Multi-Tool, Height-Adjustable Stand/Cab
I’m setting up a small basement workshop (don’t have room for multiple workstations and surfaces) on a long wall. Planning an 8ft workbench, an open slot and a 4-6ft bench on the other side of the empty slot so both benches tops can be used to support/feed materials I’m working on.
Currently have a radial arm saw mounted on a rolling metal cabinet that will go into/out of the empty slot between the 2 benches. Want to construct a 2nd similar sized rolling stand/cabinet to fit the empty slot that can be used to mount several other tools (miter saw, portable planer, router table top, etc.) and that can be height adjustable so each tool’s platform will be even with the two bench tops. Was thinking of system somewhat like Tool Dock (mount each tool on a standard sized board that drops into a similar sized hole in the cabinet top) but need a system to raise and lower (probably as much as 16 inches) either the whole cabinet or the top of the cabinet to achieve this. Have found some products (hydraulic leg system, adjustable industrial tables) but they are much too expensive.
Does anyone have suggestions for making something, know of something that might be available as salvage to do the trick or can suggest another why to accomplish what I’m trying to do. Thanks.
Replies
Wow Cookie, sounds like a complicated project! Check Wood magazine's "Ideas Shop". They use pivoting shelves that hold 2 different benchtop machines at once.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff.
Is that on the Wood website or in the current magazine? I checked the site and didn't locate.
Cookie,
Sorry I can't get the exact page linked, but go to
http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/
Idea Shop Tours is the 4th link on the list.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. I found it.......Idea Shop #3/2 in 1 Cabinet if anyone else is looking.
A couple of these cabinets would handle 4 tools, would take care of the tool storage issue and eliminate lifting/carrying of tools. Still have to get each tool's work surface level with the bench tops.....................Peter's idea of a different height box under each tool would probably solve that. Maybe a plan is shaping up here.
I set up a number of my tools using the idea you have. I didn't have the foresight to plan them all out though. In hindsight, what I would suggest is to determine the height that you want for the highest tool and make the base to match that.
Then for every tool you plan to use on the base, create the portable base with a torsion box base. Each tool can have a different height portable base to bring that tool up to the same height as the highest tool.
Did I confuse you? It is easier to draw than to explain in words.
Peter
Think I get the picture (although I'm not familiar with a "torsion box base"). Each tool would still be mounted to its own board (all the same length and width & let's say 3/4" thick) but each tool board would be attached to it's own unique box and the height of each box would be determined by the height needed for that tool. Did I understand? Thanks for the reply & hope this gets to you..........bit new at this discussion group stuff.
I have the same set up in my shop (workbench, slot, workbench). But instead of carts that move up and down. I use cheap shop carts to hold/move my equipment around the shop and made and adjustable benchtop in the slot.
My benches have plywood panels sides/top/backs. So, I drilled holes for shelf pins on the sides of each workbench (in the slot). I cut and reinforced a board the size (alittle smaller) of the slot opening . I drilled the holes so that I can drop the board in flush with the left and right benches (when I'm not using any machine there) and the other holes are indexed to drop the benchtop down for the heights of the machines I use. It does require moving the equipment from cart to table and back again, but they're usually close in height so I dont strain too much and my shop vac fit under the adj. bench for most uses so I can easily hook it up for dust collection.
You may also want to consider a leveling system for the adjustable bench top (or on each tool base). That way you don't have to worry about indexing the support holes exactly.
John,
Thanks for sharing.
If I understand your description, your slot space is set up like an adjustable book shelf. Did you use 3/4" plywood for the end panels? What do you use for pins and how many pins support the board/tool on each side? Sounds like you use the same board and set each tool on it after placing it at the appropriate height Is that correct?
Cookie4444
The bookshelf concept is correct. The plywood sides are 3/4".
I drilled only two vertical rows of holes per side. For "pins" I used standard bookshelf pins that have an metal 90 degree angle bracket attached. The bracket has a hole in it. I screwed theses pins into a piece of hard wood -approx 1"x 1" and the depth of my "bench".
The hardwood then acts as a shelf that I set the workbench board on. And if you run some screws/bolts thru your workbench at the 4 corners and centered on the hardwood pieces, they can work as leveling screws - mentioned in my first post.
The basic pins held all my smaller tools fine - check load ratings - but I was worried about them holding a heavier drum sander I have, so all I did was drill a hole in the hardwood piece and screw it to the side of the fixed workbenches. I just unscrew it when I need to move it - and the next time I go back to that height the screw hole is already there and I just rescrew back into it.
