[Whimsy_Carver]

I am an experienced carver, woodspirits, santas and angels and such. I have resisted doing public carving expositions but have consented to please the boss. She says I need to learn to play with others and share.

I have seen on this forum, not too long ago, a design for building a bench on which I could mount a vise and do my thing for the crowd (ha!). Does anyone out there have a design?

[chuckt]

There was a great design by Chris Pye in the UK publication Wood Carving, that I was going to build until I found a deal at Harbor Freight on their WorkMate style adjustable height bench with a tilting top. Only $30 so I bought one for the missus and I.

I really like Chris' design but I figured it was going to cost me about $80 - $90 to build it and the HF seemed like it would meet my current needs for much less so I went that route. If you're interested in the Pye design I think I might have posted an image of it in another thread on here. I'll have to look to find it though. Let me know if you don't find it and I'll send it PM to you.

ChuckT

[chuckt]

Hmmm, actually I don't think I posted a pic afterall. Let me know if you want it and I'll scan it this weekend and send you a pic.

ChuckT

[Whimsy_Carver]

Thanks, Chuck. Since time is short I look for the Workmate thingy. I had one but it wasn't height adjustable so I put it out by the street. It lasted 10 minutes.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I wanted a heavy duty, folding workbench to take with me on RV trips. I thought about building one, but, did not want to take the time. Then I found the table shown here. They are tables designed for saws, etc. and are rated for weights up to about a hundred pounds. The table is easily adjustable in height and folds compactly for storage. I have used mine with a table chair and with a barstool. I purcashed one from Lowe's and one from Sears. Both were in the $90 price range and are identical except for the name printed on the top.

[Tom H]

Jim, The key phrase in your request for a portable bench is the need to mount a vise. This means that you will want a heavier bench than I use. I think you'll need a heavier bench than the Workmate too. I like the looks of the portable bench that Paul posted a photo of. I just use a little antique writing table. Tom H

[Thor]

I built a wooden folding table with pine plank boards as the top to use as a demonstration table. It is sturdy and portable, but kind of heavy to lug up stairs and stuff.
You may just buy some table legs and build your own work surface with plywood or planks. That way, you could customize the size for what you need. A quick search found that you can buy a set at Ace Hardware pretty cheap. I imagine other suppliers would have other options.
Just screwing legs onto a work surface would be pretty reasonable.
The following link is to the banquet table type legs at Ace Hardware...
http://www.acehardware.com/sm-table-...1.1255043.html

[RussL.]

Paul,

Do you have a Sears or Lowes Part Number off either of those portable benches/tables?
I'm coming up with nothing even close by searching Sear's & Lowes websites for them.

Thank you,

RussL.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Paul...that is exactly the same base (legs) as the roller stand I bought at home depot for 19.95! I bet it could be modified to put the top on it easily....humm I have two roller stands, will have to look at them I was at Costco the other day and they have a 4 legged stand by Black and Decker that can be used for a tool stand, portable bench whatever.....it looked very substantial...sorry I can't remember the name of the stand!

[Paul_Guraedy]

I looked at my other stand (one not pictured) and found the name Wolfcraft Products. I went to www.wolfcraft.com and found that it is a German Company with a North American Division. I clicked on that, then products, then tables and supports, then stands/stations, and finally found the 6129 adjustable shop stand. The table in my photo is labeled Craftsman instead of Wolfcraft Products, but, every other message (warning labels, etc.) were worded the same and in the same location!
I bought the Wolfcraft several years ago. Right now, I am building a woodcarving building and am using it to hold a 14” cut off saw. I was in Sears and saw the same table on sale there for about $45 and bought the second one.
Hi Ho, the legs do look like the ones on Wolfcraft roller stands. I think they may have taken a couple of those to make the table.