Workbenches

[Jason Musgrave]

I've been lacking in the workbench dept for a while but this week I've been working on a couple of new 3'x7' benches - these things are turning out really nice so I thought I'd share.

A couple of years ago we tore down an old dormitory on campus - among other things I saved a couple of ancient (~50 years old) solid-core doors (by solid I mean SOLID) to use as a foundation. The plan was to cut to size then cover them with oak flooring but after learning that bamboo is much harder (and doing some experimentation of my own to back that up) I decided to go with bamboo. I attached the sides with some nice brass #14 screws (replaceable in case they get banged up later) then glued/nailed down the flooring. Right now I'm in the process of routing down an end of one bench (typing this as I let the router cool for a minute) for a 36x36 plate that will go under my vise. The other bench got the flooring nailed down at a 45 degree angle (just because it looks cool) and is otherwise left alone.

I saved some metal legs from other benches on another boss-ordered dumpster-fest so all I've got in it right now is about $60 in screws/bolts, a $70 box of flooring (I got 2 boxes for free), my 1/4" plate ($$) and some workbench feet I got on sale at Enco.

Pics coming later - gotta get back to the router.

What are you guys using/building for benches?

[Clockwork]

I recently built one with 2x4's, 2x6's, plywood, and high-density fiber board for the top with a portion covered with a stainless door kick plate I salvaged. Pretty cheap and solid.

[Jonathan]

Lovely shop, Joel.

[Clockwork]

Thanks, that was right before I got it dirty.

Under the bench top is an old map/blueprint file cabinet that's great for files, tools, etc. Pretty easy to find on Craig's List under "flat file."

Lovely shop, Joel.

[MrkiMedo]

What are you guys using/building for benches?

I am also making few at the moment, since I have discovered that buying material in standard sizes which can be used to make for 4 tables is not much more expensive than cut pieces for just one. They are variation of this:

4hr $70 Workbench

without back-splash, with mdf plate on top, and with adjusted dimensions to accommodate for the wood peaces I could buy locally. Last one I am planning to seal with epoxy, and pour some self leveling epoxy on top surface, which I hope it could serve me as a sort of poor man flat surface until I find something more suitable.

[Eric Estlund]

I find I just collect stuff on flat surfaces. I keep trying to reduce the amount of "work/ flat storage" surface in my shop. Food for thought.

[steve garro]

I find I just collect stuff on flat surfaces. I keep trying to reduce the amount of "work/ flat storage" surface in my shop. Food for thought.

When I owned a shop I made all the benches 10" deep - enough to set down a tool, not enough to collect them.
- Garro.

[shand]

We've started to replace some of our workbenches with these :

island.JPG

Have one of these next to a dedicated station (vice, jig, paint-prep etc). Much easier to keep tidy.

[Jake Rosenfeld]

When I owned a shop I made all the benches 10" deep - enough to set down a tool, not enough to collect them.
- Garro.

10"?! I went 6 for the same reason but found that I can still pile it about 5" high at the back.

still got the clutter but I can see all the way thru it...:-)

[Andrew R Stewart]

I worked with a guy who use to manage a shop on the NC coast. He would tell his new mechanics that they weren't allowed more then 3 tools on their work benches at any one time. Seems it was a test for their ability to both work neatly as well as take a joke:) Andy.

[Eric Estlund]

3 on the bench, 6 on the floor, 5 on the Park stand, 15 in the apron and 9 or 10 in the pants pockets. And still can't find a damn 5mm...

[david]

3 on the bench, 6 on the floor, 5 on the Park stand, 15 in the apron and 9 or 10 in the pants pockets. And still can't find a damn 5mm...

reminds me of a great old ad for a tool chest/ organizer.
headline: "it's been said that man leads a life of quiet desperation. he was probably looking for his pliers."

[david]

reminds me of a great old ad for a tool chest/ organizer.
headline: "it's been said that man leads a life of quiet desperation. he was probably looking for his pliers."

oh shoot, i didn't realize this was the frame forum...
my name is david corr.

[Gattonero]

I worked with a guy who use to manage a shop on the NC coast. He would tell his new mechanics that they weren't allowed more then 3 tools on their work benches at any one time. Seems it was a test for their ability to both work neatly as well as take a joke:) Andy.

The problem is not how many tools one needs on the workbench, but how quick they go back in place.
That's why I get all my assistants to put back immediately every tool used. We work in a space that is as big as a box of matches, it forces you to avoid clutter.

I like Kestrel Engineering metal workbenches, with a full stock of spokes at the bottom, ain't gonna move

[bencooper]

Same here, my Kestrel benches are more than 15 years old. I think my workshop is even smaller than yours...

[MagicCycles]

I am forever cleaning off my benches to make room for new projects. They are great collectors of Gack!

[Mike Mcdermid]

IMG_00000028.jpgworkbenches.jpg

all are made the same here in my shop 60 x 60 box section tapped with m8 holes and poder coated this way they take any top and can be made to extend by bolting them together go round corners ,pretty modular

toughened glass gets used for composites and Just throw away MDF for any other general top ,welding benches get 10 mm thick steel

they are the right height just to squeeze a roll cab under with about 5mm to spare on no adjustable feet

i can stick the plans up for you guys stateside that can make them yourselves the offers also there for UK folks but i find people just buy them from me rather than make them themselves, don't know if thats a lazy thing in britain

I dont mount a vise to them instead i make these upstand columns specifically to take a vise ,as i couldnt find anyone in the UK for less than 200 quid that made a good one i thought what the hell make your own and they er kind of turned into CNC machined silly things that probably do cost more than 200 quid,

[MrkiMedo]

Last one I am planning to seal with epoxy, and pour some self leveling epoxy on top surface, which I hope it could serve me as a sort of poor man flat surface until I find something more suitable.

here is the table prior to self leveling epoxy pour:
DSCF1475.jpg

and after it has curred:

DSCF1490.jpg

underside:

DSCF1480.jpg

side view:

DSCF1488.jpg

[Luke Marinovich]

Probably a little overkill but I hate nothing more than a wobbly workbench. It must weigh close to 220Kg so its not going anywhere!


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Luke Marinovich - Aspiring Framebuilder | Melbourne, Australia