Bob Noles
08-02-2006, 8:48 PM
It seems like my shop is a never ending evolution of ideas chasing the elusive dream of someday reaching the ultimate way I would like to work, use and store my tools.
For the last couple of months I have been planning and gathering ideas to better utilize my small shop space and conveniently work outdoors without the process of having to make 15 trips in and out the door getting my tools together to do a job. Due to a medical condition of rapid physical fatigue between breaks, I have to make my every step and motion count throughout my day. Working outdoors eliminates a lot of clean up and natural “dust control” when weather permits.
Two of my most used and favorite tools are my router station and my EZ system. Eliminating my TS a few weeks ago as well as a few other footprint eaters that I found repetitious in function, I have opened up a lot of space in my shop. I have since found even more space by changing out my old Norm style router cabinet in favor of a smaller and simpler router table.
With all things considered and the effort required to move the weight of my “temporary” folding leg EZ Smart Table in and out of my shop, I worked toward a simpler (kiss) design to aid me in my quest. After seeing many of the contributor’s ideas on this forum as well as other places, I was able to put together my version of an outdoor workbench that allows me a lot of flexibility.
This rolling workbench has so many uses that I won’t even attempt to name them. Some of the uses that come to mind are: an EZ smart saw table, router table bench, sanding bench, sharpener/grinder bench, assembly bench and so on. The nicest part of all is that I can make a single trip out of the shop with everything I need on wheels. No more straining and exhausting myself just getting set up to work.
The bench measures 52” long by 28” wide and stands 25” high on the flat side and 29” high on the EZ smart table side. This is the universal height that figured best for the way I planned on using the bench. I attempted to add as many convenience features as could be thought of and will probably add a few more after thoughts as time goes by. The project was simple and inexpensive as you can see from the materials used. I designed it open and airy so easy enough to blow the dust and chips away with the compressor hose.
Since I am a long-winded person, I should just allow the pictures to finish the story from here.
Thanks for looking and I am open for any suggestions or questions.
For the last couple of months I have been planning and gathering ideas to better utilize my small shop space and conveniently work outdoors without the process of having to make 15 trips in and out the door getting my tools together to do a job. Due to a medical condition of rapid physical fatigue between breaks, I have to make my every step and motion count throughout my day. Working outdoors eliminates a lot of clean up and natural “dust control” when weather permits.
Two of my most used and favorite tools are my router station and my EZ system. Eliminating my TS a few weeks ago as well as a few other footprint eaters that I found repetitious in function, I have opened up a lot of space in my shop. I have since found even more space by changing out my old Norm style router cabinet in favor of a smaller and simpler router table.
With all things considered and the effort required to move the weight of my “temporary” folding leg EZ Smart Table in and out of my shop, I worked toward a simpler (kiss) design to aid me in my quest. After seeing many of the contributor’s ideas on this forum as well as other places, I was able to put together my version of an outdoor workbench that allows me a lot of flexibility.
This rolling workbench has so many uses that I won’t even attempt to name them. Some of the uses that come to mind are: an EZ smart saw table, router table bench, sanding bench, sharpener/grinder bench, assembly bench and so on. The nicest part of all is that I can make a single trip out of the shop with everything I need on wheels. No more straining and exhausting myself just getting set up to work.
The bench measures 52” long by 28” wide and stands 25” high on the flat side and 29” high on the EZ smart table side. This is the universal height that figured best for the way I planned on using the bench. I attempted to add as many convenience features as could be thought of and will probably add a few more after thoughts as time goes by. The project was simple and inexpensive as you can see from the materials used. I designed it open and airy so easy enough to blow the dust and chips away with the compressor hose.
Since I am a long-winded person, I should just allow the pictures to finish the story from here.
Thanks for looking and I am open for any suggestions or questions.