Lets see your workbench

[mollydog]

If it’s OK I thought I’d show the process of my work bench build, this post is a combination of a few posts I did on another forum so some of the text might come across out of context

I will start off by saying I also did the garage build from start to finish (not yet finished) I paid tradesmen for putting up the outer shell and roof then I did the rest, if you ever get to read my build of the garage, you’ll find one thing consistent, what I thought was a good plan quite often in practice had to make changes


The location of my work bench was planed on going under the mezzanine (for a better word), original size was to be approx 3.6M x 500mm



Making a start on my workbench






Cutting for the legs and cuts for the brace’s








Corner posts had more cuts for the cross members







Workbench top is made up of 2x 250mm x 50mm x 3.6M planks, I joined this together with M12 x 1M rod’s, I counter sunk these holes so I could add washes and also not have the nuts protruding out and cut these rods to 500mm











Trying to get the drill bit as true as I could before drilling













Then onto the frame, I am having 6 legs, these coach bolts are also counter sunk and pr drilled























Smoothing off the edges of the legs top to bottom



Fitting the cross members and the braces











This is a test fit as I still need to fit a sheet of MDF to the back of the one side of the workbench to hang tools on





I’m rather pleased with the lights above the bench, these two images were taken with only the lights above the bench switched on









Well I finished my work bench last night, I noticed little to no LED fluttering in the video clip, from the Barrina LED strips

The bench took me approx 12 hours over a few evenings, cost of the materials was approximately £270, the materials used so far

2x 250mm x 50 x 3.6M planks
1x 2400 x 1200 18mm MDF sheet
1x 2400 x 1200 9mm ply sheet
4x 100 x 100 x 3M posts
5x 50mm x 100mm x 3.6M timber used for brace
50 x M10 x 70mm coach bolts,
5x M12 x 1M threaded rods, nuts & washers
8 x Pieces Levelling Feet

Excluding a few M5x 60 and M5 x 120mm wood screws

you might just hear the rain in the background,

 

[mollydog]

Fitting the feet leveller and the back board to hang tools from

Fitting the feet levellers



















Then trying to get the MDF sheet round to the garage, it was just too heavy to carry it, lucky last week Lidl had these wheel trollies on offer and I had bought one of each, with help from my wife we placed the sheet on to the trollies and wheeled it round the back to where I cut it down to size, this made it manageable for me to take it in to the garage



Ready to cut the MDF



Cutting the 100mm x 100mm posts to size to attach the MDF to





I’m fitting these MDF supports 10mm/20mm off the floor





I needed to get out the big drill to drill through 200mm of timber, the cordless drills just weren’t up to it







The M12 threaded rods were also counter sunk at the back,



I couldn’t get the drill between the legs on the inside so used the larger washers on the inside



I used this contraption to round off the ends of the rods I’d cut to make it easy to fit the nuts on them









Then screw down the work top to the bench frame







I used M5 x 120mm screws for the bench





I had the worktop overhand 60mm at the front and 70mm on the right hand side so I can use clamps

I’m rather pleased with the tool board, as I used 100mm x 100mm post to hold up the MDF, the bench is 100mm further away from the wall, it’s OK where the MDF sheet is but at the other end I will need attach a 100mm wide timber strip to close the gap, not an issue, just a bit more work

 

[mollydog]

With all the rain we had last night I need to go on the roof and look at some of the bolts holding down the corrugated sheets as a couple of rubber washers on a couple of bolts are not performing as they should as I have a couple of drips coming in

Today or later this week I’ll be on the roof and silicon all round all the bolts just to be sure I’ve got the one not performing


so thought I’d make a start on populating the tools board, I first got my first line using the laser level




then from there on, I used the spirit level to give me the varied straight lines to hang tools on with the L hooks and magnet strips I bought from Aldi






I haven’t enough room on the tool board for many of my hand tools, I’ve even filled in the mezzanine brace to give me more hanging space



