Lets see your workbench

[colt zantop]

Getting mine set up. Here’s the layout....

 

[larry4406]

My combination woodworking and Holley carburetor rebuilding bench. I finally resurfaced the top after too many years and will cover it with a piece of tempered hardboard for future mechanical work.

That's a heck of a nice home made bench with retract wheels!

Nice first post! Welcome aboard!

 

[R. Deschain]

My Underground Lair/Mad Scientist Lab workbench tour video. I use it for leather work, reloading, soldering, CAD design, for voiding a slew of warranties, et al....

Tool board beside the bench:

 

[prone2xl]

Slackdaddy. Quick question. How did you mount the Lista drawer unit to the undersurface of your bench? I found a unit and from the pic online I can’t tell if it has any drilled mounts. Thanks and I love it and all things Lista !

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: i'm pretty sure the prior post is a spammer so be careful clicking on his link (already deleted by the awesome MODS so it's not there now). that said I've been watching quite a few youtube vids lately getting ideas and knowledge and ran across this one. he's not only building a great bench he's got some great editing and skills.

hope you like it as much as I did.

cheers

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

I'm getting some great ideas from this thread.

My Dad is the keeper of all things and I asked him to keep an eye out for something to use as a top for the bench. The next day he brought me SEVEN 4x8 sheets of 3/4" plywood. I asked him "how big of a bench do you think I'm gonna build??"

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm getting some great ideas from this thread.

My Dad is the keeper of all things and I asked him to keep an eye out for something to use as a top for the bench. The next day he brought me SEVEN 4x8 sheets of 3/4" plywood. I asked him "how big of a bench do you think I'm gonna build??"

Rip the 4x8 sheets and double the plywood so your bench is 1-1/2" thick. A cornered bench would use four of the sheets. DOn't know what he thinks you'll use the other three sheets for but I'd use the for shelving below, possibly sides.

 

[Stadger]

After looking through this thread I have to wonder if I'm the only one who likes a stained, cluttered, well-used bench over a sanitary one.

 

[bagged89s10]

My brown and sharpe workbench legs. They are sandblasted but still need to be painted I threw a temporary top and lower shelf in for a picture .

decided i cant keep this workbench. I need to put tools against the wall and I’m going to build island workbench.

Message me if interested.

 

[chris2000]

Just set up three 1" steel benches from automotive factories. The white framed ones are also nickel plated. 14.5ft, 12ft, and 9ft.

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[drivesitfar]

Chris: that some garage and nice looking benches too. is that your home's garage or your commercial shop's garage? either way WELL DONE SIR!!

nice to see someone else using car dollies to move heavy benches cause I have to myself cause i'm forkliftless in Seattle.

ALL: I need a workbench and was going to build 3 and saw this one on CL with an old vise on it that fit the bill for one outside bench and it's already doing it's job.

 

[Matias]

Just finished my workbench less than a week ago. Used some two old mdf sheets I had saved from the time during construction, and some old wood that I had laying around.

It's on hinges, so takes 10 seconds to fold down. Makes it easier as I'm currently setting up cabinets over it (as seen in first pic), and for the time if I ever need more space as I have a quite small 2 car garage.

This is the bench in the shed at the back of the garden. It's from an old school, these are the ones nearly every school has/had here in Finland as we start woodworking classes in school at 7 years old I think.

In the background we have started making french cleat hangers to hang my daughters tools (she's 7y).

 

[Outlander]

This continues to be a highlight thread on GJ. Great work guys!

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Just finished my workbench less than a week ago. Used some two old mdf sheets I had saved from the time during construction, and some old wood that I had laying around.

It's on hinges, so takes 10 seconds to fold down. Makes it easier as I'm currently setting up cabinets over it (as seen in first pic), and for the time if I ever need more space as I have a quite small 2 car garage.

This is the bench in the shed at the back of the garden. It's from an old school, these are the ones nearly every school has/had here in Finland as we start woodworking classes in school at 7 years old I think.

