| Project by dkrice | posted 12-30-2011 07:55 AM | 17900 views | 8 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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This is my first major project from back in March 2010. We needed a small rolling workbench in our garage shop so we could move off of the top of the table saw. :-)
I built it to the same height as the table saw so it can be used as an outfeed table when cutting long stock. The top and bottom frames are of 2×4s with two screws in each joint. The vertical pieces are from 2×4s that have been attached to the upper and lower frames by machine head nuts and bolts. I made it easy to remove those in case I needed to take the table to another location. I can just remove the bolts and nuts and lay the verticals flat and put the entire flattened bench in the back of my Suburban with room to spare.
When my wife asked me about the sturdiness of the piece I demonstrated its strength by jumping up and sitting down on it full force. Not a creak or wobble and I weighed about 275-280 at that point. She then climbed up and sat with me on it for about 10 minutes for a conversation. Then with two full-grown adults on it it still didn’t wobble or creak.
I added two electrical boxes at each end of the table, powered by a power cord at one end that can be plugged into an outlet or an extension cord.
I intend to build another one at some point but haven’t gotten around to doing it yet.
-- Keith in Texas
13 comments so far
a1Jim
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#1 posted 12-30-2011 07:56 AM
Great workbench
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
Gabe C.
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#2 posted 12-30-2011 08:09 AM
I like it. I have a big, bulky cart that I built a few years back for work that isn’t practical due to a family vehicle change and your cart is making me think that I could downsize what I have and make it more usable for my garage. Thanks for the inspiration!
-- If I could just get this whole "Time/Money" problem figured out...
dkrice
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#3 posted 12-30-2011 08:16 AM
Thanks for the kind words, guys. I’ve used it quite a bit in the last year and a half and it’s still just as sturdy as it was when I built it. I’ve thought about building another one that would be more easily collapsed for storing or for transporting to another work site.
-- Keith in Texas
oldoak
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#4 posted 12-30-2011 02:50 PM
very nice. good idea
doncutlip
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#5 posted 12-30-2011 02:54 PM
Great job. Exactly like one I built a while back, but not on wheels. Bet you will find it to be very sturdy.
-- Don, Royersford, PA
helluvawreck
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#6 posted 12-30-2011 03:00 PM
That’s a fine and dandy roll around bench. Good work.
helluvawreck
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-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
ed220
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#7 posted 12-30-2011 03:51 PM
Nice bench.Gonna save it because I need one too. Steveinmarin has a good one also.
Michael Wilson
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#8 posted 12-30-2011 06:58 PM
Delightful! How is that not racking all over though? I’m positive if I tried to build that, the result would be swingier than a seesaw.
Is there more to the underside jointing than is obvious in the pics?
dkrice
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#9 posted 12-30-2011 07:19 PM
Yes, there are two supporting cross pieces underneath the bottom shelf. I mainly put those in place to keep the shelf from sagging under load since it’s only 1/4” ply. I don’t have any under the work surface. I’m thinking of adding those at some point but haven’t seen the need yet as this thing has been solid as a rock. Good questions…
-- Keith in Texas
dkrice
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#10 posted 12-30-2011 07:22 PM
One other note. The plywood on the work surface overhangs on one side and one end by a couple of inches and is flush on the other. Did that for some versatility.
-- Keith in Texas
Sanman
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#11 posted 12-30-2011 09:50 PM
I too need to get off the ts! Great idea to make them the same height.
Is that 3/4 plywood for the top?
I was wondering about the weight transfer from the top to the wheels. I noticed the uprights were off center, not over the wheels, was that by design?
Thanks for sharing. I hope to build a work cart soon
-- I'll get it done when I get a-round-tuit.
dkrice
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#12 posted 12-31-2011 08:03 AM
Yes, 3/4” ply for the top. I did design it so the wheels were not directly under the uprights so I could easily access the bolts and flatten the whole thing in case I need to take it somewhere.
BTW, I was just notified a little while ago that this little project made it into the LJ Daily Top 3! Thanks, everyone!
-- Keith in Texas
torge
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#13 posted 02-01-2012 12:22 AM
Looks good very useful. I would add a 2×2 runner around the edges with overhang to aid with clamping
You may want to put some larger wheels on it so it wont catch on something on the floor
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