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Lets see your workbench

Ambrose Wolfinger

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Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Messages
77
Location
Arlington, TX
This is overkill unless you're planning to put extremely heavy items on your table. Notch the 4x4 for the long runs of 2x's and use carriage bolts with a flat washer and lock washer on the back side. Deck or constructions screws are OK for just working on light projects like a small aluminum 5HP to 10HP lawn mower engine. I wouldn't go plopping a big ole V8 up there unless the 2x were notched and bolted. Just my two pence.
Thanks for the input. I can't imagine anything extremely heavy. Just home repair projects, car maintenance etc. Not going to be pulling an engine and plopping it down.

How many bolts would you use where the 2x4 connects to the leg?
 
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Project_shadow

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Jun 14, 2014
Messages
677
I cleaned off my workbench, this is the cleanest it's been since I built it two years ago, probably wont get any cleaner lol883eaa4e897c1e3538eef17224739221.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

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Loose Ctrl

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Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
759
Location
Upstate SC
Thanks for the input. I can't imagine anything extremely heavy. Just home repair projects, car maintenance etc. Not going to be pulling an engine and plopping it down.

How many bolts would you use where the 2x4 connects to the leg?

Two should be fine. I would put them diagonally (not one above the other).




I agree with Rewind97. I have done two and three. Stager them so they aren't in the same wood grain pattern. If they fall into the same grain pattern the wood can split over time. :thumbup:


PS, I usually use 3/8 hardware but I have used as large as 1/2 inch. It depends on what I have on hand sometimes.
 

astrohip

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Joined
Mar 7, 2015
Messages
338
Location
Brenham TX
Question from a first time work bench builder. In looking over various designs, I notice many are held together with wood screws. Would it be better to use larger lag screws, or even hex bolts with nuts? I haven't yet settled on an exact design, but plan on using 4x4's for the legs, 2x4's for the supports/cross pieces. and either ply wood or 2x6's for the top.

I used screws, nice fat heavy ones. I've made both workbenches and lumber racks, using all the materials you described, and the screws are more than enough. Lag screws & bolts would be overkill.

I will add, all mine are attached to walls. I don't have any freestanding projects of this nature.

YMMV.
 

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AngryBeaver

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Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Messages
1,705
Location
Lake Milton Ohio
on todays episode of I buy junk..... I have a 75"x 41" 5/8 thick plate for a welding table/general bench.... been meaning to buy some 2x2 box tubing from the local steel yard and go to town on making a frame......

craiglsit score. 25 dollar machine frame. all 3/8 wall 2x2 box tubing. 1" thick feet drilled for casters, and 3" diameter self leveling feet. just so happens to measure 36"x 68" talk about perfect size with enough overhang.....

I couldn't buy rusty scrap steel for that, let alone one foot...

Pulled it out of the truck, stood it on end, a set of 6" cast iron casters (from the scrap yard I took off something for 9 bucks)....

more to come.... need to cut some reinforcements for the top.

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JRC3

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Jun 30, 2014
Messages
12,481
Location
Southwestern OH
I had more than a whole year before I moved in and should've done the garage first. Instead I have temp work benches and few of my tools in place.

The chrome shelves and totes are the ones I just got from a closing dist center I found on CL. Shelves were $15ea and the totes were $3, Got 7 shelves and 30 totes total. Shelves and totes are 24" deep.

I swear I used to be organized. Go back and look at my old garage, damnit. LOL I know I'm not the only one with a mess.

I have a 12x8 shed my lawn **** and seldom used tools could go into once I move it. Not to mention all my attic storage space.
 

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JRC3

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Jun 30, 2014
Messages
12,481
Location
Southwestern OH
I spotted a window cleaning sign on one of your tool boxes. I've been a window cleaner for 40 years, are you one too?

