Work bench ideas...... Need help!

[quick86]

So I'm trying to figure out how I want to do my work bench... I've got a slight dilema... I'm trying to make my work bench attached to the wall for the extra stability for when I am using my BFH to beat the hell out of unwaivering suspension components...


Anyways, I'll show you whats currently there and my dilemma...

Sooo the garage is half underground with a block wall... Then drywall and typical stick built construction above... That's my dilemma.. I don't want to have to try and anchor to the block wall itself... I kind of like how the storage is height wise currently, at 45 1/2" tall....with my 6'2" frame it's nice having everything higher for easier access.... But I can see when it might be a PITA as well......


But at it's current 45 1/2" height it allows it to anchor in to the studs through the drywall and I would be able to use it for some storage underneath for larger items such as my shop vac...


Where the bike is in the first picture is where my toolbox ended up - below the pegboard.... I'm going to leave that side of the garage wall open and run the work bench from where the shelving begins all the way to the west wall...




Sooo.. Anyways, before I continue ranting and get off topic... What do you guys think? Is 45 1/2" too high for a work bench and will I hate myself for doing it? Or should I just make the bench free standing?

 

[KEH]

Find proper attaching parts to bolt legs to concrete floor. Fasten to wall studs also. Fastening to block wall won't be any stronger that fastening to wall studs IMO unless the blocks have been filled with concrete. Make work bendh heavy,

KEH

 

[rieferman]

I'd just build a heavy bench. 4x4 legs, 2x6 cross pieces, a couple sheets of 3/4" mdf glued up to make a meaty top (cover with something tougher as needed). Fill bottom shelf of the table with heavy stuff.

I have a table like this that's only 3 foot x 4 foot in size. And I've BEAT on it with a sledge without it sliding around. If you were to make an 8 footer...

 

[AFChief]

I agree with Riefrman. Build you a sturdy one with 4x4's.

I'm sure it would be much easier if you sent me that Fox body. You know, to get it out of the way

 

[quick86]

lmfao. Provided it comes back in better shape than it is now, sure... lmfao



Anyways, sitting on my porcelain throne where all my best thinking is done, I came up with an idea... When I returned to my desk I sketched out something that might work. It will be a larger one piece setup but I will attach it to the wall on one end where it will be higher up for larger storage below and a lower end that will be sturdy with 4x4 legs on one end....

Scan of ideas on paper to be up shortly.

 

[PaulR]

If want it sturdy and your going to beat on it with a BFH if I were you I would do some vertical 4x4's from the floor up, there's no avoiding it. Space them 4 feet apart with no bottom brace, you'll have plenty of space underneath still.

 

[quick86]

If want it sturdy and your going to beat on it with a BFH if I were you I would do some vertical 4x4's from the floor up, there's no avoiding it. Space them 4 feet apart with no bottom brace, you'll have plenty of space underneath still.

Yeah, it'll end up having vertical 4x4s for sure.

 

[quick86]

ROUGH sketch. I'll come up with something better when I have time to get more measurements and such.


So yes - don't pick on my elementary school rough sketch.


I'll attach it to the floor by having it stand on 4x4's... The higher bench will still be braced to the wall studs at the top.

The lower bench will allow me to set up a vice lower for better leverage and the higher bench will allow me to have the taller floor storage plus a nice place for bench grinder and higher work top for the electrical work I love doing.

Off to the left side it gives me space for my tool box as well. With room to grow.

 

[COWBOY]

my father inlaw always said , personal bench should be elbow height when
holding a cup of coffee. so 45 in should be about right for you

 

[reinhardt]

i was told it's a bad idea to bolt the bench to the wall, beating on the bench would shake the wall. especially in my circumstances, the wife's pictures are hanging on the other side of the wall. i instead think it's a better idea to anchor it to the floor. i built my work bench out of steel angle iron, so it's a little easier to bolt to the floor w/ anchors. best of luck.

ben

 

[nvrenufrm]

Free standing contructed of solid 4x4's, and 2x6's with 3/4" top and shelving (covered with heavy gauge sheet metal), will be plenty strong enough, even if it were in the center of the garage floor. If you want to attach to the wall, you certainly could use something like L brackets, but really isn't necessary. The weight of the bench is it's own stability. Oh yeah, the height sounds great, but I am 6' 6"..make it comfortable for you.

 

[rickey1013]

Nice Foxbody. I am 5'10" and the bench I built is 41" with a slope to 42" it is 16 feet long runs along the outside wall of my garage. You could bang on it with a sledge. I do not have a problem with the height when I am working. I just did the complete suspension on my 99 and am now in the process of repainting my 86 mustang.

 

[glockman]

Mine is 30 inches deep, 8 feet long. 4x4 legs on either end. 2x6 at the top of the legs with 2 peices of 7/16 plywood stacked on top. I did however notch the bottom of the back legs to go over the foundation that sticks up past the floor. That way I could push it up against the wall. It didn't seem to affect the strength as the notch is sitting on the floor and on the foundation. I am in the process of building two 40 inch drawer for all my powertools to sit on underneath.

 

[ADaughen]

I have had this one saved until my workshop is ready:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&page=17