Straight toggle clamp alternatives

[Cochese]

I decided I'm not happy with my router table, and I'm going to quickly redo it the proper way while I build a drill press cart and a planer cart. I want all to be mobile, and I already have some nice double-lock casters from Peachtree. Those are pegged for the router table, and I hope it makes it secure enough.

I've seen a diagram that uses straight toggle clamps like jacks, for a non-moveable base, lifting the casters off the ground. I like this idea, especially for the drill press cart. But the clamps are $13, from what I've found. If I go that route, I might as well get the additional double-locks from Peachtree instead of going with HF ones like I'm planning to.

Any alternatives to that? That's a bit pricey. I'd like to make sure the planer cart and drill press cart are nice and rigid, as I'm going to use them together as an outfeed table for the planer.

Thanks.

[Pappy]

Don't know of a cheaper alternative for a lift system that I would recommend but I have 4" Darnell Rose total lock casters on the front of my planer/drum sander cart with non-locking swivels in the rear and have no problems with movement.

BTW, the loaded table weighs in close to 400# and rolls/steers easily.

[tommyt654]

I can only recommend you make your drillpress cart wide as Floor standing DP,s tend to be top heavy

[sweensdv]

Sorry for straying a bit from the topic but nice setup Pappy.

[gsmittle]

I've used wagon brakes for large platforms loaded with scenery. A wagon brake is just a more expensive name for straight-line toggle clamps. I've also used wooden wedges—you tap them under the platform until the casters clear the floor. Use a piece of rope knotted to the wedge to pull it free.

I also built some levelers out of long eye bolts, threaded inserts, T-nuts, and scrap wood. They work OK, but I misjudged the height I needed and had to add more layers to the pads that touch the floor. They are a bit easy to push over now, and every time I raise the leveler, the pads come off.

g.

[toolguy1000]

what about the casters on this:

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodvisi...tid=1078950624

i'm looking at it for two rolling cabinets. and it works with plain old swivel casters.

[Cochese]

That's brilliant. I wonder how they did it.

[tommyt654]

Hey Chris,What time you p/u the DP, I might run down to meet you.

[Cochese]

Probably be there right at noon. Maybe a few minutes before, depends on how long it takes to get there. I'd say 11:45-12:00, but I won't be able to stay too long. Have to go look at the AP1300 in Dallas right after that.

[tommyt654]

I can do that Look for the guy with the limp and Baseball cap

[Cochese]

10-4

10char

[Cochese]

I can only recommend you make your drillpress cart wide as Floor standing DP,s tend to be top heavy

It's going to be one of those carts that straddle the post, the DP is going to sit on a wide sheet of ply.

[toolguy1000]

That's brilliant. I wonder how they did it.

the plan was in a past issue of wood magazine. it's also for sale on the wood magazine web site. it is deceptively simple to execute.

[gsmittle]

the plan was in a past issue of wood magazine. it's also for sale on the wood magazine web site. it is deceptively simple to execute.

Basically it's casters on a 2x4, secured to a piece of conduit. The conduit has a lever on one end. When the lever is up, the casters are off the floor. When the lever is down, the casters are, too.

g.

[gjat]

Don't know of a cheaper alternative for a lift system that I would recommend but I have 4" Darnell Rose total lock casters on the front of my planer/drum sander cart with non-locking swivels in the rear and have no problems with movement.

BTW, the loaded table weighs in close to 400# and rolls/steers easily.

[ATTACH]15807[/ATTACH]

Great idea, Pappy. That looks like exactly what I need to do. The lower shelf you have the spindle sander on... How high is it? Does it's height work with the other tools, such as the scroll saw?