Hydraulic lift table

[David Ragan]

Hi,

Am thinking about getting a small scissor lift hydraulic table for the shop. Building a blanket chest.

Will likely modify @ some point-customize top with plywood, anchors for straps maybe, etc.

Existing thread here from a couple of years ago about HF table going down overnight.

I really don't need anything professional use, but am willing to spend a little more to not have to brace it up @ night.....

Any thoughts?

[Jim Andrew]

I have the big motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight. Built a plywood top, using T track along 2 edges. The lift has a steel rod you put through holes to keep the table from leaking down. 2 positions. I like mine, if you want to spend more, help yourself.

[Keith Outten]

I own four hydraulic tables. Three of them (130 pound) will leak down overnight, the forth (700 pound) never has had the problem over a five year period. I cut some plywood stops for the three tables that leak, they hold the table at the appropriate height. One of these tables I use for my midi size wood lathe. The other two are used occasionally so its not much of an issue that they tend to leak down overnight and I can install the plywood stops when its a concern.

[Mike Wilkins]

A recent Shop Notes or Woodsmith article dealt with this very subject. They used a lift from Grizzly, and added a top with holes for clamping and downdraft use, and a vise on one end. See if you can get your hands on the issue or plans.

[John Sanford]

Most of the ones available will be from China or Taiwan, so you just pick your poison, based on the service and support of the seller. Given your needs, I'd go with a lift cart, not a m/c lift. The m/c lifts are much larger, and not very mobile.

As far as bracing it goes, on a cart like this one (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631991_200631991), you could simply drill a hole or two into the side of the moving arm track and slip in a pin to keep it from moving if the jack leaks down. No bracing required.

[Andy Pogue]

I recently purchased the crank type from Amazon. No worry about creep or leaking. I am able to lift and move Powermatic lathe with ease, and it is a handy extra work surface.

[Mel Miller]

Remember - You get what you pay for, and when you're moving heavy stuff around what is your safety worth? I bought this table from Grainger several years ago for ~$600. and never regretted spending the extra money for a quality unit. It's rated for 1000 lbs, and while I don't normally lift, and roll around, that much weight it gives me some safety margin.

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Scissor-Lift-Cart-6W803?nls=1&searchQuery=6w803j

[John McClanahan]

Grizzly has one thats rated around 600 lbs. When I saw it, it was on sale for $249.


John

[Mike Cutler]

I have the 500b rated model from Harbor freight, and so far, knock on wood, it's been fine. It sits in an unheated garage so it sees the temp swings through winter.
I bought it to install a 350# wall oven, and a 173# freezer. I didn't want to spend a lot for a one time, or limited use item, but it's surprised me.

If you were a professional, I would advise maybe something a little more robust, but if you're a DIY'r like me. The HF will be fine.

Now if you should ever need a lift for a car though, the name is Bendpak. ;)

[David Ragan]

A recent Shop Notes or Woodsmith article dealt with this very subject. They used a lift from Grizzly, and added a top with holes for clamping and downdraft use, and a vise on one end. See if you can get your hands on the issue or plans.

Yes, I found that issue this AM in the water closet.



I own four hydraulic tables. Three of them (130 pound) will leak down overnight, the forth (700 pound) never has had the problem over a five year period. I cut some plywood stops for the three tables that leak, they hold the table at the appropriate height. One of these tables I use for my midi size wood lathe. The other two are used occasionally so its not much of an issue that they tend to leak down overnight and I can install the plywood stops when its a concern.

Thanks Keith, As long as I know that pretty much everyone has to deal with loss of height, I'm OK with it.

While reading last night, I found a 20% HF coupon-valid till August. Guess I'll motor down there when motivated and just pick one up--cheapo.

I had looked @ that NT one.......and probably would have got it, cause it's a lot closer, but the HF one will be worth the time and haul to get it--as long as they have it there.

Amazon is my default shopping, but I worry about freight.....I just looked, the cheapest there right now is about $250. HF with coupon should be around $150. Hey-$100 is $100.

