vintage_miata
New member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2009
- Messages
- 3
Thought the members of this forum might enjoy the custom work/lab bench I built for my garage a couple of years ago. While it might not be everyone's ideal workbench, it works great for most projects I do. It is partially modeled after the lab benches typically used at companies that are involved in electronics work.
I used two vintage lunch room tables (circa 1940s) for the main bench top and shelf. These tabletops are constructed from thick, heavy duty plywood with a Formica top and chrome banding. Each top weighs about 80 lbs.. They came from my previous work facility when they replaced the old lunchroom furniture with new stuff. A few of the other materials such as the wheels, Formica shelves and the electrical outlet strip came from the same company when it was shut down and moved out-of-state. It's amazing what gets thrown out when a company moves.
The heavy duty wheels are cast metal with non-marking polyurethane treads and can support 900 lbs each. I incorporated a couple of basic Home Depot white cabinets for storage and built them into the structure. The upper shelf and end supports are cut from the second tabletop.
The electrical box has switches for Mains power, a Mains LED Voltmeter, an under-the-shelf florescent lamp, and switched mains outlets for a clamp-on lamp, soldering iron, or any other electric tools.
It also features:
fire extinguisher
decal collection 20 years in the making
extruded aluminum trim on all outside corners
room thermometer
bench vice
storage for a small anvil and Dremel hobby vice
detachable power cord
height adjustable lab chair
Although I started with a general design plan, there were many alterations during the course of construction, mostly based on limitations of materials. The wheels are great as it is very easy for one person to move around. Two wheels swivel and two are fixed.
For reference, the bench height is 36" and the tabletop is 30" x 72". Materials cost approximately $580.00.
Overall it was a lot of fun to design and build, and it should last a few generations!
I used two vintage lunch room tables (circa 1940s) for the main bench top and shelf. These tabletops are constructed from thick, heavy duty plywood with a Formica top and chrome banding. Each top weighs about 80 lbs.. They came from my previous work facility when they replaced the old lunchroom furniture with new stuff. A few of the other materials such as the wheels, Formica shelves and the electrical outlet strip came from the same company when it was shut down and moved out-of-state. It's amazing what gets thrown out when a company moves.
The heavy duty wheels are cast metal with non-marking polyurethane treads and can support 900 lbs each. I incorporated a couple of basic Home Depot white cabinets for storage and built them into the structure. The upper shelf and end supports are cut from the second tabletop.
The electrical box has switches for Mains power, a Mains LED Voltmeter, an under-the-shelf florescent lamp, and switched mains outlets for a clamp-on lamp, soldering iron, or any other electric tools.
It also features:
fire extinguisher
decal collection 20 years in the making
extruded aluminum trim on all outside corners
room thermometer
bench vice
storage for a small anvil and Dremel hobby vice
detachable power cord
height adjustable lab chair
Although I started with a general design plan, there were many alterations during the course of construction, mostly based on limitations of materials. The wheels are great as it is very easy for one person to move around. Two wheels swivel and two are fixed.
For reference, the bench height is 36" and the tabletop is 30" x 72". Materials cost approximately $580.00.
Overall it was a lot of fun to design and build, and it should last a few generations!
