Who can suggest the best workbench?

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:25 pm

heathicus wrote:I remembered seeing that before and adding it to my "workbench ideas" file. Looking through that file again I found some other cool things I had forgotten including this "Ultimate Tool Stand." While not a pure "workbench," I don't think I've seen anything else quite as versatile as that.

Notice the concept of how this mobile workbench can be made into a fixed bench when needed. This bench is on casters yet bolts could be used to raise the bench off the casters. Photos taken from the link above. This concept could be an easy retrofit on an existing bench or you could even mount the casters with this method if the bench is currently a fixed bench.
[ATTACH]7350[/ATTACH]. . [ATTACH]7351[/ATTACH]

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:53 pm

It seems to me they should be mounted a little closer to the corner for good stability, though. But then there might be an issue with the casters clearing the leveler blocks. Maybe a solution would be to mount the caster to the bottom of the leveler block?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:58 pm

mickyd wrote:Notice the concept of how this mobile workbench can be made into a fixed bench when needed. This bench is on casters yet bolts could be used to raise the bench off the casters. Photos taken from the link above. This concept could be an easy retrofit on an existing bench or you could even mount the casters with this method if the bench is currently a fixed bench.
[ATTACH]7350[/ATTACH]. . [ATTACH]7351[/ATTACH]

Personally with the new double locking casters that are now available locking the bench in place is not a problem. I can see the use of levelers if you need a level work bench, but I rarely need a workbench that is level as much as I need one that is stable.

I have double locking casters (lock both the wheel and the swivel) on my bench and have found that the bench is as stable as it was when it didn't have casters. I will admit before I lock the casters I usually make sure adjoining caster are running perperdicular to others. By that I mean each caster is turned 90 degrees to the one next to it. Then I lock them down.

I hand plane on the bench which I thinks tests a workbench's stability the most and it seems to be just fine.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:34 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Personally with the new double locking casters that are now available locking the bench in place is not a problem. I can see the use of levelers if you need a level work bench, but I rarely need a workbench that is level as much as I need one that is stable.

I have double locking casters (lock both the wheel and the swivel) on my bench and have found that the bench is as stable as it was when it didn't have casters. I will admit before I lock the casters I usually make sure adjoining caster are running perperdicular to others. By that I mean each caster is turned 90 degrees to the one next to it. Then I lock them down.

I hand plane on the bench which I thinks tests a workbench's stability the most and it seems to be just fine.

I like real world info like this. That's what helps us rookies who have nothing to go on but conceptualization. Thanks for posting.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:29 pm

I can see how the levelers would come in handy if you have an uneven floor. I didn't realize just how uneven my garage floor was until I was building the Cowboy Cooler. Sitting on my flat assembly table, it didn't wobble at all. But on the garage floor, it wobbled almost everywhere. And it would be a different leg that was "too short" every time I moved it. So, in my garage, if I had a workbench like that that I wheeled around, I might find levelers like those useful.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:42 pm

After all the drooling over and searching for the ultimate workbench plans, then reading that many people have more than one bench, I decided to take the easy route of getting a pre-made bench that will at least give me something to use for now. Tired of using my tri-fold ladder with a 1x8 clamped on and I'm starting to use my ShopSmiths table tops just because they are easy to get to. That's asking for trouble.

HF has their 60" x 20" solid oak bench with vise, 4 drawers and pegs on sale for $129 so I am on my way down now to get it. It's narrower than I'd like but I am sure it will be useful.
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http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=93454

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:32 pm

mickyd wrote:After all the drooling over and searching for the ultimate workbench plans, then reading that many people have more than one bench, I decided to take the easy route of getting a pre-made bench that will at least give me something to use for now. Tired of using my tri-fold ladder with a 1x8 clamped on and I'm starting to use my ShopSmiths table tops just because they are easy to get to. That's asking for trouble.

HF has their 60" x 20" solid oak bench with vise, 4 drawers and pegs on sale for $129 so I am on my way down now to get it. It's narrower than I'd like but I am sure it will be useful.
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http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=93454

Get TWO and put them back to back!:D They are 'cheap'! 40" ought to be deep enough! Are you using a 20% off coupon????????

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:32 pm

Just got the bench home. Assembly time.

Funny thing...when I went to (beg) get budget approval, my wife had already clipped out a coupon for it either this week from the flyer I got in the mail. Flyer price was $10 more than the on-line coupon that they just emailed out today. She said that she forgot to tell me about it but thought it was a good price.

She must have it in mind for something!!!

JPG....I'll stick with one for now. Back to back would be good. I want to make sure the thing is going to meet my needs. It will be on sale again.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:04 pm

Great economy workbench for $125 + Arnold's 8.75% share.
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[ATTACH]8343[/ATTACH]
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Real solid construction. It uses eight Robertson drive (aka square drive) machine screws with 1/4"-20 barrel nuts to secure the front and back lower cross braces to the legs. Throw in the wood block vise on the right, 16 pre-drilled dog holes / 4 wood and 4 metal pegs, 4 felt lined drawers on roller glides, and an hours assembly time and your good to go. The 20" x 5' top should be adequate for most stuff.

To make the bench portable, I had an idea on how to mount some swivel casters that will neatly tuck away when not in use. I'll post pics when / if the concept works. Much simpler and attractive than the ones shown in post 59.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:05 pm

Just saw your post Lodgepole - sorry for the delay in responding..

They are 3" double locking casters from Woodcraft.

Here's a link:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001989/3645/3-Caster--Double-Locking--Swiveling-with-12-Mounting-Hole--4-14-Tall.aspx

They work great and the extra weight will not be a problem - not familiar with the tool mover idea. Alec