New workbench what features should I add?

[sunder]

I built this bench and added the cabinets over the last 3 days.

What features should i add or am i not thinking about.

Also paint or varnish the workbench?




5x 2x4’s under the front of the bench so there is no deflection. There a full 8’ long and the bench is 28” deep




Todo still
-Make another cabinet / shelf for boxed tool storage above the cabinets. 2’ deep x 8’ long
-More power outlets
-switched power for the air compressor
-LED strip lights under the cabinet and above the bench
-Move large tool box where the small tool box is
-face trim on the bench
-paint or varnish the bench
-Raspberry PI4 with monitor is going on the lefts side
-drill press is being re built and refinished
-vice mounted on right side of the bench
-pull down that ugly paneling and paint the wall
-mount the grinder




Post pictures of your workbench so i can also get ideas...

Thanks!!!!




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[Matt XYZ]

Check out the Let's See Your Workbench thread. You can spend hours and hours and get a ton of great ideas.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464

 

[MAD MARK]

Make sure when going through the Lets see Your Workbench thread to have a pen and paper to take notes with.

2x4s are wrong way for deflection purposes.

 

[Sluggo0018]

Wrap the top in hardened masonite that can be replaced when damaged/worn out.

 

[lis2323]

Make sure when going through the Lets see Your Workbench thread to have a pen and paper to take notes with.

2x4s are wrong way for deflection purposes.

I agree. Two on edge for your 28” depth would have been more effective than five laid flat.
Edit. I may stand corrected. Perhaps the 2x4s ARE on edge.

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[niget2002]

Good lord that's a lot of 2x4s. I've only ever used one. Once you have a piece of 3/4" plywood glued and screwed to it there's pretty much no deflection.

I second the masonite top. I've used one on all my workbenches and it's really nice and easy to replace if one gets too damaged.

I think it's the angle of the picture, but I'm pretty sure those are 5 2x4's on edge... not laid flat. He has another cross board towards the right that you can easily see is on edge.

 

[regguy1]

look at a bench I built, scroll down to post 268 https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406&page=14

 

[Daubs]

Your bench is built, no worries about how it was designed...as long as it's solid and meets your needs.

I designed my workbench with outlets on two separate circuits -- one 15 amp circuit for my computer, stereo, WiFi and lights, one 20 amp circuit for tools and outlets.

I love me some peg-board, great for organizing. I put outlet in some shelves, so I can put cordless chargers in there.

Putting an old desktop computer on my workbench, and routing sound through my stereo...I want internet / youtube / message board access at my workbench.

 

[engineer2]

Drawers underneath. If you need more used kitchen cabinets, let me know. I'm throwing some out.

 

[Bigbandguy]

One idea I stole from someone here and have really enjoyed is to mount a HF spring driven hose reel under the bench (mine is mounted sideways on the back wall ) It takes up very little space and you can pull out the hose and have air almost anywhere in a small shop when needed and then store out of the way. I have found that to be pretty handy.

 

[Daubs]

One idea I stole from someone here and have really enjoyed is to mount a HF spring driven hose reel under the bench (mine is mounted sideways on the back wall ) It takes up very little space and you can pull out the hose and have air almost anywhere in a small shop when needed and then store out of the way. I have found that to be pretty handy.

^^ Agree! ^^

I have a air compressor hose reel in my garage, and one in my shop.

 

[sunder]

Drawers underneath. If you need more used kitchen cabinets, let me know. I'm throwing some out.

Send me a picture of them. Im in Orland Park and work down town. Where are you?

 

[sunder]

^^ Agree! ^^

I have a air compressor hose reel in my garage, and one in my shop.

I am going to eventually install some pipe for a air lines that hook up to the compresses. The compressor has a regulated and unregulated hookup. There will be hookups on each side wall and then in the middle of the ceiling behind the garage door opener I will put a air hose reel hanging from the ceiling. I have 9 or 10' ceilings.

 

[sunder]

Your bench is built, no worries about how it was designed...as long as it's solid and meets your needs.

I designed my workbench with outlets on two separate circuits -- one 15 amp circuit for my computer, stereo, WiFi and lights, one 20 amp circuit for tools and outlets.

I love me some peg-board, great for organizing. I put outlet in some shelves, so I can put cordless chargers in there.

Putting an old desktop computer on my workbench, and routing sound through my stereo...I want internet / youtube / message board access at my workbench.

I have never been a fan of peg board not sure why.... I will have outlets along the top shelf spaced out.


Sometimes I spend more time on my phone looking at videos and forums to figure out how to do something. Than it does to complete the task.

