Bench height catch-22

[tvrgeek]

So, I built a massive heavy, stable workbench. 32 high. Great for things I need to be above for leverage. But, somehow I do 90% of my work on my outfeed ( 38 inch) as it is high enough I can see it and I don't have to bend over as much.

So, I am looking for ideas on how to make the bench adjustable height and retain it's stability. Nothing worse than a bench that wiggles when you are trying to cut a dovetail. A simplistic solution would be a topper/vise I could clamp in either the end or face. One more big bulky thing I don't have room to store! 6 to 8 inch lift is desired. Yea the bench weighs about 400 Lbs.

 

[pop-pop]

For 6-8” lift, a largish benchtop bench might be a solution.

Here is one that I made and donated to the NCWW trailer.

https://ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php?attachments/1711852594740-jpeg.227634/

 

[bowman]

Build up the top instead of lifting the entire table.

 

[Wilsoncb]

Platform shoes!

 

[creasman]

For cutting dovetails I use a Moxon vise that sits on top of my work bench. It raises the work height by about 6". Plans are in the resources, https://ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php?resources/moxon-vise-plans.507/.

 

[tvrgeek]

Platform shoes!

Other direction.

 

[tvrgeek]

For 6-8” lift, a largish benchtop bench might be a solution.

Here is one that I made and donated to the NCWW trailer.

https://ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php?attachments/1711852594740-jpeg.227634/

Only problem is I am running out of places to put things.

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

For cutting dovetails I use a Moxon vise that sits on top of my work bench. It raises the work height by about 6". Plans are in the resources, https://ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php?resources/moxon-vise-plans.507/.

I too use a Moxon vise.

To Neal's suggestion I suspect a full size bench top buildup will become permanent, making it impractical to lower the working surface back down.

Are there ladder levelers--those gadgets that attach to the bottom of ladders to compensate for uneven ground--that are strong enough and wiggle free enough to work?

I've seen photos of workbenches that have 4 x 4s hinged at the leg bottoms so they fold in and out of the way for the low height, or the bench can be levered up and they can be folded under to raise the bench height. Make them any dimension to raise the bench to your preferred height.

Final thought: once you figure out how to raise the bench high enough by hand, just slip concrete blocks under the legs when you want the high height.

 

[Gotcha6]

I believe you would find some ideas based on a sawtooth ratchet leg in the archives here. I found an illustration from a design by Alan in Little Washington. He had other articles on it, but I couldn't download any of the jpg photo files, they may be available in his photo library if it's still around.
Adjustable Bench legs- Up position (end view)

 

[Henry W]

I believe you would find some ideas based on a sawtooth ratchet leg in the archives here. I found an illustration from a design by Alan in Little Washington. He had other articles on it, but I couldn't download any of the jpg photo files, they may be available in his photo library if it's still around.
Adjustable Bench legs- Up position (end view)

Without digging into the details of Alan W's engineering and how easy or difficult this may be to adjust, this idea might be an answer to the Dec contest for lathe stands with adjustable height.

 

[Gotcha6]

Has anyone looked at the stands used by us in the NCWW trailer for events? I believe they were carriage bolts and wing nuts in holes or slots, I'm not sure. I do know they were made with a platform that could be tilted for wheelchair access.
Alan's plan used a metal stirrup that swung down from the upper holes as a pawl and caught on the ratchets. I believe it had some sort of rope or string release to drop it down and was dadoed onto the stationary portion of the legs. Even though you may be working with a 400# table, with the cantilever of the top over the legs, it should not be that difficult to lift. Of course, there's always a floor jack...................................
As for the Contest, it was Alan's plan. I'll leave it to him to submit. I'm just helping with the spitballing.

 

[Rwe2156]

Curious why this would be an issue? Me, my style of work, but adjustable bench height has never crossed my mind as a a desirable feature. I don't do that type work anymore, but for a while I thought it would be nice to have an assembly table with a wide range of heights. Considered a motorcycle lift.

If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you? I’m 6’2 and my main bench is 34” high.