While going through my shed collecting some of the tools as I went along I was surprised just how many screwdrivers I’ve collected over the years, and these are not all of them, I’ll admits a punch has sneaked in the frame and top right in yellow they are hex and bottom right they are trim picks



If my wife ever gets to come in to the garage and see where our money has gone, To paraphrase Captain Lawrence Edward Grace, I’ll just be going off line, I may be some time

I’m running out of space



One thing has been constant with my garage build, change of plans

I start with what I think is a good idea but once I implement the plan I find I need to alter something, this time I have discovered I just don’t have enough space for my tools on the one wall board



so I’ve expanded the wall board to to the left to accommodate the extra tools

Off to the timber merchant and bought more materials to make the extra tools board,











No time spared to fill up the board








I decided to use tent pegs for the screwdrivers and a few other tools so bought them from Go-Outdoors and cut them to size







Much better for the screwdrivers than the L hooks I was using

 

[mollydog]

Well still not enough wall space for my tools so made a start on the back wall and also rearranged the tools while at ***





Fixed a couple of L brackets to manages fitting the MDF board on my own







I also braced the work bench to the back wall for more stability

Made a start on filling up the board





Once I got out my drill press, grinding stone & sander, there just wasn’t enough space for these tools let alone if I also placed my vice there

Not opened till now since I bought it a couple of years back









I found there just wasn’t enough room to work comfortably with my bench tools in the location I had planed, so bought extra timber for an extension to the work top





I fitted the worktop a little lower then the main one making it more comfortable to work on it







This is more spacious now, also moved the wall boxes



These past few weeks we’ve been getting torrential rain and sadly I had a rain water dripping in in two spots, the first stop in the rain, up on the roof I went and placed a dollop of silicon on all the screws holding down the sheets, these bolts are made for this purpose and come with rubber washers to stop water but maybe with timber shrinkage or movements some of the screws needed re screwing and some of the rubber washers weren’t doing their job



I took no chance and checked all the screws and a dollop of silicon on all of them to be sure




As I plan on occasions having the car engine running and don’t want to be keeping the garage doors open I had long planed on having an extractor fan fitted,

I started this a couple of weeks back, I bought 2x 1.5M x 20mm x 20mm hollow metal rods, and then cut one to use as a brace, as I don’t own a welder I had to screw the parts together, then I sprayed brake cleaner liberally on the rods, wiped it up and after half an hour I sprayed etching paint on it, gave it a couple of coats then when that was dried I gave it a couple of coats of yellow paint





















I wasn’t sure which way to have the fan, I thought this looked good



after some trial I came up with this, as I planed on having the ducting move from one side of the garage to the other I thought this was a better solution



Then set about cutting a hole through the timber wall for the vent













Then on to spraying the etching paint





























Used these these Heavy Duty Metal Cavity Wall FIXINGS Anchors Plugs for both the shelf and gantry, I wasn’t going to trust wood screws through the OSB to hold up the gantry



My original plan was to attach the ducting to the gantry with cable ties (as shown in a few images)

I wasn’t happy with this arrangement as when I moved the gantry from one side of the other, the cable ties would pull and restrict the ducting from any light movement and I could see in time this would/might rip the ducting

So I went looking for U shaped brackets, I ended up with 150mm gutted end caps, I took off the holding clip on the end caps and used them as the ducting cradle









It’s a fancy extractor fan can do more than just expel air and can work with a phone app too, here is the wall mounted control

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CCTLKLXX?tag=atomicindustr-21

As for the Chinese diesel heater, the final location and setup is as shown, I gave up on the EGR cooler for the extra heat as I discovered the amount of faffing around for that bit of extra free heat, for me it wasn’t worth the lost wall space





I’m having a professional electrician coming on Monday to give me a price to wire up the garage

As of my previous post, this is the end locations (for now) of my wall tools under the mezzanine



I hope this isn’t too long or off topic

 

[twagler]

