work benches... from scratch
- Thread starter R6rider
- Start date
sams
Well-known member
here are my two benches:
I have my own thread for my workshop which is here:
-My unfinished garage in Vic/Australia
I have one other small island bench like the ones above and one main steel fabrication bench, but they are a while off
I have my own thread for my workshop which is here:
-My unfinished garage in Vic/Australia
I have one other small island bench like the ones above and one main steel fabrication bench, but they are a while off
abrahamfh
Well-known member
Not done yet, still need to add the casters(which I have), I was just a little tired last night.
Also picked up a piece of 12GA HR Mild Steel to be used as the work surface yesterday(which I will add after installing the casters).
Also picked up a piece of 12GA HR Mild Steel to be used as the work surface yesterday(which I will add after installing the casters).
ZeroSignal
Well-known member
Stupid question... Are most people making there benches to 36" height or something else?
Victorymike18
Well-known member
Nice!
Did you build the drawers from scratch? If so, how do you like them? Did you use full-length roller bearing sliders?
I love the column for the organizer trays, and saw your build pics of that in another thread.
sams
Well-known member
Yes I built everything from scratch, unlike the organiser tray holders they take a lot of time even with some experience behind me. Despite how simple they look it took me a lot of effort and time to work out the right process to make these and then actually do it. I am better now but it still takes my full concentration when making them. When I make my next set I would like to take some step by step photos of how I did it because I had a very specific order which I think makes it easier to do.
They are full extension ball bearing slides and I took a more detailed picture which I forgot to upload, I will do so later.
I have one stiff draw that I think needs a tiny bit shaved off one side and the very bottom one slides against the ground so I will take the board off and put an aluminum sheet in there instead but that aside I couldn't be happier, my friend who also made a cabinet copying mine also loves his. They are near on indestructable and roll in and out just as easy regardless of the load. Sure it was painfull and the initial frame needs to be pretty close to 90 degrees on either side but I think it was completely worth it. They are quick and easy to use and I just don't have to think twice abaout them. I like how I can just yank them out till they hit their limit and give them a slam as I am walking off.
I think that if there is any hastle with things such as draws/cupboards and so on it directly encourages lazyness and makes people put things where they don't belong. On a side note I completely agree with the guy who said earlier than deep benchs encourage unplanned storage, it's the same thing. Make it quick and easy and you have your best chance of staying the way it's meant to.
murph3204
Well-known member
42" for me.
sams
Well-known member
better pictures of draws:
this one below is temporary though as I will be storing my bottles and cans elsewhere in a few months, so I will divide this draw in half for more storage
this one below is temporary though as I will be storing my bottles and cans elsewhere in a few months, so I will divide this draw in half for more storage
abrahamfh
Well-known member
I built mine at 39 inches, when the casters are on it, it will raise the work surface up to 43 inches.
Call me the Breeze
Well-known member
I like mine around 40 - 42" tall - I'm 6'5" and that comfortable for me.
I am 6'8" and I do 40 inch benches as well, but have a few things like the drill press and bandsaw mounted a bit higher.
JohnMcD348
Well-known member
I built mine about 40-41". Perfect height for my 6'3" self.
Victorymike18
Well-known member
Hmm... Interesting. I assumed they would take some precision work. Would you mind sharing some of the particular steps which would make it easier? I am definitely going to build a similar setup, and would appreciate any tips that would save time and frustration.
Where did you get the slides from? I bought one pair of 16" ball bearing slides from Home Depot a while back. I recently found a site (drawer slides.com) which has a very nice selection, and I think I will get a bunch from them for the next build.
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bobberbob
Active member
Like many that have posted in this thread, I have been inspired. I have two benches in the garage now, a wood and a metal bench. I think I am going to sale them both, or give them away if needed, and start with a new idea.
I want to make it about 13 feet long, possibly in two sections that bolt together. I want it to run the length of one of my walls in the garage. I have 16 feet to work with total.
I want to have a bench that nests inside and will swivel out when needed. I think I will house my welder and torch on it.
I will probably have to go to Namasco to get the metal for it. I plan to use 2X2's for everything except the swivel point, which I think will need to be round stock with Timken bearings. I will put casters all around.
Here is the drawing I put together. One day, when I start working on it, I will post real pictures.
