Work bench goals

[j p smith]

So I started out to replace my bench I have had for 18 years. I thought about trying to see how many ideas I could borrow from the forum and still make it work with what I already had. This where I started this morning and how far I got today. I still have one more feature to add. I would like to add a steel storage area between the boxes and the wall.

 

[1/2 Cup]

J P Smith I have no doubt that when it comes to ideas for a workbench build the GJ is a one stop shop.

Your old bench doesn't look that bad.

That's a pretty good days work to get it thus far.


What are your plans for the top?

Regards

 

[upndown]

Lookin good JP! Shoulda called me, I would have gladly taken your old bench. Just to help you de-clutter a bit. Haha

 

[j p smith]

Lookin good JP! Shoulda called me, I would have gladly taken your old bench. Just to help you de-clutter a bit. Haha

Thanks, It went to a friend of mine that has just moved into a house with a 3 car garage in East Buckeye. I kept the bowling alley wood top.

 

[j p smith]

J P Smith I have no doubt that when it comes to ideas for a workbench build the GJ is a one stop shop.

Your old bench doesn't look that bad.

That's a pretty good days work to get it thus far.


What are your plans for the top?

Regards

Thanks Half. After seeing some of the really great bench creations here I got to thinking if I could incorporate my boxes into a bench that would gain me some floor space and I had a friend that has always like the bench & cabinets. He made me an offer I liked and I kept the bowling alley wood top. will put up a picture of the top after I set it on the frame. JP

 

[southalabama]

Steveo's bench using hf cabinets is my favorite.

 

[j p smith]

Steveo's bench using hf cabinets is my favorite.

That's one of my favorites! I already had the Snap On Boxes

 

[j p smith]

Made some headway today on the bench project.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

So I started out to replace my bench I have had for 18 years. I thought about trying to see how many ideas I could borrow from the forum and still make it work with what I already had. This where I started this morning and how far I got today. I still have one more feature to add. I would like to add a steel storage area between the boxes and the wall.

Love the bar stools! I've got a mismatched set myself, picked up from different yard sales and such. Each one has their own story.

 

[j p smith]

Love the bar stools! I've got a mismatched set myself, picked up from different yard sales and such. Each one has their own story.

I hear you! I have 2 that were dropped off by friends that are my favorites.

Side note, no one has admitted dropping them off. I still don't know who to thank.

 

[Spareparts]

I really like the idea of storing the steel, like you said you came here for some ideas and shared one that others can use. Guess where my steel pile is going to be relocated to. Thanks.

 

[drivesitfar]

JP: you've got a very cool shop and i like the idea of steel frame and bowling alley top on it with your snap on cabinets below it. i also use your idea of commercial racking with tools, machines and stuff under them because they don't need a shelf near the base.

how did you attach the bowling alley wood top to your metal frame?

also i see you have a MILLER 250 welder and i'm thinking that might be the one for me to start with. any pros or cons with it and would you buy another one if you needed one or what would you buy? i'm between 211 and 250 models of Miller at this point, but i've got a lot of decking and fencing to build first so still doing research

thanks for sharing your bench ideas

 

[j p smith]

JP: you've got a very cool shop and i like the idea of steel frame and bowling alley top on it with your snap on cabinets below it. i also use your idea of commercial racking with tools, machines and stuff under them because they don't need a shelf near the base.

how did you attach the bowling alley wood top to your metal frame?

also i see you have a MILLER 250 welder and i'm thinking that might be the one for me to start with. any pros or cons with it and would you buy another one if you needed one or what would you buy? i'm between 211 and 250 models of Miller at this point, but i've got a lot of decking and fencing to build first so still doing research

thanks for sharing your bench ideas

Drives thanks for stopping in!

I used 1 1/2" angle to attach the top, 5 24" long pieces, 6 mounting holes in each piece, into the wood. Once you remove the original steel cross pieces under the top it gets sort of flimsy. The bowling alley lane is just pieces nailed together.

I like my Miller! Would buy it again. We have a Lincoln where I work and I have used a Hobart at another job. I would get the Hobart over the Lincoln. Although the Lincoln at work has been used and abused by others, might not be fair for me to say I don't like it. In picking a welder I would consider your needs, how thick of material you might need to weld. I think the 250 is great for my needs from thick to thin.

 

[blindley]

JP: One of your first pictures shows the top of your post vise on a red stand. Can you show us a picture of the whole vise and stand? I'm sure if you built the stand it's as nice as your workbench.

 

[drivesitfar]

JP: thanks for your endorsement for the Miller 250. have a great Father's Day weekend.

cheers

 

[crab]

I like the design of your bench, only thing I would do different is the top. A steel top 1/4 inch or thicker is a must for me but I also use my bench as a welding table.

