Opinions please, workbench design

[Fastbird]

I have some time off this week (ah, the manufacturing life, only working one day) so my intent is to get a work bench constructed so I can make better use of my space.

This is the area where it's going (pardon the mess, kids stuff and then I was digging around this morning looking for something).



My plan is to move the black tool box (40" Craftsman stack) over to where the cabinet is on the left and make the cabinet disappear. This will leave me 8+ feet to the inside corner.

Plan is to 2x4 the outer edge of the bench and inset 3/4 ply into it. Nothing fancy. Want to bring the bench in an L out on the right hand side, but with the frame setup the way I've chosen, this will cause it to extend 27" from that short wall on the right. See below, the post is where the corner would be.



My question is would or would you not make the bench with an L extension on the right, and why? I'm chewing on it because the garage is tight enough that I'm cautious about making it feel closed in, but at the same time I'd like to have the extra work space.

 

[kbs2244]

I find that work a bench just seems to collect stuff.
It just become a big shelf.
Mine has a "parking space" under it where a 2x4 roll around work table goes.
The roll around is made from the 3-drawer end of a steel desk, so it has some storage for little used stuff.
But since it will not fit in its spot unless cleaned off, it forces some sense of discipline.

 

[Rick M]

I prefer shallow benches. My old benches were 30" deep and L shaped, I tore them out and plan to replace them with one 18" bench and probably one outdoor bench.

 

[Fastbird]

27" is the settled on width for sure. 18" would be way too small and I had a 24x48 bench in my basement at my old place I made and it was still too shallow.

I REALLY like the idea of the flip up "return" as you put it. I may very well incorporate that.

Leaving the bottom of the bench clear for the compressor, jacks and stands, etc. Will eventually be doing cheap wall cabinets for storage above the bench (and lighting under those).

I don't do a LOT in my garage, but being a former tech, I get a lot of the "hey can you help with this" type of stuff, and I still do some cutting and drilling of sheet metal on occasion hence my big reason to get a good spot to leave my band saw and drill press to just sit and be usable.

 

[ez-duzit]

...Plan is to 2x4 the outer edge of the bench and inset 3/4 ply into it...

No. Set the plywood on top of the 2x. Not inset.

 

[Rick M]

When I built my old benches I inset the plywood because ply edges are rough and solid wood is more durable. Downside is a gap that collects dirt. What I would do now is glue a solid wood edge to plywood, best of both.

 

[Fastbird]

When I built my old benches I inset the plywood because ply edges are rough and solid wood is more durable. Downside is a gap that collects dirt. What I would do now is glue a solid wood edge to plywood, best of both.

This is exactly why I want to inset it. To avoid the edge. I can deal with the slight gap (filler perhaps, worst case, shop vac it). I just want to avoid the edge because I have two full sets of little fingers running around I'd rather not see catch splinters from an easily avoidable edge, much less my own.

 

[justanengineer]

JMO but I like 4-6'Wx24-30"D best. Longer benches tend to accumulate clutter and waste space needlessly. I'd also prefer two smaller benches to one larger one to help separate projects, messy vs clean, etc, and usually keep one wood bench and another metal - wood being good for fragile projects and metal for messy or hot projects. Regarding construction, I dont like the common open-below 2x-construction, short steel office cabinets are dirt cheap today, provide a ton of storage, and several bolted together will hold a ton of weight on the bench above.

 

[ez-duzit]

... I have two full sets of little fingers running around I'd rather not see catch splinters from an easily avoidable edge...

2x splinters much worse than a plywood edge. Use the 2x where it will support the plywood, not for edge banding.

 

[cheechi]

2x splinters much worse than a plywood edge. Use the 2x where it will support the plywood, not for edge banding.

This.

and this

 

[Rick M]

I prefer solid wood edge banding, it looks neat and more finished. I used oak glued to the plywood edges on my lathe stand, very durable. How well does that kidkushion hold up to work.