Lets see your workbench

[MrDayne]

Drives that 4C reed looks great on that steel bench.

I used 3 bolts and one lag bolt into the corner leg of my main bench for a 150lb+ vise. Third pic you can see how the static jaw just clears the face of the bench.

I've seen some use plate steel below the ply, great idea. I have 2 sheets of 3/4" ply with 3/8" teak/ply flooring on top of that. Its more than sturdy for me.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Is there a workbench in those pictures? Jeez.

 

[Lucky13driver]

I just finished this one.


Here's a link to my workbench build:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408820

 

[jesse72]

Drives that 4C reed looks great on that steel bench.

I used 3 bolts and one lag bolt into the corner leg of my main bench for a 150lb+ vise. Third pic you can see how the static jaw just clears the face of the bench.

I've seen some use plate steel below the ply, great idea. I have 2 sheets of 3/4" ply with 3/8" teak/ply flooring on top of that. Its more than sturdy for me.

That Wilton is awesome, great setup!

 

[BMWBOB]

Here's mine - all reclaimed lumber except for the OSB. Top is planed, unfinished 2X12's. Overall, 4"' x 10': Afterward, I decided that 4' deep is too much as I can't reach very high on the wall for tool accessibility. That said, it is definitely stout enough to stand on!

Made it so work can be clamped on 3 sides. No wheels but the bottoms of the legs are beveled so it can be moved, but it is heavy.

 

[MrDayne]

That Wilton is awesome, great setup!

Thank you man, it’s a bit tall but I’m never hunched over which is easy on the back.

I browsed your thread, hard to see through the blurred photobucket pics, but I spotted a nice Wilton c2 and a sweet old ford bronco.

 

[drivesitfar]

MrD: great looking bench and Wilton C2 yourself!! just curious doesn't your Reed 106 weigh more than your Wilton C2? or do tell?

Merc: did you mount your new multy swiveling vise yet? I have a name for those on the big vise thread cause I have yet to find a user that doesn't love theirs. THE CHINESE WONDER VISE!!

nice bench too!!

BOXED: don't feel like the lone ranger cause FSD (flat surface disease) runs rampant here on GJ. yes there are some member's benches that you can eat a meal on without cleaning them off, but they become a catch all for a lot of us and the only time they are clean is for a picture.

might I suggest putting some of the stuff up on your loft and the stuff you use a lot make shelving for in your garage either on the walls or hanging from the ceiling. the odd shaped items are what usually end up on my benches and while i've had FSD longer than most I'm hoping to cure it or at least have one of my 3 benches clear and ready to use one day soon. that way I won't have a TO DO LIST ITEM TO DO before I get to the TO DO I have on my list.

ALL: some other nice looking benches and hope more get posted cause i always get some good ideas from this thread.

while this is not a bench I cut up an old door to put on top of my Hamilton flat files that was a bench, but decided to put more flat files on top of the old door so now only a small shelf. anybody else use these big old flat files (blueprint or map cabinets) for their stuff?

cheers

 

[Bob Heine]

while this is not a bench I cut up an old door to put on top of my Hamilton flat files that was a bench, but decided to put more flat files on top of the old door so now only a small shelf. anybody else use these big old flat files (blueprint or map cabinets) for their stuff?

cheers

Drives, those flat files look like a great storage solution but I'm curious how you plan to use the top drawers. Is there a library ladder or stool in your future or just a big mirror?

Along with Flat Surface Disease (FSD), I suffer from Archaeology Storage Syndrome (***). That's when you dig up a treasure, put it away in a safe place and forget where you put it. Often requires another *** to discover it years later.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bob: I'm pretty sure I started the term FSD, but you've taken it to a whole new level wish ***. yep the idea is to find my STUFF so i don't have to go to the store or order something online that i might have one, two or a thousand of and i can't recall where they are.

top drawers will probably have grinding wheels, saw blades and other items that are not needed all that often, but nicer to store spread out instead of on top of each other as much.

yep I've got a little 3 step Rubbermaid ladder for those drawers and some of my upper shelves. did you see the 18 inch shelf i put in that sits above my garage door?

thanks again for being you and making sure I (we) are all thinking about our options and consequences of doing what we do.

