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Posted

Hi,

I'm looking to build a freestanding mini workbench to use in my office/library/computer room or move it into the family room. I'm thinking of something with a 18" x 24" footprint or maybe slightly smaller that is sturdy enough for stamping and absorbing noise but is light enough to move from room to room. I have been thinking of using 2" x 4" or 4" x 4" lumber for legs with a wooden top. I could place a removable 12" x 12" or 12" x 6" small granite or marble block on top leaving a bit of room for tools and supplies. Any pictures or plans or suggestions for me?

Thanks and regards,

Mike

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Posted
  On 6/27/2013 at 12:04 AM, Tree Reaper said:

Have you considered purchasing a workmate?

http://www.amazon.co...&tag=mozilla-20

Have one of those workmate-types and tried it. Can't tool on it--too much bounce! It's just not sturdy enough. All I use my workmate for is to clamp on lace cutters/splitters. and use as an extra surface when painting or doing some layout. For tooling, I've been thinking of making a something similar to the base of this drill press (sans casters) as I also have no room. http://www.planethart.com/projects/?PN=15

I used to be an Eagle, a good ol' Eagle too...

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Posted

I bought a Bekvam Kitchen trolley from ikea for a similar purpose, I've got enough bench space in my work room but the room gets cold and the natural light is lacking in winter so it's great to be able to move it around for a more sunny spot. I carve standing up so it might not be exactly what you are after but it might give you an idea to start.

Posted
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Have one of those workmate-types and tried it. Can't tool on it--too much bounce!

Even with granite on top?

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Posted

I would suggest using dense hard wood, as opposed to white pine and/or plywood. I have a 4'x8' plywood workbench that I modeled off one of Norm Abram's plans and love it, but it's pretty loud and obviously larger than you want. But, you could study the design and incorporate the castor system.

http://follw.it/e/110643/The_New_Yankee_Workshop/14/7/Work_Table_and_Clamp_Cart

I also built a 2x4 pine table so I'd have something more sturdy for tooling which is much more quite, but not as quite as I'd hoped for. For the top, I glued a whole stack of 2x4s about 30" long until I had a nice, large work surface (3.5" thick, and about 24" deep). I have a granite slab from a countertop sink cutout that I placed on top to do my tooling on.

I've also seen people simply use a section of a tree trunk, cut flat on both ends.

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Posted
  On 6/27/2013 at 2:03 AM, Tree Reaper said:

Even with granite on top?

Yeah, even with. Beats me why. I was hoping it would work, and disappointed when it didn't. I don't know if it is because the legs are relatively "spindly" or if it is because the tops are some sort of compressed board. I get better results if I put the slab on the corner of a desk (but not the center) or put the slab flat on the floor.

I used to be an Eagle, a good ol' Eagle too...

Posted

Any idea what your workmate is rated for?

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Posted (edited)

'Fraid not. Can't go look at the moment either. :) The kids have got it at the Scout Lodge with a hand-cranked sewing machine clamped to it so they can repair some old army tents. I'll take a look when I get it back though. Don't let me forget.

(pretty sure it is the 450-lb)

Edited by WinterBear

I used to be an Eagle, a good ol' Eagle too...

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Posted

Mike, have you seen Nigel Armitage's log workstation? You could put it on casters. http://youtu.be/lCFTDqQaEIc

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