Anybody know of a Portable Workstation?

Have you thought about building it yourself? A simple plywood box on casters can be personally customized to your needs. There are so many options when you design and build your own work station.

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plasticjunkie

Have you thought about building it yourself? A simple plywood box on casters can be personally customized to your needs. There are so many options when you design and build your own work station.

 

Alas, I couldn't build my own until late Spring as my Camaro is in the garage with all my woodworking tools pushed to one side.  Also, the garage is not heated and it's cold up here in Maine in the winter.

Ok I see then. Hey not a problem here in Central Florida. A pleasant 70 degrees now.

Take a look at some of the 3-4 drawer storeage units from the big box stores.  Granted, they are plastic, but might work for you as a temp solution until warmer weather hits

Hey Rich, it may not be true for your area, but here in Washington at the local WalMart, I saw a roll-away tool chest with a wood work top for around $80. It was a really good looking unit for the money. I don't recall the brand, unfortunately, but I almost bought one, except I don't have the space for it.

If you have Harbor Freight tool stores in your area, you might give that a shot, too. I've scored some great deals there. There are even YouTube videos that highlight the good products and the duds at Harbor Freight.

Hope this helps,

--Chris

dirkpitt77

Hey Rich, it may not be true for your area, but here in Washington at the local WalMart, I saw a roll-away tool chest with a wood work top for around $80. It was a really good looking unit for the money. I don't recall the brand, unfortunately, but I almost bought one, except I don't have the space for it.

If you have Harbor Freight tool stores in your area, you might give that a shot, too. I've scored some great deals there. There are even YouTube videos that highlight the good products and the duds at Harbor Freight.

Hope this helps,

--Chris

 

Great idea Chris.  I'll check it out.

BTW, where in WA do you live?  I spent 10 1/2 years working for Boeing.  My wife and I had a house in Redmond near Grass Lawn Park (148th Ave & NE 70th St.)

I just remembered that IKEA has a couple of small rollaway office type cabinets in the office/desk section. 

goldhammer

Take a look at some of the 3-4 drawer storeage units from the big box stores.  Granted, they are plastic, but might work for you as a temp solution until warmer weather hits

 

My main modeling bench is a pair of such units with a particle board top stradling the units.  If you use goldhammers idea and start with one, you could add another unit and the top later when you have room and available tools.

Another idea is if you have a closet you could convert to a workshop, buy some shelf brackets and a piece of plywood or a shelf and span the closet to create a work surface.  Then buy smaller shelves that will fit on either side for storage. 

John

plasticjunkie

I just remembered that IKEA has a couple of small rollaway office type cabinets in the office/desk section. 

 

I just checked out Ikea and they have a nice little rolling storage unit for $119.  The problem is a $349 delivery fee!  

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

PontiacRich

 

 

plasticjunkie

I just remembered that IKEA has a couple of small rollaway office type cabinets in the office/desk section. 

 

 

 

 

I just checked out Ikea and they have a nice little rolling storage unit for $119.  The problem is a $349 delivery fee!  

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

 

Say what?? Did you double check to make sure it wasn't a mistake? 

plasticjunkie

 

 

PontiacRich

 

 

plasticjunkie

I just remembered that IKEA has a couple of small rollaway office type cabinets in the office/desk section. 

 

 

 

 

I just checked out Ikea and they have a nice little rolling storage unit for $119.  The problem is a $349 delivery fee!  

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

 

 

 

 

 

Say what?? Did you double check to make sure it wasn't a mistake? 

 

He's right! Even I calculated it and YES, the charge for shipping is in fact $349!!

That's just outrageous! $468 total to ship a $119 rolling cart.

Why not get this at Walmart? :

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do-12-Drawer-Rolling-Cart/17108717

That is just plain freaking ridiculous. My son ordered a tv wall mount that weighted 30 lbs and the shipping from the store in NJ to his apartmeant in Orlando was $33, and I thought that was expensive.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Why not get this at Walmart? :

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do-12-Drawer-Rolling-Cart/17108717

 

I will check out Walmart and Lowe's/Home Depot over the weekend.

I saw that particular cart, but would like a wood top and this is too tall for sitting and working on the couch.

Don't gt me wrong, I really appreciate all your input.  This place is just full of great ideas, and I'm sure I'll find something that'll suit my needs from all your suggestions.  

