Another bench build

[Radartom1]

Also wanted to add thanks for the comments good bad or indifferent. I'm just a hobby guy and sort of make it up as I go along. If any one has a link to some good latches that would be great.

On the top heavy, as a test I opened up the doors and was able to do a pull up from the door at full open while it was on the wheels not the leveling feet. 90% of the time this will sit against the wall and never move, so it should be good

 

[Radartom1]

Rad: since you are not going to move the bench/cabinet often and you like it then happy to hear it works for you. I too LOVE the grinder dust debris shoot too. are you going to have a grinder or buffer full time on the bench or just put in on a hitch type mount and put it in your steel tubing you already have bolts in when needed so it won't take up your flat space? will it be close enough to the chute if mounted to front of table/bench?

did you buy the plate for the top yet or still working on that? 1/2 inch or do tell?

keep up the great work and really understand the comments about starting one idea and moving forward with several others before you are done. looks great so far.

Shooting for 3/8" for the top but haven't bought it yet, was planning on picking it up this week but plans change, such as life. Me and the wife talked a little and it may end up mid/ late July before I pick up the top. Looks like I have to go to a school may/June then vacation the next day through mid July.

Nothing will be bolted to the bench top thus the 2.5 by 3/16 tubing around the edge. Everything will be hitch mounted, bench grinder, vise, drill press, hell my hf band saw was in a little danger.

 

[ez-duzit]

...I don't think it's going to be all that top heavy once I put a 3/8" top on and add **** to the tool bins...

Adding the 3/8" top will necessarily, of course, make it even more top heavy.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rad: it sounds like your design and build will work for you just fine and even though it's on hold you are well on your way to the finish line. we'll be watching for updates as you have time to do and post some.

dang I have a piece of 3/8 inch plate that is 30 x 59 that might have worked perfect if we were closer. I can't recall the size of bench top you'll need, but i'm guessing mine would be close to the right size. good luck on finding a nice piece for a reasonable price.

good luck

 

[hotdogstand]

That's a good looking bench. I'm in the process of building my own, but without the cabinets. Good luck on getting it all together.

 

[crab]

There will be a lot of weight up high but there's going to be a lot of weight period. I don't think it will be an issue simply because that bench is going to be so heavy, probably around 1000 pounds if you're still using the 1/2 inch top. Hell you'd need a fork lift to turn it over.

 

[Radartom1]

That's a good looking bench. I'm in the process of building my own, but without the cabinets. Good luck on getting it all together.

Post some picture everyone likes pictures, plus it's always the small twist everyone has that might inspire the next build. I looked at a ton of builds all over the net, and each one I pulled a little something from. From the start I was looking at 1" plus top girded out or slots, stout frame. Hydraulic lifts big steel casters rated at Xk lbs of lift, then realty hit. When I first start this project I just needed more then a 2x4' square flat metal work surface. It expanded a bunch, but I did my best to stay either under the radar, or under my wife's budget.

 

[Radartom1]

There will be a lot of weight up high but there's going to be a lot of weight period. I don't think it will be an issue simply because that bench is going to be so heavy, probably around 1000 pounds if you're still using the 1/2 inch top. Hell you'd need a fork lift to turn it over.

Most of the weight is going to be in the bottom. I guess I never mentioned that only the up rights and lower section is 2.5" 3/16". All the cabinet stuff is 2" x 1/8" and 16ga sheet. None of the cabinet hangs past the 3/4 mark of the center line of the profile. As I mentioned before I can open the doors 90* and hang from them with no issues. Weight distribution of the table top should offset the tools I plan to store by 5 to 1 easy.

Trying to keep it under 1000lbs, and so far with out the top I can almost stand it up by my self. Tried once at this point and almost didn't go well for me. I'll be bolting the top down so it can be removed if I need to move this thing to a new house/shop. Top thickness I'm shooting for is 3/8".

 

[hotdogstand]

I don't have any pics yet, just started cutting materials last weekend then the wife's Caravan needed brakes and the back to work. I'll be starting a thread once I get some progress, but it is loosely based off the now-famous Steevo workbench. I like your idea of built in cabinets up top. I already have some Craigslist specials in my garage, but like you I plan to move in the not too distant future so I'm keeping it simple for the time being.

 

[crab]

Rather than bolting it down I think I would just put a 1/2 inch bead on the inside of the legs. Easy to grind off if you need to and would be a cleaner look and would hold just as well if not better.

 

[Radartom1]

again seems like I'm spinning my wheels on this project with as long as it's been taking, but starting to add some color. sad part is now I'm looking at the end of July before I can come close to finishing this project and this is my last update till then. I have a class I need to attend then vacation time at the beach.

 

[bluebolt]

I take it your an Air Force Aircraft Maintenance guy? Wore that badge for a long time! I was a Crewchief on KC-135's and B-52's.

 

[Radartom1]

Ground radar maintenance, retired after 22 years now a GS doing the same thing for the Air Force. Most of my 22 years was combat comm, air traffic control radar. Now I'm working on nexrad weather radar and some tower stuff

 

[Radartom1]

well I lied I had one more weekend to do a little work on the thing. Now it's really going to be end of July for any updates. Any way got some of the wiring done, I have more to do but the overhead light and outlets are working.

 

[drivesitfar]

RADAR: your bench is looking good. WELL DONE SIR!!

are you planning on mounting vise or power tools on any of those extensions? also without having to go back through the thread did you just put extensions on each of the sides of your bench for the receivers or do tell?

thanks for taking the time to take pictures and post and I think your painting skills might even be better than your welding and design skills which are way above average.

 

[Radartom1]

RADAR: your bench is looking good. WELL DONE SIR!!

are you planning on mounting vise or power tools on any of those extensions? also without having to go back through the thread did you just put extensions on each of the sides of your bench for the receivers or do tell?

thanks for taking the time to take pictures and post and I think your painting skills might even be better than your welding and design skills which are way above average.

yes, and you are too kind. all the tubing will be used for receiver type stuff, vise, bench grinder, drill press....yet again it's not done still a work in progress