Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Update On My Mobile Sharpening Station

Back in  2007 I wrote the post below about the Mobile Sharpening station I made for myself out of the Stanley Galvanized Rolling Workshop. Since then these units have disappeared from the shelves of home improvement stores here in the States. Just a few weeks ago I found what looks to be a good replacement, the Hawk Massive Mobile 3-Part Tool Box. Here is a link to it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-75-7577-Massive-Mobile-Stainless/dp/B001L56FS4/

The only drawback is the bottom bin doesn't have a hinged storage bin. It looks like you could still cut an opening in it though. In this day and age with gas prices the way they are, many mobile sharpeners are opting for smaller cars and doing scissors work inside salons and dog grooming shops. This unit has been the next best thing to a van for me.

Update:
Scott, in the comments below, pointed out this unit: http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Tools-75-4650-Oversized-Portable/dp/B002ZZHK9W/ref=pd_cp_hi_1. Take a look. I agree, this is an even closer match and it has worked well for Scott; and he's quite a bit taller than me too.

Here is the post from 2007:

I thought everyone might like to see the Mobile Sharpening Station I use for In-Salon Sharpening.

This is a Stanley Galvanized Rolling Workshop. I bought it from Home Depot a couple of years ago. It comes apart in three parts so it is easy to put in the trunk of a car. I added the 24" x 11 1/4" poplar top by screwing it to the flip-top lid from underneath. I also cut the hinged storage bin out of the bottom to store my machines. Most of the units they make now just have a bin in the bottom, but most flat hone units will still fit in it. (You will see what I mean when you click through the link above) The middle unit on the newer models has a draw in it and a parts bin. It can be a little cumbersome getting it through doors, but it provides a work space for me so I don't have to take up a station in the salon.

The other thing I like about this set up is I get to work at the same height every time. And it's a perfect height for me because I'm...well...short. :) If you are taller than my highly elevated 5' 9'' stature, you could add what ever thickness board you'd need under the 24" x 11 1/4" top.

When I bought it, I think I paid about $80 dollars for it. The aggravating part is that Home Depot only stocks it from time-to-time. (It's out of stock online right now) They are readily available in the UK, but I guess they don't sell as well here in the states. If you'd like one, ask your local Home Depot about it. If they don't have them in stock right then, keep a lookout for it there and online. They will probably have it in the future.

The top picture shows the unit with the Hira-To and and Ookami in it. The bottom shows it with my equipment on top, ready to work.


If you're in the market for any of the Wolff  sharpening machines, be sure to give me a call before you buy. I know all the best places to buy at the best price! Call 864-381-8697 or email me at otenews@gmail.com.

3 comments:

  1. I used the yellow rolling tool box from Trademark:
    http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Tools-75-4650-Oversized-Portable/dp/B002ZZHK9W/ref=pd_cp_hi_1
    I must have read the Jim Sharp post on his station 100+ times and agonized over all the options before settling on this on and it worked well IMHO.
    With the addition of a 4" inch deep bin with a hinged top/work space to the top section of the box, it worked extremely well (for what it is). I also added a chain to the inside of the existing top box to keep my added top unit from crashing over backwards. There was enough room for all of the essentials and with the removal of the swing out drawer on the bottom, it would fit both the Hira-To and Ookami Gold machines. I added a system of bungee's to hold the machines secure while going up stairs. It did require the placement of one of your feet in the bottom opening when using the whetstone to balance the unit, but otherwise was very stable.

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  2. Thanks for pointing this out Scott. Not sure how I missed it. Looks like it made out of plastic. Has that caused any issues?

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  3. Although I only used the unit for a short time, it worked very well. The black sides and lid are heavy duty plastic and everything else is metal. The latch system (for holding the sections together) is very good. Sure it's not perfect. I would have loved to find one that was deeper, taller, had better wheels and a beefier telescoping handle, but as far as I know that one doesn't exist. If it did, I might have stuck with in salon work rather than moving back into the van.

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