FYI these old flat file drawers do hold a fair amount of stuff or tools in case you might happen upon an old architect's inventory of them. one member made his huge steel layout table on top of 4 of these 4 foot wide 3 foot deep cabinets where he accessed 2 5 drawer cabinets from each side of his table.

cheers

 

[Shop-hound]

Some nice looking benches out there! I went with 2" HSS (3/16" wall), 1/4" top with a lip to keep tools and parts from rolling off. 8.5 feet wide (to accommodate 2 - 4' toolchests + 3 - 2" posts), 30" deep, 38" high. Also added in another frame member to catch all 3 ears of the bench vise.

 

[mercracing]

Drives, I haven’t mounted it yet. Probably Sunday. I decided to get a 12” square piece of steel(ended up being .120 stainless) to be my bottom plate. I plan to mount it close to the edge, probably about 2” back so I clear the 2x6.


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[jeffmoss26]

did a bit of reorganizing at work.

 

[TylerRNEMT]

Here are some more recent updates of my 2 Bench areas

 

[atch]

while this is not a bench I cut up an old door to put on top of my Hamilton flat files that was a bench, but decided to put more flat files on top of the old door so now only a small shelf. anybody else use these big old flat files (blueprint or map cabinets) for their stuff?

cheers

While I don't personally have any flat files, I have a friend who does gunsmithing that has two (10 drawers total) that are packed full with gun parts. They work very well for him. The thin drawers hold small gun parts better than tall/deep drawers.

Back when I was young enough to actually go to a job 9-5 M-F I had the carpenter shop make a top (two layers of 3/4" plywood covered top and 4 sides with Formica) for a "two-high" stack of these and put it in my office. We had and used the flat files anyway and then I had a 3x4 (+/-) layout table. It probably was sturdy enough to use for a bench, but the heaviest things I ever put on it were drawings/blueprints.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tyler: check out the vise and grinder stands thread in FABRICATION SECTION of Garage Journal cause there are a lot of ideas on the hitch and other methods for having your vise removable when you don't need it in the middle of your bench.

some guys mount their favorite vises to a nice 2 by or 1 by if walnut or something heavy and just clamp the wood to the bench and use their vises that way.

if you have questions just ask either here or on that thread and maybe somebody else can help you figure it out.

good luck

ATCH: yep i've seen flat files with tops on them used as dining tables, coffee tables, workbenches and they do hold a lot of stuff. sounds like you used them for what they were made for.

ALL: I hope one of our members doesn't mind me posting pictures of his steel fab bench he made that holds a couple flat files. it's pretty solid and if I only had the space and talent to make this I would.

hope you all have a good weekend!!

 

[polexican23]

Here are some more recent updates of my 2 Bench areas

Tyler nice setup. Go do you like your heater mounted up there? I have the same one and in the manual it says floor mount. I have tried putting it up but feel like it throws off what little temp sensing it has, so it just continuously runs. My shop is 720sq with 10foot ceilings, so it just helps get the bite out of the air. If i plan on hanging out, i run a propane torpedo for 15-30 and use the fan to maintain.

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[MHitch]

Definitely some great ideas in here. Hope to have my pic up in the next month or two.

 

[landrover bodger]

just had a tidy up

 

[FANTM58]

Here is the work bench I’ve been working on. I’ve documented it in the what you did in your garage thread. But here it is. I’ll be finishing it up in the next few days. It has retract casters. Lower storage and 2 plates for tools. I’ll be storing alll my wood working tools on one side
And power tools on the other. THe surface will be 3/4” T&G then HD laminate flooring.
My thought is , it’s cheap and durable and easily replaced. I picked up enough
Material on clearance at my local HD for $25. A box . It will require 3 boxes.
It measures about 4’-8”x 9’-2”.

