Do you build rather than buy a workbench?
- Thread starter Northstar
- Start date
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
it's very good stuff...
Excellent, and very reasonable prices.
For me, I like metal benches, and I like them solid. The cost of buying the materials, and my limited welding skills, prevent me from building my own and trusting them for heavy work. That link is a great alternative to me doing it.
Jim
Excellent, and very reasonable prices.
For me, I like metal benches, and I like them solid. The cost of buying the materials, and my limited welding skills, prevent me from building my own and trusting them for heavy work. That link is a great alternative to me doing it.
Jim
My best friend has a large model from theirs and it's solid, no rocking back and forth on the legs, it does offer minor adjustment for the legs. etc..
I actually want one too, just smaller, so it fits in my space. The hardest thing with these types of tables/benches is making them precise enough so that they stand firm on the ground, especially if your ground isn't perfectly level.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
The stuff in the link looks good. Nice and simple to do the job. Any idea of the wall thickness they use for their benches?
not sure which you mean by wall thickness, but their tops are either 1/8 or 1/4" steel, with the higher priced ones being 1/4"
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Hi. IMO, it depends entirely on your needs and constraints. I'm a DIY and woodworking guy. When I started some heavy remodels six years ago, I quickly discovered that my pitiful collection of tools and mediocre workspace was woefully inadequate for the work.
For most DIY work, portable is the name of the game. Being able to bring my work bench and tools to the worksite is critical. While a permanent shop is nice for woodworking, it's a lot better to take to your tools to where you are working for DIY. For example, in 2011 I've been finishing the bathroom remodel, and with a fellow I hired, have refinished/rebuilt three decks on the house, built a 40' X 8' storage deck in our crawlspace, and am currently remodeling the garage extensively as a garage/shop. (This has been a bit tough since I work 50-60 hours a week too.)
A few years ago, I built a simple workbench out of a Gorilla rack and a slab of MDF with poplar facings. Took about 8 hours total. But it was inadequate for the remodeling stuff. So buying tools and portable workbenches and tables was critical. If you don't the space or tools to build a workbench, buying is pretty much the only option. But you have to start somewhere.
Regarding constraints... Even when the garage/shop remodel is done, our 2-1/2 car garage has to has to share the space with (gasp) CARS! Again portability is the name of the game. All my tools are either storable or on wheels. In a couple of weeks, shelves and racks will line almost all of the wall space.
While I'd love to have a good looking garage, it probably won't happen in my lifetime.
For me, max utility in minimal space is most important.
Regards,
Dan.
For most DIY work, portable is the name of the game. Being able to bring my work bench and tools to the worksite is critical. While a permanent shop is nice for woodworking, it's a lot better to take to your tools to where you are working for DIY. For example, in 2011 I've been finishing the bathroom remodel, and with a fellow I hired, have refinished/rebuilt three decks on the house, built a 40' X 8' storage deck in our crawlspace, and am currently remodeling the garage extensively as a garage/shop. (This has been a bit tough since I work 50-60 hours a week too.)
A few years ago, I built a simple workbench out of a Gorilla rack and a slab of MDF with poplar facings. Took about 8 hours total. But it was inadequate for the remodeling stuff. So buying tools and portable workbenches and tables was critical. If you don't the space or tools to build a workbench, buying is pretty much the only option. But you have to start somewhere.
Regarding constraints... Even when the garage/shop remodel is done, our 2-1/2 car garage has to has to share the space with (gasp) CARS! Again portability is the name of the game. All my tools are either storable or on wheels. In a couple of weeks, shelves and racks will line almost all of the wall space.
While I'd love to have a good looking garage, it probably won't happen in my lifetime.
For me, max utility in minimal space is most important. Regards,
Dan.
57plymouth
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 74
I wanted a bench 20 feet long and 30 inches wide. I could not have found one under the price to build one.
thdewey
Well-known member
Man-up! Build your own!
I'm sure there is an Ikea board somewhere for assembling a store bought workbench.
Just teasing here. I think that I was channelling my late Father there. LOL
Start with what you need to accomplish your goals. You don't need to be a perfectionist. You can always mofify it later. My shop will never be done. That reminds me I need to make my winter to-do list for the shop.
Dan has a really good point. Keep as much as you can portable and easy to get at when needed.
Best of luck!
Tom
I'm sure there is an Ikea board somewhere for assembling a store bought workbench.
Just teasing here. I think that I was channelling my late Father there. LOL
Start with what you need to accomplish your goals. You don't need to be a perfectionist. You can always mofify it later. My shop will never be done. That reminds me I need to make my winter to-do list for the shop.
Dan has a really good point. Keep as much as you can portable and easy to get at when needed.
Best of luck!
Tom
PCO6
Well-known member
I have the one pictured below and it's great for light duty welding and other jobs. The main frame is 1"x1" square tubing with a 1/8" wall thickness. You have to be careful when folding it up. It's a lot heavier than it looks and can close up quickly to the flat position.
