I am in the process of renovating the weeding/masking/vinyl storage room here (in between paying jobs)
I currently use 2-8'x2' tables with the folding legs that are used on banquet tables. These are the perfect height for weeding when sitting down. However, when standing up, while weeding and masking longer stripes and swooshes etc. they are too low and I get a sore back from leaning over.
What I am wondering is...Does anyone have any outrageous/sensible/easy/inexpensive/innovative ideas for being able to adjust the work surface up and down?
I am not really interested in tilting since I don't do any brush work.
I'd just like to come up with a simple method of raising and lowering the work surface as needed. I am thinking a 12" up and down range would be adaquete.
I don't want to install something permanent to a wall, since I don't want to have to remove it when we call it quits.
Any ideas will be considered and appreciated.
[ May 25, 2006, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
A couple of thoughts,Dave. I made a pair of taller than usual sawhorses using the metal hinges from Ace hardware. These are for sawhorses, you just cut the legs and crosspiece from 2"x4"s to whatever size you need. No adjustability, though.
The other way might be to get the adjustable roller type stands used for cutting long pieces on a table saw. Might have to get longer "verticals" for the stands, and lock the rollers, but it seems like it oughta work.
bill preston
Posted by Dan Marquis (Member # 87) on :
Just a thought... maybe a set (or two) of legs from an ironing board could be utilized somehow???
But why bother if you're going to be retiring in a year?
Dan
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I like that idea Dan!
As far as "why bother?" Because I still do have a year to go and it doesn't get any easier on the back as each day passes!
The renovation is being done to enhance the saleability of the house..hence not wanting to attach anything "shop" related permanently.
Posted by Dan Marquis (Member # 87) on :
As far as "why bother?" Because I still do have a year to go and it doesn't get any easier on the back as each day passes! [Big Grin] <<
I hear ya, brother
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Hmm..
Maybe 2x4 legs that have been serrated, say like 1/4" or 1/2" deep serrations, which interlock together of course, held with a clamp of some sort. The clamp keeps the 2x4 pieces tightly together and the serrations keep them from sliding up or down. Loosen the clamps just enough to raise or lower the table then tighten up.
If you want to get trick, there are the pneumatic "shocks" that make office/drafting chairs adjustable. Set up a couple so you can squeeze the lever and let the table lift, or put pressure on it to lower it, just like a chair.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Mike..The pneumatic thing sounds even better..any links????
Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
It won't fit your inexpensive requirement but I've seen motorcycle lift tables used for exactly that purpose. Bolt your table top to the platform and you're in business. Here's a link to one for about $300.
Dave, How about take a cue from card table legs? You could keep the banquet table legs in place and add folding legs on the corners.
Posted by Mike O'Neill (Member # 470) on :
A friend of mine made a bike workbench from a hospital bed that he salvaged, works great.
Posted by Mike Stowe (Member # 324) on :
Seems like it woulkd be easier to make the table at "standing height" & find a taller chair.
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mike Stowe: Seems like it woulkd be easier to make the table at "standing height" & find a taller chair.
Thats what I did. I use a drafting chair I found at Staples.
Posted by Steve Eisenreich (Member # 1444) on :
ATV lift from Canadian Tire they go on sale all the time only around 150.00 regular and should be able to be modified to do what you need.
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Pat thats a great price.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Mike Stowe...I guess the simplest idea might just be the way to go. I was intending to buy a new chair to fit with the "new" surroundings so a drafting chair would be just the ticket. Then ll I have to do is simply extend the legs.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Posted by lolita leblanc (Member # 3453) on :
Dave,
What I did is buy a luan door and attached it to those metal legs you are talking about. For height I lifted it , using wood dowels (home made), they are entered in the metal legs caus they are empty, then I attached some wheels to the dowels, total height added 6 inches. Works fine for weeding because I use a bench instead of a chair and for working standing up.
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
I have a variation on Mike's idea. Hospital are always having sales to get rid of older items. Staff is usually given the first option to buy. The price is usually very low.
I love those tables that patients eat off. They have a crank that allows you to adjust the height, a drawer to keep treasures in, a mirror to watch the good looking woman behind you, and a nice flat working area that rolls around. All sorts of uses around the shop.
I'll bet a couple of these things could easily be modified and used as a height adjustment gizmo to meet your needs Dave. Check with your pals down at the Retirement Home. Get cranking!
[ May 26, 2006, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
As a Manager at our hospital, I am always amazed at the things we get rid of. Murray has made an amazing light table out of an old xray viewer - and a pacemaker sling (a form of stretcher made of tubular steel, adjustable up and down and on wheels) is a new carving table. Deb
Posted by Kelsey Dum (Member # 6101) on :
How about something like this?
You could attach some kind of head to the screw so it's easier to twist. This seems low cost and if you do it to all four legs you could raise the whole table up and down (to whatever height) and you can adjust it to be tilted just in case you do want to do some sort of brush work.
It could be made of some larger pvc or some other kind of piping.
Just a thought.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
dave do this....stand straight up, arms at your side, now have shirly get a tape measure, pull out tape and put end on the floor in front of you, now bring up your hands like you was gona play piano....hold them level and read the tape,where youre palms are..... will be somewhere between 38"-44" depending on your highth. how that is the hiegth of the table you need....cut some blocks of wood and put under the legs of youre existing table.....PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! for little or no money...
Posted by J & N Signs (Member # 901) on :
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