Small Garage: Workbench ideas
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cagullett1
Well-known member
Look up "The 12 Gauge Garage". Jack have some really awesome wall mounted workbenches next to his car. It is a great thread and has lots of good ideas on how to organize a small garage.
transplant_wi
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum, you will find a lot of useful info and ideas here.
For your particular question I refer you to this thread for several ideas on folding workbenches:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221814
For your particular question I refer you to this thread for several ideas on folding workbenches:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221814
Cudajas
Well-known member
I guess it depends on what you want to do in there.
My 74 cuda lives in my small 10X20 garage. I also do all the maintenance to it and my dd in there.
I built a smaller bench (4 x 2) along the back wall. I have a small tool box for the most used tools, any hanging tools are on the wall. I also have a Drill Press along the back wall, along with some other stuff. Anything that is not car related is kept in the backyard shed.
Is it tight, yes...but I can do just about anything I need / want to do on my Cuda in there.
Jason
My 74 cuda lives in my small 10X20 garage. I also do all the maintenance to it and my dd in there.
I built a smaller bench (4 x 2) along the back wall. I have a small tool box for the most used tools, any hanging tools are on the wall. I also have a Drill Press along the back wall, along with some other stuff. Anything that is not car related is kept in the backyard shed.
Is it tight, yes...but I can do just about anything I need / want to do on my Cuda in there.
Jason
Thanks for the input, fellas. I think I will probably end up hanging most of my wrenches, screwdrivers and other tools I use regularly on a peg board for easy access.
Although the idea of a wall-mounted bench would be nice, I think I want something more sturdy and permanent. I think I might try to buy a sturdy shelving unit, cut it down to the height I want, and construct a small bench that way.
Although the idea of a wall-mounted bench would be nice, I think I want something more sturdy and permanent. I think I might try to buy a sturdy shelving unit, cut it down to the height I want, and construct a small bench that way.
You can make a very sturdy fold down bench. I've jumped up and down on top of both of mine.
It's an individual thing, I'm sure, but I don't think you can have enough bench space -- especially in a small shop. It's the actual 'working space' for just about everything that isn't directly attached to the car.
It's an individual thing, I'm sure, but I don't think you can have enough bench space -- especially in a small shop. It's the actual 'working space' for just about everything that isn't directly attached to the car.
OrneryDuck
Well-known member
This guy right here! Review his thread for some clever solutions that won't leave you penniless.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55006
I've been combing through the miles of responses within the "Let's see your Workbench" thread. Outside of Jack's handy-work there are a number of other folding solutions employed within.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464
This has been fresh on my mind as well. I'm quite lucky in regards to floor space, but counter space is non-existent. I really like the idea of having a lot of surface area when you need it that disappears between projects so that the cars are unobstructed.
bshusted
Well-known member
My single is 19'x12'. I was originally thinking of doing a folding bench only, but then decided that I would really need a dedicated workbench and that I would hate folding it up/down all of the time for small projects. I built my bench along the side wall 6' long and 18" deep. It is narrow, but works for me. I'm planning to build a larger folding bench along the back wall adjacent to my 'fixed' bench using some of these folding brackets.
Zeke
Well-known member
zcar751
Well-known member
Look for a solid core door and make a fold down like Jack Olsen. Although I really like Chrenan's idea.
taumac
Well-known member
Folding bench always a good idea. I prefer this idea I came up with.
Bench kinda floats on brackets and legs on side where there just as extra support. I really like to nest stuff under bench and roll it out as needed. Mine is 2 by 8 foot but you could cut it to fit your needs and space.
Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
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Bench kinda floats on brackets and legs on side where there just as extra support. I really like to nest stuff under bench and roll it out as needed. Mine is 2 by 8 foot but you could cut it to fit your needs and space.
Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
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The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
bczygan
Well-known member
There's one car, and then there's "small" one car.
What is the exact size of your 1 car?
And do you intend to park anything in it?
I have a 9x19 single car. With a tilt up door. Too small to park anything except a Mini, motorcycle or bicycles. So I put a 7' long by 20" deep wood top on a 36" Stronghold cabinet along one long wall and metalworking machines along the opposite one.
It's a shop.
What is yours going to be used for?
Bill
What is the exact size of your 1 car?
And do you intend to park anything in it?
I have a 9x19 single car. With a tilt up door. Too small to park anything except a Mini, motorcycle or bicycles. So I put a 7' long by 20" deep wood top on a 36" Stronghold cabinet along one long wall and metalworking machines along the opposite one.
