To build a workbench or to buy a workbench

[weerez935]

I'm going to redo my shed as a project over the next few months. I am a renter so it's mostly about making the shed work for my projects not hanging drywall or any major renovation work. The biggest thing I'm missing at the moment is work space. I have various cabinets and shelves but no real workplace. Most of my bench projects will be soldering guitar stuff and fixing amps. I would like to stay in the 200$ range not including tools or supplies needed.

There is a medium stock pile of lumber that's sat outside the shed but covered by an awning. I'm not sure if it's useable or not. Also not sure what size the boards are but some of them are about 7-8ft long.

There is also some ply that was kept inside the shed.

To keep things simple I would probably build something using these:
http://m.northerntool.com/shop/tool...i_sku=252204&gclid=CPXNweO_3cICFfLm7AodGyEAXg

Or just simply buy this and paint the metal black:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LM...SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31LBv1IRtXL&ref=plSrch

Opinions?

 

[The Cobbler]

I wouldn't buy a workbench, I always build my own, if you're handy with wood, build it. for $145 for the amazon one you can buy more than enough lumber to build one. if you have to go by tools in order to do it, then maybe buying one is the best option.

 

[Askme42]

Build it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Wee: where are you located? if you are just looking for a wood workbench check Craigslist if you have access to a truck or have a trailer hitch to rent a Uhaul trailer for $20 for the day.

you might even find one that is in the free section or nice used ones if you are willing to spend $200.

if you are building one a fire rated door makes a nice bench top and you can put some hardboard on top of it for a smooth surface.

 

[weerez935]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I wasn't sure how much lumber would cost to be honest, because I've never build anything this big before.
I'm about an hour from little rock so I'll check craigslist there.

What and where would you buy a top from? Also, this may be an incredibly dumb question, but how do you attach the top without drilling through the work surface ( top side ).

 

[drivesitfar]

WEE: your craigslist should have a free section in it so check there too because some awesome wood workbenches get listed there if a person is selling or moving and can't take it with them out of state.

you can probably build a nice wood workbench out of brand new 2 x 6's for less than $100 too if you can't find a nice used one.

 

[upndown]

Check out the discount or return section at HD or Lowes. I picked up a Jeld-Wen solid core at Lowes for $10.

 

[mossyboy6]

I have two of these
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I am very happy with them. Just the materials for one would have been $150, plus a lot of labor to build them.

 

[zkling]

Will you be sitting or standing? Will you do much hammering on the surface?

 

[whitedogone]

We build ****....come on man.

 

[Outlawmws]

Also look for a Formica kitchen counter top while looking in the CL free adds, those make great workbench tops. the back splash prevents losing stuff behind the bench, and that little roll on the front edge helps keep things from rolling off as easy...

 

[newspeed]

Build it. Anything you build will be stronger than anything you can buy these days.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have the plans for the EZ Workbench if anybody is interested. You'd have to give me an email address though. Some people don't want to do that.

 

[ladrones]

Build one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jakemac]

Built one.

 

[Drake9]

Like everyone else has said, build it! So much more pride when you do that. You had to have known that was the answer you were going to get

 

[bareass172]

I agree wholeheartedly about building what you want, it's not that hard if you have the tools and knowledge. With that said, since you're renting, perhaps something like this might be an option you'd prefer because you could easily break it down to move at a later date:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030T1BRE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I still think this is crazy expensive for what it is, but for people without the means they work incredibly well.
If you decide to build your own, there are about 40 billion sets of plans on the web. Do some google image searching and see what design fits your needs and looks doable for you.

 

[devoncoolman]

All you need is a pile of 2x6's & 2 4x4's and some carriage bolts and you can build a very stout work bench way over kill for what you will probably ever need. I built a very large work bench in my mothers shed for her crafting projects using a sheet of ply wood and a small pile of 2x6's & a 4x4 and its very stout. My opinion build it. You could build a bench twice that size for probably under $145

 

[GTA Matt]

Also in the build it camp. I spent days looking at the workbench threads here, gathering ideas for what I thought would be useful for myself and still within my skillset for building. Very happy with my results. I have 2 very sturdy benches, one 120x30" and a 60x30". Cost of materials would have been under $150 for both, but I bought some very nice ($$) casters for the smaller bench.

 

[drivesitfar]

Wee: if you do end up building your own bench i agree with the bolts and or screw method of putting it together. that way if you ever move or want to change the design it will come apart easier.

 

[CNGsaves]

Hybrid . . . watch the FREE section of Craigslist and get materials or starting point for your bench project. FREE is always good !! Picking up solid core door from a demolition is also good bench top, along with countertop as suggested by Outlaw.

Then, modify to suit your needs.

So overall . . BUILD . . . but with mostly free materials !!

 

[weerez935]

I looked up 2x6 workbench and found this.

I think I want to try it, although not drilling all the holes in the top.

What kind of bit would you use to drill the 3/4" holes through 14 2x6s lol? Also what is the easiest way to cut dovetails ?

 

[PCO6]

Mine is half bought and half built. I bought some rusty scraps of pallet rack, cut the 2 vertical pieces down to a bench top height I liked (36") and attached the 2 horizontal pieces to them. The top is 2"x10" lumber with a sheet of 1/8" steel on it (plywood or something similar would be fine). The overall length is 10' and the depth is 30".

I used no hardware at all and I can knock it down in 15 minutes if I have to move it. It's heavy enough that I didn't even have to anchor it to the wall.

View media item 38661

 

[rockinacummins]

Don't even ask, just build it!

 

[weerez935]

PCO6 I really like that idea. Very nicely done

 

[Outlawmws]

I looked up 2x6 workbench and found this.

I think I want to try it, although not drilling all the holes in the top.

What kind of bit would you use to drill the 3/4" holes through 14 2x6s lol? Also what is the easiest way to cut dovetails ?

A 3/4" bit, drilling them 1 or 2 at a time...

 

[regguy1]

Built this one from 1/2" plywood and 2" x 4" legs.
scroll to post 268 here for more detailed photos:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406&page=14