Attachments
KaotiK TrendZ
Active member
the thing is with a diy build, you can build for the exact sizes and fitment you need. i made mine a little higher than store bought ones so i can stand and work on stuff without leaning over or bending down. i also wanted it longer than any of the store bought ones.
as for a metal top, my next one i build will have a metal top. hopefully i will get around to it in a month from now. i plan on building it just like my first workbench but a little smaller. going to be only using it for a vise and grinding wheel. the metal will come in handy when i have something i need to work on that has oil or some other liquid coming out and dont want it absorbing into my wood workbench. i plan on using either 2x12's butted up or two pieces of 1/2" plywood, then take a sheet of metal and bending it to around the edges. once i get it bent to slip right on top the wood, i will put a little adhesive down on the wood then slip the metal on it and place something heavy on it to make sure it adheres.
i might even screw a piece of plywood to the end of it and mount a urinal on the garage wall. still pondering that one but i really like the idea so far....
as for a metal top, my next one i build will have a metal top. hopefully i will get around to it in a month from now. i plan on building it just like my first workbench but a little smaller. going to be only using it for a vise and grinding wheel. the metal will come in handy when i have something i need to work on that has oil or some other liquid coming out and dont want it absorbing into my wood workbench. i plan on using either 2x12's butted up or two pieces of 1/2" plywood, then take a sheet of metal and bending it to around the edges. once i get it bent to slip right on top the wood, i will put a little adhesive down on the wood then slip the metal on it and place something heavy on it to make sure it adheres.
i might even screw a piece of plywood to the end of it and mount a urinal on the garage wall. still pondering that one but i really like the idea so far....
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
57plymouth nice bench.
PCO6, spoken like a guy who's almost lost a couple fingers here and there??
Looks pretty handy for sure.
Anyone notice that the multiquote function isn't working?
PCO6, spoken like a guy who's almost lost a couple fingers here and there??
Looks pretty handy for sure.Anyone notice that the multiquote function isn't working?
Here's a link to my garage refurb, the work bench build starts at post #137.
You can see how I built it to fit in the area that I wanted.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75024&page=7
I did both: I bought a work table last year but found that I needed more working space and I wanted to have separate zones for different projects (cutting, assembly and finishing). So with a plan from here and some scrap wood, I was able to make my own. It's far from perfect but is structurally sound, solid and serve it's purpose and best of all it was free. the best thing was what I learned while working on it and the confidence I got to try to tackle other projects.
KaotiK TrendZ
Active member
2009
2009
2011
2011
2011
2009
2011
2011
2011
Michael951
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2012
- Messages
- 8
not sure which you mean by wall thickness, but their tops are either 1/8 or 1/4" steel, with the higher priced ones being 1/4"
PCO6
Well-known member
That is correct!
I've learned that the best way to fold it up is to tip it over using the wheels so the table top rests against a wall THEN fold the legs up.BTW - I like the renovations you are making to your garage.
Since some has asked what I would be doing with it, here's a couple pics:
Fuel injection swap for my Chevelle:
built a new rear end too, the ****** is an overdrive unit, it has different interior and a different dash.
I do mechanical stuff, fix bikes, some woodworking, some general tinkering and whatever I dream up. I will weld in another spot in the garage. I just got this house, so I'm sure there will be plenty of little projects.
Fuel injection swap for my Chevelle:
built a new rear end too, the ****** is an overdrive unit, it has different interior and a different dash.
I do mechanical stuff, fix bikes, some woodworking, some general tinkering and whatever I dream up. I will weld in another spot in the garage. I just got this house, so I'm sure there will be plenty of little projects.
Last edited:
Thanks for posting that link. That's exactly what I've been planning to make for a year. Got the idea I needed one by watching "Xtreme 4x4" on Spike TV. Just needed to figure out how I was going to make the legs. To be honest those prices are pretty good. I might rather buy one except that I bought the metal for it a year ago.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
That is correct!
BTW - I like the renovations you are making to your garage.
And thanks!
Jeff Rage
Member
I'm trying to decide between an 8' Craftsman workbench I found for $130 vs. getting a cabinet set at a restore/reclaim place, and making a bench by putting a hardwood surface on the base cabinets (A local place has cabinet sets starting as low as $150.)
SullyZX2SR
Well-known member
I have both. One is an 8' Gladiator bench that I bought, the other is a 7' that I built. The one that I built is technically superior in just about every way, but at the time I needed something quick, and the Gladiator fit the bill.
Simpson strong ties are your friend. I used them for all of the corner joints, and it is really strong. Also, the top is a sheet of 3/4" oak bonded to a sheet of 3/4" MDF; it's strong, and a bit cheaper.
Simpson strong ties are your friend. I used them for all of the corner joints, and it is really strong. Also, the top is a sheet of 3/4" oak bonded to a sheet of 3/4" MDF; it's strong, and a bit cheaper.