My height adjustable table/worktop on castors (pics)

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My height adjustable table/worktop on castors (pics)

This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 August 2022 at 21:33 by King Olaf.

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10 August 2022 at 17:58 #609093
King Olaf
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@kingolaf13547
See pictures below. I thought I'd share this in case it would be useful one someone else.

A while ago I started looking for a design for a small height adjustable table/worktop that I could easily swing around the workshop.

I didn't find what I was looking for, but the closest I could was this one. I think that one is brilliant, it was just bigger and bulkier than I was looking for. Kyle was kind and sent me drawings.

So, I set out to design my own based on his, and here it is. I give him full credit for the design/idea.

I've attached rendered images from Fusion 360, so not drawing. Happy to share the Fusion 360 file if anyone is interested.

The table is 700x630mm and height is 670mm. Beams are 40x40mm. Designed to fit under my worktop with a table saw on top.

One of the brilliance with Kyle's design is that the castor wheels retract when you raise the worktop. I'm putting castors with brakes anyway so it’s usable in the lowest settings.

One thing that's not shown are "clamps" on each leg. Effectively 4 bolts, each through a pair of inner/outer leg. Outer leg has a hole, inner leg has a slot. I can tighten those after height adjustment to make it sturdy and have the worktop not just sit on the jack.

Planning to build it over the next few days. Constructive criticism welcome!

Edited By King Olaf on 10/08/2022 18:04:20
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10 August 2022 at 17:58 #20764
King Olaf
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@kingolaf13547
10 August 2022 at 18:19 #609096
Nigel Graham 2
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@nigelgraham2
That's a neat and ingenious design! I have seen furniture with retracting castors, but not combined with height adjustment.

Depending how sturdy is the top you might need two diagonal braces crossing under the middle of it, to spread the load if you need be able to adjust the height in use.

I'd also put the base board and that supporting the jack, on top of the rails, for better strength; and give the jack better support as above.

Your rendering is clear and comprehensive enough for anyone else to make similar – perhaps to different dimensions, or as the basis for one made in steel rather than wood.

I like it – a very effective answer to limited space.
10 August 2022 at 19:43 #609106
King Olaf
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@kingolaf13547
Thanks!

Depending how sturdy is the top you might need two diagonal braces crossing under the middle of it, to spread the load if you need be able to adjust the height in use.

Agree. I had them them originally on the drawing. I did however sacrifice them on the altar of space efficiency. While I sacrificed them I recited a reasoning on how my table saw was only 27kg and I probably wouldn't lift much heavier objects than that. The jack has a bigger plate at top than shown. But now you've said it I'm starting to look for my resurrection scrolls.

I'd also put the base board and that supporting the jack, on top of the rails, for better strength; and give the jack better support as above.

I hadn't thought of that, thanks!

Edited By King Olaf on 10/08/2022 19:45:36
10 August 2022 at 19:59 #609108
Bazyle
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@bazyle
With me the jack space would get filled with stuff making lowering impossible. Will it move up and down smoothly if unevenly loaded?
10 August 2022 at 21:17 #609116
Nigel Graham 2
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@nigelgraham2
King Olaf –

A pleasure!

Bazyle –

I'd be as bad!

Yes, uneven loading would hinder its smooth operation, or even jam it. May be better to avoid the temptation by simply fitting a diagonal-cross brace with a central mounting for the jack – no board to act as an impromptu shelf..
10 August 2022 at 21:17 #609117
King Olaf
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@kingolaf13547
Posted by Bazyle on 10/08/2022 19:59:00:

With me the jack space would get filled with stuff making lowering impossible. Will it move up and down smoothly if unevenly loaded?

Yes, the jack space is temptuous. Especially when my default system for putting things away is called FAS (First Available Surface). However, the table will be stored with the table saw on top, under my worktop. The only way I can store it under the worktop is by lowering it down. So I keep telling myself that this space will not lead my into temptation and I will put the saw away when I'm done with it.
10 August 2022 at 21:33 #609121
King Olaf
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@kingolaf13547
Thanks Bazyle for bringing up the uneven load. I think it would struggle with heavy uneven load.

Now I have convinced myself that I'm not going to lift uneven load. I'm pretty convincing, but time will have to tell if I'm also right. If not then I'll have to modify based on Nigel's cross beam idea.

Edited By King Olaf on 10/08/2022 21:33:36
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