I am going to test out a Raspberry PI 4 with 4G Ram as a shop PC, worse case I will use a old PC. By I am trying to keep the PC foot print on the bench fairly small. Just a monitor on a shelf on the left and a keyboard\mouse. I did run conduit in to the garage for a remodel to run cat5e. Going to hardware the Raspberry PI and install an Access Point for WIFI.

 

[sunder]

The 2x4 are on edge

5x 2x4 put together in the front, extra $10 well spent
Then after that 6” spacing


So i did this for the following reasons
- my current work bench is 2x4 frame with plywood top. And 2x4 every 16” for support. When I am pounding on something on this bench it sounds like a drum and gets pretty loud and annoying. Everything on the bench does a slight bounce aswell.

-I wanted a solid bench with a 8’ span, where it wouldn’t sound like a drum. I do most my garage work from 8pm to 2am while everyone is asleep. (Attached garage problems)
-No deflections when pounding on stuff
-No vertical support to allow for storage
-replaceable top, i was going to just screw down a sheet of 3/4 plywood but masonite is a better idea


I will check out the workbench thread

Thanks



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[Bigbandguy]

I have never been a fan of peg board not sure why.... I will have outlets along the top shelf spaced out.


Sometimes I spend more time on my phone looking at videos and forums to figure out how to do something. Than it does to complete the task.

I am going to test out a Raspberry PI 4 with 4G Ram as a shop PC, worse case I will use a old PC. By I am trying to keep the PC foot print on the bench fairly small. Just a monitor on a shelf on the left and a keyboard\mouse. I did run conduit in to the garage for a remodel to run cat5e. Going to hardware the Raspberry PI and install an Access Point for WIFI.

I know some have seen this before. My workshed is about 75 feet from the house. I have had excellent luck with a "cantenna" which is a USB WiFi dongle mounted in a Pringles can. The can points out the window toward the room in the house where the router is. No problems at all hitting the router from the shop.

The shop PC is a small footprint Dell Workstation. So the only thing on or near the bench is a monitor, keyboard and mouse. I have yet to wire it into the shop stereo but that will happen soon. Also have flat screen ROKU TV on the wall connected to an outside antenna. I get about 40 stations in the shop and the ROKU part has no trouble hitting the router for YouTube.

 

[Lynden]

April Wilkerson has two videos which show workbench add-ons.

-- add-ons start at 3:38

 

[Rc_Guy]

Make sure when going through the Lets see Your Workbench thread to have a pen and paper to take notes with.

2x4s are wrong way for deflection purposes.

The 2x4 are on edge

5x 2x4 put together in the front, extra $10 well spent
Then after that 6” spacing


So i did this for the following reasons
- my current work bench is 2x4 frame with plywood top. And 2x4 every 16” for support. When I am pounding on something on this bench it sounds like a drum and gets pretty loud and annoying. Everything on the bench does a slight bounce aswell.

-I wanted a solid bench with a 8’ span, where it wouldn’t sound like a drum. I do most my garage work from 8pm to 2am while everyone is asleep. (Attached garage problems)
-No deflections when pounding on stuff
-No vertical support to allow for storage
-replaceable top, i was going to just screw down a sheet of 3/4 plywood but masonite is a better idea


I will check out the workbench thread

Thanks



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the 2X4's looked correct to me

 

[rattle_snake]

beer fridge

 

[cybrdyke]

Add in receptacles with USB chargers.
CD

 

[Marctrees]

The bi level floor will always be a problem... but can be improved by extending it out a bit more w wood floor at exact same level.

Just a small area so that you can use the entire bench w no constant distraction of where you are placing your feet.

Sure, you will still have to step up somewhere, but put the step where it is the least hazard and inconvenience.

Would be prudent to paint new wood step edge like safety orange.

Rip 2x6's for exact height sleeper joists so new floor is exact height of exist concrete... err to be flush to 1/8" low, NOT higher than concrete.


Add Outlet strip(s) on 2x4 below front lip of worktop.


Very nice work so far... built up 2x4's look sanded and clearcoated ?
Marc

 

[larry_g]

I have an electrical outlet under the front of my bench. I use it for tools and things used out in the shop and do not have to worry about a cord plugged into the back of the bench clearing the bench as I move around.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sunder]

beer fridge

20’ away in the house


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[Dozerhand]

Two pages and no ones told this poor guy he needs a bench vise?

 

[sunder]

Two pages and no ones told this poor guy he needs a bench vise?

