Build Work Bench vs Buying one?

[Diesel Mercedes]

I have some suspension work that needs to be done however it requires a workbench and vice. It will cost less building or buying my own work bench and adding on a vise, than taking to the dealer or the boujee independent.

FYI it's the front control arm bushings.

Me being pretty young 22, and coming from a family where absolutely no one ever has fixed anything, I have to build my dynasty from scratch.

Personally, I've thought of buying from craigslist but everything I've seen is severely over priced.

Yeah you have to add in the cost of tools etc but this seems like a good way to start off right? If you seasoned vets could give me some advice it would help out a lot.

My wood working skills are very limited if not all forgotten, since I never did anything with wood since wood shop in middle school.

Looking forward to this!

 

[cvairwerks]

Here is a great bench for someone with a limited skills set. You need nothing more than a saw, a square and something to drive some 3" and smaller screws.

http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/worktabl.htm

 

[notlob]

Make vs buy can be a tough decision, especially if you are lacking skills and/or tools. You may want to consider this type of setup; it's fast, cheap, and reasonably sturdy. Once you gain skills and your knowledge grows, you can then decide on what workbench you want, and revert this to heavy duty shelving.

https://mobility.samsclub.com/sams/5-shelf-storage-rack-boltless/prod19280016.ip?athcpid=prod19280016&athena=true&athpgid=pdp&athmtid=VaV&athznid=sams_ip_VaV&parentpid=prod7620023&xid=pdp:carouseleople-who-viewed-this-item-also-viewed:1

 

[jimreed2160]

It's amazing what you can knock together with 2x4s, plywood, glue, and sheetrock screws. I say build yer own. In fact, if you leave out the glue, you can make changes later. Good luck.

 

[exmaxima1]

Here is a great bench for someone with a limited skills set. You need nothing more than a saw, a square and something to drive some 3" and smaller screws.

http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/worktabl.htm

That look very much like the bench I built 25 years ago, and was fine until a year ago when I upgraded. I would suggest that the bench get attached to the garage wall if possible--a few screws to the studs-- to keep the vise more steady. Or load the bottom shelf with lots of weight.

 

[bcradio]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

 

[lis2323]

It's amazing what you can knock together with 2x4s, plywood, glue, and sheetrock screws. I say build yer own. In fact, if you leave out the glue, you can make changes later. Good luck.

I agree [emoji106][emoji106]. Just go for it!

 

[APEowner]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

I second this. And, if you really want it to be sturdy screw it right to the wall.

 

[bobcatdan]

You can find some nice steel benches from companies like little giant, shire and jammco with a little looking for not much more then the **** sold in stores. I had my bench built. Yes I'll admit a buddy's weld shop made mine, mostly because I didn't have a good welder at the time and valued a good bench more then a better welder at the time. My bench was right at a grand for exactly what I wanted with most of the price being material. If you have to buy the material, that is where making one adds up really quick.

 

[gsmith22]

skip the drywall screws and use deck screws. the shanks of deck screws have a larger diameter and aren't as susceptible to popping the head off from simply tightening them with a driver. Drywall screws shouldn't be used for anything other than drywall.

 

[bobcatdan]

Real work benches are made of metal unless you make furniture.

 

[Diesel Mercedes]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

This looks about perfect.

 

[314carpenter]

Solid core doors for me. I get them free when I do Demolition at hospitals or schools, and then I just store them. You could source them from a second hand building supply. Here we have Habitat for Humanity, and Restore. You cannot buy a more sturdy wood based benchtop, excluding butcherblock countertops for $300 avg. each. I just anchor a 2x4 to the wall, and make up some legs. You could use more doors for the legs, or 2x4's. 1 3/4" thick solid core do not need any addition wood support like in that youtube video you linked. That would be for the most extreme cases. Each door will make a 18" x 96" benchtop and additional shelf underneath. I also use them to make furniture, like bookcases and entertainment centers. I also make shelving storage units, or hang them from the ceiling in the garage/basement for elevated shelving.

 

[nczo6]

Go to goodwill, salvation army and find an old kitchen table with a butcher block top for ten bucks, use it as is or until you get some extra money and buy some edsal legs for around a 100 bucks and you will then have a professional grade bench for around 100 bucks vs. 400 for a fully assembled bench.

 

[bcexplorer]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

I recommend this as well.

I was in an identical boat to you. i built up a very good set of tools from flea markets, pawnshops, and garage sales.

I recommend to find a mentor, as i had to learn everything the hard way, usually involving pain and scars. Not applicable as much if you are following a career in the trades.

20 years ago i was trying to fix bikes wondering why sae sockets dont fit, now im welding, grinding, modifying vehicles, finished the basement in our house, my non mechanical family thinks im some sort of wizard.

 

[Empty Pockets]

It's amazing what you can knock together with 2x4s, plywood, glue, and sheetrock screws. I say build yer own. In fact, if you leave out the glue, you can make changes later. Good luck.

Beyond that, there is a certain pride in building it yourself. Have fun!!

