Experience with Harbor Fright hardwood workbench?

[Aaron_W]

I've built several workbenches, but I have been looking at this HF hardwood workbench as a possible reloading bench. I've seen them on sale from time to time at $119, and I'd easily spend that in materials building my own.

The one thing I don't like looking at the one in my local HF is it is very wobbly, but that could simply be an issue of paying an employee who doesn't care slapping it together. It seems like it is fairly solid, so potentially a decent bench.

If I DIY it will be overbuilt 4x4s, 2x4 with a double layer plywood top which seems a bit overkill, but that is how I always build a workbench.

 

[barlowrs]

I picked up a husky 46" adjustable height workbench from Home Depot for my reloading bench and LOVE it. I have a single stage and progressive mounted, and still plenty of space for my case prep, powder scales, etc.

Being able to adjust the height is nice because my single stage is mounted directly to the table, while the progressive is mounted to a dillion stand, so I can adjust the table height to work with either press while I am standing or sitting.

 

[1982fxr]

I've built several workbenches, but I have been looking at this HF hardwood workbench as a possible reloading bench. I've seen them on sale from time to time at $119, and I'd easily spend that in materials building my own.

The one thing I don't like looking at the one in my local HF is it is very wobbly, but that could simply be an issue of paying an employee who doesn't care slapping it together. It seems like it is fairly solid, so potentially a decent bench.

If I DIY it will be overbuilt 4x4s, 2x4 with a double layer plywood top which seems a bit overkill, but that is how I always build a workbench.

I've never put one together but have had a few of those. I think sturdiness depends on the assembler.

 

[scubadoober]

With that leg setup I don't see how it won't wobble sooner or later. Put a couple triangle braces on it and you should be fine.

 

[lardy1]

Build your own. Get the size and the features you want.

 

[zendriver]

I got one a few years ago, for my Ex Wife's jewelry business.

I'd rate it as "pretty good" and should work fine for your need.

Did glue all of the joints, when assembling, just for the hell of it.

 

[ZRX61]

I'm amazed it can stand up under it's own weight.

 

[Kenstone1]

I have had HF bench for a few years now.
I used bigger/better screws for assembly, and more of them, pre-drilled some holes too.
Drawers are shallow but something you could NOT DIY at the price of the table.

Wobbly, not mine, a simple $1 angle bracket attached to the top and a wall stud took care of the that.
I added a bigger angle bracket in the pic for those who like to overbuild everything
Just built a similar bench and rolled it over for the pic for comparison.
It took a while to think of a use for that janky wood vise though, have my HF bandsaw clamped in it.

 

[Aaron_W]

I picked up a husky 46" adjustable height workbench from Home Depot for my reloading bench and LOVE it. I have a single stage and progressive mounted, and still plenty of space for my case prep, powder scales, etc.

Being able to adjust the height is nice because my single stage is mounted directly to the table, while the progressive is mounted to a dillion stand, so I can adjust the table height to work with either press while I am standing or sitting.

I've had my eye on those as well, just as a general workbench.

What are you using to store all your bits and bobs? I like the drawers under the HF bench.

I have had HF bench for a few years now.
I used bigger/better screws for assembly, and more of them, pre-drilled some holes too.
Drawers are shallow but something you could NOT DIY at the price of the table.

Wobbly, not mine, a simple $1 angle bracket attached to the top and a wall stud took care of the that.
I added a bigger angle bracket in the pic for those who overbuild everything
Just built a similar bench and rolled it over for the pic for comparison.
It took a while to think of a use for that janky wood vise though, have my HF bandsaw clamped in it.

Yeah, the drawers are my main attraction to this. I can make a very solid bench, but I'm not really set up to make nice drawers and would probably resort to just using some sort of closet organizer drawers.

Beefing it up would be no issue for me and with the spindly legs already on my list if I go with one.

 

[ouimetnick]

I have one. Put it together 8 years ago. The top is burned from welding (gotta buy a proper welding table) Its a very solid bench. No complains except for the vise and stupid peg holes on the work surface.

 

[SeisMec]

My buddy has one - pre-assembled when he picked it up at a garage sale.
The following "measurements" are by eyeball.

The top is made of 1 by. The outer edges are faced with 1x3; so you're not going to be able to mount a small bench vice with the static, inner jaw flush with the table edge.

The bottom shelf is very light duty - 1/8"(??) plywood shallowly slotted into the 1x3. The 1x3s on my buddys bench were bowed out in the middle - leaving the middle completely unsupported. That was fix by sucking them together with some 1/4" all-thread.

 

[kd3pc]

I have had one, for several years - and glued and braced it as I built, put it in the garage. It is useful for light duty work or hobbies. Without more bracing and tethering to a wall, it would be quite wobbly.

When we moved last year, I brought it inside the house, put wheels on it and use it only for electronic/ham radio kit building and troubleshooting. It is perfect for that use.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I assembled one of those for my FIL last year. It was surprisingly solid for a wood bench. It's not going to be as solid as a custom built bench weighing 300#. I'm not sure how much stress is put on a reloading bench - but I'd think it would suffice.

Good luck

Jim

 

[Kenstone1]

My buddy has one - pre-assembled when he picked it up at a garage sale.
The following "measurements" are by eyeball.

The top is made of 1 by. The outer edges are faced with 1x3; so you're not going to be able to mount a small bench vice with the static, inner jaw flush with the table edge.

The bottom shelf is very light duty - 1/8"(??) plywood shallowly slotted into the 1x3. The 1x3s on my buddys bench were bowed out in the middle - leaving the middle completely unsupported. That was fix by sucking them together with some 1/4" all-thread.

I have a 6" vise mounted on the left end of mine and 1 (rear) mounting bolt goes thru the thick wood that is part of the leg assembly, no problems.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8356514&postcount=8

I had that bottom shelf pop-out in the middle too, added a 2x4 brace under it, front to back, fixed.
New benches now come with a center brace under the shelf, look at the assembly directions at HF to see it.

 

[Parrothead]

I don’t own one, but I looked one over pretty extensively when I was considering buying one. Other than the lack of space in the garage I’d buy one. As with most things HF, the assembly and a few key modifications make all the difference. I have absolutely no doubt it would hold up to what I do.

 

[SeisMec]

I have a 6" vise mounted on the left end of mine and 1 (rear) mounting bolt goes thru the thick wood that is part of the leg assembly, no problems.

I stand corrected.

It's a good bench for $120 Probably a decent bench for most purposes.
Just trying to point out the weaknesses that might make it unsuitable for some particular purpose.