Its on the floor on the right its black


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[sunder]

I have an electrical outlet under the front of my bench. I use it for tools and things used out in the shop and do not have to worry about a cord plugged into the back of the bench clearing the bench as I move around.

lg
no neat sig line

The plan is to put one on the right and left under the bench
Then a couple on the shelf for a phone charge and usb outlets
Then a quad by the drill press on the left


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[sunder]

Add in receptacles with USB chargers.
CD

Planning on USB outlets

What are CD’s..... lol let go get them out of the attic


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[sunder]

The bi level floor will always be a problem... but can be improved by extending it out a bit more w wood floor at exact same level.

Just a small area so that you can use the entire bench w no constant distraction of where you are placing your feet.

Sure, you will still have to step up somewhere, but put the step where it is the least hazard and inconvenience.

Would be prudent to paint new wood step edge like safety orange.

Rip 2x6's for exact height sleeper joists so new floor is exact height of exist concrete... err to be flush to 1/8" low, NOT higher than concrete.


Add Outlet strip(s) on 2x4 below front lip of worktop.


Very nice work so far... built up 2x4's look sanded and clearcoated ?
Marc

I was thinking some kind of 1-2’ ramp for a gradual slope, not sure how i am going to do that yet.. mainly because i haven’t fallen off the 3” step

Not going to put outlets on the lip because i want to be able to use clamps on the edge. Outlets will be on the sides

2x4s are hot off the boat from home depot, they will be a quick sand them eventually paint or varnish


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[Shiftless]

Planning on USB outlets

What are CD’s..... lol let go get them out of the attic


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CD is cyberdyke’s signature line (part of it)...NOT compact disc music

As far as your workbench goes, you’re off to a good start but using a Masonite top was a good suggestion. I had an unfinished Masonite top for years and never got around to replacing it even though it was oil stained. My current top is a second hand IKEA butcher block counter top that somebody used as a kids craft table. I sanded it down and put on about 6 thin coats of polyurethane. (No, I don’t weld)

How about lighting? I don’t see any task lighting in your pic.
I have 3 LED flood lights about 32” apart mounted on the low ceiling directly above my 7 foot long bench.
Just the right amount of light.

 

[BigGarage]

I built this bench and added the cabinets over the last 3 days.

What features should i add or am i not thinking about.



Post pictures of your workbench so i can also get ideas...No problem

Thanks!!!!

Clearly you have forgotten nearby fire extinguishers and other distractions for those really trying days in the shop.

Dennis

 

[kbs2244]

I second the idea of Masonite as a replaceable top.
But I go one step further and use the white stuff instead of the dark brown.

I think it is called "bathroom paneling."
Most often with a marbleized look, but you can pick a mostly white sheet.

I also ran a length of bed frame angle iron along the front edge.

 

[Greezy]

I always prefer to start by adding a ton of projects, parts, tools, trash and other **** basically making the bench unusable as such.

 

[sunder]

Clearly you have forgotten nearby fire extinguishers and other distractions for those really trying days in the shop.



Dennis

Man the 90’s are calling on your fire pictures... lol


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[sunder]

Current status waiting for the drywall mud to dry.

And Procrastinating on unloading the tool box and dragging it up 2 flight of stairs.... with zero help....it not going to be fun





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[sunder]

That sucked to move that toolbox by myself up two flights of stairs....but its done. I need another toolbox






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[ClappedOutBport]

Don't varnish. Boiled linseed oil. Keep applying as much as it will **** up. When it gets dry it will get seriously hard. You can do a lot of work and the bench won't get all that messed up. Once it's all good and hard, wax it. Tried those methods it on a bench at dad's and I love it. It's such a glossy wonderful feeling surface, water won't stick, oil won't soak in, it's great. Paint.... please no.

 

[BigGarage]

Man the 90’s are calling on your fire pictures... lol

Yep, but it's always good to have a big pair of fire extinguishers nearby.

That poster is falling apart due to gravity and age. I may need a frame for it soon.

Dennis

 

[engineer2]

Cabinets for free to GJ members:
36" blind corner wall cab
33" wall cab
33" base cab
36" Lazy susan base cab
48" wall cab

 

[rsparks64]

You could drill some various sized holes in the top shelf to drop or hang screwdrivers, scissors, pens, etc. You could glue some pieces of cork in places to stick things or keep them from sliding and perhaps mount some magnets or magnet strips. It you tie flies and have a fly tying bench you can get ideas from that for small things. It appears that you could use some more lighting. Perhaps some leds under that top shelf would help.

 

[stangconv]

It you tie flies and have a fly tying bench you can get ideas from that for small things.