Rise and hide work top?

[Old.bodger]

I’m pondering my lack of space, use of lesser needed machines and general organisation.
I wonder, does anyone have any tools, for example, scroll saw that sits on it’s own worksurface that can be swung under the bench when not in use to allow the bench to be clear. See it’s not even easy to put into words !
My ideal ? Two machines under the bench mounted so that they pass each other when swung up so that either can be ‘selected for use’ but the bench is clear if they are not needed. The geometry for that is causing me a headache !
Anyone any clever systems? Obviously trying not to just have to lift the machines….so springs, counter weights etc etc

 

[Spectric]

I am in the same situation regards space, looking at a similar idea but no swinging. Looking at placing my router into the workbench rather than standalone table and when not in use use a workbench top that sits over it, with the fence removed and hung up like hooked on wood does.

Think about the Falkirk wheel, that I believe is along the lines you are thinking but without the water.

 

[Rorschach]

I have tools in two levels in my workshop to maximise space. There are quite a few "semi" static tools that can be placed at lower levels to be used. The full height tools I use when stood up, the lower level tools I use when sat on a small stool. This allows me to have many more tools out and plugged in ready to use than if I had them all at full height (I simply don't have enough worktop space for that). It works really well for me.

Less commonly used tools such as my specialist grinders are screwed onto a board with a cleat and when I want to use them they are clamped in the bench vice.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

YouTube boys are constantly doing this - fill your boots: https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=swing+flip+top+bench

 

[baldkev]

Loads of those on pinterest too...


There was a good one where a guy had a bench with 6 sections that each swung round, so it could be a clear bench or swing a tool up...

 

[Trainee neophyte]

I possibly didn't read your post fully at 1:00am last night - you want a flip - top bench for the tool, but you want to work on the worktop surface, too? I can't see the equipment being happy upside down while you are pounding out mortices above them. Therefore, all the youtube "craftsmen" I recommended aren't helping much. Sorry about that.

Pullout section of worktop and a scissor lift to bring the machine up?

You could have a pullout sliding drawer which flips to get the machine at bench height, but how do you get it back on to the bench? Seems I'm as flummoxed as you are.

 

[Sachakins]

Do you mean like this type of idea, here it's an engineering vice, but could spark ideas!

 

[Sachakins]

Or this maybe,

 

[Stanleymonkey]

I have tools in two levels in my workshop to maximise space. There are quite a few "semi" static tools that can be placed at lower levels to be used. The full height tools I use when stood up, the lower level tools I use when sat on a small stool. This allows me to have many more tools out and plugged in ready to use than if I had them all at full height (I simply don't have enough worktop space for that). It works really well for me.

Less commonly used tools such as my specialist grinders are screwed onto a board with a cleat and when I want to use them they are clamped in the bench vice.

Similar set up with a couple of sanders under the bench and I sit on a block of wood to put myself at the same height. Can be awkward down among the bench legs to get some longer pieces the 'right' way round. So nothing is bolted down and can be moved forwards, back, left and right to ease this.

The sander was set in a recess with a removable top but had to give way for a little router table. The router table is on a permanent shelf and some MDF goes over the top when not in use. I will tray and take a photo but my shed is full of MDF boards at the moment!!!

 

[Rorschach]

Similar set up with a couple of sanders under the bench and I sit on a block of wood to put myself at the same height. Can be awkward down among the bench legs to get some longer pieces the 'right' way round. So nothing is bolted down and can be moved forwards, back, left and right to ease this.

The sander was set in a recess with a removable top but had to give way for a little router table. The router table is on a permanent shelf and some MDF goes over the top when not in use. I will tray and take a photo but my shed is full of MDF boards at the moment!!!

Yeah you have to think about which tools go where so you can use them to their best. Most of my low level tools works fine but very occasionally I have to pull one out to use it on an odd job. Still a good solution for my problems though.