Workbench Ideas

[rock324]

I'm not overly handy but I'm in the middle of constructing a workbench so forgive me for my lack of correct terms or wordage.
Attached is a picture of my workbench. I'm putting 3/4 plywood (not OSB) as the top surface. Before I do that, I wanted to get some insight/ideas from you guys on how I can add some sort of storage shelves below the top surface so that I can easily access to tools, cords, etc. If anyone has ideas for me, that would be really helpful. Like I said, I'm a beginner when it comes to this stuff so please be as specific as possible & use lamen terms if you dont mind. Pictures even help alot!

Also, I was thinking of putting a stain on the top surface but do not want anything with a waxxy surface. What are some things I could put on there to make it look good and easy to clean off (paint, glue, etc).

Thanks for any help and I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say!

 

[regguy1]

This thread has many ideas
See my post number268 here, scroll down a bit. Drawers and doors make covered storage in homemade bench: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406&page=14

 

[MFolks]

I'm building mine in the garage, similar to your's, but mine is 6 foot long, 30" deep. Planning on getting a Grizzly maple top come tax return time.

Mine's on wheels, with brakes for stability. Planning on building a hutch with shelves for storage, similar to computer desk hutches. Got a new Kreg K5 pocket hole system at Christmas, figure on building the hutch using it.

Also got a drawer kit from an online supplier. Have already got 12" deep roller bearing slides (4) for the drawers.

 

[MFolks]

Got a 4' long power strip, for track lights(4). Plan on having a slight overhang on the hutch at the top to mount the strip. Used 2 2" X 4" bolted together for the legs, and other 2" X 4" for the side pieces.

 

[rothko]

Hi Rock 324.

I really like the Spartan but efficient way for garages.I really like what I have seen on here.I have always wanted to do that and now I can(moved ) I'm doing it,and it is just a brilliant way of doing things.

I built a bench like yours,(nice work by the way!) with the lower strengthening slats left open for just putting the odd box on ,or better still,nothing. I still can't beat the lean efficiency of the 'bare' bench with nothing at all on the top or anywhere.No vice or drill.Put them elsewhere.Having a big flat surface to work on is just great.

Store stuff in a couple of 'snap on 'rollcabs and topboxes'.Look fab and are toatally efficient.

What I''m saying is lose what ever you REALLY don't like or need ,instead of cramming it all in cupboards.

I was amazed at how much junk it's possible to collect and 'HAVE' to find storage for.

This is just my approach,some may agree with it,but I have found it does work.I am on the later stages of the project now.

Here in the UK garages are small.I know US garages are big ,so space is always an issue with uk garages.What I'm saying is,too many cupboards will always fill up with stuff you never or only occasionally use.I like to now, get rid of stuff more than getting another space to put it in.......Not easy though.

Regards

ROTHKO

 

[coyotejake]

Not to overload you, but you should take a look on e-bay at 'printers drawers'. A specific drawer style made early last century for the printing industry. They come with built in dividers. I ordered two for my workbench project to hold my taps and end mills. I plan on making a plywood 'tray' to mount them on, to support the bottoms and to mount the drawer slides to.

 

[98TJ]

Here's the one I built with basic power tools.

 

[98TJ]

I'm building mine in the garage, similar to your's, but mine is 6 foot long, 30" deep. Planning on getting a Grizzly maple top come tax return time.

Mine's on wheels, with brakes for stability. Planning on building a hutch with shelves for storage, similar to computer desk hutches. Got a new Kreg K5 pocket hole system at Christmas, figure on building the hutch using it.

Also got a drawer kit from an online supplier. Have already got 12" deep roller bearing slides (4) for the drawers.

Why not go with longer drawer slides

 

[firecracker]

Rock324 my workbench is like yours, its on braked castors(heavy duty) I put 2 thicknesses of 3/4" ply for the top, 4x3foot in size and the leftover ply from an 8x4 sheet on the bottom shelf for tool storage.At one end I hang small hand grip/clamps, on the other end a multi plug adapter and a bar across for my small grinders. Keep us posted.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Well to address your two questions first look at the photo that I attached. This is an earlier photo of my workbench, since I have added a few things. Anyways, to the right end of my bench are the two items I would recommend for storage under your bench. The box on the floor has an open on top, has a 3/4" plywood bottom and sits on four fixed casters. I believe they are rated at 80-100 pound capacity each so I can store a lot of weight inside of it. You couldn't do this with drawer slides and stay on the cheap. This type of storage is very handy and cheap. I built it approximately 1 foot tall to store items like circular saw, a sawz-all, angle grinder etc. The beauity of this is that it rolls straight out and you are naturally looking down inside of it and it can hold a lot of weight. The pull-out shelf above also has a 3/4" plywood bottom and has 24" drawer slides. The shelf is rated at 75 pound capacity.
Before you build the box on casters I would recommend figuring out what you want to store inside it. Then figure how tall the box needs to be and add an inch or two. You don't want to build it to tall because you will tend to stack things inside and make some tools harder to get to. If its too short, it won't be very useful.
To address the stain for the top, I would recommend that you look into using a piece of 1/4" thick tempered hardboard rather than staining. You would tack nail the durable hardboard on top of your plywood top. This will protect the the top of your workbench surface and would be a sacraficial piece you could replace after it got beat up. Let me know if you have anymore questions. I would be happy to share more if you need.

 

[rock324]

Rock324 my workbench is like yours, its on braked castors(heavy duty) I put 2 thicknesses of 3/4" ply for the top, 4x3foot in size and the leftover ply from an 8x4 sheet on the bottom shelf for tool storage.At one end I hang small hand grip/clamps, on the other end a multi plug adapter and a bar across for my small grinders. Keep us posted.

Wow. Thanks for everyone's responses!

Firecracker, if I put casters on there, do they slip at all if the brakes are on? I may like that idea. Also, how do I determine what size plywood I can put as a shelf below? Also, can you tell me how to install it? Remember, I'm a beginner.
Also, where is the best place that I can install a power strip on here? Thanks again! Also, any chance you can post a pic of your setup?