 

[ItsNemo]

Real work benches are made of metal unless you make furniture.

Disagree. The only thing metal benches are good for is heavy mechanical/machining/metal work. Wood is far better for general household use.


I am firmly in the build your own versus buy one camp. 2x4's, plywood, and some wood screws and you're good to go. I think the strongest argument for building though lies in the fact that you can build it to take advantage of the space you have. If you have 53 inches long and 19 inches deep, you build it that size rather than buying a 48x18 bench and wasting space.

This is what I built for my garage...just dimensional lumber, plywood, screws, wood filler, paint, and spar urethane.

 

[old__man]

My wood working skills are very limited if not all forgotten, since I never did anything with wood since wood shop in middle school.

Looking forward to this!

That sentence says it all. Build your own. Learn, make mistakes, learn. Very few projects will be as cheap and accommodating to mistakes as a work bench.

 

[-Brent-]

What size is your work space? I've found that with all my larger surfaces I ended up wasting space by collecting junk. I've since pared down to a 2x4' bench top and I thought I was hesitant at first going that small but it's been perfect. I've had everything from transfer cases to snowblowers and I don't regret the size. And, cleaning it takes way less time.

I'm a huge proponent of steel-topped pallet-rack based benches.

I picked up 24" deep uprights, trimmed them to the height I wanted, fabbed the width I wanted and had a steel top made for it. It's, by far, the heaviest, sturdiest bench I've owned and it takes everything I toss at it.













Not shown: I cut some diagonals and bolted them to the uprights. There was a little wiggle to it and the triangulation stiffened it up.

 

[Barnabas]

Go to goodwill, salvation army and find an old kitchen table with a butcher block top for ten bucks, use it as is or until you get some extra money and buy some edsal legs for around a 100 bucks and you will then have a professional grade bench for around 100 bucks vs. 400 for a fully assembled bench.

Or find an old dining room table. I bought a really heavy duty mahogany table from a Habitat ReStore recently. Better than the workbench I already had.

 

[Fretters]

Real work benches are made of metal unless you make furniture.

Bunkum. Bar for something like welding where there's a fire risk, I'd choose wood any day of the week.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Not to get too far off topic, but after my last fiasco doing control arms I decided to invest in some tools to replace the bushings under the vehicle - not sure what your project is but something to consider.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Farmall450]

Real work benches are made of metal unless you make furniture.

This, no one wants a dead tree table.

 

[jd_1138]

Or find an old dining room table. I bought a really heavy duty mahogany table from a Habitat ReStore recently. Better than the workbench I already had.

Depends on the layout of his garage. If it's a massive warehouse, then a dining table may work, but most of us build narrower work benches along the sides of the garage. Metal ones are nice if you can find a good value used one.

If not I'd just build one. Just need a circular saw that you can get used off CL or OfferUp for like $15. Also, you need a speed square, tape measure, level. It's all basic and low price tools that you need anyway. It'd be nice to have a 1/4" impact driver (cordless) too. Though you can get by with a regular drill if you pre-drill.

Might be a good idea to pre-drill anyway even if using an impact driver -- less chance of splitting the wood.

Having a work bench is handy -- can use it for projects and for storage (on shelves below or up top). An empty garage is not as useful.

 

[jvitez]

Build it yourself. Wood is far more forgiving than metal when you're learning.

A few basic tools, and you're buddies will be asking you to build one for them!

http://woodgears.ca/workbench/

 

[taumac]

I say build it. Just 2x4 and 3x4 plywood and build something that will work. There’s are tons and tons of ideas out there and many things can be used for a bench. You can also check Craig’s list like under free section. Sometimes people will give away a old desk or other items that to can use as bench.

 

[kazlx]

If you can find something to buy for reasonable, it's not a bad option. But it's also not hard or expensive to knock together something basic. Too bad you aren't even close, otherwise, I'd let you come over and help you build whatever you want. Someone on the forum might be willing to do the same.

 

[PoorOwner]

is this project where you try to use a vise to squeeze out the bushing? If so, just get a hydraulic press.

 

[theoldwizard1]

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The key take away from that video is never expect scrws to hold into end grain. Wood dowels are a MUST !


BTW, it looks like he stole most of his ideas from Mathias Wendel - Simple sturdy workbench build. Published 2 years earlier.

 

[ItsNemo]

Depends on the layout of his garage. If it's a massive warehouse, then a dining table may work, but most of us build narrower work benches along the sides of the garage. Metal ones are nice if you can find a good value used one.

If not I'd just build one. Just need a circular saw that you can get used off CL or OfferUp for like $15. Also, you need a speed square, tape measure, level. It's all basic and low price tools that you need anyway. It'd be nice to have a 1/4" impact driver (cordless) too. Though you can get by with a regular drill if you pre-drill.

Might be a good idea to pre-drill anyway even if using an impact driver -- less chance of splitting the wood.

Having a work bench is handy -- can use it for projects and for storage (on shelves below or up top). An empty garage is not as useful.

