shop question..."raiseable table"

[Dan]

Have an idea for a work table that I could use as a bike lift as well as a way to raise other heavy (engines, trannys, rearends, etc.) up to a height alittle easier to work. Goes something like this:
2"x2" frame 8'x2', cross pieces on 12" centers
at the ends, drill holes horizontally through the frame 1" diameter
sheet the top with 3/4"
attach casters to bottom of frame
Heres how I think it should work. Put whatever I want to lift on the table. Raise one end with my floor jack. This is what the holes are drilled for, a 1" diameter pipe slides into these holes and will rest on the jack stands. Go to the other end and jack it up, sliding jack stands under the pipe at that end. I may have to go end to end a few times but I think this would be able to lift my heavy work up off the floor.
2"x2" - can I use thin wall or thick wall
1" - can I use pipe or solid
3/4" sheathing for the top - plywood or can I use particle board?
Critiques, ideas? Thanks

Could also be used as a dolly to move heavy things around the shop-

[Tim]

if your lifting from side to side you might want to work in something so they dont slide right off the edge.

just a though

[Dan]

I was thinking of lifting end to end. One end would stay on the casters while I raise the other to put it on the jackstands, then I would go to that end and raise it, the jackstands holding up the end I just did. I don't think there is gonna be enough slope end to end for like a rearend or engine to slide off whill jacking up. There would be eye bolts through the table top though that I could strap whatever I am lifting down.

[DrJ]

They usta sell a hydraulic table at Harbor Freight.
I almost bought one a couple of years ago for the Art Gallery I usta work at.
Don't know if they still do but if you're going to have to buy all the pieces the HF unit might not be a bad deal.

[Dan]

This could probably be build for 40-50 bucks, haven't priced everything yet. Most expensive part is probably gonna be the casters.

[toledobill]

That's about half the price that Harbor Freight's asking -- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40381

[Dan]

that and the fact that my bike is too low to get one of those lifts under, also if I build a table I can use it for many other things besides just the bike lift-

[flt-blk]

Is it really worth all that effort for an 18"lift?

If I can picture this the table will only lift the height of the jack and stands 18" maybe, not a full 40"+ work height. Why bother.
TZ

[a/fxcomet]

I think it would be easier to build a table at normal height, and use an engine hoist to lift items onto the table.

[Dan]

yeah flt-blk that is a question I am starting to wonder about the more I think about it, I would just about have to be on a stool to work on anything that is on it...this is why it is cool to be able to throw these ideas and get some feedback, brings up things I overlooked in my enthusiasm for what I thought was a cool idea!

[atch]

dan,

how about a miniature version of a 4-post lift? take four 7' (+/-) pieces of 2"-3" pipe/tubing. weld square plates on one end of each, with 4 holes drilled in each plate. bolt these posts to your floor. get four pieces (a foot or so long) of tubing slightly larger in diameter than the long pipes and weld them to the corners of your platform. attach cables at all four corners and run them over pulleys at the top of each post to one common winch. drill holes in the posts (at the same elevation in each) so you can put pins through while you've got it in the air and take the load off of the cables.

actually if you can find 8 good quality pulleys you can run the cables up the outside of the posts, down inside the posts, and horizontally to the winch.

you could also weld up a frame instead of bolting the posts to your floor, if you want it to be moveable.

oversimplified, but i'm sure you get the idea.

[jeff]

the ultimate is an i beam across your cieling with an electric hoist set up on it,, you can lift stuff out of a truck or off the ground and slide it right over to the bench and set it down. not the easiest set up, but if you can do it that is the best way to go.remember -work smart not hard- -jeff