Transforming Tool Stand

[catta12]

It's no Optimus Prime, but it does keep my benchtop planer off the floor or other valuable workspace.

Construction is 1 1/2s x 3 1/2s (ok, 2x4s), some leftover plywood from another project, 2 fixed casters, 2 double locking swivel casters, 8 spring loaded latches, glue, screws, staples, sweat, and several cuss words.

The goal was to have a mobile stand for my planer that would also accommodate another benchtop item as well. My current plan is to put a Ridgid OSS on the other “top”.

The planer is much easier to move around now. All I have to do is lift or lower and then slide the plywood sheet on the side rails and fasten it into place. The spring loaded latches make sure that the top isn’t going anywhere.

This certainly isn’t better than having a full sized planner stand, but is nice for limited space. I am also considering making a down draft table top. One downside is that the latches are in the wrong place to have a table like work area that is unobstructed. This wasn’t an issue for the original design since it was going to be all power tool stand.

Let me know what you think. I have it in Sketchup as well, but most of you that would want to build one can probably wing it.

[pelligrini]

That's pretty cool; a neat use of space. With that standard bench tool base you could make a rack to stack a bunch of bench tools and just swap 'em out.

I hope that Rigid is a lot lighter then my Dewalt DW735. I made a flip top cabinet for it because carrying it around got old really fast. I intended to make a rack to store my other bench tools (Scroll saw, grinder etc.) and use the cart as the base. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

[thestinker]

Very cool. I like being able to use a stand or bench for more than one dedicated use. Makes me feel like I am getting more for my money and can justify the expense more.

Riley

[shoottx]

Very Cool

[catta12]

That's pretty cool; a neat use of space. With that standard bench tool base you could make a rack to stack a bunch of bench tools and just swap 'em out.

I hope that Rigid is a lot lighter then my Dewalt DW735. I made a flip top cabinet for it because carrying it around got old really fast. I intended to make a rack to store my other bench tools (Scroll saw, grinder etc.) and use the cart as the base. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

The Rigid is lighter than the DW735, but still around 70lbs. I don't plan on moving it very often and I really wanted double duty storage or I would have made a flip top like you did (very nice btw). I figure by the time this planer and stand wear out I might have room and $$$ for a larger setup.

[JR]

I llike it! I like the half-lap construction. I like the versatility.

I don't like lifting my Ridgid planer. Ouch.

BTW - your bike doesn't seem to know if it's coming or going!

JR

[Ed62]

That's not only functional, but good looking. Nice job.

I do have a question. I also have the DeWalt 735, and it seems that if I had it permanently attached to the moveable piece of ply, it would be a little harder to move than just moving the planer itself. Is there an advantage that I'm not seeing to having the ply moveable instead of fixed? I understand that the planer is attached to the ply so it doesn't move, but you could just clamp it or put blocks on the sides to keep it from moving.

Ed

[catta12]

Unattached, I found the planer awkward to get pushed into the middle or jockey it around with the no slip pads on the bottom.

The benefit of the attached ply is that it slides in and out on rails and of course always puts the planer in the middle of the stand. The only time I really do any work is the up and down motion, the weight during the in and out is on the rails.

The ply also gives a wider base to grip on than the planer by itself. It is a bit easier to lug it around with a shoulder width grip rather than with a towed in grip on the planer only.

[Ed62]

O.K. Thanks for the quick reply. It makes sense.

Ed

[dbhost]

I am looking for mutil tool mounting options to keep my Ryobi AP1301, Sunhill SM-150B, Ridgid EB4424, B&D FS1000L, and Ryobi BGH616 in the smallest space possible.

Most of those tools are pretty manageable, but that planer, which is a good chunk lighter than that Ridgid you show... seems like a handful to move in and out... My Biggest problem is getting a good grip on the thing... Just wondering if you thought of maybe adding handles to the plywood. Would that help with this, or is it needed even?

[catta12]

I am looking for mutil tool mounting options to keep my Ryobi AP1301, Sunhill SM-150B, Ridgid EB4424, B&D FS1000L, and Ryobi BGH616 in the smallest space possible.

Most of those tools are pretty manageable, but that planer, which is a good chunk lighter than that Ridgid you show... seems like a handful to move in and out... My Biggest problem is getting a good grip on the thing... Just wondering if you thought of maybe adding handles to the plywood. Would that help with this, or is it needed even?

I hadn't thought about putting handles on the plywood. How I move it (looking at the 1st picture) is by grabbing the upper right handle built into the top of the planer and the middle of the left side of the plywood. This gives a good balanced grip and it is easier to control than by putting both hands on the plywood or both on the built in handles.

I won't lie to you, lifting 70+ lbs any way is still 70+ lbs of work. It is made easier that the plywood slides in and out on the rails and then the whole stand can be moved. FYI the AP1301 is around 55 lbs according to HD online.

I figured that I was going to have to move the planer around anyway, so I might as well have a pre-designed landing spot for it that had better mobility and would do double duty for another benchtop tool.

[dbhost]

That weight pretty close to matches Ryobi's claim of 53LBs (close enough)...

Unfortunately handles were not something Ryobi designed into the AP1301...

[lrogers]

That really looks solid; nice job.

[poolhound]

Nice job Alan and very functional. I have the older style ridgid planer and got real tired of moving and lifting it and built this flip top base.

DB - you could build something like this with multiple shelves or a flip top and get two tools, one attached to each side.

[dbhost]

Nice job Alan and very functional. I have the older style ridgid planer and got real tired of moving and lifting it and built this flip top base.

DB - you could build something like this with multiple shelves or a flip top and get two tools, one attached to each side.

Not a bad thought, but I was hoping to get more use out of the floor space than even a flip top stand would afford...