workbench build - shelving?

[pablo94sc]

Not a lot of posts regarding workbench shelf spacing that I could find, so thought I'd ask for expert opinions. I want to put in a couple extra shelves on the right side of my bench using the scrap 3/4" ply I have. These are going to hold misc stuff for easy access while working and may eventually become drawers. I'm thinking 22" wide from the inside edge of the front board, plenty to hold a receiver or CD player if I end up putting it there. I have roughly 27" of height to play with. What would you guys do - even height, varying heights? Thanks!

Pics for reference. Edit - can't get them to upload from my phone tonight.

 

[pablo94sc]

Finally got them to attach!

 

[thewatusi]

With that amount of depth the space between needs to be fairly tall. I'd just put one shelf in. You can eventually put two or even three drawers In each space down the road.

What's this "CD player" that you speak of?

 

[pablo94sc]

The thought was having a few narrow shelves to toss things on that I needed off the bench top for whatever reason but still having them readily available - clamps, penetrating oil, canned air, drawings/plans, etc. I was thinking a 6" and maybe two 9.5" tall shelves at roughly 16" deep.

There will, in the future, be an addition to this bench that will L off the left hand corner (where the golf clubs sit). I was thinking that would be a good place to put the miter saw and/or table saw, and store the shop-vac(s), etc.

I dunno... I hate planning future needs.

 

[OJ Bartley]

Yeah, trying to plan for what MIGHT BE going somewhere in the future is driving me crazy too. I think I'd build solid cabinet sides and drill holes for adjustable shelves. You could probably put one fixed shelf in for strength, with enough room below it for a compressor or shop vac, or that fridge... just to keep options open. Then if you find you need several smaller areas to store stuff, you just pop in another shelf!

 

[bczygan]

1 shelf that breaks the space into 2 uneven amounts with the larger space to the bottom.

Put the shelf on full length slides, in fact, make it a tray with sides.

 

[bczygan]

Another thing I would do is take a sheet of 3/8" ply and sheathe the sides and back (Glue and screw), to create a rigid box.

 

[pablo94sc]

So one shelf seems to be the consensus. Any suggestions on height of that one shelf? Is 6" too short for holding misc stuff (9.5" if I factor in the void left with the top framing)?

I've been debating making a couple small pencil trays that can be removed for the front and right side of the bench as well. It'll give me a rail for clamping to when off, and on a place to push my pencils and tape into when on. Something like this:

I may have too many ideas and just need to walk away from it for a bit.

Edit: Maybe I'll make a removable beer holder!

Thanks guys!

 

[SLYDIT]

i'm a big fan of using file cabinets for storage of spray cans power tools etc. they are cheap and just seem to fit in those corners of the shop where other stuff doesnt..
here's mine..

 

[pablo94sc]

That's a good idea. Maybe I can find something that'll work under the ptac.

Put the bench on hold for a few days to have a daddy son weekend. Totally worth it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

i'm a big fan of using file cabinets for storage of spray cans power tools etc. they are cheap and just seem to fit in those corners of the shop where other stuff doesnt..
here's mine..

I really like those file cabinets painted red. Is the black line a paint stripe, tape, or maybe a strip of metal added? I've thought about doing something similar with a pair of lateral office files, mostly because I already have one!

 

[SLYDIT]

a 2 draw cabinet would fit id imagine. i like the fact you can pullout the draws and get access to stuff easily without having to dig down the back of the cupboard

the back lines are the plastic handles for the draws. i removed the cardboard label strips in them and added carbonfibre wrap for extra speed. have a look on page 3 of my thread in my sig for the before pic.