[CharlieK]

A few years ago I designed an adjustable height workbench. I also incorporated a mobile base into the design. People who saw my bench REALLY liked it and I started offering plans for it on line.

But, I have no idea how much people are interested in having a mobile base in their workbench!

I really need some feedback and I am asking for your help in answering these questions:

1 - How much would you like to be able to roll your workbench around your shop?

2 - Would it be important for you to be able to move it very easily and/or very quickly, or would it be OK if took 2-3 minutes to transition it from stationary to mobile?

Thanks so much for your help!
Charlie

 

[TravisH]

Work bench mobility for me isn't really something I looked into or worried about. I have a small shop so mobility is key but the workbench ends up being the key set piece with all activity eventually coming back to it. The other issue is the workbench is the largest piece for me so to move it means moving everything else, not worth the effort in my opinion as the mobility for all my tools takes less than 10 seconds to push on the clam cleats and roll it if needed.

I am sure some would like a mobile base and think time is key. A few minutes to transition would be a killer in my book. While my bench is heavy, I can still lift the end and slide a mobile base under it in seconds and wouldn't mess with minutes. Might be a great option for those with bad backs, elderly, etc….

 

[DocSavage45]

Charlie,

The more shop equipment I have acquired, the smaller my shop became. I had attached benches to my shop walls. I recently got interested in rehabbing planes. And using them instead of sanding? I re purposed one of my fixed metal working benches into a mobile woodworking bench. It sits against that wall for now but should I need a different set up my equipment (all on wheels) I now have a bench that will relinquish it's space

Really enjoyed the MNWG Seminar with Thomas Hucker a few weeks ago. Changed a number of my perspectives regarding designing furniture.

Hope you and yours have a great Christmas and a better New Year!

 

[Rayne]

Mobility in all tools is useful. As I have acquired tools, I think how I might better organize my shop for a more efficient layout, so workbench mobility is crucial for me, which is why I bought a base for it and love the fact I can move it around when I need to.

 

[BikerDad]

For a long time I was "meh" as far as bench mobility goes. In preparation for having the bench I'm building in service, I put a set of the bench mobility casters that Rockler & Woodcraft sell onto my existing bench. I'm loving 'em. They were so incredibly useful when I was putting a wood floor down, I was able to just roll the bench out of the way. Since this bench is going to be the secondary bench, it is going to keep the casters.

I'm not sure that you're going to be able to come up with a better solution than those casters. Cheaper? Sure. But they take about 20 seconds to deploy and are dead easy to install. The only improvement I can see to them would be greater weight capacity and larger casters, but that's because I think everything on casters should be on at least 4" casters, and my new bench is going to be coming in at around 400+ pounds, more if I choose to put a drawer unit into it down the road.

 

[LJRay]

As a newbie who has no clue on how I will want my shop layed out, mobility is a must. A few (or several) minutes transistion is no big deal in my opinion.

 

[CharlieK]

So, the consensus is that YES mobility is important in a workbench and the easier the better!

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it!!
Charlie

 

[longgone]

I have a 36" x 96" worktable that utilizes the Rockler mobile casters that just require a lever to be pressed with my foot. They work excellent. got them for $59 on sale and with the free shipping.
My worktable also serves as my out feed for the table saw. I don't need to move it very often but when I do it is a fast and simple process. Haven't seen a better solution. I bought plans for an adjustable height worktable a good while back but afterwards realized that height adjustment wasn't really important to me as I first thought.

 

[CharlieK]

HI Greg,

I really like your wall hangings!

Not everyone needs an adjustable height workbench, but the longer I use mine the fewer backaches I have and the more I like it! I compare it to air conditioning; we can get by without it, but it does make life easier.

Thanks!
Charlie