Where can I get plans for a flip top tool stand?

[dennis thompson]

I'd like to build a flip top tool stand, does anyone know where I might get a good set of plans for this?
Thanks
Dennis

[Anthony Whitesell]

First I would search here for additional threads. Then I would search the woodnet store, especially noting http://www.woodstore.net/swivtoolcab.html which has been popular and I have built a modified version.

[Dan Gill]

Wood Magazine has one. Check out their website.

[Jim Heffner]

Dennis, contact the Woodsmith Shop or Shopnotes magazine and get their magazine the Complete Small Shop. On page 8 there is an article called the Flip Top Tool Stand.

It is a good design and works well...I built one several years back and I'm still using it.
I saw on their website a few days ago, this magazine is a freebie if you order the
magazine( Woodsmith or Shopnotes) from them. Hope this is what you are looking for.

[Bill Huber]

Do you want to use it for 2 tools or just to save space like I had to do.This is really basic, just some 2x4s milled down a little to make them look better and square, a buch of dowels and glue, and that is aboub it.

206027

206028

[Trent Shirley]

I have been thinking about a project like this as well but my DW734 dust collection shroud does not go on and off easily and seems like it would break if you did it too often. It forces the outfeed table to remain down and both would be in the way trying to flip it over.
Something to consider when building one of these for a planer.
Anyone have solutions to this or the DW734 specifically? I have been searching to see if anyone has done dust collector mods to this planer.

[Trent Shirley]

Dennis, here are some links to stands others have built. Some have plans or mention where to find plans but seeing the different versions people have created can be inspiring as well.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=39913
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?17841-Flip-Top-Tool-Stand
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?44710-Those-of-you-with-flip-top-tool-stands...
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/6105
http://www.wordsnwood.com/2007/p.fliptop/

This is something on my to-do list as well but who knows when I will get to it.

[Keith Harrell]

I have a dewalt 735 planner and would like to put a jet 12 disc sander on the other side if possible. Does anyone see any issues(weight) with doing this. I don't have the disc sander yet as I need to find space for it.
Thanks.

[dennis thompson]

Thanks for all the replies,I actually have the Small Shop publication & will take at look at that & the other recommendations to see what I can come up with
Dennis

[Joseph Tarantino]

i got this link from a fellow woodnetter ( i think):

http://www.wordsnwood.com/2007/p.fliptop/

he used a steel rod for the pivot element. i used 1/2" emt (electrical conduit). we both sandwiched it between two pieces of 3/4" plywood. he used glue, i used screws to join the 2 pieces of ply together. my version turned out like this:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/slideshow/577404773lSKVof

[Myk Rian]

Here's mine. I just measured the machines, and built it accordingly.
URL to the build pics. http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad222/MykRian/Flip%20top/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad222/MykRian/Flip%20top/0222092013.jpg

[Andrew Kertesz]

I built one from these plans and am totally happy with it. I didn't use the high end hammered paint and saved a few bucks in other areas but it looks and functions the same. http://www.woodstore.net/swivtoolcab.html

[Trent Shirley]

Not to steal Dennis' thread as I think he may find these questions pertinent...
Does anyone have plans for making a mobile base that sits on feet until you lift one end with a foot press?
I want to begin a project for one of these stands as well and that would be much preferable for me than locking casters.

Also, for those who have built one of these, how did you attach your machine to the top? With screws going down into the top? My thought was to have the top be thicker using 2x4's or similar to frame it and drilling holes through them for the pivot rod to go through. The ends of the top would be removeable so that you could reach in flat handed to put in washers and nuts so the unit could be bolted security to the top but easy enough to remove later on. It seems that it would simplify the pivoting mechanism and make it easier to add/remove tools as required.
Or the top could be solid with bolts coming out of the top in key areas and you could make mounting plates for your tools that drop onto the bolts to secure them. It would make it easy to swap machines as needs change.

Thoughts?

My thought it to try and setup my miter saw and planer on one of these stands and have fold down infeed/outfeed tables on the sides of the cabinet. This would completely take care of two space consuming machines in my shop.
I will leave my belt/disc sander on a shelf I am about to build that will have locking slides so it will just pull out from the wall when I need it.

