Setting the table.

February 2020.

I’ve managed to do some garage re-organisation to get some more floor space by installing some (free off Freecycle) wall shelves to replace some floor-standing shelving units.  Now I can move my push-bikes up against the wall to make space.  I’ve decided to take advantage of this space and get a hydraulic workbench for the LE.  Main reason is to make working on it easier, no more crawling on the floor to check or do something on the LE, at least that’s the plan.  My friend Paul has one and says its the best thing in his garage (beside his lathe, of course).

So, which one to buy?  Quite a few on the market, but I’ve initially ruled out the scissor type (as sold by Sealey) as they look less strong and the stop/hold mechanism looks vulnerable.  The parallelogram lift mechanism looks more secure.  Right, but there are a few of those on the market, and I suspect that they’re all made in china anyway.  My first choice was the one by Clarke’s (Machine Mart) – looks solid, but currently sells for an eye-watering £478, plus £62 delivery, so £540.  Ouch.  There’s another similar one Switzer, sold by KMS, via ebay, for £364, including delivery, nearly £180 cheaper.  The only real difference looks like the wheel-holding clamp and maybe less solid construction, but I’m sure it’ll be fine for my LE and Fantic – both quite light bikes.

BUT, being the cheap-skate I am, I notice that there are quite a few come up on ebay, so I’m doing a little searching on that to start with in case a suitable one pops up locally for the right price.  Of course, I’ll have to pick it up, but that’s what the trailer’s for, isn’t it?

I’ve decided to go for the large version of these benches, platform typically 220 x 68 cm, figuring that better too much space than too little, plus I hope the base is also larger and therefore more stable (but not sure about that yet).  Found a suitable space to rest the folded unit against the wall, which is good.

The only ‘weak’ features are that they say not to move the table with the bike on it, which is understandable seeing the size of the castor wheels that they use, and it doesn’t go up vertically, but swings in an arc, needing more floor space, but I have that (I think!).

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