It's a shop.
What is yours going to be used for?
Bill
taumac
Well-known member
I agree, need ideas of space and intentions of projects. A bench can be all types of things. It can be a traditional free standing bench, folding door, a bottom tool chest so it can roll around, a workmate works awesome small bench and can be folded up when not in use, saw horses and plywood can work. There are tons of ways to make a work surface but just need to know alittle more info to find one that best fits space and needs.
Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
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The 5 Stitches Garage
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Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
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The 5 Stitches Garage
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BajaScout
Well-known member
I really like this idea:
Just mount your tools (e.g. vice, grinder, drill press) on 2" square tubing and you can use that trailer hitch for quite a few things.
Even in my basement shop, I'm a big fan of putting castors on everything----roll it out when you need it or roll it out of the way. Depends what you're doing, as others have said.
Something else to consider if you start building small 'stands' or benches of ANY kind is to build them all the same height so they can be arranged to support longer pieces or parts of whatever you're working on in there.
Something else to consider if you start building small 'stands' or benches of ANY kind is to build them all the same height so they can be arranged to support longer pieces or parts of whatever you're working on in there.
bczygan
Well-known member
And almost as important as what you want to put IN the garage, is what you want to keep OUT.
Simplify!
Every item you think of putting in there, stop and think if there is somewhere else it could or should go.
Since my garage is a shop, I took every auto related item OUT of it, and put them in a shed that is designated for auto support. Jack, jack stands, battery charger, oil and other fluids, spare tires, jumper cables, spare parts, auto electric parts, work lights, pancake compressor and hose, extension cord, roof racks, car top carrier, cleaning supplies, etc.
Garden tools are never in the automotive-shed, or garage-shop. They have their own shed.
Two things that are in the garage still, are the roller cabinet and service carts. And the service cart may go. And if there is room, the roller as well.
A one car garage is no place for Christmas decorations, or lawn chairs or ladders. And if used as a shop, like mine is, it is too small for woodworking AND metal working. I've relegated woodworking to another location.
The smaller the space, the more you must segregate and simplify.
Bill
Simplify!
Every item you think of putting in there, stop and think if there is somewhere else it could or should go.
Since my garage is a shop, I took every auto related item OUT of it, and put them in a shed that is designated for auto support. Jack, jack stands, battery charger, oil and other fluids, spare tires, jumper cables, spare parts, auto electric parts, work lights, pancake compressor and hose, extension cord, roof racks, car top carrier, cleaning supplies, etc.
Garden tools are never in the automotive-shed, or garage-shop. They have their own shed.
Two things that are in the garage still, are the roller cabinet and service carts. And the service cart may go. And if there is room, the roller as well.
A one car garage is no place for Christmas decorations, or lawn chairs or ladders. And if used as a shop, like mine is, it is too small for woodworking AND metal working. I've relegated woodworking to another location.
The smaller the space, the more you must segregate and simplify.
Bill
Don't forget about a collapsible work surface as well. Recently there have been a lot of fans of the Keter work table you can pick up at Walmart for $39-$59 or something.
I got mine at Costco for $49 its very nice and sturdy. It collapses to 4" deep and is light enough to be hung on the wall. I am in the process of building "tops" for it depending on the work I am doing. I already have a 1/4" steel top with positioning pins for welding and am starting on a wood top this weekend for small detail work.
All-in-all it will take up about 36"Wx7"D space on my wall with two table tops and the Keter table.
I got mine at Costco for $49 its very nice and sturdy. It collapses to 4" deep and is light enough to be hung on the wall. I am in the process of building "tops" for it depending on the work I am doing. I already have a 1/4" steel top with positioning pins for welding and am starting on a wood top this weekend for small detail work.
All-in-all it will take up about 36"Wx7"D space on my wall with two table tops and the Keter table.
Terranova
Well-known member
There's a nice fold down work bench in an issue of Shopnotes a few issues back. I know that's what's going in my garage here soon.
http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/72/
T
http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/72/
T
My single is 19'x12'. I was originally thinking of doing a folding bench only, but then decided that I would really need a dedicated workbench and that I would hate folding it up/down all of the time for small projects. I built my bench along the side wall 6' long and 18" deep. It is narrow, but works for me. I'm planning to build a larger folding bench along the back wall adjacent to my 'fixed' bench using some of these folding brackets.