I built my first work bench many many years ago by having the lumber yard cut to size the plywood for the top (most places will do a couple simple cuts for you) and a hand saw for cutting the dimensional lumber. You could build a wood bench with only hand tools if you're really pressed.

 

[Siding Pro]

I was planning on building a workbench but then came across some steel racking. Placed the shelves strategically so that one was about waist high, couple underneath, and one high enough to not bang my head. Racking doubled as a workbench. Done.

 

[Git]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

That will work fine - but personally, I prefer the 'EAA' style worktable that cvairwerks linked to - because it uses what I would call interlocking 2x4's to really beef up the 4 main posts and help support the top and the shelf

Maybe this pic will explain it better - the cut 2x's on the top are parts to build a second one (you can build two out of (15) 2x4x8. With 3/4" mdf for the top and shelf, your looking about $120 in material for two

 

[dogdog]

...........

My wood working skills are very limited if not all forgotten, since I never did anything with wood since wood shop in middle school.

Looking forward to this!

Not sure what suspension work you are doing.... never needed a bench on small cars and suvs. Not sure if a vise is easier either for pressing out bushing.. I have done it. it was PITA. a hydraulic press makes it easier, and a second pair of hand. but anyways... for dirty work on small garage.. I just get pair of $10 galvanized saw horse brackets from HD, fitted it with 2x4 for legs and a table top... don't needed it to be fancy, it is easy to build almost fool proof (almost), portable and easily disassembled. Keep in mind a lot of those doors in your youtube video are hollow core. very flimsy.

You'll have to figure out what are your capabilities and tools available to you. Sometimes buying a pre build unit might be cheaper. After you needed to acquire all the tools and parts. The cost might be more. Build it your self does give you some satisfactions nothing else can. Sams Club have a $200 that is heavy duty... 1.75" tops. "Seville Classics UltraHD Workbench "

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/72-in...djustable/prod22000197.ip?xid=plp:product:1:1



for other non dirty work furniture work bench... I build this... currently building the second one now. Table tops are solid wood top 1" and 1.5" from Ikea legs are 1/16 wall 2x2 and 1x3s. casters are Ikea.

 

[derosa]

This is all you need right here to get you started.

Ive built one like this most places I've lived, too cheap to ever bother moving. HD and Lowes will cut what you need, go 18" deep for top and bottom shelves and use the large leftover piece for a back for tool storage. Make sure it goes down enough to reinforce the leg to top connection and it won't twist. Use 2*6 and decking screws and it'll last past knowing what you really want and need.

 

[RStewart]

And after you build you can decide on wheels or no wheels

 

[Rarified27]

When I built mine, adding self-leveling feet was a big improvement over a slightly less than flat basement floor.

Now I have a garage and will be adding wheels as soon as I can find ones I really like. Being able to move it away from the wall and sweep will be super helpful.

And yes, mine looks just like the one reposted ad nauseum above.

 

[ItsNemo]

When I built mine, adding self-leveling feet was a big improvement over a slightly less than flat basement floor.

Now I have a garage and will be adding wheels as soon as I can find ones I really like. Being able to move it away from the wall and sweep will be super helpful.

And yes, mine looks just like the one reposted ad nauseum above.

I like screwing my benches into the wall studs...yes it makes sweeping/cleaning under them a bit harder (I usually use compressed air) but the bench becomes infinitely more stable and secure. Can put something in the vice and even using a big pipe wrench or breaker bar and the bench doesn't move.

 

[chaosracing]

I am in the build it myself camp. However, one thing that has not been brought up yet is an old office steel desk. It might sit a little lower, but sometimes thats better. Plus they take abuse and have storage already built into them. Easy to add a vice to it as well.

Another option is older kitchen cabinets.(Non particle board) Around me people have them listed on craigslist all the time. Some even say you can have them if you remove them. Or ask a local kitchen contractor if they are removing any soon. I would go with 2 layers of 3/4" ply for a good strong top vs the countertop myself, but countertops are not bad work areas either.

Your options are only limited to your budget and space. For some, the simple ones previously shown are good, for some, the welded steel with tool boxes integrated into them are the way to go. For you, I would recommend one of my options or the simple 2x4 and plywood (with deck screws) one for now, until you get more into repair/fab work, then go from there.

 

[Diesel Mercedes]

Well seeing, I'm on a budget and have no experience, it looks like I'm best off buying one.

 

[Hugemoose]

Build it. Even if all you have a circ. saw and a measuring tape, it can be done.

I built mine out of my old kitchen base cabinets when I demo'd our kitchen. I just doubled up 3/4" plywood, added some hardboard on top for a nice smooth surface, and attached it all together. I also added a small backer board with some leftover 2x6 I had. The cabinet base was about 6' long, plywood is 8'. So I have a nice overhang on each side.

Just keep searching craigslist. Be creative. You can make a half decent bench with a variety of different bases. Used filing cabinets also make for good bases. Search thrift stores as well.