Banishing the backache - my bench design

[jim_mex]

Hiya - this is not a new idea - something i adapted from some comments I found on the web a couple of weeks go when I first started scrolling.

I suffer periodically from backache and found after scrolling my first piece that I needed to improve the ergonomics of my working method.

My first and most important thought was to get a correctly sized high stool. and that hasn't changed!

Secondly, on investigating further, I came across the idea of tilting the table a few degrees towards you so as to not be hunched too far forward over the blade when cutting.

Thirdly, I wanted a mobile stand design to facilitate shunting workstations around in my small workshop.

Last, ideally the finished design should have some under-table space to store my blades and other small items.

3 views of the end result can be seen by following these links:

http://jmossmx.com/ss_imgs/ssbench1.jpg
http://jmossmx.com/ss_imgs/ssbench2.jpg
http://jmossmx.com/ss_imgs/ssbench3.jpg

Sorry that the shots are a bit contrasty, they were taken midday in strong Mexican autumn sunshine!

Details of the bench design and construction

When completely flat (level) the saw table stands 36" from the floor, a nice height for sitting on stool and also one where I can stand up to cut when I'm in a hurry to trim a piece.

The 3 legged structure is made up of 1 1/2" x 3/16" steel angle with frames of 2" x 1" heavy duty steel box section to bolt the saw to.

The front pivot and back height adjustment are 1/2" threaded rods. Height adjustment is locked by nuts and spring washers - nothing fancy! I was going to make these 3/4" diam, but found my drill press grunted or rather squealed at drilling holes this size.

I currently have the table tilted 3 degrees which I find has made one heck of a difference to how I work - no more creaky neck and back pains!

I plan to mount the table on lockable castors - at the moment it has 1/2" adjustable bolts, and will incorporate a couple of draws or a small cabinet n the upper part of the frame.

The 3 legged design is compact. Its great for the fabrication work as it accomodates my assembly and welding errors. It also to sits nicely on floors which are slightly uneven. Finally, it uses less material than 4 legged designs which equates to less money spent. A win, win, win situation!

The saw runs nice with little vibration although just for added benefit I aim to cast a triangular section lump of concrete about 6 - 8" thick to sit on the base - but I won't put that in place until I have the wheels fitted - LOL!!!

Fortunately I have some metalworking skills and I was able to build the table in a day out of scrap lying around home. As you can see its a really simple but sturdy construction - what the English ref to as 'brick sh*thouse design'! For anyone who doesnt work in metal a local shop could knock it up very quickly.

If anyone is interested in copying the design or using it as base for further modification just let me know and I'll draw up the design in my CAD program with all the dimensions and exploded views for guidance.

Just one possible modification - dependent on the scroller's height and working preference (sitting, standing or semi- standing) the floor to table height on the original design may need to be raised or lowered - as a guide I'm 5' 10" and like to work in a sitting or semi-standing position.

Open for any questions and comments
Cheers

[greatdane2]

Hi Jim, Looks like you are getting a handle on your bench. I went the other way and used wood.
I used 3/4ply that I had laying around. I used a trailer jack to raise and lower the inner box, and the top pivots to allow any angle I want. The saw is one I bought and returned but the Dewalt fits the same way.
I made a high stool and also gave that up as I prefer standing to cut. I have problems with my neck and right shoulder and this stand lets me adjust things to suit how I feel and the extra height works well for me.

Alan.

[jim_mex]

Hi Alan - thats really neat and obviously shows your obvious carpentry skills also! i also like the use of the car jack - my type of solution!

Question - Do you have so much tilt because you stand up to work or for the type of work you do or is it simply easier to work that way?

I can see how it would help on larger projects and I have a mind now to adjust mine a few more degrees. I was just a bit concerned as to whether by tilting more my saw it might start to vibrate. Its a real budget model so maybe it isnt designed to work at an angle.

Cheers

[Haoleman]

Nice stand Jim! I can see issues standing at the saw and leaning over to keep an eyeball on the blade. What type of stool do you use (I couldn't open the other photos as the internet is so busy with our stock market free falling) Have room for a couple of good Americans down there? I, for one am ready to leave with all this mess here. I no longer have any retirement and if our business goes away here in Minnesota, after 40 years of hard work all we will have to show for it is our stuff and our truck. Sad to think that our administration has probably set our country back 200 years. I used to know our president's sister in law and she warned me back in 1996. She was right on.

Terry

[jim_mex]

Hi Terry - the stool I have at the moment is just a common 3 legged one with a flat top - about 28" tall but I'm about to change it. Coming from the pottery industry I aim to adapt a throwers stool I saw a while back which has a slightly padded seating area tilted to (raised at) the rear about 20 degrees and also has a padded back rest. These guys work seated all day long and bend over the centre point of the wheel when pulling clay up into cylindrical forms so they really feel stress if they are not seated correctly.

It could be that I might need to raise the table a couple of inches more for this type of stool but thats no big deal. I think the best way is to try and simulate a position which suits you adjusting the saw table height, definitely tilting it as Alan and I have done, and adjusting your working position height with a mock stool and find what suits you best.

I'm a great believer in simulating in this way and then constructing accordingly. It saves work and wasted effort.

Ref the UK economy - yep, hard times abound. Here in Mexico we get the knock-on effect from the US with soaring prices and stagnant wages and we also earn a 1/4th to 1/5th of US salaries. As a consultant I rely on overseas work which more and more is being taken over by Asians in general and Chinese in particular. To give you an idea, 20 years ago when I arrived in Mexico the peso was at 3.5 to the UK pound - its now around 22!

But as I get older I try not to worry and make due with my lot, and at least here the sun still shines a good part of the year! I think my 'siggy' sums up the situation

Keep your chin up mate!

[greatdane2]

The top angle can be anywhere, I just clamp it where I want it. I still have not decided on the angle, still trying diferent ones. I do very little fret work and find I move around a lot and so I stand. I am finding it easier to cut with the table quite high.
On the last project I cut for several hours straight and fond moving the table up and down stopped me trom getting stiff. I am haveing trouble holding the wood steady when the angle is too steep.

Alan.

[jim_mex]

On the last project I cut for several hours straight and fond moving the table up and down stopped me trom getting stiff

Sorry Alan - I really can't comment on that one without doubling up in laughter due to evil thoughts....

Ok, seriously - I'm in the process of cleaning my shop/shed out but tomorrow I intend raising the bar, so as to speak, and see what happens.

Thanks for the answer - appreciate it

[tony coleman]

jim
a fine looking saw bench,but we dont have skills with mmetal like you do.is there any way this can be done in wood.

[jim_mex]

Hi Tony - i dont see any reason why not. The thing is to strip it down to a nice simple design regarding the joints.

Applying my 'brick sh*thouse' philosophy I'd make it beefier, maybe out of 2 1/2" to 3" hardwood (preferably) stock. The front two legs could a simple 'A' frame and I thing id make the back leg wider - maybe two pieces clamped together to give a 5 to 6 " width. to avoid complicated mortise and tenon joints I just lap one piece over another and secure with big coach bolts
The table base. tilt adjustment and pivots could be practically the same. Again maybe fixed with coach bolts.

It might look a little beefy in the end but it would work and should be simple to construct. Just don't show it anyone!

If you are interested in producing something along this line let me know and I'll knock up a drawing for you in a couple of days.

Cheers

PS - forgot to say .... if you want a design knocking up send me details of your saw base mounting holes footprint.

[greatdane2]

Jim you have a dirty mind, wecome to the club.

Alan.