[Jerome Stanek]

where I worked they had 4 HF units and 2 other that cost them a lot more than the HF ones 2 HF would bleed down and 1 of the others also did so you never know.

[Mel Miller]

My Dayton Grainger unit has never leaked down, even with hundreds of pounds of weight sitting on it for weeks at a time.
I can unload things like a metal shaper, hit & miss engine, etc. out of the back of my van at level height and roll it into my shop where I can use it as a work table at whatever height is convenient, - or set it at bench height and slide the the load off on my bench.
I also used it to get a heavy machine off a bench back in a back room of a shop. Rolled the lift table onto my utility trailer at home, then off at the shop where the machine was located. Then into the back of that shop where the machine came right off the bench level onto the lift table.
None of that bending & heavy lifting, or working on my knees on the item in the shop.
If you don't buy a good one, you'll likely spend the rest of the time you own it making excuses for how it works.

[Dave Haughs]

What are you using it for? Moving stuff around the shop? A tool stand? Or a workbench?

The leak down is annoying a bit. Mine is 5-6 years old now and has been moved a few times. It has a leak in it but I'm too lazy to pull it apart and replace seals. When it stops working all together I'll replace it. Something to think about though, if you are using it as a work bench the leak down is not a big deal. Once you put a large top on it, it (the top) will wobble a bit depending on what you are doing. It's leverage. There may be a high dollar table that doesn't do this, but most I've seen so. So you're going to want some bracing anyway. I added legs with peg holes in them for different heights. I need to make some spacers for them but it's been this way for years and I've never really needed it to go higher. Once I have it where I want it, I take the pressure off the jack and let the weight of the top sit on the pegs. It's VERY stable and solid.

312190

[David Ragan]

I wound up going over to Buford Saturday AM, and picking up theirs. Was $233. HF would been ~$170, and a haul down to Atlanta, plus they were out of them.

The set up consisted of putting the handle on, and it worked fine. Love it.

I sat on it, so we know it holds 250lb.

Not sure about building the fancy top on it. Will likely just drill some holes in the side for eye bolts to tie off niece's chest when moving around the shop.

I loathe spending that $ on something that will likely be used for just one item-but now, I have it......another tool:D

[Keith Outten]

Wait six weeks and then get back to us and let us know how often you use the new hydraulic table :)
.

[David Ragan]

I wound up going over to Buford Saturday AM, and picking up theirs. Was $233.

Northern Tool


Wait six weeks and then get back to us and let us know how often you use the new hydraulic table :)
.


Would be great if I really didn't see how I ever got along w/o it.....

[Keith Outten]

You may see why I own four of them. There seems to be an endless number of jobs that I use mine for from holding up stuff to machine stands to unloading heavy machines and material from the back of my truck.

When I bought my 1000 pound CNC Router it was put in the back of my truck at the factory in a large wood crate. Once I got home I backed up to my garage door and was able to slide the crate onto my hydraulic table and lower it to about 9" from the floor. At that point I removed the top of the crate and started unloading the pieces individually. I've done similar offloads with large machines on pallets, once the truck is out of the way I can use a lifting device to get the machine to the floor.

I use them for welding jobs too, when I really need the piece to be level and its odd shaped I place each end on a hydraulic table and adjust the height until it perfect. When I have to shift a project and it changes the level its a snap to get it adjusted again. I once had a three year contract to build custom corner cabinets for a local school system. I built an elaborate jig that bolted on one of my hydraulic tables that we used to assemble the cabinets that saved our backs and lots of man-hours over three years.

I could write a book on the projects I have used my hydraulic tables on over the last ten years.

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

I could write a book on the projects I have used my hydraulic tables on over the last ten years.

You could write many books on all the nifty stuff you have made!

[Keith Outten]

Thanks Mike but I have to admit that I am slowing down considerably these days. My age is part of the equation and now that warmer weather is here I have undertaken the largest vegetable garden that I have ever had. My investment in the garden as grown to the size that I have to build a fence this year to keep the deer and other critters out.
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