I want to make it about 13 feet long, possibly in two sections that bolt together. I want it to run the length of one of my walls in the garage. I have 16 feet to work with total.
I want to have a bench that nests inside and will swivel out when needed. I think I will house my welder and torch on it.
I will probably have to go to Namasco to get the metal for it. I plan to use 2X2's for everything except the swivel point, which I think will need to be round stock with Timken bearings. I will put casters all around.
Here is the drawing I put together. One day, when I start working on it, I will post real pictures.
BEAVO
Well-known member
hey sams what do you have in the plastic containers im guessing nuts and bolts and etc.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
He describes that rack pretty good on his build thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1427395
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1427395
e-tek
Well-known member
I've heard several times - measure from floor to your elbow, then less 2" and make that your finished bench height.
Dragster Racer
Well-known member
There's an ergonomic guide somewhere that I have refered to. It takes into consideration how precice of work you are doing, and how much exertion it takes. Precice..you want it closer to your face. Exertion..you want it down a bit where you can get your ams into it. If I run across it again I will post it. I referred to it when laying out work stations at a plant I worked at.
godrifttoday
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2010
- Messages
- 17
Here mine.*@#$
Victorymike18
Well-known member
Nice, that looks pretty stout.
Did you tie the 2x4 cross pieces into the vertical 4x4 legs with any additional way than just the metal braces?
Did you tie the 2x4 cross pieces into the vertical 4x4 legs with any additional way than just the metal braces?
If it weren't for this site I don't think I would have built my work bench this weekend, so it's only fair to share what I built I suppose. This thing is ridiculously overbuilt and does not rock one single bit. I'm still undecided on the top but I'll figure something out...
Shawn
edit: Please ignore my water issues, that's a whole other project all together
Shawn
edit: Please ignore my water issues, that's a whole other project all together
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94legaleagle
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- Joined
- May 7, 2009
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- 294
If it weren't for this site I don't think I would have built my work bench this weekend, so it's only fair to share what I built I suppose. This thing is ridiculously overbuilt and does not rock one single bit. I'm still undecided on the top but I'll figure something out...
Shawn
edit: Please ignore my water issues, that's a whole other project all together
nicely done! - my $0.02 - put one more set of legs in the middle of each bench for added support, and the top should be made out of 2 x 6 boards laid flat
do both of the above, and you should be able to set an entire car engine and ****** on the bench w/o any problems
JC23
Well-known member
Times two above. Is that bench fastened to the wall?
nkachur
Well-known member
I'm figuring if you do the above noted improvements you should be able to set the engine and ****** on the bench still in the car
Not yet. Was going to postpone that until I finish the top and the shelf. I'm still not sure if I need/want to. With the way this thing is put together I simply cannot envision a scenario where it could tip. I guess wrenching on it when something is in my vice might pull it from the wall?
Now if only I could find a way to get it into the basementI'm figuring if you do the above noted improvements you should be able to set the engine and ****** on the bench still in the car
94legaleagle
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 7, 2009
- Messages
- 294
Yeah, one other thing as noted above - secure it to the wall - b/c when you put a vise on it and start tugging on whatever is in the vice, the bench won't give at all if it is fastened to the wall
greenenvy1
Active member
Awesome ideas on here.
Got mine almost done this wknd. With help from this thread and my 13, 7, and 4 year old sons! Just need to deceide on a top. Built it 8' by 30" deep. Height to be determined once I chose my top. Built out of 2 x 4 and 2 x 6. Will post pics soon. free standing for the time being, trying to think of a "quick" method to secure it to the wall.
Got mine almost done this wknd. With help from this thread and my 13, 7, and 4 year old sons! Just need to deceide on a top. Built it 8' by 30" deep. Height to be determined once I chose my top. Built out of 2 x 4 and 2 x 6. Will post pics soon. free standing for the time being, trying to think of a "quick" method to secure it to the wall.
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jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I'm still undecided on the top but I'll figure something out...
Shawn
edit: Please ignore my water issues, that's a whole other project all together
Over time, I've found that if it's a bench for general work or non-metal work, I like to put a sheet of 3/4" ply over the support rails to which I screw or lag it to and then either screw or double-face tape 1/8" masonite over that to where it all lays flush with the outer wood rails /end caps so there is no raised lip.
