I recently completed building a movable work step based on the one described by Jim Hediger in Parts 3 and 4 of the Bay Junction series. My layout is 56" high so I built my step from 2" x 10" lumber with a 3/4" plywood top. The step was rather hard to move by myself because of its weight so I modified the design to include two fixed casters on one end with a handle at the other end which allows me to lift the one end with the handle until the caster wheels at the other end contact the floor and then I can move the step around like a wheel barrow. When the step is in its new position, I simply lower the handle end, the casters come up off the floor and the step is now stable to stand on.
The specific modification was to install two fixed casters with 2" diameter wheels on the two lower corners of the end block with the wheels facing outward. I installed a 6 1/2" steel handle on each end. The handle on the same end as the casters can be used for final positioning of the step.
Personally I think the construction is a bit heavy, but this way you can have a bunch of elephants use it as a ramp up to your table where the circus parade is starting.
As long as the casters don’t touch the floor when somebody’s on it, it sound good. At work, we had one guy get a broken leg and a concussion when a commercial safety step didn’t fully drop down retracting the casters as it was supposed to, so while he was stepping up onto it, it moved out from under him. The truck air compressor he was lifting onto a shelf (65 pounds) fell on his leg. You don’t want something like that moving when you’re on it.
Us old guys need to find every available opportunity to exercise! You are right - it could be made a lot lighter. But then we would waste away and not be able to lift the economy version either!
Dave (withering away in Bradford, Ontario)[}:)][;)]
I built the step from 2 x 10 lumber because I’m 6’4" and 230 lbs. and I didn’t want it collapsing, especially if more than one person got up on it. I believe Jim Hediger built his from 2 x 8 lumber for the same reason.
The casters are installed so the wheels are just off the floor when the step is down in its normal position and only make contact with the floor when you lift the opposite end to move it.
I’ve decided to add another modification to the work step based on my brief use. I’m going to add another set of casters to the other end of the step so I can pick it up from either end with the handles and wheel it. I think this will make it easier to get it into and out of some of the tight place along the benchwork without killing my back.
If I understand what you are describing, the caster wheels protrude outward from the end corners of the platform. I would be concerned that these would constitute potential tripping hazards for the unwary.
In response to Maxman’s concern about the casters being potential trip hazards, all I can say is to date, I’ve not had a problem with them. The casters I used have only 2" wheels and protrude out only 2 1/2". They are set approximately 1 1/2" in from the edge so you would have to get very close to the step at the ends to trip over the casters. Since when the step is in use you are usually stepping up from the side, I don’t think the casters present a significant hazard. I’ll let you know the first time I stub my toe on them.
I also added a safety feature suggested by my wife. I drilled holes in the top of the step at each of the four corners that are large enough to accommodate a 4’ length of 1/2" PVC water pipe with a cap on the end. These act as a tell-tale for when you’re getting to the end of the step just in case you lose track of where you are (something I’m doing more and more).