I followed the method of flexing your wrist at 90° to determine the height. This is supposedly for hand tools. Yes, a little short for routing, I often use my outfeed table for routing operations.

The benefit of this method is it takes into account the proportions of your torso, not simply your height. For example, I found out from a cycling shop that my legs are short for my height. Which also means my upper torso is too tall, which in turn explains why I am more prone to back problems.

 

[tvrgeek]

I am only 6 foot, or was. Age happens. But it is a combination of my bad back and vision.
Lifting the bench end is too much, so it needs a jack. I wonder how often I would lower it as I have a floor jack in the other end of the shop, so I could make flip down leg extenders. But if I had to drag the jack over, jack each end etc. it might be too much of a nuisance. Scaffolding jacks ( I do have a set) need a very snug fit not to wiggle. Possible. Maybe a pair of scissors jacks screwed to each end center rail and use a drill to raise and lower for the flip-down feet.

All the things like bike or ATV lifts are too wobbly. One could mount one under the tray so it lifts both ends for leg extensions.

Just measured, buy wrist. I think I will bring it up to 35 fixed and see how that goes.

 

[Gofor]

This will lift it, but not sure if practical. Could be cut down for permanent installation. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/bulldog-36-in-farm-jack

Note: the jack itself is quite heavy.

I use 6" (approx) blocks to raise mine to out feed height, but my bench is lighter than yours, so I can lift each end fairly easily.

 

[tvrgeek]

Working with my #45 today on more picture frames, I think I should just raise the bench all the way. Most of my planeing is final smoothing or router plane, rabbit, etc. Not high force that I need the leverage of a lower bench. Even rough scrub work to make rough lumber safe to run across the TS or planer is not a problem on my high bench. Gets me some more storage for sleds.

Had a thought. If I were to design a cabinet saw, I would cut the cabinet off a foot higher, still a cabinet, and provide space below for sled/fence/jig storage. Heck, there is actually enough wasted space you could have a couple of drawers to hold blades and accessories. I raised my inside floor to improve dust collection anyway.

Tomorrow's project. Getting real tired of picture frames.

 

[Gotcha6]

That's a good idea. I have two old "Kenmore" TSs siamesed together on a home built base where I made hoppers to facilitate sawdust collection into a suction pipe. I could shorten the hoppers and add drawers below. Now, for some warmer weather and motivation............

 

[Al Olme]

Being from Minnesota and a member of the guild there, I know Charlie Kocourek, the inventor [maybe not the best word, let's day "innovator"] of the Jack Bench. Charlie is a good sort and I bought some spalted maple from him. Anyway, he has something that might be of interest. Instead of trying to explain it, here's a link to his video Adjustable Height Workbench Design - How and Why - Updated! -.
I've never used the bench and frankly I'd be concerned about stability but it gets great reviews and I trust Charlie to do good work.

 

[JNCarr]

Here is a new lathe stand design co-submitted by @pop-pop and me. The concept could be extended to an adjustable bench by including a gas spring in each of the four legs. Gas springs are quite affordable and come in many sizes and spring constants - they're used on car hoods and liftbacks as well as other applications. Height adjustments can be fixed indents or continuous. In either case the locking knob is used to firmly secure the risers.

 

[chris_goris]

Here is a new lathe stand design co-submitted by @pop-pop and me. The concept could be extended to an adjustable bench by including a gas spring in each of the four legs. Gas springs are quite affordable and come in many sizes and spring constants - they're used on car hoods and liftbacks as well as other applications. Height adjustments can be fixed indents or continuous. In either case the locking knob is used to firmly secure the risers.

How do you lower it?

 

[JNCarr]

Just push down - the spring strength is selected to be a little greater than the weight of the lathe and support assembly (divided by 2).
The blue in the cartoon is 1/2" x 2" polymer sheet shims to offer less binding of the internal posts.
Position of the right leg (to the left or right) will be determined after the CG of the lathe is measured so the force on each spring is about the same.