Help w/ Workbench support... Pics included

[jaysen]

Ok so i'll be converting my 3 car garage into a 2car garage w/ workshop... Here are pics of my garage in its current state - No, it's not usually this clean; everything was moved outside to prep for my epoxy

So my question is this... I plan on installing a stationary workbench along the west wall (door side). It will be an 8' x 24" x 39". I plan on lag bolting a 2x4 the back of the workbench across my existing studs. I then will use 4 2x's underneath as support sitting on the foundation wall (I have approximately 4 1/4" gap)

I'm a little worried because the concrete is sloped across the 8ft spread (drops 1 1/2"). Because of this, I'm looking for suggestions on the front posts - should I do 4x4's or 2x4's ? I don't plan on ever overloading the bench but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Any input would be appreciated

 

[Kevin54]

I fastened my bench to the wall using (2) #9 x 3" deck screws into every stud. I also used temporary legs and clamps to level the bench, then cut my permanent legs according to the length I needed. I have walked on top of this bench to hang some cabinet brackets and I weigh in at 230# so it is stout.

 

[Leeboy20]

We did ours with (2) 2x4's screwed together, so one 2x4 sat under the actual bench top and the other was cut shorter (staggered) to sit under the frame of the top.... P.S. , what program did you draw your bench with?

 

[GarageEnvy]

I used Leeboy's method on the last one I did but I've also used 4x4s too. Although you'll have a lot of weight with the bench top I think the 2x could support it. The beauty of the 4x is that it allows you to lag or thought bolt from both directions. If you really planned on wailing on stuff on this bench I'd recommend doing the whole thing out of steel.

 

[jaysen]

P.S. , what program did you draw your bench with?

Google Sketchup Pro

 

[jaysen]

What do all of you think of this?

 

[Leeboy20]

Looks almost identical to mine.....One bit of advice i would give you is make it the absolute largest you can for you space. I thought 16 feet was plenty, but when i got my chop saw, drill press and vice on it, it got full fast. Looks good!

 

[mjozefow]

Don't bother using 4x4's, if you need to double up 2x4's it will give you a very easy way to make lap joints. If you skin the back of the unit you will add tons of rigidity. Or bolt it to the wall.

The columnar strength of a 2x4 is enormous, keep that in mind.

 

[egdede]

I'm a little worried because the concrete is sloped across the 8ft spread (drops 1 1/2"). Because of this, I'm looking for suggestions on the front posts - should I do 4x4's or 2x4's ? I don't plan on ever overloading the bench but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Hang the ledger level, cut the legs to the length that will keep table level to the ledger. Not sure why slope impacts load.

 

[KCarGuy]

Because I abuse my workbench...when I built it:
I made sure it would be level with my Snap-on Box
the base is all 2X4's
started with level 2X4 lag bolted into wall
then all the legs going to floor
then across, then legs...so on and so on
kinda like interlacing each layer, across, and then down.
top is 2 layers of 5/8 plywood with a 1/4" high density poly over that.
cleans up easily, strong as Hell, and perfectly level.

I can throw an engine, transmission on there or just beat the **** out of something on it.

 

[egdede]

Because I abuse my workbench...when I built it:
I made sure it would be level with my Snap-on Box

That's smart.

 

[Ray-CA]

I had the same problem with my last garage. I used lap jointed doubled up 2x4's for the front legs but left them long. Before cutting them to length, I got them plumb to the workbench and resting on the floor. Then, using a straight edge held on the floor, I marked the slope. Cut the angle on the legs, then cut them to length. It hardly took any extra time and the bench was SOLID.

Hope this helps.

Ray

 

[bimmer1980]

here is how I did mine.... One 2x4 on the inside and one supporting the horizontal edge of the top....

 

[dmeadow]

Strongly suggest you use 2x4's as stringers, then put your bottom shelves on top like Bimmer. Otherwise the shelves as you've designed them will sag when you put heavy stuff on them (and you will).

 

[mdbeck1]

Because I abuse my workbench...when I built it:
I made sure it would be level with my Snap-on Box
the base is all 2X4's
started with level 2X4 lag bolted into wall
then all the legs going to floor
then across, then legs...so on and so on
kinda like interlacing each layer, across, and then down.
top is 2 layers of 5/8 plywood with a 1/4" high density poly over that.
cleans up easily, strong as Hell, and perfectly level.

I can throw an engine, transmission on there or just beat the **** out of something on it.

If the bench is LEVEL.
...and the floor slopes (normal garage)
...and you made the height the same as your tool box
Doesn't that mean that at one end the bench is slightly taller/shorter than the toolbox?

Although it wouldn't be MUCH different in height.

 

[sirsloop]

May look like it needs a middle leg, but I screwed on plywood all the way around the back and sides of the thing that adds considerable strength. I would have no problem getting my 255lbs body on this thing and jumping on it like crazy. Only problems I have is the thing is bolted to the wall studs... so when I get pounding on something the ******* overhead lights go on and off. Its like I'm pounding on the entire garage.

All 23/32" fir plywood... doubled on top.

 

[jvitez]

so when I get pounding on something the ******* overhead lights go on and off. Its like I'm pounding on the entire garage.[/QUOTE]

That's why I'm not a big fan of attaching workbenches to walls. I like to have a workbench pulled away from the wall an inch or two so I can wail on things and not effect any other part of the structure.

 

[KCarGuy]

No, I dont mean that I built it "Square", so that it would slope with the garage floor...
...I built it "Level", so the top winds up being Level!

Like you said, the legs are all slightly different to make up for the pitch.

If I spilled water on the Work Bench surface, it would even run anywhere!
But If I spilled Corona...I'd lick it up!