I need a workbench!

[Square2.0]

I just bought my first house. I have a 2.5 car garage and sadly next to no usable working area. I have been using the top of my tool box and my washer and dryer up to this point and even still its not enough.

The last few nights I have been board at work. I work security so I have plenty of time to brain storm ideas and come up with some rough plans. Sadly the work computer does not have google Sketchup and rules state I can't download anything to this computer.....so I roughed out my design in MS Paint

The lumber requirements are included above for anyone who wants to make something similar.

It does not look all that exact but all the measurements are down to the nearest inch. The black tool box in the middle is my Snap-on roll cab and the bench is designed to be its new home. In the pic I still have the wheels on the roll cab but now that I think about it the box will not be doing much rolling so I will most likely pull the wheels off and set the box on some wood so I can make the bench a little lower. Right now the working height is somewhere around the 44" mark and that seems a little high to me. i will have to mock all of this up first but this is not called a rough plan for nothing.

Anyway

orange = 2x10x16
brown = 2x4x16
blue is 4x4
the top will be obx sheets as well as the sides and backs to the main storage areas of the bench.

I will be lagging this together then hiding the bolt heads behind 1" dowel that will be cut flush with the rest of the wood. Make it look like its just assembled with dowels and not bolts. Going for a old school look will add a challenge to my build process.

I was going to start this project this weekend but got offered 36 hours of overtime. Seeing as said overtime will help pay for this bench I will have to delay starting this till a week from Monday.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions feel free to post them up.

 

[mdbeck1]

It looks like you put some thought and time into this. Personally I'd just go with 3" wood screws and forget the lag bolts. ...and if you're going to paint it nobody will notice the screw heads, but that's me. ...and after all... it's a garage not fine furniture or cabinetry.

 

[Jeff]

There are a lot of ways to make benches and tables. I started with a basic 2'x4' workbench using Simpson ties. It was cheap and easy. I've added more work benches and tables since moving into a larger, permanent home. My shop space is approx. 10x20.

 

[aalleexx]

Looks good. I like the dowel idea, think I might do the same! I'm wanting to build one similar for two of the Harbor Frieight toolboxes I have and they stand almost that high with wheels. I too feel like it is a little high for my needs and will probably take off the wheels but hate the thought of ever needing to move them without. I am considering one of the preformed laminate counter tops with the back-splash and bull-nose front. You can get them pre-cut in almost any length up to 16' and many color choices. Didn't mean to ramble, tired, just got home from work. Good luck on the bench.

 

[Square2.0]

Sorry I should have put this in the first post....

I was not planning on painting it. I like the wood finish. Having screw heads kind of detracts the natural look for me.

 

[Square2.0]

Looks good. I like the dowel idea, think I might do the same! I'm wanting to build one similar for two of the Harbor Frieight toolboxes I have and they stand almost that high with wheels. I too feel like it is a little high for my needs and will probably take off the wheels but hate the thought of ever needing to move them without. I am considering one of the preformed laminate counter tops with the back-splash and bull-nose front. You can get them pre-cut in almost any length up to 16' and many color choices. Didn't mean to ramble, tired, just got home from work. Good luck on the bench.

Yea its fine on the ramble. Im 11 hours into a 12 hour shift. One of 5 such shifts I have this week. Being tired is almost all I know how to be.

The idea of the pre made counter tops is a good one but I have one problem with it. When that counter top gets messed up you have to replace the entire top. When a plywood top gets too old and or messed up all you have to do is unscrew it and replace it with a new sheet or if your real lazy just put a new sheet over the old one. Plus 4x8 plywood sheets can be found anywere lumber is sold. A custom made top is not going to be so easy or cheep to replace years down the road. To each his own though.

 

[brownbagg]

I like a work table design, at least 4 ft wide so I can walk around the four corners. like if I need to cut some ply wood or something big like a transmission repair I have plenty of room

 

[AndysMBgarage]

I'm in the process of putting together ideas for my new work bench. The last one I made stayed in the house when I sold it.
I used 2 x standard size solid timber doors [2170mm x 980mm x 44mm] next to each other. They have the strength and are easily replaced but I always get one of them fitted with a stainless steel skin.

Cheers

 

[bobadame]

It's really handy to have 2 benches set parallel with about a 3' aisle between them. Tools and storage on one side and work surface on the other. Really works well.

 

[LeonardY]

The idea of the pre made counter tops is a good one but I have one problem with it. When that counter top gets messed up you have to replace the entire top. When a plywood top gets too old and or messed up all you have to do is unscrew it and replace it with a new sheet or if your real lazy just put a new sheet over the old one. Plus 4x8 plywood sheets can be found anywere lumber is sold. A custom made top is not going to be so easy or cheep to replace years down the road. To each his own though.

Just throw my 2 cents.

Unless your abusive to your benchtop, your not likely to replace it. Over the last 30 years. I've built more benches than ever replaced tops. If I'm doing something that is really dirty or greasy, I throw a piece of scrap MDF on the bench. When I'm done. I toss it.

Good luck on your bench.