Just finished removing the top of my 30 Y.O. work bench. It was pretty beat up with numerous saw kerfs and splotches of Bondo and cured resin. Not to mention errant drill bit traces, screw and/or nail holes holes.  It was two full sheets of 3/4 MDF, covered with 1/2"X2" X various length pine strips and, banded with 3/4 red oak. It was one heavy bench top, for sure. I'm guessing nearly 200 lbs. It took all Phyl and I could muster to get it in the truck bed. The support structure remains in great shape and will soon have a new top. 

I'll get  some pics of the supports tomorrow. 

Going back with same stuff??

9 hours ago, Gunny said:

Going back with same stuff??

Having second thoughts. While a good, large and, solid work surface is great, cabinets and large furniture is no longer on the agenda. So, I'm considering modifying the width, length and surface composition. Maybe 40" wide and 72" long. And possibly, a top of 3/4" and 1/2" MDF. It would still be one heavy beast so, maybe adding locking swivel casters? I'm open to suggestions or, ideas for some sort of caster device that would allow the bench to raise up for moving and lower for work. Much like the Shopsmith system. 

I'll have pictures of the base I have to work with, later. 

Gene, my bench weighs somewhere north of 500# with all the stuff in the drawers, and I put a set of these on it. They work great, lift it without a problem although mine is a little tippy when you roll it around. Plenty cheap by my standards, and easy to install.

Someone here uses a small pallet jack. If I ever get bigger shop this is what I plan to use.

Edited March 5, 20215 yr by Gunny

7 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Gene, my bench weighs somewhere north of 500# with all the stuff in the drawers, and I put a set of these on it. They work great, lift it without a problem although mine is a little tippy when you roll it around. Plenty cheap by my standards, and easy to install.

Great minds...etc. I just ordered these. CASTERS 

7 minutes ago, Gunny said:

what implant to use.

1 minute ago, Gene Howe said:

Great minds...etc. I just ordered these. CASTERS 

Gene, link just takes me to top of page.

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

 

Considering joining the Borg. 

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Gene, link just takes me to top of page.

Same here

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Gene, link just takes me to top of page.

 Try this 

 

https://www.amazon.com/SPACEKEEPER-Workbench-Casters-Kit-880/dp/B08FDFJXK5/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H8ER20QCFQNX6A5FA161https://www.amazon.com/SPACEKEEPER-Workbench-Casters-Kit-880/dp/B08FDFJXK5/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H8ER20QCFQNX6A5FA161

 

Here's the bench under carriage. The Cast iron legs were a gift from an old machinist, about 35 years ago. They were the legs to his bench. he said they were from the late 1800s. 

 

42 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Here's the bench under carriage. The Cast iron legs were a gift from an old machinist, about 35 years ago. They were the legs to his bench. he said they were from the late 1800s. 

 

 

 

...Must be one of those tropical illusions, in this photo it almost looks like three sets of legs. 

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Here's the bench under carriage. The Cast iron legs were a gift from an old machinist, about 35 years ago. They were the legs to his bench. he said they were from the late 1800s. 

 

 

Holy Sniky!!!!

WOW!!!

On 3/5/2021 at 10:16 AM, Gene Howe said:

 Try this 

 

https://www.amazon.com/SPACEKEEPER-Workbench-Casters-Kit-880/dp/B08FDFJXK5/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H8ER20QCFQNX6A5FA161https://www.amazon.com/SPACEKEEPER-Workbench-Casters-Kit-880/dp/B08FDFJXK5/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H8ER20QCFQNX6A5FA161

 

Used these several times and love them.  Bench does get a little racked as you engage one caster at a time.  One reviewer suggested connecting the pairs on each end with some stiff tubing so you can raise the whole end at once.   Makes sense, but I haven't tried it yet.

Nice bones Gene!

On 3/20/2021 at 4:14 AM, JimM said:

Used these several times and love them.  Bench does get a little racked as you engage one caster at a time.  One reviewer suggested connecting the pairs on each end with some stiff tubing so you can raise the whole end at once.   Makes sense, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

Something like this Jim? I'd hate to rack my bench one leg at a time. It can't be good.

 

19 minutes ago, John Morris said:

 

Something like this Jim? I'd hate to rack my bench one leg at a time. It can't be good.

 

I think that's the idea and it looks real nice.  In that Amazon review, I think the person used metal.  

20 minutes ago, JimM said:

I think that's the idea and it looks real nice.  In that Amazon review, I think the person used metal.  

I would think this is an option (cross bar) that would be absolutely mandatory with most workbenches, racking and twisting a bench of that size with all the bolted joinery and mortise and tenon joinery in the bench, would eventually if not really soon, throw those joints out. I am now thinking of doing this to my bench, there are many times I wish I could have moved it.