The never ending quest for space...

[shipto]

Storage space that is 
I was given a cupboard for my workshop during a clear out at my wifes work and thought I should get around to using it. The problem is its both too big and too small all at the same time. Under the bench it would either be so far back that theres a risk of things being stored in front of it meaning its not going to get used much or if I put it forward anything that ends up behind will be there forever.
So I found a better way. I had some self closing hinges lying around waiting for a use and thought these would be ideal, the only problem is that there is only about 8-10mm gap between bench and cupboard so I had to set them low to allow the cupboard to clear before the hinges took the weight. This of course would have meant that with the weight in the cupboard it would be very heavy to swing out.
So I made a little roller from a bearing and a bit of flat steel. and it works a treat I will have to fix a metal runner under the bearing before it digs a channel in the floor but I am very pleased with how it has gone and now I have 2 layers of storage the cupboard stores my good stuff and the jun...erm I mean other items goes behind and I can still get it if I need to.

[vtsteam]

Nice one shipto! It took me a bit to figure out that the shelves rotate out around the table leg, but got it now! 

[DMIOM]

Just wondering - with supports just at the front, will the cabinet start to rack eventually? - will you need something at the back - maybe even just a rail on the floor for it to land on when its in the stowed position?

(OT: spotted the inverted tin of pink Chemico - haven't seen that for a while, I wonder if its still available?)

Dave

[dsquire]

Smart thinking Shipto

There is always a new way to find places for storage. Some of the smallest shops have the best storage solutions. 

Cheers 

Don

[Bluechip]

(OT: spotted the inverted tin of pink Chemico - haven't seen that for a while, I wonder if its still available?)

Dave

Pink ??? Mine ain't pink ..... it's greyish .... I have had it for ages, maybe they've changed the colour? I still see it in Auto shops here occasionally. Not that I have any use for it now.

http://www.frost.co.uk/search/?q=grinding+paste

Another friggin' Dave [ I think we need regnal numbers ???  ]

[DavidA]

Looks pink to me.  A very red ish pink.

Dave.

[shipto]

No mines definatly grey bordering on black 
Got it a few years ago now but can be picked up at auto shops.

[DavidA]

Ah yes,  I was referring to Chemico hand cleaner.  Not grinding paste.

Apologies.

Dave.

[shipto]

I now turned my attention to my bench grinder while it is a pretty much essential bit of equipment it was in the wrong place to use properly and spread its leavings all over the area I do my electronics. So I came up with a stow away idea using a few bits of pipe and various other scraps.
forgot to take pic of bit under bench so thats to come and the grinder in the usable position still needs a bit of work to lock it in place but it does exactly what I want it to do, disapear when not in use 

[shipto]

pic of under the bench and made a start on the locking mechanism.

[RussellT]

Good ideas.

I could use them - except I haven't got any space left under the bench!

Russell

[shipto]

thanks Russell i have a plan for the wasted space in the corner mulling around in my mind too.

[shipto]

The lock in its 2 positions.
edit: Having looked at the pictures now I think I am going to redrill the pivot pin for the pawl it may make it easier to release it.

[RussellT]

I assume you're thinking of getting more leverage.  I wonder whether you need to reshape the corner of the locking plate.  It looks to me as though the release lever needs to move the locking plate as well as the pawl.  Of course that would make it less secure too.

Russell

[Jonny]

That will work fine Shipto, most trigger sears are exactly the same.

[shipto]

Exactly Russell I have redrilled it 12mm across and its much easier to release now.
You are quite right about having to move the locking plate too but I am going to leave it that way because it means that once you release it even when you dont move the grinder it stays released unless you apply pressure to lock it again, I wish I could say i designed it that way because its a handy feature but I didnt.