built in workbench

Re: built in workbench

Dave Bair

>I built one for my miter saw, radial arm saw and bench-top drill press. To get all of their top surfaces (the tools) into the same plane required three seperate elevations of the bench top. Since there are nearly endless height combinations for any three tools, I don't think you'll find any plans that'll work for you. Ever when I knew the dimensions of my tools, I still ended up doing a lot of shimming to get them into line. My only advise is to design your own and arrange the tools in descending or ascending order based on their height. Putting a short one between two taller ones is a real headache.

Re: built in workbench

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Afternoon George,

I agree with Dave for the most part. All those variations in height cam be dealt with thru good design and old fashioned intimidation. I compromised a little, and was influenced by the need to move some tools around while on different projects in a small shop. While it is ideal to have work surfaces on the same plane, a non-stationary work operation sometimes makes this difficult to achieve. When I want to level out an infeed/outfeed surface I just use shims and a board or two. Close enough for my work, and everything can get wheeled back into place at COB.

George

Re: built in workbench

George Tyler

>Thanks, Dave and George.

I think you all gave me the advice I already knew. There's no one set of plans that will fit everyone's shop. Anyway. it will be a fun exercise. Everything I read suggests making yourself do mental exercise to avoid problems in the future. Since I'm 64, I think the future is already here !! Now where am I ?? What was I doing??

Thanks again,

George in Louisa, Va

Re: built in workbench

Sam Brooks

>I have been thinking about something similar and recently I am thinking that making each on on a mobile base that are designed to sit next to each other with the height set so that I can do 80-90% of what I want with all the equipment lined up but when I need to do something to go that extra 10-20% then roll that tool out of the line-up and handle the process then roll it back. This will take the least amount of space and still make the tools functional at the same time. The hard part of this will be to get all mobile bases to align together correct for counter height.

Re: built in workbench

George Tyler,Louisa, VA

>Sam, I'm thinking along the same line. Although, instead of the bases being on wheels, I'm more inclined to put them on leveling screws. Like you said, I think it would be hard to roll them in place and expect them to line up. My concrete floor is pretty good, but not that good.

The individual bases similar to kitchen cabinets for each piece of equipment seem to be the way to go. Keep me informed of your progress. e-mail is ok.

George