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Ken St. Onge, Associate Editor 
3 users recommend 
It's a big work table, but I occasionally need to rearrange it.
I use the grinder and tool rest pretty regulary. I wanted it to be locked-down for everyday use, but I also wanted a way to move it if need be. I opted for threaded inserts.
To install the threaded inserts, I drilled oversized holes...
... and then used an insert nut driver to set them in place.
Once set, they're hardly noticeable.
Removing and reattaching just takes a minute with a wrench.
I used inserts to install a tool rest, too.
It's a big work table, but I occasionally need to rearrange it.
My work table often pulls double- and triple-duty for tons of shop tasks. Most often it's sharpening, but I also use it for drilling, holding bench hooks and shooting boards and occassionally as a chop-saw station. Hopefully soon, it will also hold a midi-lathe. Since I plan on rearranging the top pretty regularly, I wanted a way to attach some of the machinery in a way that was rock solid, but also easily removable. I decided to go with threaded inserts.
I chose threaded inserts--instead of pegs, for instance--because I wanted to be able cinch down the grinder or other small machines to eliminate vibration. Pegs would have been a lot quicker to get on and off, but for the little extra effort of bolting the machines down, I decided inserts and bolts were a better option for me. Plus, I'm not planning to move thing every day--maybe once a month or so.
I used two sizes: a 5/16-18 for the two bolts that hold the grinder, and a 1/4-20 for grinder tool rest. To install them, I drilled oversized holes and then I used an insert nut driver to screw them in. It took about 10 minutes from start to finish.
I'm eventually planning to use a similar set up for my lathe, and possibly my miter saw, although I might attach them to boards first, and then bolt the boards into the nuts. Have you used a similar set up? Let me know in the comments below.
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