Built a new workbench...

[P1et]

My neighbor is a builder, and we often barter. For two wash 'n waxes on his F-350, he built me this workbench. Since room is not a luxury I have, I drew out what I had in mind, bought the supplies and then took pictures of it being built. All it needs now is a nice coat of paint. As Phil says "take a look":

 

[Mr.Mix]

Very nice! Well worth the trade. Your neighbor is a good friend to have, thanks for the progression pics.

 

[P1et]

Very nice! Well worth the trade. Your neighbor is a good friend to have, thanks for the progression pics.

Thanks! He built my house too, so anytime anything breaks (which is rare) he can easily fix it. I might never move.

 

[colo crawler]

Wow that is really nice. I like the miter cuts he did, looks very stout.

-Tom

 

[wnstwolf]

Sorry if this has been answered to death but I am logged in but only see white box and red x for the pic's?

 

[onelochevy]

Thats a great looking bench. Very nice garage setup as well.

 

[Nighttrain]

Good trade, he did a nice job. I like the design for the chair to go under..

 

[jjjrmx5]

That's the same way I design all of the work benches I have done with the sistered up 2x4's as legs.

For my top surface anymore I do a sheet of 3/4" th. plywood , then add a ssheet of 1/8" masonite on top of that and use double stick tape to keep it down and then trim out the edge by screwing horz. hardwood thin trim to horz. top supports leaving the masonite to rest on only the plywood and the trim makes things flush at the lip so you see neither the plywood top lip or masonite lip when viewd from teh side.

When your masonite gets cut up/dirty/used up/gouged, you just pull it up and flip it over and re tape on the back face. Add to that the cost of masonite is far chaper than hardwood or finished workbench tops.

VERY nice build tho. Well done.

 

[D Force]

Very nice! Is the house on the other side of your neighbor for sale?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Classic building style -- and also a great way to do it. I really like the cutaway for the stool.

The only thing I'd criticize is that I don't think it's worth the cost/material savings to settle for a 24"-deep bench (which is what that looks like -- I could be wrong). To me, it feels like you're working on a shelf at that depth. I like 30-32" a lot more. But that might not really be directed at you, since it looks like you're building to a size limitation with this bench with the length of that truck. But I know some guys go with 24" so they can split a full sheet -- which always strikes me as penny wise, pound foolish.

 

[Cuda]

Classic building style -- and also a great way to do it. I really like the cutaway for the stool.

The only thing I'd criticize is that I don't think it's worth the cost/material savings to settle for a 24"-deep bench (which is what that looks like -- I could be wrong). To me, it feels like you're working on a shelf at that depth. I like 30-32" a lot more. But that might not really be directed at you, since it looks like you're building to a size limitation with this bench with the length of that truck. But I know some guys go with 24" so they can split a full sheet -- which always strikes me as penny wise, pound foolish.

This is a raging debate I'm having with myself right now as I am preparing to build some workbenches for my shop. Most of mine in the past have been 32" min. in depth. But in reality I find that I often end up using that extra 12" of depth for storing stuff, like cans of lubricants and other items I use all the time. So in effect, I'm only typically using 24" anyway. I'd really like to keep my work bench as just a work bench and am thinking if I keep it at 24" it will force my hand. Any thoughts anyone?
BTW, Not trying to derail the thread. That is a nice looking work bench. Quality construction.

 

[Falcon67]

That there is a clip-n-save set of pic. Very nice! Excellent trade.

This is a raging debate I'm having with myself right now as I am preparing to build some workbenches for my shop. Most of mine in the past have been 32" min. in depth. But in reality I find that I often end up using that extra 12" of depth for storing stuff, like cans of lubricants and other items I use all the time. So in effect, I'm only typically using 24" anyway. I'd really like to keep my work bench as just a work bench and am thinking if I keep it at 24" it will force my hand. Any thoughts anyone?
BTW, Not trying to derail the thread. That is a nice looking work bench. Quality construction.

I'm going 30" on my bench next to a flat wall and probably 24" in front of the windows so I can reach them easily. I had a 24" bench before and part of it had the "stored on back" pile of plastic parts trays and etc. There was a space I tried to keep a full 24" deep - but it's hard when you're a bench pack rat. These habits run deep and "forcing your hand" may not work. I did a lot of stuff on my 24" x 96" bench over 12 years and usually ended up wishing there was 6" more depth, depending on the project. And it really didn't have a lot to do with what was piled up there. It was more surface area for working. My lathe bench is 7' x 20" and it needs a rack of trays over it and a bench next to it for project support issues. Only small stuff can park on the clear end. And there are still parts trays there - seewhatahmeanvern?

