Chuck's Workbench...

[Snip's]

I've been absorbing all the wonderful workbench designs listed on GJ....
The Steevo build, the EAA Chapter 1000 benches and all of the other member submissions... All good stuff for sure....

I started designing something a little different and I thought I would start a GJ thread showing my build...
Basically I'm going to use 2 HF tool boxes and attach some custom built, adjustable leg frames to the ends...
These frames will use the same fastening holes on the ends of the tool boxes that allow you to bolt units together or add handles...

My plan will be to eliminate the castors and rely on the leg assemblies for stationary support of the work bench...
To adjust for the slightly uneven floor in my garage, I'm going with 5/8"-11 SS hex bolts for leveling...

Here are my CAD design plans based on my current thinking... I haven't fully decided if I'm going with a steel or wood top at this point....
I'll post up some pictures of the leg assemblies once they are constructed...

 

[Renegade1LI]

Do a Google search, they're some great hf tool box builds, lots of pics.

 

[Snip's]

The workbench legs have been assembled...
I need to transfer the hole pattern from the HF tool boxes to the leg frames and paint them...



The 5/8-11 x 3" long cap bolts arrived today and they will be used as adjustable feet....

 

[zmotorsports]

Subscribed. Looks good so far.

 

[Snip's]

I'm working with a business that will custom make a wood countertop for my workbench....
The finished size will be 30" x 102" x 1-3/4" thick, made from 8/4 stock...
My selection will be from White Oak @ $60/sq ft or Hard Maple @ $45/sq ft....
Either top would be made from 4" wide planks with a post catalyzed clear coat on all sides to insure proper moisture content...

Eliminating the difference in the sq ft price, would there be a benefit of one species over the other for use on a workbench?

 

[RTM]

Eliminating the difference in the sq ft price, would there be a benefit of one species over the other for use on a workbench?

My first thought would be the finer grain of the Maple might keep **** out of the pores if / when you spill something.

Other thoughts would go to how old the wood is: if modern, fresh cut, it might not be as strong as old growth. I'm not sure how the different species hold up to new vs old growth.

 

[Snip's]

I'm friends with the business owner and I'll be meeting with him Monday....
I'll make a point of asking him.... I'm sure it will be new growth...
I had a feeling that Hard Maple would be the one to get....

Good point... Thanks RTM

 

[RTM]

Based on all the red boxes in your pics, guessing not a Woodworking bench. Might consider a disposable top for car or dirty jobs, sheet of Masonite or thin ply to take the abuse. Or metal.

 

[Snip's]

Not a woodworking bench...
I considered going with a 14ga HR cladding over MDF.... I've made a ton of them in my shop. Built a special adjustable clamping rig for the glueing process. But wanted a wood top over the tool boxes. Will probably go with a small 7ga 30" x 30" HR sheet when needed.

 

[MOTODOJO]

definitely a noteworthy clamping system

 

[Snip's]

I guess I should post workbench progress photo's in my thread...
I located the my mounting hardware to align with the existing threadserts in the HF cabinets...
The casters will be removed once the maple top is installed and moved into position in my garage...
Right now they offer easy movement until they get placed perminately...
On the other hand, the legs I designed to act like screw jacks, so they could be left in place...
But I could always use the casters on another project... They seem well built for a HF item...

 

[Snip's]

I installed the Maple top today...

 

[fishwatcher]

I installed the Maple top today...

That looks good! The maple top, the vintage stool, red cabinets and the Dazor lamp! I put in LED tubes in an old Dazor not long ago. It’s a nice no fuss upgrade.

 

[RTM]

I installed the Maple top today...

Damn, a clean, clear, virginal worktop. That'll last what, maybe a day? I know mine barely made a week, because I put it together late on a Sunday night, and worked long days all week, was chomping at the bit to go play out there.

 

[m6z]

Very nice.

 

[zanyad]

@Snip's, I can't tell from your photos... did you support the boxes from the bottom, or only via the mounting holes with nutserts? How are they holding up?

 

[Snip's]

@Snip's, I can't tell from your photos... did you support the boxes from the bottom, or only via the mounting holes with nutserts? How are they holding up?

Holding up well... No problems...
Attached is my CAD drawing of the leg frames...
I use 1" x 1" x 1/8" HR angle welded 4-1/2" inches from the bottom...
These angles support all the weight...
The leg frames are fastened to existing holes in the boxes at the top and I added new holes towards the bottom...
So basically the leg frames are clamped to the box and the box weight sits on the 1" angle that forms a ledge...
The adjustable feet are heavy duty bolts to adjust for any uneven floor...

 

[zanyad]

Thanks!

 

[TheClaw]

Progress on the top.

 

[littlebean]

that looks great

 

[woody 73]

very nice, great job!