 

[TylerRNEMT]

Tyler nice setup. Go do you like your heater mounted up there? I have the same one and in the manual it says floor mount. I have tried putting it up but feel like it throws off what little temp sensing it has, so it just continuously runs. My shop is 720sq with 10foot ceilings, so it just helps get the bite out of the air. If i plan on hanging out, i run a propane torpedo for 15-30 and use the fan to maintain.

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Thanks!!

My shop is slightly larger than yours right around 800sq ft...... like you mentioned it takes the bite out of the air but that’s about it.... if it’s really cold out (20 Dgs) then I can go out and let it run for an hour or so before I’m ready to actually go out and work. The half of the garage where the work bench is I can get pretty comfortable in the 50’s if it’s that cold..... shop is moderately well insulated but the ceiling insulation isn’t great..... 9’6” ceilings. I love having it at that height centered right over my primary work area.... works great hanging at the slight down angle I have it on.... you can’t really tell in this pic but I have it hanging about a foot below the ceiling on 4 separate chains.... the back 2 chains a couple links shorter than the front 2.... if it’s only in the 40s out then it really does a good job of keeping the whole garage up in the low 60s inside..... in that temp range it seems to kick on every 20 mins or so and runs for I would guess about 5 mins then shuts off....... I’ve actually been surprised how well the crude thermostat on it actually works.

Edit:

Here are a couple pics to see the set up a little better:

-Tyler

 

[FANTM58]

Alright, finished up the paint, installed the top and bottom sheeting and the Smart Core flooring/ work surface.
Items left to do:
Address the edge detail on the top, drill/tap and mount the vice
Then load up all the tools underneath.
Also the open channel frames at the end fit a 2x4 nicely
I’ll keep them inserted and retract them when I need additional work surface
Or a saw horse ETC

 

[MrDayne]

MrD: great looking bench and Wilton C2 yourself!! just curious doesn't your Reed 106 weigh more than your Wilton C2? or do tell?

Thank you. The REED most definitely is harder to handle than the Wilton. I haven’t weighed them yet, but yes the Wilton is much lighter at approx 160lbs I’m told.

 

[tarmy]

Alright, finished up the paint, installed the top and bottom sheeting and the Smart Core flooring/ work surface.
Items left to do:
Address the edge detail on the top, drill/tap and mount the vice
Then load up all the tools underneath.
Also the open channel frames at the end fit a 2x4 nicely
I’ll keep them inserted and retract them when I need additional work surface
Or a saw horse ETC

I assume you are not going to weld or grind on that?

 

[FANTM58]

I assume you are not going to weld or grind on that?

No welding directly on it, grinding I’m not too worried about.
but when it gets too bad it’s an easy re surface..
I’m considering putting a steel top on half of it
In the future...

 

[bluegoose972]

Alright, finished up the paint, installed the top and bottom sheeting and the Smart Core flooring/ work surface.
Items left to do:
Address the edge detail on the top, drill/tap and mount the vice
Then load up all the tools underneath.
Also the open channel frames at the end fit a 2x4 nicely
I’ll keep them inserted and retract them when I need additional work surface
Or a saw horse ETC

I really like this setup. Did something similar on mine with a tablesaw mounted in one corner. Lumber Liquidator's always has broken box specials that are super cheap and the hardwood top is really nice.

You said retractable casters.....What are you using? Mind sharing?

 

[FANTM58]

I really like this setup. Did something similar on mine with a tablesaw mounted in one corner. Lumber Liquidator's always has broken box specials that are super cheap and the hardwood top is really nice.

You said retractable casters.....What are you using? Mind sharing?

OK here are a few images of the set-up.
There is a large hinge in one corner.
To lift or lower I’ll be using a Hi-lift jack .

 

[FANTM58]

A few more details of the hinge detail..

 

[BoilermakerFan]

OK here are a few images of the set-up.
There is a large hinge in one corner.
To lift or lower I’ll be using a Hi-lift jack .

