Scissor Lift Table

[jordanrossbell]

Hi everyone. I am wanting to make my workbench on an adjustable height table. I have seen some (Felder Fat300) but I really dont think its worth 2000.00. I know the people that have them genuinely love them but considering all the other money i will be putting in the bench i am wondering if there is an alternative. This one in particular i can find used to me for around 600.  My question is that it appears that the handle can be removed. I would then need to mount the trigger somewhere under the bench to lower the mechanism, which seems easy enough. My question is if anyone has done this or seen it done with these type of tables? Thanks

 

[Peter Kelly]

I've seen the Ruwi version of this table at a store in Germany which I suspect may be more expensive than the Felder one. Lots of cool features, it'd be great as an outfeed table for the shaper or bandsaw too.https://ruwi.de/en/wood-line/lifting-table/

Seems like you'd want all 4 casters to be lockable.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have a smaller version of this and they're pretty agricultural in use, clunky and sloppy, although it would sorta do, in the same way you could use the claws of a hammer to strip paint.

Great for moving heavy stuff around, but I really don't think you'd like it much long term as a FAT300 replacement, which is a much different, and better beast.

 

[Packard]

Harbor Freight offers two.  A 500 lb. Capacity @$249.00.

And a 1,000 lb. capacity @ $369.00

 

[Michael Kellough]

A while ago I bought a “portable garage” (think steel poled tent) at HF, but later changed my mind and returned it before even dragging it out of my Sienna.

It’s a big heavy awkward package and they brought it to my minivan on a lift table. But not one they sell. It was a bigger better version.

You might consider making your own Jack Bench.

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[Max Fracas]

I have the large HF lifting table. Has been useful a few times to move heavy items from my truck to the shop. Inside the shop I find it too hard to maneuver, even after switching to all swivel casters. If I had it to do over, I’d buy the smaller version. If I had a bigger bank account, I’d buy the Felder or Ruwi.

 

[Cheese]

I ran across these the other day from Baileigh...Baileigh is well respected in the metal working industry. I've never used either of them but they offer more capacity and are almost double the weight of the Harbor Freight offerings. They have the same load capacity 660# as the Felder and the small Baileigh weighs the same as the Felder FAT 300.
https://baileigh.com/metalworking/shop-equipment/shop-carts/b-cart-hydraulic-lift-carthttps://baileigh.com/metalworking/shop-equipment/shop-carts/double-height-lifting-table-b-cartx2

I've always looked at the Felder 300 unit but I may have to check these out before I make a purchase.

FWIW...Felder is presently offering a $195 discount on the FAT 300.

 

[Packard]

Grizzly makes a version too.

I would caution you to question the stated capacity.  Is that static or dynamic.

Will it only hold the 500 pounds at one height, and height changes have to done with no load?

The Grizzly unit appears to be gear driven.  The others appear to be hydraulic.

Eastwood has a similar version to Grizzly.  Eastwood is known for supplying automotive paint and equipment. They are very competitive and have a good reputation.

 

[rvieceli]

There are several versions of these table floating around. The big names seem to be Presto, Southworth and Bishamon. although just about every industrial supply company has a version as well looking like they came out of the same Chinese factory. They range from the handle or foot pump hydraulic ones, full electric hydraulic units with up/down control buttons and units that use a large air bag to raise and lower.

If you need it to be truly mobile you might be limited to under 1500 pounds probably around 1100 max. IF you can go stationary with the occasional drag to another spot, the units with a frame that sits on the floor and the legs ride in would be my choice. Most floors aren't perfect that eliminates that worry.

They routinely show up on Facebook Marketplace with conditions ranging from new or like new condition, obviously used but very serviceable and stuff that looks like it's been out in the weather for 10 years.

They also show up quite often on industrial auction sites. www.bidspotter.com would be a good place to start.

I would suggest getting a unit that is about the size of the top you are going to put on it. smaller units are cheaper and tempting but depending on how your work top is situated you can unevenly load and might tip the thing.

When looking at capacity don't forget the weight of the worktop and whatever you might be working on.  In other words don't get a 500 pound unit and put a 400 pound top on it and then expect to work on 300 pound slabs.

Factor in the cost of whatever you are going to fabricate for a worktop as well.

Ron

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

From what I've gathered over the years, the more utilitarian scissor lift tables are not in the same class as the purpose-built carts from Felder, Rangate, Barth, etc.... So, ultimately it boils down to whether you're constrained by budget or not.

Constrained by budget? Sure, shop around and try to cobble together something that will approximate but not equal your benchmark.

Or....

Not constrained by budget? Buy what you really want/need and get to work.

I have the Felder FAT 500S and just love it, looking forward to supplementing it from some of the North American-made carts from Rangate in the near future.