My garage is 20'x12' so I will have the same amount of space to work with. I think I might try to duplicate something close to what you did here! Excellent design. I would like to avoid having to fold my bench up and down, and I don't need much workspace, so I think a design similar to yours would suit me and my garage perfectly.
My garage is 20x12 and I plan to park my wife's car (Toyota Corolla) in there. We haven't moved into the house yet, but according to my measurements her car will fit with 5 ft. to spare in front, and about 3 ft on each side. I want to have a bench set up that leaves me enough space to be able to work in the garage with the car in there if need be.
I am the guy that just likes to be in his garage, I am always working on some small project or just trying to get away, so having a space in my garage to "escape" to is important to me, no matter how small the space may be
bshusted
Well-known member
Your Corolla is probably about the same size as my A4, so it's definitely doable. Here are a couple of other pictures to give you some perspective of size with the car inside. I'm not sure how high your ceilings are, but the storage loft that I built has been immensely helpful in getting stuff up off of the floor.
Bondo
Well-known member
Ayuh,... Put the bench on lockable Wheels,....
taumac
Well-known member
LOL. Nothing better than things on casters even if no plan on moving on reg or even yearly basis. Casters keep everything off ground and if needed moveable. You can go cheap and expensive but mobility it key.
Have a good one, Gerard
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1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
I have to agree with taumac, mobility is the key as it provides you with great flexibility in terms of layout.
Paticus
Well-known member
I have a tandem single car garage and I found the workbench was the easy part, but for storage I had to get creative. Do you have tall ceilings? bshudted has the right idea with lofts and tall shelves. I found the walls are my friend for hanging items.
Also, I found having a tall bench that I can store bulky items under and also sit on a stool and slide in when working helps maximize space.
I don't park a car in my garage though.
Also, I found having a tall bench that I can store bulky items under and also sit on a stool and slide in when working helps maximize space.
I don't park a car in my garage though.
bczygan
Well-known member
Your car is 6' wide by 15' long.
The most useful space you have will be in front of the car. That's where you will do most of the work anyway. So that is where I would locate the workbench and, if there is enough wall space, a roller for tools. Deep cabinets above, all the way to the ceiling, for bulky tools. Keep the bench to 20" deep, 24" at the most.
I've got a good lightweight, but very strong workbench design for you. What woodworking tools do you have?
And for that matter, what are all the tools and supplies that you want to house?
Along both sides of the garage, above head height, is a space that can have a strip of cabinets, or even open shelves. The side walls below those cabinets could have pegboard and be for hanging things that don't project too far from the wall.
When you need more space on one side or the other, you can pull the car in more to one side than the other.
Your car is 5' high. I would leave a foot clear above it to allow for roof racks.
The entire space above the car, or any part of it, can become a storage loft, if you don't mind the closed in feeling. It would be for more permanent storage because access would be when the car is pulled out. The face of this loft could have a TV mounted on it and a stereo and speakers could be there as well. This would make it a bit of a man cave. Just locate a couple of extra bar stools at the bench for extra seating.
A compressor could also be located up there.
If you make the loft 6'x12', you can span the 12' with 2x6 joists at 16"o.c.
Build it with #2 and better hem-fir and the live load capacity will be 20 pounds per square foot, or a total load of 1440 pounds. Use joist hangers and lag the ledger into every stud with 3/8" lag screws.
To keep the space as open as possible, only install the quantity of cabinets required. And make the loft only the size needed.
That loft is also a place for a hose reel.
Are there any windows in this space?
What is the ceiling height?
What kind of, and location of, doors are there?
Bill
The most useful space you have will be in front of the car. That's where you will do most of the work anyway. So that is where I would locate the workbench and, if there is enough wall space, a roller for tools. Deep cabinets above, all the way to the ceiling, for bulky tools. Keep the bench to 20" deep, 24" at the most.
I've got a good lightweight, but very strong workbench design for you. What woodworking tools do you have?
And for that matter, what are all the tools and supplies that you want to house?
Along both sides of the garage, above head height, is a space that can have a strip of cabinets, or even open shelves. The side walls below those cabinets could have pegboard and be for hanging things that don't project too far from the wall.
When you need more space on one side or the other, you can pull the car in more to one side than the other.
Your car is 5' high. I would leave a foot clear above it to allow for roof racks.
The entire space above the car, or any part of it, can become a storage loft, if you don't mind the closed in feeling. It would be for more permanent storage because access would be when the car is pulled out. The face of this loft could have a TV mounted on it and a stereo and speakers could be there as well. This would make it a bit of a man cave. Just locate a couple of extra bar stools at the bench for extra seating.
