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  1. #1
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default Small surface plate bench

    Have slowly been collecting some measuring gear so can see a use for a small surface plate.
    Main problem is I rarely have any free bench space to put a surface plate on so I've decided to build a small movable bench that can be tucked under one end of my main bench. If I don't do this I am less likely to drag one out and use it. I am just going to get a small granite plate from Carbatech to start with and see how much I use it before looking for something a bit bigger.

    The frame is made of 40 x 40 x 4 mm galv tube on adjustable feet.
    Its 350 mm wide 850 mm long and 715 mm high.
    With the hardwood top on it will bring it up to 385 x 880 x 747 mm high leaving enough space underneath for a thicker plate or any plate levelling mechanisms etc that might be needed in the future.
    The reason its this width and length is because that is all the space I have under the workbench bench

    To move the bench, 4 x 50 kg rated, 50 mm diameter PU wheels have been installed on separate short legs.
    Each pair of legs can be raised/lowered by turning a 16 mm steel shaft which turns a 25 mm diameter cam lobe above each wheeled leg.
    In the photo below the handles are currently in the wheel down position, to raise the wheels ,or lower the frame, the handles are rotated anticlockwise by 180º

    frontside.jpg
    I have a 32 mm thick piece of Tassie oak slab I will use for the top and some 19 mm jarrah boards for the middle shelf.
    The shelf will be occupied by a set of steel drawers to hold measuring instruments.

    Here is a shot of the back of the frame and the back wheels
    Backside.jpg

    The wheels are attached to a short 30 x 30mm SHS leg that slides up and down inside the 40 x 40 mm leg attached to the frame
    Although each main leg is height adjustable to accomodate a non flat floor and the fact that the main legs are not identical in length, a bolt on the top of the wheeled leg (cam on 16mm shafts contacts head of these bolts) can be utilise to adjust the amount of lift generated by each wheeled leg.
    Wheel.jpg

    The cams are held in place by a 6 mm grub screw that makes contact with a narrow section of the 16 mm rod that has been milled flat.
    lifterhandle.jpg

    The 25 mm cams are offset from the centre of the 16 mm shafts by only 3.5 mm give a max travel of 7 mm but this makes it relatively easy to turn the handles and is more than enough to generate the floor clearance needed to move the bench.
    Height.jpg

    The main problem with the current design is when I lift one end of the bench to add the second wheeled leg the other wheeled leg falls out.
    I will added a locking cap screw to each leg to hold the wheeled lens in place while the bench is lifted then when all wheels are in place the locking screws can be loosened.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Bob love the cam lock set up top marks on that idea
    But I think ankles will suffer

  3. #3
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheelinround View Post
    Bob love the cam lock set up top marks on that idea
    But I think ankles will suffer
    Do you mean from hitting the handles? I guess I can always work from the other side?

  4. #4
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    Yes Bob also getting cuff of pants and shoe laces caught

  5. #5
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheelinround View Post
    Yes Bob also getting cuff of pants and shoe laces caught
    I wear pull on Blunnies and shorts most of the time.
    The bench is quite low for a surface plate bench so I'm probably going to be sitting down while using it.

  6. #6
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    Nice and a good idea.

    If the handles prove to be a pain in the ankle they could be cut off and a cheap socket or a bit of hex stock welded to the shaft and a flex/Johnson bar used to rotate instead.

    Or just get a big enough rock so your tummy keeps you away and your ankles safe.

    Pete

  7. #7
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    Hi Bob,

    I have been thinking of how I can have wheels on my granite surface plate stand as well as having the stability of solid adjustable legs when in use. Your cam lever idea is perfect. I think I will steal that idea from you. Thanks for sharing.

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  8. #8
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by QC Inspector View Post
    Nice and a good idea.

    If the handles prove to be a pain in the ankle they could be cut off and a cheap socket or a bit of hex stock welded to the shaft and a flex/Johnson bar used to rotate instead.

    Or just get a big enough rock so your tummy keeps you away and your ankles safe.

    Pete
    Thanks Pete, If the tool drawers are not too wide the cam handles can be rotated so they are vertical so should not get in the way.

    The wheels are more likely to get in the way especially if they end up in a "poking out position" which is likely because they will trail the bench movement which is likely when pushing the smaller bench back under the bigger one. However, once the wheels are raised so the bench sits on the floor all the load will come off the wheels so they can easily be kicked around the other way.

  9. #9
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    I've taken the bench apart to paint it and took a couple more shots of the cam mechanism.

    Shaft.jpg
    Cam1.jpg
    Cam2.jpg

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    The bench is quite low for a surface plate bench so I'm probably going to be sitting down while using it.
    thats smarts

  11. #11
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Finally got some time to put a lick of Machinery Grey paint on the frame, and installed the top and the shelf.

    Tassie oak top and jarrah floorboard shelf with BLO finish
    Completebench.jpg

    This shows it tucked up under my main work bench.
    tuckedunder.jpg

    This is not the actual tool chest that will be used but it shows where it goes.
    I'm looking to get a set of drawers sized to fill more of the space under the table.
    The gap between the top of the bench table and the bench top above is to allow for surface plate a levelling mechanisms.
    tuckedunder2.jpg

    This photo looks like I have a lot of room and the shed is moderately clean but that's only because I have an "inspection" tomorrow by some former work colleagues who are coming round for a sticky beak.

    Motor cycle bro used the lathe and mill this morning and he always cleans up nicely after himself so that was timely.

  12. #12
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    Nice to see it finished. That tassie oak top matches the machinery grey very nicely. Can't say the same for the jarrah though.

    I always sit when using my surface plate for marking out and such, I think your working height decision was sound.

    Graham.

  13. #13
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oldbikerider View Post
    Nice to see it finished. That tassie oak top matches the machinery grey very nicely. Can't say the same for the jarrah though.
    Thanks Graham. I agree the jarrah looks odd but it comes straight of a shelf that was in the same location and by the time the full size tool chest drawers are fitted the jarrah will be hard to see.

  14. #14
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    Extremely nice Bob, love the idea of the cam and adjustable legs.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  15. #15
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    I finally got my small surface plate from Carbatech and have put it on the bench together with the CI plate from Anorak Bob.
    I added the small blued CI block I played with at the 2014 scrape-fest although it has now become a curio on the shelf above the window seat in the family room so it will probably go back there at some stage.

    Surfaceplates.jpg

    All tucked away under the bigger bench bench. The ply box that the carbatech plate came in serves as a useful cover.
    Surfaceplates2.jpg

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