got all the front and all the rear pieces machined down to 85mm x 40mm. They're all still to be cut to length to get rid of the machine snipe.

The only parts left to machine now are the crossmembers. I didn't bother doing these at the same time as the other pieces since they mate to the faces of the legs and some size variation is tolerable.

Here's the stack.

Attachment 112487

Bit longer and it would probably make a good bench top. Another time maybe...

stevemc32
The doors support the saw table when raised,the weight of the saw stops them from opening,they could be easily locked in position if needed.
Is vibration a problem with your saw?

cheers
gidgee 1

Originally Posted by gidgee 1

stevemc32
The doors support the saw table when raised,the weight of the saw stops them from opening,they could be easily locked in position if needed.
Is vibration a problem with your saw?

cheers
gidgee 1

Thanks gidgee 1.

I guess vibration is not a real problem as the saw hasn't fallen off the crappy fold up bench yet... Just thinking out loud, or is that with my fingers, I'm not sure.