Back in 1995(I was 25yo) I started that business, mostly always residential. I liked it. Past 10 years I've been phasing it out but still do customers I've had for 20 years and take easy new referrals. It can be hard work, but on those perfect spring and fall days I still look out at the landscape from a ladder and just soak it all in.
 

gr8smiles

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Joined
Aug 26, 2018
Messages
22
Location
Nashville
Incredible thread. I’ve spent two days reading through it. I’ve been taking screenshots of all these great ideas. I’m 3/4 through a garage and master bedroom/bath addition on a downsize. Back wall of garage is about 27’ and I’ve got tons of cool ideas.
Just picked up the blue US General 26” lower box and the upper is on the way. Again, y’all rock.
I’m planning on maybe 2 of the blue 44” boxes as my bench base.
This is the 26 in my ammo closet :)
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Northislander

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Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
479
Location
Vancouver Island
My Underworkbench sink
No any of you code Nazis its not exactly to code but i wanted a sink and i didn't want it on my workbench
 

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dittle fart around

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Joined
Jan 9, 2011
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2,455
Location
Vancouver, Washington, USA
attachment.php


With two sinks that close together. I'd get confused which to use to wash my hands. The high mounted urinal must be for taller people.

But then if you had to go potty you could use the adjustable sink for number twos.

Is the hose reel connected to your keg fridge? :beer:
 

Northislander

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Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
479
Location
Vancouver Island
I want to know how you decided to use a urinal for a paper towel holder.

Actually plan on putting a clock in the urinal as i've done in the past. but in the meantime i had a roll of pt in it so ended up putting a bar in to hold the roll clock will still get mounted above the paper towel "winter project".

Didn't plan on posting the urinal until i had the clock done. I was just so happy with the underbench sink i had to post the pics.

here"s a pic. of the junk that i repurposed to do the sink. Now the wife realizes why i save junk.
 

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Augus7us

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Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Messages
1,190
Location
Central Ohio
My Underworkbench sink
No any of you code Nazis its not exactly to code but i wanted a sink and i didn't want it on my workbench

Wow, you have a very unique garage/workshop there. Laminate on the floor, a urinal paper towel rack, a foldup sink and what appears to be a working urinal in the middle of your garage wall, out in the open :wtf:.

White drywall, brownish-grey laminate and grey french cleats all on one wall, which on paper sounds very odd, but looks very nice when adding in your yellow chest and that brown shelf. Good job!

Do you have a gallery thread? If not I'm sure I'm not the only one that would be interested in seeing more.

-Clint
 

Northislander

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Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
479
Location
Vancouver Island
Wow, you have a very unique garage/workshop there. Laminate on the floor, a urinal paper towel rack, a foldup sink and what appears to be a working urinal in the middle of your garage wall, out in the open :wtf:.

White drywall, brownish-grey laminate and grey french cleats all on one wall, which on paper sounds very odd, but looks very nice when adding in your yellow chest and that brown shelf. Good job!

Do you have a gallery thread? If not I'm sure I'm not the only one that would be interested in seeing more.

-Clint

Did start a garage build thread (21' X 24' suspended slab shop)
have been a little tardy on updates. FYI Porcelain Tile on the floor protecting the waterproof membrane on the suspended slab. Urinal is getting a partition between the hose reel and urinal in the future but having it in the shop has been a blessing to my 56 year old bladder.
 

BlueBomber

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Sep 14, 2013
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3,201
Location
Outside Boston, MA

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Deception

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Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
204
Location
New York
what finish would you guys recommend for a workbench top that will resist brake cleaner /solvents / oil? will polyurethane hold up on top of stained wood?
 

fstbusa

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Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
140
what finish would you guys recommend for a workbench top that will resist brake cleaner /solvents / oil? will polyurethane hold up on top of stained wood?

I have poly on my wood work bench and it's held up fine to all of it. I do try and wipe up anything that gets spilled immediately
 

Goose_NC

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Joined
Nov 20, 2018
Messages
92
Location
NC
I built this, without the top part. I made mine 8 foot long. It's sturdy and solid. I spent money on a Birth plywood top that only added $12 to the project.

Add www to this .familyhandyman.com/workshop/workbench/how-to-build-a-workbench-super-simple-50-bench/view-all/[/url]

Next I will build a 2'x8' equipment bench.
 

tarmy

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Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
4,645
Location
Nor Cal
Finished my new metal working lay out table...

B1402674-D202-4665-8CDF-7FA95F831780.jpg
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Which matches the wood working and storage table...

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Which matches the workbench...

17474A10-D281-4CEB-81EF-B41E562ECCF6.jpg
 
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