Hi guys. Been awhile. I've been hanging out with some metalworking guys, learning a lot. Awhile back I posted about a take-apart workbench I made. Worked just as expected. However. Took up a lot of valuable floor space in my 8X12 shop, and about killed my back when I used it, because nothing to lean back against. http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f29/knockdown-workbench-24167/ You can see the tool column here.
And you can see how my vise, with base bolted on goes on the column.
I've got bases for my HF portable metal bandsaw with shop made stand, the vise of course, my new HF bench drillpress, and pounderonner. I'll be making more for other tools, to include a bowling ball engraving/carving vise.
The solution for me was to cut the stand apart from the seat part of the workbench. Then I cut the stand in two, glued extension pieces inside it, bracing outside, ultimately making it about two foot tall. I tried it out, with the vise mounted, and while the height was just right, it wasn't steady enough. The solution was to glue a "foot rest" on each side of the column. I don't need to exert pressure, just having my feet on them gives the stability I needed for filing. Now I can sit in my folding chair, shift the stand a bit as needed, and when it's not being used, it's light enough that, if need be, I can sit it to one side, out of the way, or even hang it out of the way. Wish I'd done it this way in the first place, being able to sit back in my chair is great on my back, really extends my work time. That's the reason I built the sit down workbench in the first place, my back won't let me stand in one spot for very long at a time anymore.
Here's a few pictures of how I did it. I noticed I didn't have a picture of the final column, but I think you all can pretty much figure out what it looks like anyway.
Here's the column cut in half and the first extension piece being glued in.
View image in gallery
Now pieces being glued on the top, and bottom, before they're joined.
Last picture. Top and bottom joined and glued. There were more glue blocks glued on this to strengthen it, plus "foot rests" glued on later, but I think that's enough to give you a good idea what it looks like. No plans, so if any of you make something similar, you'll probably wind up with something only remotely resembling this. I glued on a few of my octagon chess piece bases for decoration too. It looks a tad crooked in that last picture, but it isn't, don't know why it looks like it. Works out like a champ for me. Cost? About zip. Scrap 1/2" plywood and glue.
View image in gallery
And you can see how my vise, with base bolted on goes on the column.
I've got bases for my HF portable metal bandsaw with shop made stand, the vise of course, my new HF bench drillpress, and pounderonner. I'll be making more for other tools, to include a bowling ball engraving/carving vise.
The solution for me was to cut the stand apart from the seat part of the workbench. Then I cut the stand in two, glued extension pieces inside it, bracing outside, ultimately making it about two foot tall. I tried it out, with the vise mounted, and while the height was just right, it wasn't steady enough. The solution was to glue a "foot rest" on each side of the column. I don't need to exert pressure, just having my feet on them gives the stability I needed for filing. Now I can sit in my folding chair, shift the stand a bit as needed, and when it's not being used, it's light enough that, if need be, I can sit it to one side, out of the way, or even hang it out of the way. Wish I'd done it this way in the first place, being able to sit back in my chair is great on my back, really extends my work time. That's the reason I built the sit down workbench in the first place, my back won't let me stand in one spot for very long at a time anymore.
Here's a few pictures of how I did it. I noticed I didn't have a picture of the final column, but I think you all can pretty much figure out what it looks like anyway.
Here's the column cut in half and the first extension piece being glued in.
View image in gallery
Now pieces being glued on the top, and bottom, before they're joined.
Last picture. Top and bottom joined and glued. There were more glue blocks glued on this to strengthen it, plus "foot rests" glued on later, but I think that's enough to give you a good idea what it looks like. No plans, so if any of you make something similar, you'll probably wind up with something only remotely resembling this. I glued on a few of my octagon chess piece bases for decoration too. It looks a tad crooked in that last picture, but it isn't, don't know why it looks like it. Works out like a champ for me. Cost? About zip. Scrap 1/2" plywood and glue.
View image in gallery