Craftsman rotating triplet table

[davidtu]

OK, I know this cannot be worthwhile... it cannot work... but the idea is so tempting every time one comes up on craigslist I think of getting it just to prove it to myself!

What am I talking about? Those Craftsman worktables that have three surfaces arranged 60 degrees apart on an axle... you mount small bench tools to each surface and then can literally rotate between tools to put the one you want on top. (Hard to describe... but hopefully you've seen one?!)

Anyway, tell me how they don't work... because I want one.

[Scottydont]

I see them come up on Craigslist around here too. I think that the max tool height is too limited for my needs. Otherwise nice idea.

[LCHIEN]

intrigueing idea - I wonder how easy it is to rotate when the tools are un balanced or you only have 2 tools mounted. Also as scotty has, there are limitations on tool height.

[DonHo]

Well I don't know about the craftsman table but Shop Notes had a plan for a rotating tool table(4 tools, complete circle) that several of us were thinking of making. I never made one and don't know if anybody else did or not but I think the idea was workable. The Shop Notes version had storage in the base.

DonHo

[fcpjax]

Craftsman Rotary Table

Hi,
I have one of Craftsman Rotary tables and I love it.
Had to paint it (Stop sign red) because it started to rust which is the same color I painted my BT3K so it goes with my shop color theme of red black and white. Added wheels to make it easy to move around and left one side open for use as an extra table if I need it or for future tools down the road.
Here are some pictures:

[scmhogg]

David,

I had one that I gave away a couple of years ago. It took up nearly as much room as three separate tool stands. Switching the tools was a PIA. You have to take both side panels [painted black in Bob's picture] out before you can rotated the tools. This means you need at least a foot on either side of the stand to remove them.

I now attach the smaller tools to a board and hang it from home-made one inch pegs on the wall. Scroll Saw, grinder, 1" belt sander, miter slicer, etc.

Steve