Next project - Mobile morticer !

[LarryS.]

In my miniscule workshop there is an old bench built along half of one wall that is only a foot deep :

Its pretty useless apart from collecting old junk and sundries. Therefore I am planning to rip it out to make space for new junk and sundries. The only thing I'm stuck on is what to do with the morticer that I currently have mounted on it :

I've mounted my router, tablesaw and mitre saw all on mobile workstations and would like to do the same with the morticer, however due to its height and narrowness its inherently unstable. Also it doesn't see anywhere near as much use as the other equipment so doesn't need to be at hand. Anyone got any clever ideas, what have you done with yours ?

 

[PowerTool]

I've got the smaller Perform morticer - it lives under the bench,and only comes out when needed (same as the chop saw,sliding compound mitre saw and planer/thicknesser)
Unfortunately,the workshop isn't big enought to have them out when not in use

Andrew

 

[LarryS.]

I've got the smaller Perform morticer - it lives under the bench,and only comes out when needed (same as the chop saw,sliding compound mitre saw and planer/thicknesser)
Unfortunately,the workshop isn't big enought to have them out when not in use

Andrew

Andrew,

think I'm going to have to do the same and store it in a cabinet, only concern is lifting the darned thing out !!

 

[exigetastic]

I've mounted my chopsaw on a piece of old work top that sit's on some battens screwed to the legs in my split work bench. This means when it is not in use I can slide it out and flip it over so it hangs upside down under the bench and frees up some space.

But I guess unless you are built like arnie you wouldn't be able to back-to-back this sort of technique morticer on one side chopsaw on the other :twisted:

Si

 

[9fingers]

It might be possible to us gas struts (like car tailgates) to counterbalance the weight of the machine so it can live under the bench and be lifted through a hole in the bench when needed.
That would be one problem solved. The other issue is to hold the machine rigidly enough to allow enough pressure to be applied to operate the lever in hardwoods. Not got a solution to that one yet!

Bob

 

[OPJ]

Adam made a mobile Morticer cabinet-thing a couple of years ago and, as far as I know, it was very successful. It was featured in Good Woodworking but, you can also find it here.

It looks pretty sturdy, which I guess it has to be for something like a morticer. He also mounted his grinder on the side which, I guess, would help to stabalise the unit further and prevent tipping as the pull the lever down. You could probably store a small sander or something inside it too.

You could probably incorporate some fold-up wings, depending on what kind of work you do, of course.

What do you plan to store in that space once you've cleared it? Another excellent I've seen on the forums is to build a bench for several smaller machines and have them all sat on runners, so they can slide forwards and in to position when required. But, can you afford the space for another bench?

 

[LarryS.]

Adam made a mobile Morticer cabinet-thing a couple of years ago and, as far as I know, it was very successful. It was featured in Good Woodworking but, you can also find it here.

Just had a look at that thread, it looks like a good idea but the more I think about it I am tempted to hide it away inside a workbench until its required (like I said it doesn't get much use).

What do you plan to store in that space once you've cleared it? Another excellent I've seen on the forums is to build a bench for several smaller machines and have them all sat on runners, so they can slide forwards and in to position when required. But, can you afford the space for another bench?

That sounds like an interesting idea, I've done a search on the forum but can't find it ? I can't picture in my mind how it would work (but it is monday after all!)

 

[OPJ]

Sorry Paul, I haven't been able to find it myself either - perhaps someone else will come along and point it out for you....

There was basically a morticer, a sander and a grinder-or-something sat towards the rear of a bench, up against a wall, say. Each machine was on it's own set of runners, allowing it to slide forwards to the front of the bench, ahead and clear of the other machinery.

It's possible the threat may still be around but the photo's may be gone.

 

[sawdust maker]

I'm stuck for room also. I put the big stuff on wheels, P/t, Band saw & table saw. The smaller stuff such as miter saw, router table, belt sander and mortiser, I put them on slides as shown below.

Hope this is helpful
Paul

 

[LarryS.]

thanks paul thats an excellent idea. I'm going to plan out my workshop and think your idea will be in there somewhere

cheers

 

[OPJ]

Yes, that's the one I was thinking of! I knew I wasn't going mad!

I guess you could also add a couple of small roller supports to the top of the bench and use them for all the machinery, if ever you need to work longer stock.