In the background we have started making french cleat hangers to hang my daughters tools (she's 7y).

Would it be possible to hinge those support legs so they fold against the wall and the top fold down over them?

 

[Matias]

Would it be possible to hinge those support legs so they fold against the wall and the top fold down over them?

That's a good idea, but I think as the legs are long there are clearing issues. They should fold to the side to be next to the vertical support against the wall, but also at an angle downwards to clear the horizontal one. Could be possible, but would be quite elaborate.

 

[bagged89s10]

Just finished my workbench less than a week ago. Used some two old mdf sheets I had saved from the time during construction, and some old wood that I had laying around.

It's on hinges, so takes 10 seconds to fold down. Makes it easier as I'm currently setting up cabinets over it (as seen in first pic), and for the time if I ever need more space as I have a quite small 2 car garage.

This is the bench in the shed at the back of the garden. It's from an old school, these are the ones nearly every school has/had here in Finland as we start woodworking classes in school at 7 years old I think.

In the background we have started making french cleat hangers to hang my daughters tools (she's 7y).

that’s an awesome woodworking bench! i’m trying to build something like that soon for my island workbench. your folding bench is a great idea too.

 

[drivesitfar]

Matais: great folding bench and if it was mine it would be hard to fold it down cause my FSD would have it full most of the time if not all the time.

that old wood working bench is just COOL and they sell for a ton around here. I love hearing about kids having a workspace and doing some projects. I bet if you can keep her in material and give her a little help and advice she'll be as handy as her dad is one day.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Rip the 4x8 sheets and double the plywood so your bench is 1-1/2" thick. A cornered bench would use four of the sheets. DOn't know what he thinks you'll use the other three sheets for but I'd use the for shelving below, possibly sides.

Doubling them up is the plan. Bench will be 8 foot long and will have a shelf underneath. I really think he dropped all that wood off (there were some 2x4s and a 2x6 as well) to clear up some space for some new stuff...

 

[turbowoodworker]

Matias,

That woodwork bench is fantastic. Here in the States we would call that a “Tage Frid “ style bench as your countryman designed and taught here. But I have never seen a two sided school use bench like that. The patina and wear is interesting in itself. More pictures if you have time ,please.

Bagged, you can find plans for that style bench in woodworkers books if you just search Tage Frid bench.

Rick

 

[Matias]

that’s an awesome woodworking bench! i’m trying to build something like that soon for my island workbench. your folding bench is a great idea too.

Thanks Bagged!

Matais: great folding bench and if it was mine it would be hard to fold it down cause my FSD would have it full most of the time if not all the time.

that old wood working bench is just COOL and they sell for a ton around here. I love hearing about kids having a workspace and doing some projects. I bet if you can keep her in material and give her a little help and advice she'll be as handy as her dad is one day.

Drives, I think this will probably be the last time I see my new workbench empty for a long time I like those old benches too, and I am glad I finally have a good place for it. I dare to admit that the bench cost in the tens and not the hundreds...

Matias,

That woodwork bench is fantastic. Here in the States we would call that a “Tage Frid “ style bench as your countryman designed and taught here. But I have never seen a two sided school use bench like that. The patina and wear is interesting in itself. More pictures if you have time ,please.

Rick

Thanks Rick, will educate myself more on this topic. After a quick google, I already know I need a post with holes and a stick, so that I can attach longer items to the desk and easily work on their sides.

I took a couple of more pics, hope they are ok.

someone at the school probably made this temporary handle, that I'll probably replace.

Wedges on the base.

Whatever these are called

 

[turbowoodworker]

Those metal posts are called bench dogs. They are placed in the square holes at one end of the workpiece and the other at the end on the tail vise. The tail vise is the longer vise at the right end of the bench. The vise on the left is the face vise.

Tail vise classically used for planing. Face vise for cutting in general and for hand cutting dovetails, etc.

If you can find a good used #6 plane, and get it to work (lots on www and YouTube) a light planing will clean up the top. Protect with some paste wax is all you need (no polyurethane on a woodworkers bench). That bench will remain serviceable for generations.

