Cast bench ends - where should i look?

[julianf]

Im wanting to build a workbench - its for printing, rather than welding though, so will have a timber top.

My friend has a set of ends, kind of like these, sitting in his yard, which, unfortunately (for me) he does not want to part with -

I had a brief look on ebay, but all i could find were garden benches. Are the above the type of thing that i can still find to use, or are they all in peoples kitchens by now?

Any ideas where to look? Or even what search terms to use - like i say, all i could find on ebay were garden benches!

 

[rtbcomp]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&q=cast+workbench+ends&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[Johnseat]

Have you considered making some in timber and then shipping them to @doubleboost for him the cast you a pair?
It would make and amazing SNNC!

 

[rtbcomp]

Try searching for "Cast workbench legs" instead of "...ends"

 

[addjunkie]

Buy an engineers drawing board, old desk type singer sewing machine, an old mangle. Lots of things

 

[julianf]

"legs" is getting me returned items now on ebay. Seems i may be one fashion rotation late for the depth of my pockets though!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Just near Dunster on the Minehead road is a second hand place what has them

 

[doubleboost]

I have a pair of them on a welding bench I made
They came out of Parsons
Bought them with a big vice from a retired engineer
He recond they were from a marking off table
I had no idea of there value
I could sell them and buy a proper welding bench

 

[julianf]

Ive found a few on ebay with buy-it-now prices that seem aimed at londoners. Ive not checked completed listings to see if they sell - if they do, that would be your best plan, im sure.

If they only sell for more realistic prices, i am, of course, in the market for a pair!

 

[doubleboost]

Ive found a few on ebay with buy-it-now prices that seem aimed at londoners. Ive not checked completed listings to see if they sell - if they do, that would be your best plan, im sure.

If they only sell for more realistic prices, i am, of course, in the market for a pair!

The repro ones don't look to bad for the money do you need the "real thing"

 

[julianf]

I only saw one person doing them and the seemed quite low (725mm) and also about the price of more interesting originals too.

I thought they would be cheaper in truth. My friend just picked up a couple of benches in a farm auction, and one of them just happens to have that sort of design. I did not realise they were fashion items at the start of this thread.

 

[julianf]

Ive just realised that there are stacks of old singer machines on ebay. Theyre not quite what i wanted, as theyre more ornate, and lighter duty, but they would be another option -

If you took out the treddle etc. and just added simple tie bars, they would be pretty stable (stable enough for a print bench) and be a similar effect.

 

[Turbo]

Ive just realised that there are stacks of old singer machines on ebay. Theyre not quite what i wanted, as theyre more ornate, and lighter duty, but they would be another option -

If you took out the treddle etc. and just added simple tie bars, they would be pretty stable (stable enough for a print bench) and be a similar effect.

Not sure how wide you want your bench but sewing machine tables are not very wide, probably around 14" & the legs are narrower. You could put 2 sets of legs at each end giving you 28" but they are not that tall either.

 

[julianf]

All the stuff in the middle unbolts (on some - I've looked at the photos in detail) and tie bars of any length could be put in place of the parts removed.

The one in the photo above would work like that.

I'll spend a while looking for some heavier duty ones at a sensible price (I looked on completed auctions, and they do sell for under fifty quid) and, if I don't find any by the time I'm needing then, I'll go for the lighter ones.

 

[addjunkie]

Buy an engineers drawing board, old desk type singer sewing machine, an old mangle. Lots of things

Did I not mention the singer earlier. I knew as Im currently trying to get one to work! If you were closer I have an industrial architects/ engineers drawing board that would be ideal to modify for your needs.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

http://www.chriscrackers.net/

This is the place near Dunster, they had what or similar to your needs. Worth a visit, as on the phone they try to sell you a higher price item.

I have brought from them, found them good. But I stress a look is needed as there is stuff hidden and forgotten as it gets over grown

 

[julianf]

Thank you - i will see if i cant make a trip out there.

Minehead area is odd to me - every time i go there, i drive a different way (unintentionally) and it always seems to take hours. Its not far by air, but Exmoor is in the way....

 

[julianf]

Did I not mention the singer earlier. I knew as Im currently trying to get one to work! If you were closer I have an industrial architects/ engineers drawing board that would be ideal to modify for your needs.

I got side tracked looking for "engineers drawing boards"! I figures mangels would be too integrated, but it seems not.
Id still like a more industrial build, rather than the sort of art deco look thats more common with sewing machines, but i suspect what will actually happen is ill wait until i can get something cheap, locally, and then my choice will be made for me.

This is a table to do silk screen printing on, so its not like it has to be heavy weight - i just wanted it to be!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@julianf
Taunton, A 39 to mine head, you will pass it on the right.
Shop, drive away. Buy what you need. Do not get distracted.
Pay attention to the last bit, do not look in the small building, nor the huts at the back.

Leave, drive towards Minehead, up over Porlock hill.
Go home.

Very simple.

 

[julianf]

Do not look in the shed. Do not think about what's in the shed. Do not think about the shed. Blank it from your mind.

Name the first thing that comes into your head....