Gallery
VARIABLE HEIGHT ASSEMBLY TABLE
Apr 13, 2020
30+ years ago I saw a project in your Fine Woodworking magazine about a workbench that could be raised and lowered using a hand crank connected to a drive mechanism. It may have been Gary Blaise’s adjustable-height bench later featured in “The Workbench” by Lon Schleining. I was intrigued and wanted to build my own someday.
I started a year ago, and after many failed attempts, got it close to right. I used trailer jacks encased in 3/4″ corner lock mitered oak to make the inner and outer telescoping legs. At the top of the trailer jacks I attached a chain drive sprocket connecting bicycle chain (about 20′) to each leg so that they would move in unison. On one of the sprockets, I welded a 1/2″ x 2″ socket extension so that I could drive the table up to 48″ or down to 28″ with a hand wheel or a hand drill (pictured).
The table is built out of 8/4 figured shedua and oak. The top is 2″ thick built of shedua and 1 3/4 x 11 7/8″ microlams cut into strips and glued together in 12″ wide sections (to run through my planer) and then the sections all glued together.
I attached two vises and drilled out a series of dog holes.
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Without top
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Exposed drive sprockets without chain
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adjusting tawble with 1/2" drill
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Comments
Stunningly beautiful!
Don't scratch it......
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