Not sure about Finland but look at Lee Valley Veritas tools from Canada. They have a full assortment of dogs and hold downs.

Good luck,

Rick

 

[Bob Heine]

Whatever these are called

Matias, those are called Bench Dogs.

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see Turbowoodworker's response (it was on the next page).

 

[Old Radar]

Matias--

I'll jump on this dog pile by telling you for the third time those things are called Bench Dogs!

 

[ynned]

Does anyone know anything about something called "bench dog" for a workbench?

 

[Bob Heine]

Does anyone know anything about something called "bench dog" for a workbench?

Ynned, they are related to the common "couch potato dog," which can sometimes be found sleeping on workbenches.

 

[Matias]

Thanks all!

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see Turbowoodworker's response (it was on the next page).

No need to be sorry for trying to help out Bob

All these answers bring to my mind something brits call banter. When took the right way, it's something that can be enjoyed (I do) and laughed at.

Now, someone could post a workbench so we can get this thread back on track

 

[Bmwtie]

Bench Dog Checking In




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Duster346]

My new transmission build bench.

 

[zmotorsports]

My new transmission build bench.

Nice.

Looks similar to my main workbenches in which I added my trans fixture to an adapter that fits into a 2" receiver. I had mine mounted in the middle of the workbench like that at my last shop but I found it got in the way when I wasn't using it so I made my new one removable.

Great job on the bench, looks very stout.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Matias,
Look at the first two pages of the Woodworking 101 thread. Jim Reed and I have posted some bench pictures with the bench dogs in use.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

My new transmission build bench.

Sweet table. If you were closer, I have a Ferd 4R44E that needs a good going through. I hate rebuilding autos. No issues with manuals or transfer cases.

 

[Bob Heine]

Made a section of my workbench movable. Started with this:

Ended up with this:

 

[drivesitfar]

Bob: great idea!! did you make it an inch or two shorter than the space so you can get it in and out fairly easy?

ALL: I picked up this FREE old workbench someone was giving away and it is 10 feet long. it was longer at some point and the back leg was really butchered in as a temporary solution so I removed the old leg and built a pretty solid one so now I have an outside bench while i finish up a big fence project.

i'll probably have a tarp over it when not in use to keep the rain off it, but I think i'll still drill a few holes in the drawers even though i'm only going to use them to hold scrap lumber and cheap tools.

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob: great idea!! did you make it an inch or two shorter than the space so you can get it in and out fairly easy?

Drives, you got it. Shorter with a strip of wood on the wall to guide it into the space and protect the wall covering.

 

[Old Radar]

And Bob, you could use a couple of bench dogs driven between the strip of wood and the bench to keep it from moving around!

 

[Bob Heine]

And Bob, you could use a couple of bench dogs driven between the strip of wood and the bench to keep it from moving around!

Old Radar, I made a terrible mistake and googled "Hammered Dog." Brings up some truly disturbing stuff.

I did buy some clamps to keep the tables tight together.

 

[Old Radar]

Excellent idea! You made a very practical mod to your workbench.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bob: i'd love to see a few pics of those clamps attached cause they don't appear to have a release feature if you have time.

thanks

 

[Old Radar]

Drive--

They're like the hardware that holds the two halves of a dining room table together. Slip the loop over the cleat and push the handle down to cinch the two sides together. Lift to release.

 

[drivesitfar]

OR: sorry to say my dining tables have always had a simple latch and not something like this. thanks for trying to explain though!!

ALL: anybody have a favorite workbench picture saved they can post of a bench with a built in miter station? i've got a few and i need to build one that might sit outside for a couple years until i build my woodshop. here's a few I have and not quite convinced i like or love any of them.

i'd also like the bench to be flat on top when the miter saw is under it and isn't there being used.

i'll be using a Dewalt 12 inch sliding compound and 2 makita 10 inch miter saws all with different blades in them.