Work bench?

[Big Top GT]

After a weekend of picking things up off the floor, I've come to the realization that I have to get some sort of bench in my garage. While it's a good problem to have, I'm finding myself being overrun by tools and underwhelmed by the amount of storage I've got in the garage.

I've been looking at the Craftsman 8' Bamboo top with their matching base which seems like a good value at around 220 for the base and another 160 for the top.

Before I start ordering things to the house, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced alternative?

I've been all over my local Craigslist and eBay, but either there's nothing at all or it's overpriced junk.

The goal is to go with an 8 foot work station which leaves enough for a 50-60" toolbox setup.

 

[archirelic]

How capable are your woodworking skills? You could build one for a fraction of the cost that the Craftsman will set you back.

 

[Big Top GT]

I'm average, but I'd really like to have something that doesn't look like I built it.

I'm not sure I can pull that off without some serious supervision.

 

[ChrisStarks]

When I was looking for a bench, I looked everywhere for a big *** metal table - couldn't find one that was huge, beefy. I ended up building my own. 10'x3', 46" high. Made out of 3/8" plate. Cost for materials was around $220, and took a few hours to weld up.
If you're going to be doing serious work on the bench - welding, griding, hammering - building your own is the way to go.

 

[Big Top GT]

Ok, so who's got a welder and a weekend to provide some lessons?

I'll provide the green bottled refreshments.

 

[regguy1]

This sounds like what you're looking for,

Scroll down to posts No. 7 and 11, if interested I can tell you more about how that bench was built:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86121

 

[mdbeck1]

Ok, so who's got a welder and a weekend to provide some lessons?

I'll provide the green bottled refreshments.

I don't have a welder but how about some advice??

If you tell us your physical location (City and State) you might get more responses.

 

[2oolhound]

The harbor freight 50 something inch roller is an option with a laminated top. You get lots of storage that way. It may not be tough enough to mount a vice on and do some heavy pounding on though .

 

[nate379]

I'm sure you can figure out a homebuilt one with trouble. I built mine about 10 years ago with nothing more than perhaps $20 of 2x4s, sheet of plywood, sack of screws and my Craftsman cordless tool set.

Chris I don't know where the heck you got a 3x10 piece of 3/8" for $220, but that is near the cost of 1/8" here.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

If you want steel framing without welding, Unistrut is the answer (think giant Erector set).

I'm sure there's probably someone nearby that can help you put together the perfect bench for considerably less than Sears.

 

[Scout Driver]

Here's the bench that I built from some old kitchen cabinets and some scraps I had lying around. The steel top was made by a steel fabricator. In the end, there was less than $150 in the entire build.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68658

Scott

 

[franzdom]

I built this with about 10 2x4's, a sheet of MDF and a sheet of oak veneer, deck screws, glue, all told was barely $100. It is 24" x 60".

 

[ekeller]

Find a old Lyon bench if you can. Dad and I both have one, his even has 3 drawers under it.

 

[Doxhog]

Try doing it yourself using corner connectors from Simpson. I made storage shelves to fit my need for my shop.

http://strongtie.com/DIY/projects.html#shelves

 

[Az Scooter]

I used shelf racking. Pit a piece of 3/4" mdf on it, with some 10 gauge steel on top of that. It works great, I can weld on it and the wood still does not have burn marks underneath, and the price was right. It measures 36x96 and is perfect for my needs.

 

[PCO6]

I used pallet racking for the foundation of my main bench. See posts 13 and 145 of this thread ...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103738