Outdoor Work Bench

[jives]

I've concluded that I need a solidly stable outdoor work station for metal bending and heavy vise work. I don't want to bolt my work tables to the floor in my garage as I need to move things around. I am thinking a small table, a minimum of 2' x 2' with the capability to mount a large vise, attached a metal bender (Hossfield type), and do some pounding. It either needs to be super heavy or imbedded into the SOIL. I am thinking that legs consisting of 6 x 6 PT posts 4' into the ground would suffice to keep it stable, and a heavy steel top. I'd like to keep this on the cheap with scrap, and I don't have much heavy scrap steel. I don't really want to mount it in the ground because then it becomes a mowing pain or in the way of parking. Anyway, looking for thoughts, ideas to make it portable, and of course, pics.

 

[Danno1]

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How about what you described w a round base so you could move it like a full 55 gal drum?


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[bdbecker]

How about what you described w a round base so you could move it like a full 55 gal drum?

That, or a good size log. Do you know anyone in the tree business jives?

 

[Rusty Wrench]

Stability comes with weight. I'd suggest 2x4 bolted up with 2x4 infill pieces to help with racking, if that makes sense. Then a deep tray/surround with wet sand for the weight.

 

[tarmy]

I built this for metal work. Grinding, cutting and just spraying metal dust and chips everywhere. I have a vice mounted on receiver tube that mounts when needed. Not as heavy duty as you suggest…but I beat on things on this all the time. The PT 4x4 posts are mounted to anchors set in concrete. About 3 80 pound bags on each corner.

 

[Spareparts]

bdbecker has the right idea, large log, we had one on the pad right outside the big door
somewhere between 36-40 inches 3' tall with a big vice bolted down, been there at least
25 yrs and had the **** beat out of it.

 

[jives]

Tarmy's bench was along the lines of my original thinking, but I am warming to the log idea. In fact, I've got a couple of dead ash trees (EAB. . arrrgh) that could supply a log. I'll be fussing about with some ideas of placing the work surface on a flatbed farm wagon I've got. We'll see.

 

[Jon h]

What about building one around a rain barrel or something like that that you can fill with water and then drain if you have to move it.
Or those 3x3 water totes in a cage…..

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you search CL or FBMP for welding table you will find some heavy steel benches that may work for you.

 

[jives]

If you search CL or FBMP for welding table you will find some heavy steel benches that may work for you.

Yeah, plenty on FBM, not cheap. I'm looking for something I can build with scrap lying around the shop.

 

[1982fxr]

A junkyard might have cheaper already built...I hate building benches.

 

[jives]

I think my best course of action is to build legs out of some old 6 x 6 PT timbers I have lying around. They were from a lean-to a friend took down. I can sink them into the ground just around the corner from an overhead door opening; out of the way, out of sight, but convenient enough to use an extension cord to draw power from the garage. Build a top with multiple layers of 2x scrap lumber, and viola! Bolt holes for the Athol vise, some other holes for bench dogs and other attachments, and we're good to go. Alas, it is about project 4 on the list. . .and this one requires post hole digging. Uggh.

 

[LopezBart]

If you have some crushed rock handy, you can design the base to retain the better part of a cubic yard easily enough. This would be around 3000 lbs, no post holes required, and would be pretty much stationary absent force majeure.

 

[nadogail]

One of the best ideas I have encountered was the use of a wheel and tire as a base. I have a grinder that is mounted on a stand bolted to a wheel and tire. The wheel was found along the side of the road. A few bits of steel scrap and about 3 feet of 3" pipe can be assembled into a pretty serviceable stand. A couple of feet of 2 X 12 made a nice table top.
Having an Arc Welder makes a lot of ideas possible.

 

[jives]

One of the best ideas I have encountered was the use of a wheel and tire as a base. I have a grinder that is mounted on a stand bolted to a wheel and tire. The wheel was found along the side of the road. A few bits of steel scrap and about 3 feet of 3" pipe can be assembled into a pretty serviceable stand. A couple of feet of 2 X 12 made a nice table top.
Having an Arc Welder makes a lot of ideas possible.

This idea has crossed my mind. In fact, I just picked up an 8' piece of 4" pipe from the Reuse store. A bit rusty, but solid and $7. It may be put in play.

 

[Nutria]

A junkyard might have cheaper already built...I hate building benches.

I've had success doing this. You might or might not find something acceptable, but if you do, it'll probably be yours for retail scrap price.

 

[jblnut]

I have a 4’ diameter 4’ tall white oak stump that I move around as needed. There is a metal band on the bottom and top to keep it from splitting out. There is a 6” vise on it and a roughly 18”x 28” chunk of 1” plate bolted down to the stump. It’s seen decades of abuse and gets a coat of motor oil every time I remember to do it. Grandpa built it to use under the shade tree as his work bench around 1965 so it’s been around for a while.

 

[Sumboodie]

I often use my truck. 8x12ft flatbed with 5/16" steel floor.
It's about 38" so perfect height.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

I have a used tractor trailer drum I’m going to use as a base for my leg vise stand. I plan on setting it face down to the ground, attaching the steel post, and then filling around it with concrete or random bits of scrap metal for more weight.

The leg will go on the outside of the drum to an attached plate with a socket for it.