Here's my new "outdoor" workbench, situated just outside my backyard workshop. It's all just granite slabs, table top is 2 " thick by 63" long by 32" wide, the legs are 3" thick slabs, and all together it weighs 750 lbs. It was a $25 government surplus purchase, so is definitely my cheapest workbench on the dollars per pound basis. Often this style of table is used in laboratories and is called a "balance tables" since it provides a stable, anti-vibratory surface for precision weigh scales (balances). But this one has a grid of tapped holes in the top, so I believe this table was more likely from an optical research laboratory where various fixtures are attached for experiments with lasers, etc.

Granite probably isn't too practical for any sort of heavy duty use, but at least it will never rust or rot, which is why it going outside. (It may end up being used more as my workshop lunch table than anything else!). It might also come in handy as inspection / assembly table since it is dead-flat. (or at least dead-flat to the best ability to measure with a 48" long straight edge that is only rated for 0.003" accuracy over its length).

The one thing I'm worried about is rain water freezing in the tapped holes and doing "freeze/thaw" damage over the winter. Should I try to plug them with flush threaded screws, or is that more likely to be a non-issue?

Thanks, Tom

A tractor front end loader sure comes in handy for moving heavy granite slabs




Threaded brass inserts

 

[kaymccampbell]

Here's my new "outdoor" workbench, situated just outside my backyard workshop. It's all just granite slabs, table top is 2 " thick by 63" long by 32" wide, the legs are 3" thick slabs, and all together it weighs 750 lbs. It was a $25 government surplus purchase, so is definitely my cheapest workbench on the dollars per pound basis. Often this style of table is used in laboratories and is called a "balance tables" since it provides a stable, anti-vibratory surface for precision weigh scales (balances). But this one has a grid of tapped holes in the top, so I believe this table was more likely from an optical research laboratory where various fixtures are attached for experiments with lasers, etc.

Granite probably isn't too practical for any sort of heavy duty use, but at least it will never rust or rot, which is why it going outside. (It may end up being used more as my workshop lunch table than anything else!). It might also come in handy as inspection / assembly table since it is dead-flat. (or at least dead-flat to the best ability to measure with a 38" long straight edge that is only rated for 0.003" accuracy over its length).

The one thing I'm worried about is rain water freezing in the tapped holes and doing "freeze/thaw" damage over the winter. Should I try to plug them with flush threaded screws, or is that more likely to be a non-issue?

Thanks, Tom

A tractor front end loader sure comes in handy for moving heavy granite slabs




Threaded brass inserts

Are they through holes? Then no worries. If they're stopped holes, then you better double tarp it, even if you plug the holes.

 

[twagler]

Are they through holes? Then no worries. If they're stopped holes, then you better double tarp it, even if you plug the holes.

They are stopped holes, about 1" deep. Yikes, I didn't think it would be so critical to avoid water freezing in the holes! I thought that as long as it wasn't fully contained (like a engine block), that the ice would just push upwards instead of applying much force to the granite. Guess I'll drill them through the rest of the way so they can drain water out the bottom.

Thanks, Tom

 

[kaymccampbell]

They are stopped holes, about 1" deep. Yikes, I didn't think it would be so critical to avoid water freezing in the holes! I thought that as long as it wasn't fully contained (like a engine block), that the ice would just push upwards instead of applying much force to the granite. Guess I'll drill them through the rest of the way so they can drain water out the bottom.

Thanks, Tom

Yeah. It might not happen, or be visible the first year, or even the second, but one morning you'll walk out to several chunks on the ground. Just think of those great big cracks in granite rocks in the mountains. Those are open on the top. And you've got threads to help retain the expansion forces in the holes.

Now, you could put in bolts. But you'd have to religiously, every fall, without fail, dry the holes with high pressure air, apply light lubricant to the holes, then run the bolts to touch the bottom, having some lubricant ooze up out. That would minimize water intrusion, and the little that worked its way in wouldn't have enough expansion to damage your plate.

