height adjustable workbench design ideas anyone?

Klemm

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what are some of the ways a worksurface can be height adjustable and leave room below for storage or for wheelchair access, for example?
Anyone seen any ingenious solutions? I don't want to reinvent the wheel. Please respond with links or pictures

thanks
Hans
info@tsoproducts.com
 
I posted this in another thread that Hans took notice of while back so here it is again. A modified Jack-Bench design with a large MFT top. Has about 18 inches of adjustment. I made mine a little shorter than the plans to allow for the box under the MFT top and to be low enough to work at from my roll around stool. jack-bench.com

Jack

I also have a bunch of pics of the build should someone need them for their own construction. The author of the plans is very helpful and even provided new leg dimensions based on my need.
 

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Hi Hans,
I have a video of the adjustable table that I made and I will send it to you.

Marc Ker
 
What a great start of responses!
I had not seen the Noden  Adjusta-Bench before. The simplicity of the lift mechanism is appealing. It may be possible to modify the supports so the front does not need a cross beam support.
The Husky brand appears similar to a moderate duty unit I saw at a Rockler store and very affordable if not super sturdy – but then an MFT-3 is not super sturdy either.
If you’re going to do hand-planing or similar work the Jack-Bench would seem hard to beat for rigidity and overall ruggedness – albeit at the price of no underneath storage and certainly no wheelchair accessibility. And, yes,  Charlie Kocourek, the creator of the Jack-Bench design is a most helpful individual – “Minnesota nice!”
FWIW: my custom office desk measures 30”x62” and electrically varies the height from 26” to 46” inches on just two motorized telescoping steel columns with clear space and no cross-braces underneath. I am trying to figure out how to create that kind of functionality in the woodshop with room for rolling Systainer carts underneath.
The wheelchair access idea came up in conversation the other day and seemed like another  beneficial use of such a workbench.
Let’s see what other inspiration surfaces on this thread . . .
Thanks
Hans
info@tsoproducts.com
 
Funny that should come up- it's what I've been working on the past few weeks. Will have more/better photos by 11/20-21. Height is adjustable from 30 to 42 inches high. Top doesn't budge while smoothing the rock maple/oak 4 inch thick top with a #7 jointer plane.
 

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I recently purchased a Motorized Adjustable Height work table base from Rockler:
http://www.rockler.com/motorized-adjustable-height-work-station

It does not come with a top, but it allows you to put on whatever top you want.  It will hold up to 380 lbs. including the weight of the top you put on it.  I am removing the top from my older work/assembly table to put on this.  It will allow me to store items underneath it when I'm not using it for woodworking, and it will allow me to adjust the height when I am using it to build furniture.

Steve
 
This is another approach to an adjustable height table allowing the height to range from almost zero. Instead of a lateral up and down, the principle of this approach is the scissor effect; the draw back being that there is no accommodation for under-table storage. The overhang would have to be sufficient to allow for a wheelchair.  My preference for height would be to be  at the 18" to 24 " height to allow for finish work. This would put a project table with a top with a height of 30 inches at 48 inches and allow for convenient sanding and finish application. The upper height would be sufficient to have convenient height for routing on a Leigh type jig, something like 36 to 40 inches from the floor.

Note: This video sound is annoying crash/boom so adjust volume accordingly.


T-track is a must around the perimeter as well as dog holes whether they be 20mm or 3/4." An accommodation for a drop-in router and surface slots for miter gauge runners would be handy so the table could be used with a contractor table saw.

Options : The table should allow for a custom top and locking wheels for mobility. A built in electrical distribution center would be useful as well as a boom and light option. The design might allow for standing the table on end perhaps with the wheels placed to allow for quick and convenient upright storage or wheeling the table onto the jobsite. The  skids might have a leveling feature. A place for removable Moxon type vise would be practical and the soul of luxury. Removable work rests on the legs or hanging from the t-track would make it possible to work vertically on a door slab. Other options would include T-track boxes set up for tools, drills, sanders and glue bottles and perhaps a holster type box for squares etc.

Hans: One other suggestion.  Contact your local VA facility that has a section on Adapted Housing. These folks are experts on wheel-chair access and can give you solid suggestions on heights and widths to guide any design you might undertake that would involve  wheelchair accommodation.
 
[member=49013]clark_fork[/member]  - I appreciate your "product spec outline" - very good and helpful description of desired/required specs. You make an excellent suggestion with the VA as a source for input. I'm also reminded of some amazing solutions I saw demonstrated at a conference showcasing "Assistive Technology".
I'll keep trolling for solutions which have already been developed as well as for ideas yet to be built.

Hans
info@tsoproducts.com
 
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