Tell me about Workbenches

[Suprman]

ok so right now i rent a one car garage and i need to get a workbench to use for automotive type work mostly.

the biggest thing is it has to be able to break apart or move onto my trailer with 2 guys.

i've looked at the sears type benches, but they seem kind of flimsy but on the other hand, a wooden hand built bench seems to bulky and heavy for my needs.

so what does garage journal have to say?

 

[Bull]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Why does the bulk issue scare you? Do you need to be space conscious?

You can make a bench to whatever dimension you need. What I like about homemade benches are that you can customize them any which way from Sunday, they can be made cheaply, and they can be made to be sturdy as hell. The addition of quality casters should make them very easy to roll onto a trailer, too.

 

[mikevango]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

What ever you decide on (I recommend homemade) it will need a nice USA vise.

 

[Suprman]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

What ever you decide on (I recommend homemade) it will need a nice USA vise.

I agree!


bulk issue scares me because i might have to move this thing a couple times before I settle down for awhile. (College student)

my garage is about 19'x10' so space is always a concern.

 

[mikevango]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

If you built one 2'x6' it ain't going to be any heavier than any couch you are going to have to move.

 

[PCO6]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Pallet racks make a very good foundation for a bench. Basically 2 vertical end peices cut to the height you want attached to 2 horizantal peices about 8' long. You can put whatever top you like on it. They are strong, stable, open underneath for lots of storage and you can break them down in minutes. The attached picture isn't a good one of my bench but it gives you an idea of the leg structure.

 

[sonnyboy]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Take a couple of roller cabinets (all over the place on CL for $100 or less), add some locking swivel casters, and get yourself a thick heavy wood top - Viola!

I made the top out of eight 2x6's that were clear in the middle 1", ripped them in half, then screwed & glued them together, and sanded the top smooth. Makes for a nice heavy 24x96x2-3/4" thick top.



(sorry for the cheap chinese vise...it's only temporary until I can find/afford a better one)

 

[granitestater]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Find an old commercial building that is being gutted, get some of the interior fire doors, they are 3 feet X 7 feet and then order some workbench legs from MSC. Good hard top, solid and smooth. See the legs:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRI...re=ItemDetail-_-ResultListing-_-SearchResults

 

[regguy1]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Scroll down to post #268 here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406&page=14

Photos of a lightweight yet strong bench I built, this might suit your needs...it's mostly 1/2" plywood

 

[Muffduster #2]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

I'm also interested in seeing workbench ideas. It's the next thing on my list.

 

[swami2806]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

Go hog wild. Build/get whatever you want--don't worry about bulk, weight or casters. You said you were in college. It's only going to cost you a case of beer anytime you want the thing moved. Shouldn't be a problem getting cheap and plentiful labor.

 

[Stephenw]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

I recommend that you get a double bank toolbox and use the top of that for a workbench.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Re: Tell me abut Workbenches

I am not sure what your budget is but....

If you want quality and stiff , Pollard Brothers makes really heavy duty table legs and associated stringers, etc. The are also made in the US. McMaster Carr also sells their stuff.

http://pollardbros.com/work-bench-components.html

Another alternative is Edsal 4 drawer pedestals to hold up the work bench top.

http://www.edsal.com/index.php?com=...ture&TradeName=Modular Benches&type1level2=52

Edsal also makes work bench legs, stringers, etc. But the Pollard legs are better.

For table tops, it is hard to beat laminated wood butcher block. Take a look and see what you can find on craigslist. We recently had someone semi-local who was selling a huge number of excellent condition 30"x48" or 30"x60" thick butcher block tops for $15 each. Apparently they were table tops from a defunct eating establishment. He was originally selling lots of them for $100 each but the place he was storing them wanted them gone quickly. I picked up a few of those...

The other alternative is to weld you own legs. I recently picked up some table legs welded from 8" steel channel. Overkill would be right word.