Sometimes great ideas are found in the most unlikeliess places. Good luck on your search. In fact I found something at my workplace that was going to get tossed. After a bit of brainstorming, I decided to grab it for myself. I'm gonna utilize it as a display shelving for my aircraft kits. First I gotta paint the "shelving unit" white since it's currently black.

Hi ;

 For about eight years ( when I lived on my boats ) I had a portable work-station because of cruises for Lions club and others . It was a larger than normal Wooden T.V.Table .Then  a friend made an oversize furniture style top that slipped on and off for modeling .

 This took it from 24"x 36" To 30" x 48" and had an inset for a cutting mat as well . All simple solutions for your dilemna .  T.B.      P.S. I still use it sometimes . AND there is this . Go to Salvation Army or Goodwill stores . A used Drafting table would work fine .

Have you scanned the Craigslist in your area. Try searching under hobby, craft and work bench/table. Something always pops up in my area. You also  might want to try any second hand stores. 

One of our techs left and gave the boss a like new Husky 9 drawer rolling tool cabinet- 18" x 52". He is going to sell it to me for a super discount off new.  While the height at 37 inches is too tall for a normal chair, I think a bar stool with a back will work out, plus I can stand for a break from sitting.  Going to put it on the covered porch for summer work, and can bring inside for the winter.  Since I live alone now, no complaints from the other half of a tool box in the living room.

goldhammer

One of our techs left and gave the boss a like new Husky 9 drawer rolling tool cabinet- 18" x 52". He is going to sell it to me for a super discount off new.  While the height at 37 inches is too tall for a normal chair, I think a bar stool with a back will work out, plus I can stand for a break from sitting.  Going to put it on the covered porch for summer work, and can bring inside for the winter.  Since I live alone now, no complaints from the other half of a tool box in the living room.

 

GH,

Thanks for the suggestion, I looked at Husky rolling tool carts last night.  Really nice, but more money than I want to spend at the moment.

RX7850

Have you scanned the Craigslist in your area. Try searching under hobby, craft and work bench/table. Something always pops up in my area. You also  might want to try any second hand stores. 

 

RX7850 - 

Nope, but that's a great idea, I will check out CL.

Thanks!

Look into garage / estate sales. You might find something there. Look in used furniture stores too. You'll never know what you'll find.

You might consider a folding leg table, like a card table, with an inexpensive tool chest. Search on Amazon; you could do it easily for $50-60.

I was at a Job Lot today and came accross some rolling carts by ADEPTUS, thought of you right away. They measured 25.8H x 13.4 W x 15.6 D at $40 each. Two with a plywood top or kitchen counter top and you have a functional and easy to break down mobile bench.  Did a quick search later and found this by the same company, a folding roll away desk at Walmart , $144 shipped to your door. Amazon  and other retailers has them as well.

Good luck with your endeavor..

RX7850

I was at a Job Lot today and came accross some rolling carts by ADEPTUS, thought of you right away. They measured 25.8H x 13.4 W x 15.6 D at $40 each. Two with a plywood top or kitchen counter top and you have a functional and easy to break down mobile bench.  Did a quick search later and found this by the same company, a folding roll away desk at Walmart , $144 shipped to your door. Amazon  and other retailers has them as well.

Good luck with your endeavor..

 

 

 

Couldn't find that on Amazon.  But, it came up with this:

Also on Amazon for $106 shipped.  Dimensions are 19.2"W x 15.9"D x 26.3"H; just about perfect for my needs.  This is almost identical to the one I liked from IKEA, but a little shorter...perfect.  Can't wait for it to arrive.

All of this came about from your post RX7850!  Thank you very much! 

My wife will be happy to see my modeling tools get into drawers instead of fishing tackle boxes stuffed behind the end table in our family room.

Glad to be of help. Happy modelling.

You Know ;

 I couldn't help but think of something after your last comment . Some years back I traveled to V.A. Facilities to do Recreational Therapy classes . All my stuff was in ONE fishing tackle box .

   This box when loaded weighed about thirty five pounds ! It held a Mini-Compressor , Paint , Tools and Glues . I have Never seen another like it . It was made by the more well known of companies ( I Forgot their Name ! ) It was green and had drawers , compartments and a flip out work top for doing repairs to your gear .

    Believe it or not I still use it from time to time .  T.B.