Does any have experience of trying to get hold of mobile workbenches (i.e. on wheels) in the UK? I need robust design to take 100 kg plus weight (Thermaphot machine) and the one company I have tried were most unhelpful (i.e. 'we only supply with an account to Ltd or Plc only etc.')

Tom.

I Picked up 4 dolly wheels. All pivot, with brakes, to allow me to manouver the thing out of the darkroom from time to time if demonstration sink work to a group is needed. That was about $38 as I recall.

Then melamime coated MDF, 3/4"x4'x8' at home depot, and had them cut the major sizes I wanted for the top and two sides. about $60 or so I think. Most of the money went on plumbing modofiactions, so the limber costs were not as memorable.

The wheels are lag screwed to a 2x4" frame that is well screwed to the MDF sides. The cart is open to the front, and only has a partial rear to provide bracing. There is a shelf to hold bits; it is high enough to not interfere with overflow tubes that drape into jugs that sit on the bottom of the cart.

Solution jugs for active chemistry also sit on the lower level of the cart

I made the top sized to fit the fujimoto cp31 and wash dry unit I rehabbed. The sides are set in from the top, and this allows me to hang the racks on the sides of the cabinet on pins set into the cabinet side when I want to keep them out of the tanks. I usually pull and rinse them in the adjacent sink before doing this. It gives me a place to put them that does not otherwise clutter the darkroom. Sometimes I will do this and lay saran wrap over the tanks if I am going to be back to them in under a day and the chem is getting old; otherwise I drain and rinse at the end of every session.

Tom, have you tried RS Online?

Not sure they have what you want but have an auful lot of tools & equipment

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/

Martin

Tom, is this any good?

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=4927404

Martin

Thank you for the link Martin. However, I've now found another supplier of workbenches so we'll see what comes to pass...

http://www.stakrak.co.uk/benches.htm

Tom, I would suggest you think about having all four castors braked, not the normal two unbraked and two braked situation.

I've used a few mobile benches in my time and one thing I found out was that you really need the ability to either have a mobile frame running braked castors, or have fixed castors with brakes on every corner.

Another option is getting something like this to use with your home made or friend built table:-

http://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery-for-wood-and-metal-working/machinery-for-wood-and-metal-working-accessories/mobile-bases-castors/quick-connect-mobile-base

Mick.

Thanks for the advice Mick. However I've ordered one of the benches with the two braked casters as I wanted to have a solution quickly, and to free up some space; so I'll have to see how well it works. My intention is to have the processor on the trolley with the bleach fix and developer bottles on the bottom self (as the machine has automatic replenishment), creating a self contained unit, which I can wheel out of the way when doing fibre base printing etc.

Tom.