The bench is cool, but let's see the boat!

 

[Hagatronics]

Just finished building this today.

 

[FANTM58]

Just finished building this today.

Wow that looks great !
Stainless steel tops. I did the same,, great choice.

 

[FANTM58]

The bench is cool, but let's see the boat!

Here’s the 2 I have on hand, it’s a 1960 Glasstron StarFlite
75hp 16’

 

[zmotorsports]

Just finished building this today.

Very nice looking bench.

 

[Bmwtie]

I made a walk through video of the woodworking bench.

Its about 9 months in and still going strong with zero issues. Have been remodeling the house and I use it every weekend.

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[MrDayne]

11'x2'...Originally built this 2 years ago so that the chests could roll out for additional function. Turns out I never roll them out since I have workmates. Also, the height at 47" was comfortable, but I had a small 4" vise at the time. After I built this I got the 6" bullet and mounted it without considering the height (rookie move I know).

I ended up shaving 6" off the 4x4 legs yesterday finally and losing the casters. Tapcons hold it solidly to the wall. 41" height now and I like it a lot better. The drill presses will be cleaned up and relocated to a bench on the other side of the garage that's 30" tall.

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[welder4956]

11'x2'...Originally built this 2 years ago so that the chests could roll out for additional function. Turns out I never roll them out since I have workmates. Also, the height at 47" was comfortable, but I had a small 4" vise at the time. After I built this I got the 6" bullet and mounted it without considering the height (rookie move I know).

I ended up shaving 6" off the 4x4 legs yesterday finally and losing the casters. 41" height now and I like it a lot better. The drill presses will be cleaned up and relocated to a bench on the other side of the garage that's 30" tall.

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Need to remove the "s" in "https" for imgur photos.

Nice work! I have that same Kobalt cabinet. I like it except for the plastic ends on the drawer handles keep coming off and I have lost a few.

 

[MrDayne]

Need to remove the "s" in "https" for imgur photos.

Nice work! I have that same Kobalt cabinet. I like it except for the plastic ends on the drawer handles keep coming off and I have lost a few.

Thanks man Yeah I hate that they slip off so easy, might be a job for some loctite one day.

 

[drivesitfar]

BMWTIE: that is some bench and ORGANIZATION. can I borrow your YouTube video for my thread cause even if I don't build it I like a few of the ideas and maybe some of the guys watching my thread might build it or get ideas from it. there is certainly a lot going on there and do you roll it in and out of your garage every day or just throw a tarp on it or do tell and does it move around easily cause i'm guessing it's fairly heavy?

McD: your bench keeps looking better. I like how your Wilton video just keeps going kinda like the energizer bunny.

 

[MrDayne]

Some nice looking benches out there! I went with 2" HSS (3/16" wall), 1/4" top with a lip to keep tools and parts from rolling off. 8.5 feet wide (to accommodate 2 - 4' toolchests + 3 - 2" posts), 30" deep, 38" high. Also added in another frame member to catch all 3 ears of the bench vise.

Great looking shop build, liking the layout.

Drives, thank you....it’s always a work in progress. This is such a great thread that I’ve learned from, I feel like even my simple little bench pics could help someone decide if it’s what they want or not. Btw, I’m enjoying following your space getting organized, good stuff for sure.

 

[Bmwtie]

BMWTIE: that is some bench and ORGANIZATION. can I borrow your YouTube video for my thread cause even if I don't build it I like a few of the ideas and maybe some of the guys watching my thread might build it or get ideas from it. there is certainly a lot going on there and do you roll it in and out of your garage every day or just throw a tarp on it or do tell and does it move around easily cause i'm guessing it's fairly heavy?



McD: your bench keeps looking better. I like how your Wilton video just keeps going kinda like the energizer bunny.

Sure go for it.

Yea it has its own spot in the garage. Rolls around very well.




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[PhantomEB]

Any way you can raise the tool box under the bench up even enough to get some 2x4s under it? Doubt you got an issue of water in your shop, just thinking out loud?