Looking for Workbench wheels

[Jeff Cord]

I'm hoping that what I'm looking for is available.
I plan on building a workbench but want it to be portable.
However, I want to be sure that when I place it in position for work it is sitting on the bench legs and not the wheels.
What I'm looking for are wheels that, using some type of foot pedal (like the mobile bases) that will push the wheel down and the bench up so it rolls.
Then, when the pedal is released the wheels raise up so the bench is on the ground.
Anyone know if these exist?
thanks,
Jeff

[Doug Shepard]

Some years ago, Norm copied an idea from some really massive work tables in somebody's shop. I think it was something where the casters were mounted on a hinged board of some sort. You might try poking around the NYW site to see if you can find any pics.

[Bert Johansen]

Doug is right. I remember the episode, but don't know which one it was. Perhaps they have an index somewhere. You can order plans from NYW.
Basically, the casters are mounted at each end of the table on a hefty brace that is hinged at the corners. A handy rope is connected to the brace and allows you to easily engage the casters to move the table. Very clever and effective.

[Richard M. Wolfe]

I haven't tried them but here is the site.

http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?0207 (http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?0207)

[John Gregory]

I made one half sized a few years ago as my outfeed/assembly table. It is very sturdy and strong but light weight to move. The caster method worked well but I never needed to move it. So I "re-purposed" the castors for another project. For this method to work the bench needs to be light enough to lift and allow the panel with the castors to drop.

[Rob Wright]

Some woodworking magazine had a reader tip on using contractor saw retractable casters.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3703

4 angled blocks were cut to match the slope of the "contractor saw" legs, and then the casters were attached to the blocks/legs. When you need to move the bench, extended all of the casters by stepping on the lever and raising the table.

Bought a set for my father-in-law so he can move a big bench he got from the local college around his garage - and it works great. - Rob

[Hunter Wallace]

Jeff,

I came accross this contraption at a WW show. It was pretty
cool, had very little "wiggle" when hand planing and, from
what I remember, it's adjustable and moveable and all sorts of
stuff. I don't know if I'd use it for myself (more of a big
stationary bench sort of guy I guess) but I can see some
real practicality in it for lots of folks.
www.adjustabench.com (http://www.adjustabench.com)


Disclaimer: Not affiliated with company, etc, etc, blah blah

[Andre Masse]

Here's a link to an article for retractable casters :http://woodworking.about.com/od/shopequipmentsupplies/ss/portableTable_7.htm

[Doug Shepard]

You might also want to take a look at the Zambus casters. I recently stuck a set under my Minimax MM16 bandsaw and when adjusted into the raised (fixed) position they seem solid as a rock. I'm likely going to get one of the Noden benches that Hunter linked to, but thinking of using the Zambus under it rather than Noden caster kit.

[Dana Van Pelt]

we have all our workbenches here at American Sycamore on Delta mobile base kits. I purchased the kits and used channel iron to make the rails. The benches drop their weight down onto the floor and are very stable. Use the foot pedal and the bench moves for cleaning and for arrangeing the benches for different classes. We are very pleased.

Good luck

[Ben Grunow]

My assembly bench sits on 2 casters and 2 legs and is solid but it weighs 150 lbs or more. My rubber puzzle piece floor pads help keep it anchored and I just lift one side to wheel it around when needed. The casters are fixed, not swivelers.