Thoughts On My Workbench Design

[MarkG]

That's a somewhat similar construction to mine. I simply counter-bored the top and through-bolted it to the stretchers, leaving the c'bores exposed and it's been fine since December of 1994. Chances are, you'll never notice they're there. I also lag-bolted through the bottom stretchers into my concrete basement floor, which has been great----my bench doesn't budge, even under the most vigorous planing, etc. A sheet of ply glued/screwed to the back makes it absolutely rigid and eliminates ALL tendency to 'rack' when planing as well, besides keeping tools from falling off the back of the lower shelf.

 

[jywilli69]

I just built a workbench similar in size to the one that you're looking to build. Mine is 7'6" long, 28" deep and 40" high. I researched the topic to no end and ended going with a design that was a take-off on GJ member JMARKWOLF's workbench. I went with 2x6's vs. 2x4's....as the price difference was minimal and "overkill" is my middle name. I'm very happy with how it turned out and the all-in build cost was just under $200. I still have to mount the vise, which is going to be placed on the left side.

I really like what you did with your work bench, it is awsome.

 

[jywilli69]

So I think I have come up with a design that I like for an upcoming workbench, but before I start building I wanted to run it by the experts on here. Work will be relatively light-duty, but I want it to hold up well over time and therefore I want a solid build.

Entire bench frame will be made with 2x4's, and the working surface will be two sheets of 3/4" ply that are glued and screwed together. Same goes for the bottom shelf. Dimensionally it will be 38" tall, 75" long, and 26" wide. The primary working surface is a 72"x23" piece of ply, and then then a strip of 2"x2" trim around the outside for aesthetics.

Priorities for my bench are strength and clamping surface. I believe this design will satisfy both of those priorities nicely, but I am of course open to suggestions as well. I would love to hear your thoughts. One early consideration is to do away with the ears on each end of the bottom shelf and instead just squaring it off with the inside of the legs. I would love to hear your thoughts on the design as a whole?

Cool design you have. I would go with 2x6 if your able to. Instead of MDF, I would get couple sheets of 3/4" Plywood instead. If you build it right, it will still be around for your grand kids when they start tinkering.