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When the plan fails

245 views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  jciccare  
#1 ·
For me, sometimes the simplest plan falls apart, and plan B is created.
All I was trying to do was replace one caster on my work bench that was hanging up. There wasn't a big plan, take off all the tools from the bottom shelf of the bench, flip it on its side, take off the old caster, install the new caster, flip the bench back up, replace the tools on the bottom shelf and easy peasy done!

The plan was going as expected. I got the bench on its side and replaced the caster. I saw the bench tops side was flat on the floor, leaving no way to get my hands underneath to lift it back up (The start of plan B). So I grabbed a 3/4" pipe and raised up a side put some blocks underneath, then the same on the other side..... got my hands underneath and.... couldn't budge it! I didn't have anyone to call for muscle to help lift and am not sure if 2 people could lift it back in place without getting hurt. So began a long journey, which I won't bore you with great detail.

In a nutshell I ended up using the 3/4" pipe and bracing both sides. then used a scissor jack, cement blocks to raise the jack up followed by 4x4's all the while being careful to not let the rising workbench slide/fall down. I didn't want to have to answer people who would ask, "So how did you break your hand and your foot?"

Yes, it was embarrassing but like many plans/projects in my shop, don't go quite as planned.

Bench halfway up
half up bench.JPG


Bench up


Bench loaded up
 

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#2 ·
I have an old back injury and a genetic defect affecting all of my joints, so I’m prone to this kind of situation even more than the average person. On the wrong day just dropping a tool on the floor can be game over. You were smart to go about this the way you did rather than going the mule route and hurting yourself.

I’m currently in a rented house so my ability to alter things is limited in ways it wouldn’t be if we owned it. I’ve come to realize that our someday house (that we buy and renovate, or build from scratch, some day) is going to need some sort of overhead crane system to lift and move things. In the meantime I’m hoping to get something like a motorcycle lift, that’ll work for some things, and for others I figure there’s always falling back on my kitchen skills and offering a good meal in exchange for a little manual labor.
 
#4 ·
How did you get the bench on it's side? IME, tipping a top heavy load that has wheels is extra sketchy. I've been working on a Unisaw that has large casters welded to the bottom. Tipped it down & up several times but is was a bit risky. If it had been in the shop instead of outside I would have rigged a hoist.
 
#9 ·
Yes the beginning part of the plan didn't go smooth as well (Sketchy). I locked the casters and was able to tilt the top-heavy bench but around knee high I had to let her go thump. My wife heard it and called me to see if I was alive. Yes it was risky from beginning to end. They say God looks after drunks and fools. Fortunately, I was/am sober, so he was able to focus on the mess I was in.
 
#6 ·
Natasha: "You have Plan, Darlink?"
Boris:" I have Plan, they don't always work out, but, I always have Plan!"

A perfect plan only exists, until the first minute it is put into operation..
 
#10 ·
as one who made sum less than stellar decisions in my younger dayz i also live with physical limitations that hinder the progress of sum of my projects

over the years i have become good friends w/ pulleys n ropes n winches n longer levers n A-frames n engine hoists AND the front end loader on my tractor which can be fitted out w/ pallet forks

what should take "X" amount of tyme frequently ends up taking 3-X that amount

SO BE IT !

the barn where i spend tyme involved w/ most of my projects is 36 miles frum the house and my human resources are becoming fewer & farther between(part of the aging process)

therefore i am usually working solo

as the years go by tyme on task increases not ceases

the bridal unit has become accustomed to it and doesn't plan meals for specific tymes she waits for the message that i've left the barn

keeping multiple projects on the fire at all tymes allows me to switch frum one to another as i run into stumps and my mind needs tyme to generate PLAN-B ...

one step at a tyme

FWD when at all possible

a piece of pipe a scissor jack and a stack of cinder blocks sounds like making do with available resources

work bench back on itz feet wheels

ONWARD THRU THE FOG !

leon
 
#11 ·
I also have a big old heavy workbench. If faced with OP’s need (replace 1 caster), I think I would elevate that end with a jack or long lever, high enough to use a driver or ratchet wrench. The lift can be done in stages with stacks of blocks. A right-angle drill/driver accessory might reduce the lifting height needed.