A Q. Are the inserts sealed into the holes? Like with red loctite or something?

 

[Maxcustody]

Here is mine I built and then had a local guy make a metal top for me.....................

 

[HogDude]

Here is mine I built and then had a local guy make a metal top for me.....................

Very sharp! What gauge metal did you spec?

 

[Maxcustody]

Very sharp! What gauge metal did you spec?

Thanks. I think it is 14 gauge......................very solid.

 

[littlebean]

@ mollydog - how are we supposed to convince the world that we only have small garages in the UK if you're going to post write ups like that...............
great space though

 

[moparfreak]

Just finished this Assembly Table / workbench. Full build is at the tail end of my shop thread. Hybrid of MFT style + Paulk underneath gap + a bunch of my own other assorted and collected ideas. Integrated electrical and vacuum. Use threaded dogs to attach lots of accessories such as the vac boom arm, additional vises, jigs, clamping plates, etc. Just starting to scratch the surface of this thing but loving it so far.





Adam

 

[bulletpruf]

My chainsaw workbench. I had one that was nearly identical, but I ran out of room in the garage so I gave it to my neighbor last year. Shortly thereafter I rented a 20' x 50' shop and I needed a new one. That's generally what happens when I give stuff away.

 

[Old Radar]

A workbench just for chainsaws? I think I hate you! Can I rent some space in your rented space? How about just a tour? I'm just on the other side of 281 from you.

 

[PhantomEB]

a clean version of mine, also cleaned up the welding table. In my mind a clean shop definitely is a form of a sick mind….I proud of that!

 

[haywirefarm]

Check out this cool rolling work station I picked up today. Has nice old castors with two step locks and hardware that appears to be from the 50’s or 60’s. York vise and a Schauer bench grinder that’s so quiet!
Got it for $175.

 

[whateg01]

Every time I see this thread, I think, yeah, let's see my work bench. Please. Because I haven't seen it in years, though I'm sure it's in there somewhere

 

[bulletpruf]

A workbench just for chainsaws? I think I hate you! Can I rent some space in your rented space? How about just a tour? I'm just on the other side of 281 from you.

@Old Radar - Come on over! We live just inside of 1604 off Huebner/Blanco and the shop is off Shaenfield.

Scott

 

[wood02]

 

[Built To Work]

 

[Jgaz]

I’ve posted my woodworking bench in this thread maybe 18 months ago but I’m posting it again to discuss a specific part of the bench top.
My 20 year bench as it sits today.

The bench has been modified or added to, numerous times over the years. One of the things I added later was the row of dog holes in the front edge.

This a close up of the devices I use currently in those front holes.


The angle bracket aligns with the support tubes on the front face vise to support long boards or panels

The clamp is a Veritas product.
I remove the long post it came with and substitute a cut off bolt to make a shorter post in order to use the clamp in the front dog holes.
This is useful when wirking on a wide and long panel.


Do any of you have or use dog holes in the front edge of your bench?
Looking for other ideas.

 

[haywirefarm]

I picked up this beast this weekend for an absolute steal, $300. They were going to have to PAY to have it disposed of, made me sick to think about it. It has a 3/8" plate on top, Wilton C2 vise, Rigid bc810a pipe chain vise, and is plumbed for air lines underneath. Just need to add some casters and I'm good to go.

 

[zmotorsports]

I picked up this beast this weekend for an absolute steal, $300. They were going to have to PAY to have it disposed of, made me sick to think about it. It has a 3/8" plate on top, Wilton C2 vise, Rigid bc810a pipe chain vise, and is plumbed for air lines underneath. Just need to add some casters and I'm good to go.

Very nice. The vise alone was worth the purchase price, but that looks like a nice stable table.