COOKIE
Got your e-mail. I was thinking about it and then came and read the thread. My first thoughts were what John has already posted to you. It seems the most logical approach if you are going to keep it cheap and simple. The levelers he mentioned are important to keep things square if the work-piece is resting on the tool and both support tables. Without square set-ups an alignment a $30,000 Felder doesn't cut any straighter than a $99 BenchTop.
I will talk to the guys at my work as we are into Classic Car Restoration. See if I can get anything clever from the mechanical guys and their shops. Will also get with my BIL at the Delta Air Lines Machine shop. He can also check with the hydraulics shop for any ideas. You should see some of the things that get sold at auctions when they upgrade eqipment there. I've seen things I didn't know existed.. grin>
Get back with any info I can pick up as you have a sound approach to using the space you have to the full advantage. Keep that momentum moving forward.. good luck with the new shop.
sarge..jt
COOKIE
Go to http://www.safetylab.com for exotic ideas. You may have to order a catalog as site is enormous. Check Granger catalog as you may have already. If you want a metal opposed to the wood method already discussed:
Four tubular metal legs. The tubular metal legs for the top that are attached to the table-top are slightly smaller than the opening for bottom tubular legs. They fit inside the bottom so they will slide up and down. In-corporate a scissor jack underneath for cranking up and down. Once in position figure a way to lock in. C-clamp attached to top metal leg just above the tubular bottom leg (many ways to do it). Use your imagination.. You'll have one just like they use at Delta to work on tows that are suspended over-head.. They use heavy-duty hydraulic jacks, but scissor is sufficient.
Just a few ideas. I would use the tubular method, but wood would be most economical if the budget is a factor!!
Good Luck and Happy WW..
sarge..jt
Sarge,
Thanks to you and your buddies for the additional ideas. Scissor jack below a medal frame w/metal tubes at the corners that accepts the tool mounting board might work.
I did check Grainger and some others including I believe Majestic (attachable hydralic leg system) but all were fairly expensive. Other things I've thot of:
1. adjustable leg system from a hospital bed might be adaptable, but haven't figured out where/how might purchase a used bed.......and if price would be reasonable.
2. 4-post system like type that raises and lowers the table on a heavy-duty planer (think that system is driven by a continuous chain that goes around the 4 posts).
Will check out additional site you provided. Again, thanks.
Cookie
Your welcome. Sounds like your on track and heading in the rught direction. Good luck and keep digging. I got a feeling you'll come with a good, workable solution. Let us know, I have exposure to a lot of new folks that are in the same position and the one-wall is all they have. It would be helpful to them to have someone derive at a cheap solution.
sarge..jt
Cookie,
I have a small shop also where things must be mobile to accomodate projects. I'm also in my thrid re-layout in 18 months...sigh. Personally, I would think long and hard about a counter that long. For some unknown reason, flat surfaces tend to gather things to their tops like tools and pieces of wood..and are always in the way when you want to work. Also, in a small shop wall space is very precious..I can store so much more in a floor to ceiling cabinet with doors than on shelves that collect dust. Lastly, I'm not sure you need that much counter space...you need a workbench space, project setup space, space for the wood your working on with a tool, etc...but that counter is not that functional...but you be the judge, as I stated, I'm still re-working mine.
I have made one rolling cabinet to accomodate the planer and the compound miter saw. The cabinet has wings to support the stock and that can fliped up. They are supported with plywood triangles attached to the cabinet with piano hinges. The height of these too tools is somewhat close so using the cabinet for both was not a problem (little feet under planer). When not in use, one of the tools is stored below in the same cabinet...I also built a two way sliding draw into the cabinet. With wheels and good ply it cost about $100.
I'm thinking about a second cabinet for the the router table and the table top band saw...they are relatively close in height of base also. I'm delaying because both these tools are pure crap.
Sarge,
Used link you provided and and also typed it in........both ways took me to "National Grid" site. Didn't seem like the type site you were referring to? From your comments was expecting something similar to Grainger. Did I miss something?
COOKIE
No, I probaly did. My BIL gave it to me over phone going on memory. Ha.... I'll let it go at that. Will have him get it from work where he has it written down. That works better for him. GRIN<>
sarge..jt
COOKIE
Opps, instead of safetylab try http://www.labsafety.com ! Me thinks I may have reversed the situation a bit.
Good Luck!
sarge..jt
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