[Dan Gill]

I have a stand that has a cam lock at one end. The cam raises the feet and allows the stand to roll. I think it was in Wood's workshop plans.

[Joseph Tarantino]

Here's mine. I just measured the machines, and built it accordingly.
URL to the build pics. http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad222/MykRian/Flip top/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad222/MykRian/Flip top/0222092013.jpg

mortise and tenon joints on a shop cabinet? can you spell "overkill". but, quite impressive. nicely done.

[Myk Rian]

mortise and tenon joints on a shop cabinet? can you spell "overkill". but, quite impressive. nicely done.
Figure it's holding over 100 lbs of machinery, gets wheeled around the shop, and I don't do pocket screws, I figured M&T was the best way to go. Besides, I like doing them.

[David Hostetler]

If you can find a copy of the Shop Notes extra publication "The Complete Small Shop" they have a good plan for flip top stands. There are also quite a few in the Sketchup 3D Warehouse, but they are more models than plans...

[Keith Westfall]

Not a flip top, but this is what I did with my lunchbox planer...



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Storage position with a table top installed.

206336
Flipped down with top removed.


206335
Flipped up, ready for use. Top is not used in this position.


It's on wheels and works fine for me.

[Erik France]

I have a dewalt 735 planner and would like to put a jet 12 disc sander on the other side if possible. Does anyone see any issues(weight) with doing this. I don't have the disc sander yet as I need to find space for it.
Thanks.I don't see any weight issues, actually it will probably be easier to flip with another tool on the other side. You might have do deal with some clearance issues with the Jet. If I remember correctly it is a lot taller than the DW735. I can't leave my planer set higher than 2 1/2" and still flip it over.

I put a DW735 onto a flip top and I love it. The first link in Trent's post is to the one I made. It is pretty easy to flip over, and far, far easier than lugging that thing around. Three years later now and there isn't anything I would want to change. It fits under my bench nicely. Maybe I'll get around to making that drawer for it someday.

206398

Below is the post I made in 2008:
I've almost got it done. All that is lacking is a drawer and some base trim.
Windows Media clip in free spin action (http://www.alr6x6.com/pelligrini/BT3/Flip_top/Flip_Top_Stand_161(new).wmv)
Windows Media clip with planer (http://www.alr6x6.com/pelligrini/BT3/Flip_top/Flip_Top_Stand_184(new).wmv)
Gallery photos of construction (http://www.alr6x6.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=22)

I designed and built it to use materials I had on hand, save for the casters & pins. The materials are maple (recycled flooring strips), 2x4 3/4 birch ply, a 2x4 lowes handi ply (whatever it is), 2x4 1/2" birch ply, a couple pieces of 3/4" red oak, pine 3/4" ply bottom, pine 1x4s, 1/2" steel rod, Woodcraft 3" double locking casters, 1/8" thick nylon washers, two hitch pins, a bunch of Tightbond III, and some waterbased poly.
I intended on laminating another piece of 1/2" birch ply to the 3/4" handi ply sides. After I got the hardwood sides and top rails glued on it seemed pretty stable without the additional 1/2" sides. Most all the joints are dados or rabbits. I used some 1-1/4" lag bolts to fasten the casters.

AutoCAD drawings (dwg2007 format) (http://www.alr6x6.com/pelligrini/BT3/Flip_top/Flip_top_stand_DW735.dwg)
Plans in PDF format (http://www.alr6x6.com/pelligrini/BT3/Flip_top/Flip_top_plans.pdf)

Anyone going straight by the drawings might want to check them very closely, especially the cutting diagrams. There were a couple of small modifications I did during construction. I think I modified the drawings correctly, maybe not the diagrams though. I added a rabbit on the base ply to receive the sides and back. That also made the glue up easier. The drawings are also nominal thicknesses, be sure to take into account the actual plywood thickness.

I think the best way to execute it is to make the top then build the rest around it.

When you go to bore the hole for the rod, make sure you grab the right bit too. I mistakenly chucked a 5/8” forstner when it should have been a 1/2". Yep, I was pretty happy when I went to check the fit of the top rail on the rod.