 

[j p smith]

JP: One of your first pictures shows the top of your post vise on a red stand. Can you show us a picture of the whole vise and stand? I'm sure if you built the stand it's as nice as your workbench.

Thanks Blindley. I think I actually stole the idea from GJ

 

[j p smith]

JP: thanks for your endorsement for the Miller 250. have a great Father's Day weekend.

cheers

Thanks Drives. A very great Fathers day to you also.

Got the bench frame painted yesterday, will put some progress pictures up later.

 

[j p smith]

I like the design of your bench, only thing I would do different is the top. A steel top 1/4 inch or thicker is a must for me but I also use my bench as a welding table.

Thanks crab.
In the very first picture you can see my layout/welding table. This bench will be for tinker work and hit & miss engine assembly.
I hope to mount the top to the frame later today.

 

[j p smith]

Just a couple of pictures from today

 

[1/2 Cup]

j p smith, your bench has come up a treat, well done.

Regards

 

[j p smith]

j p smith, your bench has come up a treat, well done.

Regards

Thanks Half! Just came in, finished for today. Here are a couple more pictures

 

[blindley]

Thanks for the pictures of the post vise--really nice. The bonus was the rolling stand for the arbor press next to it. Nice job on both.

 

[j p smith]

thanks for the pictures of the post vise--really nice. The bonus was the rolling stand for the arbor press next to it. Nice job on both.

thanks!

 

[drivesitfar]

JP: your new bench looks AWESOME. WELL DONE SIR!!

it will look even better with your boxes in place and your stuff on top. nice wiring job and is the 220 plug for your Miller 250 welder?

Some day I'll have a big shop of my own, but in the meantime just finishing my house and ORGANIZING my little one.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

 

[j p smith]

JP: your new bench looks AWESOME. WELL DONE SIR!!

it will look even better with your boxes in place and your stuff on top. nice wiring job and is the 220 plug for your Miller 250 welder?

Some day I'll have a big shop of my own, but in the meantime just finishing my house and ORGANIZING my little one.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Thanks Drives! Yes the plug will work for either the MIG or the TIG and also the lathe. I did not plan to do welding on this side of the shop when I did the wiring, big mistake one more plug was all I needed

 

[OSULemon]

Absolutely in love with that top!

 

[ETwagon]

JP: also i see you have a MILLER 250 i'm between 211 and 250 models of Miller at this point, but i've got a lot of decking and fencing to build first so still doing research

drivesitfar, check out the Hobart Ironman230. Great bang for the buck. I upgraded from a Miller 210 and I'm really happy with it.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All I can say j p smith is your bench is simply awesome.

Regards

 

[j p smith]

absolutely in love with that top!

thanks!

 

[j p smith]

All I can say j p smith is your bench is simply awesome.

Regards

Mucho Thanks Half.
I need to change out the 220 plug, it seems I overlooked the orientation of the receptacle, the plug & cord will not clear the bottom of the top without a very tight turn in the cord.
Next up is to start cleaning up the boxes. I have one box that will need a new set of slides and they should be in this week from my Snap On guy

 

[drivesitfar]

JP: i hate when that happens to a plug or since you were having second thoughts about putting it there in the first place maybe remove and put it in another location while you have it apart. your call and always a pleasure looking in on your progress and shop.

ET: thanks for the good words about your Hobart 230 and i'm probably still a few months from having the space to use it so will keep listening and learning before i actually buy a nice welder.

 

[vonhef]

Impressive!!

 

[crab]

What's the purpose of the extra bracing on the back legs, the part that looks like a ladder ? Nice work .

 

[j p smith]

What's the purpose of the extra bracing on the back legs, the part that looks like a ladder ? Nice work .

Metal storage rack and thanks

 

[j p smith]

JP: i hate when that happens to a plug or since you were having second thoughts about putting it there in the first place maybe remove and put it in another location while you have it apart. your call and always a pleasure looking in on your progress and shop.

Hey Drives. Not having second thoughts about the location, I will up pick a box and 220 receptacle I can put in the box so the cord will hang down when plugged in

 

[drivesitfar]

JP: great idea about using the dead space behind the tool boxes for those hard to store long pieces of steel.

I wasn't trying to talk you out of leaving that 220 plug on the side of the new work bench and thought it looked great there in the first place.

 

[TLCObsession]

Metal storage rack and thanks

Is the garage door track blocking access to the storage?

 

[j p smith]

Is the garage door track blocking access to the storage?

A little, I figured I could load the metal in the space I had, then push back towards the wall. You will always have to move something to get to the one piece you wanted anyway.

 

[j p smith]

JP: great idea about using the dead space behind the tool boxes for those hard to store long pieces of steel.

Another stolen idea from GJ

I wasn't trying to talk you out of leaving that 220 plug on the side of the new work bench and thought it looked great there in the first place.

No worries. Thanks