Re: Portable work surface

["E DAWSON" <edawson@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

Just thought I would mention the "Tele-step" ladder. I have a 14' rated at
250lbs and it stores away down to about 30 inches. I believe there is one
also rated for higher loads. It takes care of those occasional hard to reach
places and works great for me. I bought mine online a few years ago for
about $225 with shipping.


"JoeRaisin" <joeraisin2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:kgdjp2$9qq$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On 2/23/2013 9:46 PM, Jim wrote:
>> On Friday, February 22, 2013 9:01:08 PM UTC-5, JoeRaisin wrote:
>>> On 2/22/2013 7:43 AM, JoeRaisin wrote: > I would like to have some sort
>>> of portable work bench/table that I can > stow in my truck. > > My truck
>>> is a pick up with an 8ft bed and a topper that does not extend > above
>>> the cab. Inside the bed I've divided it roughly down the center > with
>>> one side having shelves and tool bag storage and the other with > ladder
>>> hutches (8, 6 ft ladders laid flat & 4 ft on its side) and space > for
>>> wire spools/boxes, equipment to be installed and other material >
>>> (really just open area above the ladder hutch). > > I was looking at the
>>> black and decker workmate but it really isn't all > that compact when
>>> folded. > > Do any of you use something like that? The older I get the
>>> farther away > the ground gets and working off a print laying on the
>>> cold concrete of a > commercial construction project is getting old. > >
>>> I've gone so far as to try and design something I could build myself but
>>>  > since I don't weld or have the ability to shape metal (cut and dri
> ll, > sure, but nothing beyond that), everything I can figure out would
> still > be too clunky - I guess I'm not as creative as I would have liked
> to > believe. > > If you have something proven I'd even be willing to take
> it to a welder > - but I haven't done that with anything I've come up with
> as I don't > really want to put out the cash on spec. > > Work carts are
> nice but you have to have a van to stow one of those - so > anything
> portable and compact along those lines would be great as well. > > If you
> guy know of any products or have even built something along those > lines
> I would greatly appreciate it... And these old legs would thank > you as
> well. LOL - I am a putz that can't see the forest for trees... After
> reading Robert's and Rocky's posts I had an epiphany. I have one (and have
> had for over 10 years) one of these (well, very much like it- we got it
> just before leaving Japan) in my garage. We use it camping all the time.
> http://ds_product_photos.s3.amazonaws.com/large/24
> 983.jpg
>>
>> I know you're truck is all set up but here's some food for thought if you
>> ever change vehicles. I have a work van and ladder storage was always a
>> problem for me because I didn't want to have to access ladders on a roof
>> rack. So .... when I got my new van, I created a sub-floor in the van
>> made out of plywood and 2x8's. I split the sub-space in the middle with a
>> 2x8 and have two compartments to slide my ladders into (and also to
>> support the top piece of plywood). Instead of getting regular size
>> shelving ... mini van shelving fit just nice between the raised floor and
>> the top of the van.
>>
>> The biggest problem I have now is that I have to carry so many different
>> kinds of wire with me. Takes up all the space and really loads me down.
>> Have to pull boxes out to get at things on the shelves. Have to figure
>> out how to compress my wire. Or ..... maybe I'll just retire.
>>
>> Anyway, in the future, you might want to apply the same sub-floor idea to
>> providing for a kind of pull-out table. A Piece of hinged plywood, couple
>> of light weight fold-up saw horses. etc.
>>
>> Just a thought.
>>
>
> Oh yeah - I have considered the truck-side (or back) table but here in
> Northern Michigan that is DEFINITELY a seasonal solution.