I am trying to fit an “around the room” type of layout into my finished basement. It has two support columns dead center in the room and they always have been a problem. They are, however, better than the ceiling and first floor falling into the area.[#oops]) The layout cannot take up much more than 8’X8’ as decreed by SWMBO. Therefore, in order to have access to the rest of the basement, I would need two lift outs or swing gates. This would most certainly weaken the benchwork.
Has anybody done this type of thing before?
Hmmm…no responses yet.
Bruce, why two? Can you sketch something close to scale with the importat aspects of consideration, and then post it after scanning it to a jpeg format?
You are in a wheel chair as I recall…what height of benchwork are we talking about?
-Crandell
Alas, I have no scanner but I am considering a flatbed to put articles from MR onto disc.
The benchwork on my present layout is 35" rail to floor and has one lift up bridge.
The proposed layout would be rectangular ala HOG, and two "C"s with the open ends connected at the swing gates and the back of the "C"s would be against a wall on one side and butting up to the ceiling support units that are comprised of 2X4s and drywall. When both gates are open I will have access to a rear portion of the basement containing my workbench and supply shelving.
Gotcha. Now if I could just remember who had the swing gate. I believe our own NZRMac worked on one about three years ago. When discussing that type of configuration, someone else here posted a nice set-up. Essentially, you want the swinging, not the pivoting, end of the gate to come up against an angled face. Of course, the occluding end of the gate would have to match that angle. The idea is that the gate can swing either open inward or open outward, but not both. The wooden angled faces are meant to be solid so that the tracks align properly when fully abutted. Then you would need a positive retainer such as the barrel locks we were discussing. Really, though, a simple latch with loop would do if it had to be above the layout bench, in view, and not suspended below as a barrel lock would ideally be to keep it out of sight. I am talking about a loop and hasp, and you would place a padlock in the loop…garden shed style. Two of those would keep alignment quite well once the hasp was thrown over the loop and fully seated.
As for hinges on the other side, two good sized brass hinges, or a single longish one would be fine. frame members on each side of the entranceway would probably have to be stout, certainly a 2X4 at the very least, possibly doubled up as you would in house framing for a window opening.
Is this of any use to you?
-Crandell