I am in thge process of building a workbench which will remain against the wall 50% of the time, but will be moveable so that I can work from all 4 sides for the remaining half of the time ( ie with a specific project, in the middle of the shop until complete, and for normal machine work, tucked away at the side for use to hammer, assemble, chisel on.) When pulled out, it will be the long side that will be moved out – ie I can’t raise the skinnier ( width, or depth) end to pull it out, but will need to pul it out on the length axis.
It will be about 28″ wide, 65″ long excluding vise, and with the trestle support and slab top will probably weigh 300 pounds( all maple) . To this I will add weight with a tail and front vise. There will be double stretchers because I ultimately want to add cabinet storage underneath. So with vises, storage and contents, this may well add up to 600 – 750 pounds.
My saw ( and every other tool in my shop ) is moveable – eg Unisaw on mobile base, and they all have a cam caster. My bandsaw has a lever dolly to move it.
Solutions I have thought of:
1.Using the wheeled lever from the bandsaw to lift to front of the bench to engage rear wheels , and pull it out. Concern: will the bench accept the stress of lifting in the very centre, with half its weight on either side ( or maybe only 25% on each side because of two back wheels to distribute stress i.e sag only on the two outer front corners).
2. Pneumatic wheels – inflate 4 when needed – rest of time flat
3.Cams – if available.
4. Hydraulic car jacks – wheeled type – buy two, one for each end and pull forward in tandem
Any ideas? Any thoughts about cam casters?
Many thanks. David
Replies
Wheel chucks, or chaulks(I'm not sure which it is technically) Like they use for trailers. Cut them out of 4x4, or 6x6 or laminate some 2xwhatever, then cut them out on the bandsaw. Find the best wheels you can, then cut a pair of chucks to fit each wheel. If you cut them to fit right they work real well. I've never had any luck with mechanized wheel locks. Hydraulic jacks never wheel very good.
LOWES? Big Box!
I saw some really nice casters.. Blue plastic wheels. 200 Lb's or so with a really good Locking.. About $12.00 each.. Soft stuff that is suppose to go back to normal..??
I was going to get some for my 18" Band saw but I forgot my Credit Card! I was there TODAY!
Geeee
I used the adjustable heavy duty leg levelers from Rockler, good for ~1000#. I can just slide my bench around if I need to & level it out with an allen wrench( sloped floor). It is very stable with little movement most of the time & slides easily once you get it going. I usually have the rubber pads on the floor cut out around my legs which help ninimize movement. If I need to move it, I just pick up the mats & slide it around.
I'm not sure I'd trust casters for stabilty, I'd expect alot of movement even when locked. Maybe you could modify a machine base for the bench? Such as the HTC or ShopFox.
I have casters on one of my benches.. Benck only about 200 Lbs.. They are locking casters but not your usual kind.. I pin engages a disk with slots when you do not want it to move.. I got then at Lowes? Whatever.. about 12.00 each..
I do not know the brand.. I forgot.. Just turn them over and you will see the slotted disk..
They work GREAT!
I'm not sure I'd trust casters for stabilty.. Why not? If they LOCK WELL and well made good as nailing to a floor!
If they swivel, they will still move if locked.
If they swivel, they will still move if locked..
The casters I got have a plate that pushes down on the wheel AND has a Index plate that a pin goes into that prevents the wheel from turning!..
I think they are good casters..
I bought these from Amazon - they're the kind Will George mentioned - they lock both the wheels and the swivel, and they're relatively inexpensive. Using these and locking all four casters, your bench isn't going anywhere...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DD1E4/qid=1116977671/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_etk-tools/102-8763540-8320167?v=glance&s=hi&n=228013
Hope that helps,
Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Not sure the same but sort of looks like them..
You have to turn them over and you will see a slotted disk that a pin enters and prevents the wheel from turning from it's current position...
BerryO mentioned about some wiggle.. I'm not sure they THAT good!
I see whay he means and never thought of it.. Me bein' Me I'd just shove a rock under the back wheels!
Edited 5/25/2005 4:56 pm ET by Will George
Yeah, they've got the slotted disk, but the big difference in price is due to the hard rubber wheels ours have, vs. the polyurethane wheels that cost $15-20 each depending on size. I suspect those will last longer, but I doubt seriously they give any more traction than the rubber wheels.Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I have the "double locking" casters on my bench, and when they are locked, you'd be hard pressed to get that thing to move.
I boutght them at Woodcraft for about $15 each. They have been on my bench for 5 years, and I have never had anything but good results from them.
Beware, there are cheaper knock-offs that don't have bearings in the wheels, and they ar maybe about $7-8 each--they are junk for heavy duty...
Peter
jpswoodworking.com
You mean these: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=1989
I have the same need for casters on a work bench. the "locking" casters I've seen always "wiggle" a bit, so I never thought that it would be a good solution: the bench would move while planing, for example.
Edited 5/25/2005 1:07 am ET by BarryO
yes--those are the ones--
usually I only have to lock 1 or 2 of them even while planing--but then again my bench weighs about 300#. But when all 4 are locked, you'd have to lift the bench to get it to move. I actually have them on many tool bases around the shop.Peter
jpswoodworking.com
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