Amazing Tools #6: The Bench SlideMount

Wish I had thought of that. I’ll bet they are making a fortune with those. But I do have my own version of how I use these tools and store them. Once I get it completed and possibly sent to Wood or Popular Woodworking magazines, I’ll post it here for all to see and use.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Rather interesting.

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

Well Gary let’s say I am a little befuddled, apparently the “Inventor” cut a deal with a manufacturer and they are selling it for $97.99 see here

http://www.commercewelding.com/bench.htm

But on their website there is no cart, so you have to call them and get the shipping cost from them, they take Credit Card orders over the phone and via Fax.

The “Inventor” on the other hand is selling them at the price you reported $117.95
They do have a cart and that price includes Shipping.

(“Cart” a web site gizmo that allows to place orders and receive payments over the Internet)

I was curious about the reference to the AT-AT costume in the caption of the work table picture. Very impressive!

I’m skeptical about the bench slide mounts, though. I don’t see how they’re much of an improvment over just storing the tool under the bench and setting it up there manually when you need it. It still takes up space under the bench, and the weight is always on the bench, making it sag, whether you’re using the tool or not.

-- Measure twice, then try to figure out which one was right.

Given the ‘play’ that has to be in this device in order for it to move smoothly, my skeptical eye sees a device that almost certainly lacks the ‘bolt/clamped down’ stability that is required of bench machines. It is hard to imagine that using a machinist vice with this device would really be comfortable. However, I can imagine that the racking movement could be actually dangerous (bench grinder for example). You could add a base to each machine that was wide enough to allow you to clamp the machine to the bench to over come this problem. Also, where are all the cords for those machines (LOL), seems cord management should be part of this device as well.

-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...

jerry – I hadn’t tried to purchase it, but it’s interesting the issues you found. Thanks for reporting them!

J – Thanks for the kind words about my crazy old Halloween costume :) For me, my bench has had a lot more weight than just those tools on it for a few years now, and no sagging yet. It’s not a quality woodworker’s workbench, but it does have steel extrusions bolted across the bottom of it. I think I may try to rig up my own (thought about it for awhile last night) for just the bench grinder and WorkSharp. My grinder is small and both of the tools don’t end up weighing very much. Yet, they’re always in the way, and I’d like as little fuss as possible setting them up so I can’t fall back on my laziness and just keep working with dull tools. I find that the cooler it is to set up a tool, the more likely I am to bother ;)

jl – I can’t imagine using a vise with it. They take too much lateral stress often. My bench grinder, however, I’ve never bolted down, and what I’ve done with it these past couple of years only causes it to walk a bit, and I drag it back over. I just haven’t wanted to commit to drilling holes in a $250 table for a cheapy Ryobi bench grinder. Good thinking re: the cords, though! Hadn’t even occurred to me. I guess they’re all going to hang under the table, and then end up looped up and over the front. Maybe that’s accounted for somewhere in the design. Thanks!

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

Gary, the only reason I mentioned the vice is that it appears in the video. Attaching a piece of mdf or pw to the bottom of your machine will then allow you to clamp the machine to the bench (no holes in the bench required). I am going to ignore your ‘walk a bit’ comment and simply wish you continued good luck using your grinder that way, after all they are your fingers not mind.

-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...

My only issue is that I don’t have many tools that would benefit from this. If it is close to the 75# weight limit, I’d guess that is a tool I’d need around a lot (or like a miter saw, will want outfeed support etc.). If it is a tool that weighs less than 50#, I’d still rather save the money and move the stuff myself. It also takes up a lot of under bench storage too, so it doesn’t really save space. I think it just saves lifting. It is a good idea, I’m just trying to think of how best to incorporate it. Also, it costs as much as all but my 5 most expensive tools themselves. If it’s well built, I’m sure this guy will sell a lot though and have happy customers.

Thanks for sharing

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

If it were me, which it ain’t, I’d save the long Yankee green for other goodies and just arm wrestle the tools where I needed them on the bench and back under and onto the shelf. If you make your own, you might trying channel iron and truning your own wheels to run in it ;-))

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

I really didn’t follow the product my eyes wandered allittle on the girl. wow

-- My philosophy: Somewhere between Norm and Roy