Roll Around Tool Bench
by CementTruck in Workshop > Workbenches
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Roll Around Tool Bench
For those of us who have garages that double as workshops, space is precious. I came across a similar design in a woodworking magazine years ago and wanted to recreate it with a few tweaks.
The table is triangular to save some space, and to be level and rock solid under any circumstance(just in case your shop floor is wavy).
The table is triangular to save some space, and to be level and rock solid under any circumstance(just in case your shop floor is wavy).
Collect the Parts
This table can be made out of sturdy wooden materials as well but since I have easy access to scrap steel I opted for that instead. I don't have step by step photos, so Paintbrush will have to do.
3ea Heavy Duty locking swivel casters
3ea 4"x4"x32" square tube, or 4" dia. round tube
6ea 2"x2"x30" angle
Assorted metal plate (I used 1/8" and 1/4")
3ea Heavy Duty locking swivel casters
3ea 4"x4"x32" square tube, or 4" dia. round tube
6ea 2"x2"x30" angle
Assorted metal plate (I used 1/8" and 1/4")
Start Welding the Legs to the Stringers
Lay 2 of the legs on a table and lay a piece of the angle at the very top, and another one about 2" from the bottom. See image for clarification.
The 2" from the bottom is there so you will be able to tighten the bolts on the casters later.
The 2" from the bottom is there so you will be able to tighten the bolts on the casters later.
Finish the Welding of the Legs
The next step is not that easy if you are working by yourself.
1)Stand the table on it's top and clamp the angle to the workbench.
2)Take 2 pieces of angle and make a triangle with the table legs you just finished. Tack weld them in place.
3) Tack weld a table leg to the apex of the triangle you just created.
4) Tack the remaining angles as stringers.
5) Fix your symetry issues, and complete the welds.
6) Grind off the rough welds and spatter.
1)Stand the table on it's top and clamp the angle to the workbench.
2)Take 2 pieces of angle and make a triangle with the table legs you just finished. Tack weld them in place.
3) Tack weld a table leg to the apex of the triangle you just created.
4) Tack the remaining angles as stringers.
5) Fix your symetry issues, and complete the welds.
6) Grind off the rough welds and spatter.
Make the Caster Feet
Using 3 pieces of 1/4" plate make some legs for the table.\
1) Measure your casters and caster bolt hole placements.
2) Transfer the measurements to the metal plates. Cut to size and drill holes.
3) Weld to the table legs.
1) Measure your casters and caster bolt hole placements.
2) Transfer the measurements to the metal plates. Cut to size and drill holes.
3) Weld to the table legs.
Complete the Table Top
Use some metal plate or 3/4" plywood for this.
What I did - welded a plate to the top of the table, and another one to the stringers.
What I should have done, and still might do - Flip the table over a piece of 3/4" plywood and trace the tabletop shape on it. Remove the table and enlarge the shape of the table slightly so there is some overhang (2" to 3" on each edge should do).
What I did - welded a plate to the top of the table, and another one to the stringers.
What I should have done, and still might do - Flip the table over a piece of 3/4" plywood and trace the tabletop shape on it. Remove the table and enlarge the shape of the table slightly so there is some overhang (2" to 3" on each edge should do).
The Finished Table
I'm a frugal shopper by nature (A.K.A. cheapskate) and found some cheaper casters in the middle of the project. I diddn't realize (or forgot) that their dimensions were slightly different in size to the original ones and I had to design another part out of plate that allowed me to use the new casters.