A wheely good workbench solution, Version 2, 'tis one end lifted.

[TomTrees]

Hello there all.
Me thinks it's time for a review on this mechanism, after using it for the last 5 years or so, in a one car garage...



At the time, I wasn't aware that I was making the proverbial oxymoron,
but in actuality, it's turned out to get me into trouble on a few occasions...
for a good few reasons, which I might as well mention.

Having a lever on ONLY one side, is just a recipe for disaster in a small workshop.
Take for example, a little offcut or whatnot getting trapped under the castors on the far side... is quite annoying.
Better not have something on the bench which could roll off, or perhaps what's weighty enough to tip the thing over,
when that happens!

Thankfully I've never experienced such, but for the unaware, certainly possible.


The fact that it's movable means that... yes you will be shoving it tight against something,
be it somewhere, sometime, it's gonna happen eventually, even if you think you've got ample space for it!.

Sometimes, if leaving it be...means you're going to wedge something in there, which fit before you moved it!
or lacking the necessary space to work on what might be a...small engine.. Grrr!,

What about not bothering to wheel the bench away from the machinery?...
Better not be dealing with something unwieldy, long and heavy...
Should that come crashing down on it!.

Monkeying around the back, to get access to that lever... is gonna get pretty annoying,
so you'll be thinking of making a cord for getting that lever down....

Nonsense!

Whilst in the meantime, you'll use what's become the easiest solution,
From the front of the bench.

And better hope that you don't sever a cable of some sort whilst doing so blindly!.

A good way to get a rap, even if you're only popping into the shed to take a piccy.
Very nearly cut through the insulation on my extension lead, which is now a fair bit shorter.

Well, that was the last bleedin straw!


Time for a rethink on the matter.
No going back now.


Here's some pickings for the job, plenty of stock this time round,
Though need to go rummaging for some springs, but that won't be for a while yet.


I'd like to use some of these hinges, but I only have the one, and can't seem to find them that easily.
They have 4 gudgeons? which is nice and strong looking compared to other ones I've come across,
and as you see, are about 40mm in whatever orientation that is.
"Back flap hinge" seems about the best term for hits what I've found, from a quickish look online.
Not been at the shops in town to see if I could find a similar match, and must doublecheck the likes of Screwfix,
as I was looking for something largely identical.

I'd be interested to know another term for these, if anyone knows.

I can crack on with a fair of work bit until then, but it would be good to know I can get some quick.

Cheers folks
All the best.
Tom

 

[Jonathan]

Projection hinge, or parliament hinge is similar

 

[TomTrees]

Thanks Jonathan, I did see those types whilst searching, but as the name would suggest....
they're rather expensive! (where's my coat?)

I did go back and had a look at the Screwfix offerings, and seen three which might be suitable,
(with the help of a hacksaw, that is)
though not very similar, they may be OK, as they have more gudgeons than other types I've seen,
though not expecting much for the price,

Perhaps the plate thickness of the more expensive ones, for 2 odd quid, may be a little thicker gauge of steel,
so might see...(if I'm allowed)
to get a feel of them before buying, as I guess they'll be in a bag.
Will be having a quick look around town first though.


Cheers
All the best
Tom

 

[TomTrees]

Hello all, after some procrastination, I got started by cutting the stuff to length, and grinding the beads off this auld box iron.

I figured I'd make the upper lever design shorter than before, as the last one was a bit awkward to place a foot on at times...
i.e, squeezed in-between the pedal and the upper strecher.
Such happens frequently when the swivel castors are at maximum swing, which can alter the height by a good few inches on something this long.

Whilst I've also decided (so far) on having no... pedals?, in favour of being able to slide ones foot up to the top of the lever,
(without heel and toe)
This was annoying on the last version, due to the 'pedal' being an inch or so higher off the pipe.
(Might make more sense to post a piccy of what I mean)



So instead of that, I've preferred to drag one end of the bench for an inch or two, what swings the castors round,
enough so the lever drops to an appropriate height, as seen above...

Which I might add, isn't as bad as it sounds, and without any levered assistance, the wheels help a lot,
yet the bench has gone nowhere without intention, in that time.
I won't be very displeased if this will still be the case, no bothers...
Even with this upper lever shortened, it's still probably on the limits of the design, in terms of it fouling the upper strecher...
but I think it may be more sensible and efficient to have a hand on the workbench trestles, saving a step every time.

It'd be nice to have this sorted out all the same, should it be... just about right now.




Sometimes being lazy is productive!
Here's a nice method for getting into tight spots, the other side, what's below where photographed,
needed doing on the far end of the wedge shaped trestle.


Very pleased that the wider hinges I have, actually look far more preferable.
I'm such an eegit!, spending a good hour looking for hinges, lol.





Now I can get on with figuring out the dimensions and shape for the other lever.

Just going to plonk ahead regarding the ergonomics of things, and figure out later if things will work nicely without
a pedal.
It may hinder sliding ones foot up the end, should that work well this time, for the aforementioned reason above.

I'll be doing a latch test whilst clamped beforehand though,
and decide whether having pedals might be a welcome addition, or not?...


Cheers
All the best
Tom