A compressor could also be located up there.
If you make the loft 6'x12', you can span the 12' with 2x6 joists at 16"o.c.
Build it with #2 and better hem-fir and the live load capacity will be 20 pounds per square foot, or a total load of 1440 pounds. Use joist hangers and lag the ledger into every stud with 3/8" lag screws.
To keep the space as open as possible, only install the quantity of cabinets required. And make the loft only the size needed.
That loft is also a place for a hose reel.
Are there any windows in this space?
What is the ceiling height?
What kind of, and location of, doors are there?
Bill
Last edited:
bczygan
Well-known member
Here's the workbench idea:
Here's a sketch of what I am thinking about.
The top can be as shown, or a solid top like in the post above.
The box could have another shelf and even doors to keep out dust.
If you install 2 doors, you can put a divider in the middle and that allows a post in the middle of the opening. That cuts the span of the 2x4 over the opening in half and strengthens the cabinet part of the bench immensely.
Here's a sketch of what I am thinking about.
The top can be as shown, or a solid top like in the post above.
The box could have another shelf and even doors to keep out dust.
If you install 2 doors, you can put a divider in the middle and that allows a post in the middle of the opening. That cuts the span of the 2x4 over the opening in half and strengthens the cabinet part of the bench immensely.
taumac
Well-known member
Here's the workbench idea:
Here's a sketch of what I am thinking about.
The top can be as shown, or a solid top like in the post above.
The box could have another shelf and even doors to keep out dust.
If you install 2 doors, you can put a divider in the middle and that allows a post in the middle of the opening. That cuts the span of the 2x4 over the opening in half and strengthens the cabinet part of the bench immensely.
Wow, that's a lot of info there but isn't 40" alittle high for a bench. My HF bench is alittle high 41 and that's good for some but 36 is great. I also find that 30 is really good if attaching a vise.
Have a good one, Gerard
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bczygan
Well-known member
I'm 6'3", so it's good for me.
The idea of that bench design isn't the specific dimensions, but rather, the construction method. It uses mostly 2x2 vertical framing members, which keeps it light. Plywood screwed and glued gives it the rigidity in all three axes. Something you could cobble together with a circular saw and basic carpentry tools. Haven't maximized the use of the plywood materials yet. Too much waste in the design.
Bill
taumac
Well-known member
I think that bench design is awesome. It is surly strong but I now know it was design for your height. I wouldn't mine making a nesting version of that. Heres a shelf design I've been using. Maybe this is a way to use less plywood.
My shelves and bench all use same design. I know it would be better if 2x4 on edge but I needed more space between shelves some there on the flat. My bench basically uses 12 x 12 brackets into 2x4 attached to wall and top 2x4 of bench lagged also to that .
The legs just add some support. It was floating at one point and still could. Once I added couple of vises, DP, plus the weight of bench itself, some flex occurred once I really starting banging the hell out of it. I just added some front legs which solved that. Maybe a 4x4 on back and bigger support brackets could solve that I gonna plan some 45°angle 2x4 from top to wall and do away with legs.
If there one problem I see with benches and I've been down this road also. Is that so much goes on one the something there's no place to work. You put a grinder, vise, etc and you end up with 2 ft out of 8 you actually work on. LOL. That's why I nest stuff cause you can double work areas within same foot print and in a 2 car garages space is needed wherever you can steal it and especially in a single. Omg its priceless. It just takes some creative thinking.
Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117
The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
My shelves and bench all use same design. I know it would be better if 2x4 on edge but I needed more space between shelves some there on the flat. My bench basically uses 12 x 12 brackets into 2x4 attached to wall and top 2x4 of bench lagged also to that .
The legs just add some support. It was floating at one point and still could. Once I added couple of vises, DP, plus the weight of bench itself, some flex occurred once I really starting banging the hell out of it. I just added some front legs which solved that. Maybe a 4x4 on back and bigger support brackets could solve that I gonna plan some 45°angle 2x4 from top to wall and do away with legs.
If there one problem I see with benches and I've been down this road also. Is that so much goes on one the something there's no place to work. You put a grinder, vise, etc and you end up with 2 ft out of 8 you actually work on. LOL. That's why I nest stuff cause you can double work areas within same foot print and in a 2 car garages space is needed wherever you can steal it and especially in a single. Omg its priceless. It just takes some creative thinking.
Have a good one, Gerard
Florida GJers ( FGJ)
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The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899