 

[tarmy]

I picked up this beast this weekend for an absolute steal, $300. They were going to have to PAY to have it disposed of, made me sick to think about it. It has a 3/8" plate on top, Wilton C2 vise, Rigid bc810a pipe chain vise, and is plumbed for air lines underneath. Just need to add some casters and I'm good to go.

MAJOR suckage OP. That is the find of the year. That vice alone is worth driving a good distance for.

 

[zanyad]

MAJOR suckage OP.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I picked up this beast this weekend for an absolute steal, $300. They were going to have to PAY to have it disposed of, made me sick to think about it. It has a 3/8" plate on top, Wilton C2 vise, Rigid bc810a pipe chain vise, and is plumbed for air lines underneath. Just need to add some casters and I'm good to go.

Come on man,
If you were a true Garage Journal Man you would have asked how much the other guys were gonna charge to haul it away. Then tell the owner you would do it for half that

 

[haywirefarm]

Come on man,
If you were a true Garage Journal Man you would have asked how much the other guys were gonna charge to haul it away. Then tell the owner you would do it for half that

 

[thomfr]

No postings for a very long time here concerning my cars or garage I see.. Sorry! Unfortunately I had no updates car wise for quite a while. Main reason was the passing of my both my in laws relatively fast after each other. After the funerals etc. we had to start to organize and clean out they property and stuff. And then we attended the long time planned Holliday.
They lived the last 40 years in a 6 bedroom semi bungalow with the attics and two cellars on a 3000m2 plot. So a lot of sorting and clearing.
Beside some tools two other interesting things came out of my father in laws garage. Being a very nice 40 years old column drill and his workbench.

The work bench I first thought to be home made but after moving the beast to my own garage and some investigation it looks professionally made


I think the plaque on the last picture was a (now unreadable) manufacturer plate.




Next step is to clean up the garage further and then start wrenching again.

 

[pcfithian]

Yukon cabinets from HF, mounted on solid wood stands

 

[Tynee]

I really wondered why your dishwasher said "One More" on it until I realized it'd be stupid for a dishwasher to be in the garage... :facepalm...

 

[kaymccampbell]

I really wondered why your dishwasher said "One More" on it until I realized it'd be stupid for a dishwasher to be in the garage... :facepalm...

Actually, sanitizing dishwashers make great parts cleaners. And your parts come out lemony fresh. Don't use the one in the kitchen or you'll be buying a new one ASAP.

 

[pcfithian]

Beer fridge, fellas!

 

[rsparks64]

Yukon cabinets from HF, mounted on solid wood stands

I think I see my Bose garage stereo.

 

[Hawk136439]

Threw this together over the summer and the garage has been such a mess I havent been able to really use it yet.

 

[PhantomEB]

Mom asked me what do you want For Christmas I sent her this and said another toolbox now the red one is back over here lol.

plans are a plywood top on the box and half when a red roller shows up to go where the black 27 sits now and that one can go to the side when everything else is slid down, Maybe 12-14 gauge tops for there Or the main bench at the front.

wont need anymore tool boxes now, just tools to fill em!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mom asked me what do you want For Christmas I sent her this and said another toolbox now the red one is back over here lol.

plans are a plywood top on the box and half when a red roller shows up to go where the black 27 sits now and that one can go to the side when everything else is slid down, Maybe 12-14 gauge tops for there Or the main bench at the front.

wont need anymore tool boxes now, just tools to fill em!

You'll like having a work surface on top. I didn't realize how much more I would like the workbenches with tools storage underneath but it has been a gamechanger for me. Most tools are still in my main toolbox, but having the ability to store others under the workbench surfaces and keep them out of sight is awesome.

 

[astrohip]

Threw this together over the summer and the garage has been such a mess I havent been able to really use it yet.

Interesting. What purpose do the cutouts in the side provide?

 

[Jay__Dub]

Try to keep 'em cleaned off, but it is a battle most of the time.

 

[Jgaz]

Threw this together over the summer and the garage has been such a mess I havent been able to really use it yet.

That is going to be really nice with the height adjustable feature