SawDustB Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Hey guys, I'm thinking of tackling some shop organization projects before the winter. First up is a stand/cart to hold my bench top planer and small drill press. I'm considering two options: 1. Make a flip top stand for the two. This would work, and gets both tools up higher to use. The down side is it's a little more complex to build, and there's always a bunch of space wasted to let things flip. 2. Put the drill press on top and the planer on a shelf right below. This is a more compact quicker design, but results in the planer being a bit lower. That's probably OK, seeing as I use it on the floor right now, but it's a little less convenient. The nice thing about that design is it allows me to use more height for drawers in the base (2 instead of 1). It also keeps the planer center of gravity down, so less tippy. What have you done for these kind of tools? I'm sure there's use cases I'm not thinking of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 No personal experience, but I am just wondering if a drill press might be a little top heavy to be flipped on a stand easily. Also keep in mind how the stand's use might evolve as your equipment changes. For example if you stepped up to a floor standing DP or planner someday how else might you use the stand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted September 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 2 hours ago, Mark J said: No personal experience, but I am just wondering if a drill press might be a little top heavy to be flipped on a stand easily. Also keep in mind how the stand's use might evolve as your equipment changes. For example if you stepped up to a floor standing DP or planner someday how else might you use the stand? No problem with the weight. It's only a small 9" drill press with 1/3 HP motor. The planer is at least 20 lb heavier. In my current space, I can't see getting a floor standing planer. If I did upgrade the drill press, I'd probably move my combo belt/disc sander into it. I've got several bench top tools without a great home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Looking forward to the responses and your decision. I’m in a similar boat, and have been considering the options as well. I’ve got a lunchbox planer, spindle/belt sander, 10” drill press, and 10” bandsaw. All get shuffled around and are stored on the ground or on the shelf below my assembly table. When I want to use one, I either set it up on my assembly table, if there is space, or on the ground. Not ideal. I’ve also been trying to decide between flip top and dedicated carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Go to the search bar on here and type in flip top stand. Several on here have made them. Mine holds my oscillating sander and a belt/disc sander and serves me well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted September 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 11 hours ago, JohnG said: Looking forward to the responses and your decision. I’m in a similar boat, and have been considering the options as well. I’ve got a lunchbox planer, spindle/belt sander, 10” drill press, and 10” bandsaw. All get shuffled around and are stored on the ground or on the shelf below my assembly table. When I want to use one, I either set it up on my assembly table, if there is space, or on the ground. Not ideal. I’ve also been trying to decide between flip top and dedicated carts. Sounds similar to me. I'm partly trying to gain a little space (or at least not lose any doing this) and to make the tools more convenient. The trouble is I have 6 bench top tools without a great home, so I'm trying to decide the best combo to put on a stand. If it works out well there might be a second one. 10 hours ago, K Cooper said: Go to the search bar on here and type in flip top stand. Several on here have made them. Mine holds my oscillating sander and a belt/disc sander and serves me well. Thanks Coop. I did search and looked through the site, only found a couple. What dimensions did you make your stand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted September 30, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 My flip top is based on the Woodsmith (August Home) version and is about 24" x 24" x 28" high. You want to plan height based on the tool's ability to be flipped as well as the operating height. I could see a flip top that was able to hold a bench top DP setting the DP at an odd operational height but, you can sort that out based on your height, reach and use case. I started with a CMS and a planer on my stand. When I found how seldom I used a CMS, it changed to a sander. This worked out well as the planer was used a lot and the sander not so much. The tools were within a few pounds of each other so flipping them was easy. I will caution you to make one side of the top removable so that you can change T-nut positions if you change tools. I did this at someone's suggestion and it paid off . . . twice. The stand now lives at Dad's and serves his DW735 planer and his Ridgid belt/spindle sander so I guess that makes three times ;-) 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted September 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Thanks @gee-dub, great information as usual. I think I'm leaning back to making a flip top stand. I think I'm going to construct it a bit differently, using more construction lumber and less ply. I bought a 2x12 today and cut it up so I can make the frame. I'm going to go for around 36" high, and 24"x20" footprint. For joinery of the frame, I'm looking to keep it easy. I see the quick options as 1. Half laps (my current preference) 2. Dowels 3. Bridle joints (but no band saw, so probably cut by hand) 4. Pocket screws Anyone see a reason not to do half laps? I know the bridle joint is probably stronger, but I'm looking for easy. Putting in the dado stack and mowing through all of them has a certain appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDi Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Please post progress pics. Been thinking of building one too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted September 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 3 minutes ago, JohnDi said: Please post progress pics. Been thinking of building one too. No problem. Just don't expect fast progress... My shop time is erratic at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coop Posted October 1, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 Mine is built about the same as @gee-dub but 33” high to give me room for a drawer below. Other dimensions should be to fit your equipment. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 1 hour ago, K Cooper said: Mine is built about the same as @gee-dub but 33” high to give me room for a drawer below. Other dimensions should be to fit your equipment. I like the drawer. I think that's something I'll try to incorporate. I suspect I'll end up around the same height, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 17 hours ago, SawDustB said: Anyone see a reason not to do half laps? I know the bridle joint is probably stronger, but I'm looking for easy. Putting in the dado stack and mowing through all of them has a certain appeal. Properly made half laps i think are stronger but it's not super relevant because they are both stronger than the wood. I'd choose which ever you can make the best as that will be the strongest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Chestnut said: Properly made half laps i think are stronger but it's not super relevant because they are both stronger than the wood. I'd choose which ever you can make the best as that will be the strongest. Awesome. Half laps it is, then. I've found that to be a reasonably good method to use with construction lumber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcschoenthal Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 I have so many benchtop tools and such a little space (or so it seems) that I built a flip top tool bench that is much larger than the individual stands. I got the idea and modified the one in Wood magazine #220 (Sept '13). It's served me well as I have my 10-20 belt sander, Rigid oscillating sander, 6" bench jointer, 12 1/2" planer, 1" belt sander and 4x36" combo sander all attached. I had to do a lot of calculating on evening the weight and workflow patterns, but it's been great and has helped free up a lot of bench (and floor) space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 6 hours ago, fcschoenthal said: I have so many benchtop tools and such a little space (or so it seems) that I built a flip top tool bench that is much larger than the individual stands. I got the idea and modified the one in Wood magazine #220 (Sept '13). It's served me well as I have my 10-20 belt sander, Rigid oscillating sander, 6" bench jointer, 12 1/2" planer, 1" belt sander and 4x36" combo sander all attached. I had to do a lot of calculating on evening the weight and workflow patterns, but it's been great and has helped free up a lot of bench (and floor) space. Cool, thanks. It's a neat idea, but I don't have the wall space to dedicate so I think something smaller on wheels is the way to go for me. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcschoenthal Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 1 hour ago, SawDustB said: Cool, thanks. It's a neat idea, but I don't have the wall space to dedicate so I think something smaller on wheels is the way to go for me. Thanks for sharing! This is on wheels and gets moved around, just about 2 1/2 times the size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 I wonder if strapping on some weights to help balance the load would be helpful ? Barbell weights, scuba lead weights or cement in a plastic bag ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaDad Posted October 2, 2018 Report Share Posted October 2, 2018 On 9/30/2018 at 6:59 PM, SawDustB said: I like the drawer. I think that's something I'll try to incorporate. I suspect I'll end up around the same height, too. If you orient your planer as @gee-dub has, you could potentially incorporate drop-leaf style infeed and outfeed supports. It'd be a decent place to set workpieces before and/or after drilling, too. See horrible drawing snuck in while I attempted to look very concerned and attentive during a work meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SawDustB Posted October 4, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 4, 2018 I'm moving ahead on my stand. It will be 23"x23" for the top, and the work surface should be at 36". I glued up two half lap frames to make the sides. The next step will be to connect the sides. I think I have an idea for recessing storage into the sides, but well see. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2018 I just got my casters in the mail. I found these 3" double locking ones on Amazon for less than half what they were from home Depot. They'll add 4" in height overall to the cart (which I've accounted for). They seem pretty nice. I don't need all 4 wheels to lock, but they weren't much more than normal non locking wheels and I don't feel like fiddling with different wheels to get it level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted October 4, 2018 Report Share Posted October 4, 2018 My crappy drill press wouldn't survive a flip top stand. The head is attached to the column with a single screw, I'm pretty sure it would fall apart if I turn the thing upside down. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted October 4, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 4, 2018 Mine too ! Cheap imported #%*¥£€%#-it ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2018 1 hour ago, Immortan D said: My crappy drill press wouldn't survive a flip top stand. The head is attached to the column with a single screw, I'm pretty sure it would fall apart if I turn the thing upside down. Hmmmm. I should probably try a test run. Mine's not exactly a Cadillac model. I have other tools I could put on instead. My belt sander and my bench grinder could also coexist on one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 This build has been slow. It got bumped for the step stool, and then I needed to get my steel tube to proceed. For the platform, I'm opting not to build it with doubled up 3/4 ply like most plans. It will be skinned with 1/4" ply top and bottom, with blocking in between and a solid hardwood frame. Here's the inner construction, with the important bits being hardwood, and the rest is pine. I glued on the other side, and put on the edging. It's proud on the long sides, so there's a bit more wood either side of the hole. I'm pretty sure the platform would be fine with my weight on it. It seems quite stiff. You can see it's sitting on the frame. I connected the bottom together, but I'm waiting to place the rest of the braces until I can test fit the tools. Next up is drilling the holes for the axle to go through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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