Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Feb 25, 2009 10:35pm | #1

   We once received photos of a bench that a reader made that is raised and lowered using the scissor-jack idea you mentioned. It looked like the bed Frankenstein's moster slept on but it was pretty functional.

   The commercial adjustable bench system from Noden has set positions I believe.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   JohnRyan | Feb 25, 2009 11:01pm | #2

   Matt, thanks for your reply.  Yes, that Noden table is exactly the problem.  It has set height increments.

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 26, 2009 05:30am | #3

   In a small space you should also be thinking about mobility for your equipment.  Getting them on mobile bases also gives you the opportunity to adjust the table heights of the various pieces.  You may not want to make them uniform height, but you could tweek the heights so they do come out in even increments that can have corresponding heights for setting your work table. 

3. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2009 09:52am | #4

   This may be a longshot, but if you could find one of these hydraulic retrofit kits that didn't cost a fortune, it might do the trick.  The company the link goes to doesn't provide a price upfront.  If you Google workbench legs adjustable (hydraulic,pneumatic) you might find some others.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

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   Edited 2/26/2009 1:53 am by forestgirl

1. 
   JohnRyan | Feb 26, 2009 06:57pm | #6

   Thanks for your reply forestgirl.  Yes, I've looked around a bit at those types of solutions...which is fine.  One thing that seems to strike me is that they often seem "flimsy"...you know...I feel like a nice heavy worktop will make those things top heavy...plus I fear something like a hydraulic leg as sometimes they fail and then you're "stuck" so to speak.

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2009 07:22pm | #8

   Yep, the look of those tables can bring that word "flimsy" to mind.  The one other site I checked, though, had tables rated for 1000lb or more.  Definitely for industry, and cost better thant $2/lb of capacity, LOL.  Good luck with your challenge.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 26, 2009 01:19pm | #5

   John,

   I faced pretty much the same difficulty not long ago and decided not to bring the mountain to Mohammed as it were, but rather decided to make as many heights the same or close as opposed to making them aadjustable.

   For example, I like to use sleds on my tablesaw but I didn't want to have to cut slots in the outfeed table for them.  So I set the outfeed table height to 1/8" below the bottom of the mitre slots in the TS; the outfeed table floats on its own stand.  If I want the outfeed table to be flush with the TS top I simply place 1/2" shims between the outfeed table and the stand. 

   Yes, the shims are tethered to the stand so I don't lose/resuse them.  :-)

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   JohnRyan | Feb 26, 2009 07:10pm | #7

   Thanks Bob, ya but, bringing the mountain to Mohammed is where all the fun is!  I thought about some similar things that you are talking about.  Ya, I could just make a worktable and then a sled on top and so on...but...since I'm doing it for fun what the heck.