pretty quick and simple question.. i have 2 benches butted up to each other to make an "L" shape. standing on legs, not attached to the wall. thinking of building a new bench, longer against 1 wall instead of the L shape. anyways, would you guys attach the back to the wall, and just have legs on front, or have legs in the front and the back so it stands on its own? will just be built with 2x4s and plywood, keeping it simple. pros and cons?
attach work bench to wall or free standing?
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SarcasticDwarf
Well-known member
Attaching to the wall will give you a more stable surface, particularly if the bench is large and/or not the best design. There's no reason that you can't still have legs on the back.
Mine is 12-ft long, all 2x6 framing/legs, 6 legs, double-plywood top. It's also bolted to the 4x6 building posts, but at 8-ft on center, it's only attached to 2 posts. It's doesn't even wiggle.
If you go with a ledger, I assume you have conventional stud framing and can anchor that ledger to every other stud. I think I'd still upgrade to 2x6 legs upfront.
If you go with a ledger, I assume you have conventional stud framing and can anchor that ledger to every other stud. I think I'd still upgrade to 2x6 legs upfront.
glentre
Well-known member
Do a search on the forum as there are probably hundreds of photos of benches. Eventually, you will see one that meets your needs.
For stability, especially if you do a lot of vise work, attach it to the wall. Personally, I prefer mine on wheels. There are some photos of very heavy duty ones that have retractable wheels......best of both worlds. Ultimately, it's your personal needs that will dictate the kind of bench you end up with.
Glen
For stability, especially if you do a lot of vise work, attach it to the wall. Personally, I prefer mine on wheels. There are some photos of very heavy duty ones that have retractable wheels......best of both worlds. Ultimately, it's your personal needs that will dictate the kind of bench you end up with.
Glen
Boilerhouse
Well-known member
If it has a vise on it, I would want it attached to a wall, especially if it doesn't have a lot of mass to keep it stable and rigid on its own.
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
Build it separate if you plan on taking them
with you when you move,
or plan to rearrange your garage.
with you when you move,
or plan to rearrange your garage.
rsanter
Well-known member
Free standing and on wheels so you can move them out to the center of the floor when needed. Also able to attach to the wall for stability when cranking on something on the vise.
Attach with latches or a couple large bolts that are easily removable
Attach with latches or a couple large bolts that are easily removable
When I had mine it was attached to the wall and I loved it. I got rid of it because all it did was become a catch all for everything so I would advise not going huge. But as far as usefulness it was really nice having it attached.
ddurrett896
Well-known member
1 of each. Mounted for fixed work and rolling things like cutting wood, etc that makes a mess and would be better off in the driveway.
It really depends on what you want to use it for and how much space you have. Do you want it to incorporate a lower shelf for storage? I built a freestanding bench with 4x4 legs and 2x4 framing. It’s rock solid, even when cranking on the vise.
I found a quality folding table to be my preferred woodworking/assembly table. Flat and stable enough for assembly, and folds flat for easy storage. Same idea though.
hayhauler71
Well-known member
nolimits76
Well-known member
I've had both. My last house had an L-shape design with one of the legs attached and the other was free standing. I didn't like that setup mainly because the leg that was attached was short so it created a void of space that was hard to use, although I preferred to work off that area because it was always solid. The free standing seemed to be a collector of clutter for me more than a work surface because I didn't like it not being rock solid.
Previous builds had always been overkill and attached to the wall so I could throw a car engine on top of it them without issues.
Just my preference. I do see the value of being able to take them with you (hence the reason I've built several sets of them, lol) and also being able to move around the garage or driveway for specific projects.
FYI, never tried a flip type bench. No comments on that one.
Previous builds had always been overkill and attached to the wall so I could throw a car engine on top of it them without issues.
Just my preference. I do see the value of being able to take them with you (hence the reason I've built several sets of them, lol) and also being able to move around the garage or driveway for specific projects.
FYI, never tried a flip type bench. No comments on that one.
cabranch47
Well-known member
Mine is attached to the wall. It is high enough to store a metal Steelcase table on casters so I can pull that out to work on when needed. My other one is tall enough to store my table saw, generator, and router table under. Saves a lot of floor space.
Ray-CA
Well-known member
If you make one of them rolling, consider making it the same height as your table saw (if you have one.) That way you have a great outfeed or side support table for larger pieces.
Ray
Ray
myredracer
Well-known member
I made a bench 12' long x 30" deep with 2x2" tubing, 2 layers of 3/4" ply and a galvanized steel top. I also built storage cabinets under it. Besides being very rigid, the thing is flippin' heavy. I have it free standing and it's a major effort to get it to move. It will have to stay with the house when we eventually sell.
I would say it depends on the weight and rigidity and how well you'd secure it to the wall.
I would say it depends on the weight and rigidity and how well you'd secure it to the wall.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
If you attach it to the wall and then sell the house, it becomes part of the property, a portable one you have the option.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
It really depends on how much room you have, what kind of work you do, and the way you work. I think you should have one of each. One with all its legs but tied to the wall in two places. ( I say "tied" because a turnbuckle or a multipurpose screw and cleat is all you need.) The other is heavy but can be moved if needed with a floor or pallet jack.
Unrelated, but there are more variables too.. How tall are you? Is this tiny detail work or big heavy carcasses? How well lit or ventilated for the rare special nasty project?
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Do you raise and drop a lot or just leave it up? Happy with it?
I am planning something similiar to your wall mounted toolbox. How usefully is it? My goal is to never bend over, waste a step, or look for anything.
hayhauler71
Well-known member
I have 3 tool boxes on that wall. With the drop down bench I can get another car in garage. I use the drop down for wood working it is 10 feet long but have another that is able to roll around.
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Lelandwelds
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garagelogician
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garagelogician
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Looks good! I am looking to do something similar, I have a tight 3-car garage (with up to 3 cars in it), so floor space is at a a premium. How is it supported underneath? Any other details?
hayhauler71
Well-known member
hayhauler71
Well-known member
Built like a ladder frame with 1x4 jigged with 2x10 glued, screwed and clamped from bottom side. No fasteners seen from finished surface.
Thanks for all the replies fellas! I think I'll attach it, I like the idea of it being much more rigid. Also, whenever we decide to sell the house I can always just unscrew it from the wall and throw a couple legs on the back so I can take it with me.
Mine are wood and attached to the wall as built.
If I were to build another bench from wood, it would be attached to the wall as part of the bench. If I were to build a steel bench, it would be free stand but probably still have a few lags to hold it tight against the wall.
If I were to build another bench from wood, it would be attached to the wall as part of the bench. If I were to build a steel bench, it would be free stand but probably still have a few lags to hold it tight against the wall.
James-W
Well-known member
I have a workbench 4ft by 8ft and it is o n wheels so I c an move it around the garage to anywhere I need it. I also have a winch mounted on the ceiling so I can lift stuff up to work on it. I raise the item I want to work on with the winch and move the workbench under it and then set the item down on the workbench. Saves me from having to lift whatever it is I am working on and setting it on the workbench.