The ply further supports and spreads mass and blows from teh underlaying lumber 2-bys and the masonite on top is a sacrificial skin that can be used up, then flipped over for round 2, then tossed and cheaply replaced for any glue/grinding/sanding, etc hiccups. 2 by solid lumber is better but FAR more expensive.
I also prefer doubled up legs split by the horz supports, but come from a lot of cabinet and POP mfgrng. where heavy-duty benches were needed.
If you need an engine stand or hydraulic platform for heavy duty use, then buy a HF hydraulic lift or make a metal engine platform. Wood will support the weight but is not necessarily the best material for prolonged and repeated service for such jobs.
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Looks good. reminds me of building my own workbench out of 2 X 4 and 2 X 6. For a top may i suggest cutting down a 300 year old hardwood tree and pick out a nice single piece slab. (i used an Aussie hardwood, Jarrah). Mine measures 10 foot by 2 1/2 ft. I get no end of use from it.
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peelman
Well-known member
I used a sheet of 3/4" OSB and a sheet of 1/2" OSB plus 1/4" masonite (hardboard) as the work surface. That gave me a benchtop that was 1 1/2" thick, and doesn't flex at all. I'm convinced the rest of the 2x4 frame will fall apart around the top. There are others on here who advocate using 2 3/4" sheets plus masonite, but I saved a couple of bucks and just used 1/2 as my undersheet.
bullfrog123
Well-known member
Lag bolt it to the wall AND anchor it to the floor too. I just finished rebuilding my bench and finally anchored it to the floor. This really reduces the "bouncing" effect when hammering on things.
2- concrete anchors
4- eye screws
4- cable clamps or ferrules
2- turnbuckles
5'- 1/4" cable
Another advantage of using turnbuckles is so when things settle or warp a touch over time you can still keep the bench sucked down to the floor.
edit... 1st pic is my welding bench anchored down, 2nd is the turnbuckle anchor.
2- concrete anchors
4- eye screws
4- cable clamps or ferrules
2- turnbuckles
5'- 1/4" cable
Another advantage of using turnbuckles is so when things settle or warp a touch over time you can still keep the bench sucked down to the floor.
edit... 1st pic is my welding bench anchored down, 2nd is the turnbuckle anchor.
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greenenvy1
Active member
recycled some 2 x 4s last night for hte first layer of the bench. Heading to hardware store shortly to pick up 3/4 maple plywood they have on clearance and will do two layers of this. Three inch thick surface, final height will be approx 40 3/4 inches tall. Planning on treating top surface with tung oil. Will post pics again this wknd.
willysrule
Well-known member
a bit cluttered right now...
Victorymike18
Well-known member
Looks well-established yet tidy. Very nice.
I like lighted area under the shelf. Just wondering: do you prefer the power strip where it is, rather than on the front edge of the bench?
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willysrule
Well-known member
Thanks...
I had it on the front edge before moving it up there...I kept hitting the plugs when trying to work on something or tripping over the cords that were hanging down...the “straw that broke the camel’s back” was when I was carrying a part and snagged the cord of my brand new battery charger. The charger was sitting on the bench and ended up smashed into pieces on the floor…When I moved it up there I also changed out the far right plug to a switch to control the light for the bench…Outlets are not a problem, when I rewired the garage I added a ton of lights and outlets…I also put a wired in power strip above the bench in the far right hand corner right below the shelf, it’s for chargers and the radio…
fotoflojoe
Well-known member
Wow... This thread is overwhelming.
Lots of great ideas, just overwhelming.
Lots of great ideas, just overwhelming.
weatmaster
Member
Welded something up...
... and painted it.
... and painted it.
Nice bench. Nice color, too.
sams
Well-known member
Welded something up...
I am curious about this vice/vise, why does it have two handles at the base? one for swivel?
Good job with the bench too
bauschracing
Well-known member
Here is my portable table that is used as a welding table. It is made of 2" square and 1" square tubing. The top is 1/8th " steel. The table is 36" X 72" long. If you look beside the table, you will see my 1947 Westinghouse stick welder. The table was welded with my Lincoln 180 Mig. The steps below are for getting in the camper.
MIke