Making a riser for my workbench

[LektroiD]

I am looking to build a riser for my workbench, but I don't want something that will collapse the moment I put an analogue bench supply on it. So looking for some design tips. Is it best to have something that rests on the surface of the desk, or nailed either side? Hints, tips, do's, dont's welcomed...

[Fraser]

Dexion Speed Frame all the way, with a wood platform on the top.

http://www.dexion.com/Product-Categories/Special-Product-Solutions/Speedframe/

It has been used in this way to make risers in Industry for decades. I have one behind my lathe that has to be 30+ years old and still going strong 

The frame is a rectangle of speedframe with a support leg at each corner. It uses the 3 way corner pieces. Fit the end caps or feet of your choice from the speedframe collection.

http://www.dexion.com/Product-Categories/Special-Product-Solutions/Speedframe/Accessories/

Place the legs of the frame on top of the bench and size the whole unit so that it exerts the forces down the legs and into the supporting structure of the bench (often either legs or side panels.

Speedframe is very versatile stuff. You could build similar in wood but the spans need to be considered as bowing occurs in wood over time, Speedframe box section resists bowing well.

Aurora

[SeanB]

Thst is good, but I also did a small modification by drilling in a self drilling screw into the horizontal sections ( or used a rivet) so they cannot pull apart at all. That way even if you do knock the end outwards it holds together, yet you can still lift the units sections off if needed.

[Fraser]

Yes and from memory there used to be soft and hard plastic inserts used depending upon whether disassembly was intended. There are some things that are not a good idea for speedframe. The joining pieces are aluminium alloy (?) and I have seen them fracture is overstressed. Someone at work made a trolley from speedframe and two lower legs sheared off as they got caught going into a lift.....it was loaded with a lot of heavy computer floor tiles which fell on him.....messy ! He ended up badly bruised but otherwise OK.

The image of a boat engine on speedframe (previous message) is also scary as the weight is high and strain on the joiners scary. The real fail is the use of castor wheels which offset the downward forces and cause lateral forces on the wheel to speedframe interface.....hence the visible tilting at that point.

Still great stuff to have though.

Aurora 

[rdl]

I have no idea what your work area is like, but adjustable wall shelves are a more flexible solution than something physically and permanently attached to the bench top. Even better would be something like what Dave has, stand alone risers with shelves that are not attached to the wall or the bench.

[SeanB]

If you need to handle heavy loads use the Dexion longspan ( or the hundreds of clones) and the appropriate beams. I have loaded 2 tons per shelf on it, using the appropriate beams with the standard uprights.

Otherwise the slotted angle is good metal shelving, good for light loads ( basically files and books up to 100kg per shelf)and is quite versatile.

All these are available either new or used, I was at an auction this weekend where some went ( longshelf with enough to make a shelf 6m long and 2 tiers high) for $100. Looked like new as well.