Any one build a outdoor workbench?

[TEXACMAN]

I am trying to come up with a outdoor workbench , steel preferred. I work on different things for people, window units for one and I take them apart ,acid wash the coil and test on the tailgate of my truck at times , makes a heck of a mess! I also might weld or grind projects on it also. Thinking of making it tailgate high for ease of equipment handling as I am getting older and my back is not what it used to be . Any ideas or pics thanks guys!

 

[harvero]

I use an old picnic table as an outdoor work bench. I keep it along the back wall of the garage. I just have to hit it with the belt sander and stain every few years to keep it from rotting. Which make a good project for one of the kids.

 

[southalabama]

I've got one. Sorry no pic.

Pressure treated wood. 4/4 posts for legs. Two 2/12s for top. Four feet long if memory serves. Shelf underneath provided some rigid ness.

 

[manrmark]

I have a stack of old pallets I use as an outside workbench not the ideal thing but it works for me

 

[Krodad]

A steel workbench outside is going to rust unless it's painted, and welding/grinding/gouging on a painted steel bench will narf it all to heck.
Maybe a stainless top if you can, or aluminum if you're willing to put up with a little oxidation… plus aluminum is conductive so would be a decent ground clamp surface for the odd welding job.

 

[Carves]

As mentioned ... one of those stainless, restaurant benches, would be ideal if you got it at the right price.


I made this one to leave outside/in the carport - for grinding/cutting/whatever ... most of it is galv square tube.

The single leg has a half inch steel cap on it - for hammering on ... and other stuff clamps/bolts on ... as required.

Looks a bit ridiculous,
... but the 3 legs make it stable, anywhere around the the yard.

 

[TEXACMAN]

Carves I like your design , the three legs make it more stable outside. Had not thought of the stainless prep table idea , I have seen some stacked behind a local restaurant recently . Had thought about heavy expanded metal for a top so water and debris would not collect , not a lot of heavy abuse on top of this one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Stainless steel counters from refurbished restaurant kitchens are available inexpensively and often for free.

Great tip !

I would put it over a PT 2x4 base.

 

[metalmagpie]

I have an outdoor welding table. Base is made of 2" pipe legs framed with angle iron partway up for a shelf. Top is 4x4x3/8" plate, bare. It sits out in Seattle's rain. Every year or so I knock off the rust and hit it with some boiled linseed oil. After awhile it just stops rusting. My wife hates the thing but I like it. Just the thing to set up a part on that needs a lot of messy wire-wheel rust removal. In the shop that **** would get everywhere.

 

[mhoss44]

At gun ranges in the Army, and in weapons areas, We used to have 55 gal steel barrels, split top to bottom into halves, then steel or wooden legs and drains. Great for dipping M16 and M4 parts into cleaning solvent. Always thought it would be great for all metal parts, then discovered that was probably where the Army got the idea. My Dad was a Jeweler, he had various acid baths, needed them heated up. He used crock pots. Crock Pots are great for various heating tasks.


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[theamcguy]

I built an outside workbench. Used pressure treated lumber, and painted each board with 3 coats before assembly. Used deck screws instead of nails. For legs I used 3' PVC pipe on concrete block. Put stones underneath because the grass died. For the top I used marine plywood and covered that with industrial tile (12" X 12") Mounted a vise. Sprayed it down with Metal Protector and keep it covered with a plastic bow when not in use. Works for me.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I've got one, an old industrial metal worktable, and it's convenient as heck. I also have a separate welding table outside (it's one of those cool collapsable Miller portable tables, best money I spent in a long time). One thing that's imperative (at least to me) is they're both under some kind of cover - working in rain, snow, or hot direct sun is a real PITA... I have them under an extended overhang, and it's like having an outdoor shop. (Plus, with 100% ventillation, I can do things like weld Galvy without needing to drink too much milk to overcome Galvy Fever...)

 

[TEXACMAN]

Thanks for alot of good ideas so far. Yeah, still scrounging around for something salvage and make it work. Just today I was working on a lawnmower deck under my carport so I threw a piece of 3/4 " plywood on a couple steel sawhorses , worked good for something temporary. I thought about making a top out of rough cut 2x6's a friend offered up and just throw a sheet of steel on top when I need to weld on it , I have some square tubing for a frame , I do seem to work on things alot outdoors as it keeps things cleaner and some things like cleaners degreasers are better used outdoors.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Keep in mind I have yet to build my shop.

But outside the small garage we currently have I took down a medium sized tree (roughly 36" in diameter) and I left the stump at a good level for outside work. Bonus is I don't care if I get paint, fire, grindings, cuts into it and it can take a great beating.

Granted it takes a long time to grow a tree that size in the right spot......

 

[BellyUpFish]

Following this thread.. I've been meaning to build something for behind the shop.. I'm using a dog house I built for the pooch. He won't stay in it. LOL