 

[RRmech]

That is one sweet looking work bench for sure!!

I'm absolutely the worst when it comes to woodwork.
The last workbench I attempted, ended up looking like an old electric chair???

Steve

 

[bad_idea]

beautiful bench. Tell your neighbor I can cut the grass for a couple weeks in exchange for some cabinets.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Sorry to start a derail on a thread about such a cool bench. 28-32 is great. 36 becomes storage, and makes it a pain to use the wall behind it for storage, in my opinion.

 

[Rich1028]

nice work bench!!
I like the cut out for the stool

 

[bdkruger1]

Just me personally, I would much rather build a workbench rather than wash and wax an F350. TWICE.

 

[BlueFlame150]

Looks very well built

 

[Steevo]

Nice bench, and you have good taste in trucks, too!

 

[SweetD]

Sorry to start a derail on a thread about such a cool bench. 28-32 is great. 36 becomes storage, and makes it a pain to use the wall behind it for storage, in my opinion.

I think it's a situational thing, like you ultimately have suggested Jack.

I know in my case, I did want the lesser depth on my bench (actually only 23" depth, but 11' length) since I wanted adequate standing room, even when my vehicle is in the garage in the dead of winter (with the garage doors closed).

In any case - great bench, and great looking garage!

Dave

 

[Responder]

Even with the space limitation you have, it seems to "fit" the space well. Also, great construction technique applied to the build. It will last a long time.

 

[bazzateer]

Just me personally, I would much rather build a workbench rather than wash and wax an F350. TWICE.

x 100!

 

[bazzateer]

Only thing I would do now with yours is colour match it to the rest of the garage.

 

[P1et]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone. I happen to really enjoy detailing cars so for me it's not a big deal to detail his F-350...

Classic building style -- and also a great way to do it. I really like the cutaway for the stool.

The only thing I'd criticize is that I don't think it's worth the cost/material savings to settle for a 24"-deep bench (which is what that looks like -- I could be wrong). To me, it feels like you're working on a shelf at that depth. I like 30-32" a lot more. But that might not really be directed at you, since it looks like you're building to a size limitation with this bench with the length of that truck. But I know some guys go with 24" so they can split a full sheet -- which always strikes me as penny wise, pound foolish.

Good eye. The depth of the bench is actually 23". The reason for this is that (as you might be able to see in the pictures, albeit not very clearly) is that I have an attic ladder that comes down over where the bench sits. If I would have gone anything wider than 23", the ladder wouldn't have been able to come down. The bench has a 60" width, so that it can sit perfectly centered in front of the window, yet still leave me room to hang one of my bikes on the left side of it.

Only thing I would do now with yours is colour match it to the rest of the garage.

After I cover the screws etc. with woodfiller and sand it all down nicely, I'll paint it. I'm thinking everything red with a black top.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Very Nice Workbench and not a bad tradeoff!

 

[marty_p]

Great job, Buddy, and really great trade!

I, too, enjoy detailing -- and I can easily wash & polish a F350 2x in the same 4 hours it would take for me to build that bench.... and not stress out as much, either!

 

[Nozzlejocky]

Looks great in your garage! Very sturdy design that will last you, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Sorry to start a derail on a thread about such a cool bench. 28-32 is great. 36 becomes storage, and makes it a pain to use the wall behind it for storage, in my opinion.

When being frugal, I've done a 24" x 8' long bench, but then did a full ring of horz. trim of 2x4's that were mitre cut around and adhered to the outside structure to match that 3/4" ply with 1/8" masonite top surface giving me a 27" deep bench x 8'-3" long bench getting closer to the 30" I so desired but still allowing me to use the other half of 3/4" ply (24" x 8') for the bottom shelf and a leftover half of masonite sheet as a backup for the top surface.

I did design and Proj. Mgmt at an exhibit and cab. shop for years so frugality was of the utmost importance Jack. LOL. Sad but true.


Add an extra 3" of depth, and top ply and 2x4's could mean doubling the materials list and cost.

Pound wise penny foolish my fellow Porsche owner in my mind unless pockets are deep.

 

[colt zantop]

nice bench!