Sheet Goods Bench Roller

Handling oversized material in the shop is always a challenge. It's often difficult to get a large sheet in position on my table saw. I find it easier if I can get the workpiece on my workbench first and then slide it over onto the table saw. The hardest part is lifting it up onto the top of the workbench.

To help me lift the sheet, I built a simple roller that attaches to the end of my workbench. This roller lets me place the material next to the bench and then easily tilt it up onto the top of the bench.

The roller is a length of 1¹/₂″ electrical conduit.Two hex boltsconnect wood end plugs to a pair of side arms that attach to the bench (see detail 'a' above). I used epoxy to secure the roller to the wood disc end plugs after assembling the arm.

Each arm is notched so the roller can be locked in position slightly above the bench top. A nail acts as a pin to lock each arm in place (see detail 'a').

Using the bench roller is easy. Just insert the pin to lock the roller in the up position. Next, set the sheet on 2x4's so it's easy to get a hold of. Then, as you lift the sheet, the roller helps slide it up on the bench. Finally, pull the pin and fold the roller down out of the way.

Good woodworking,

Phil Huber
Editor, ShopNotes

Woodsmith Tips

Sheet Goods Bench Roller