work benches... from scratch

[CJCar]

2x4's laminated on top of a mixture of metal kitchen cabinets, metal cabinets from the university anatomy dept and ikea.

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I've been thinking of going this route for the top on my next bench. A few of questions if you don't mind:

Did you do any milling to the 2x4's before gluing them up? Run through a jointer/planer?

What type of glue did you use?

Any nails/screws/bolts/all thread?

Are all the 2x4's full length?

Have you had any issue with bowing/warping/cupping?

Thanks!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Did you do any milling to the 2x4's before gluing them up? Run through a jointer/planer?....

Have you had any issue with bowing/warping/cupping?

Thanks!

Not to speak for the OP of that photo but I think you'd have to use a planer or jointer to square-up the corners or after the laminating there will be little depressed lines or gaps in the work surface. Not catastrophic but flat is better.

If you laminate the 2x4's so the grain of each 2x4 is opposite each other the tendency of each to warp will fight against each other and overall the top will TEND to stay straight.

 

[JMartel]

Well, you can use a hand plane, but it takes a while. Plus, if you plan to do that I would highly suggest you make sure all the grain runs the same direction. Otherwise you'll have to switch directions constantly and still have tearout.

 

[mdbeck1]

Well, you can use a hand plane, but it takes a while. Plus, if you plan to do that I would highly suggest you make sure all the grain runs the same direction. Otherwise you'll have to switch directions constantly and still have tearout.

I seem to remember an article I read about someone that built a sled for their router, placed a 2X on each side (leveled of course) and then leveled the top by running the router in the sled and then moving it over. Then run a belt sander over the bench top to smooth it down.

 

[peelman]

I've heard of similar methods when a planer isn't an option. Like a milling machine for lumber.

The other thing to do is to square the 2x's up on a table saw before you start. Taking off the rounded edges so you have a hard edge on at least one side can at least somewhat reduce the amount of planing (or jig routing) you have to do.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Here's a little work spot I made at one of my laundromats. Nothing fancy due to space constraints.

 

[welder4956]

I seem to remember an article I read about someone that built a sled for their router, placed a 2X on each side (leveled of course) and then leveled the top by running the router in the sled and then moving it over. Then run a belt sander over the bench top to smooth it down.

Something like this?

 

[mdbeck1]

Something like this?

that would work for some things... I was thinking about this one:

 

[BellyUpFish]

DIY Butcherblock..

 

[deezee]

I've been thinking of going this route for the top on my next bench. A few of questions if you don't mind:

Did you do any milling to the 2x4's before gluing them up? Run through a jointer/planer?

What type of glue did you use?

Any nails/screws/bolts/all thread?

Are all the 2x4's full length?

Have you had any issue with bowing/warping/cupping?

Thanks!

A friend of mine built it for me. He has a 12" planer so he built it in two sections. glued with wood glue and ran them through the planer, then glued and clamped them the two sections together. No screws or nails as far as I know. I had to sand them down by belt sander in the center before I finished them. He made them in full 8' sections and I trimmed off as I installed them. It was just built and installed so I'll report back if there are any issues.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Well it is not "from scratch" however I did a lot of work to the table so I thought it might give others ideas....

I surfed on here and saw a ton of really nice work benches however in the end I could not justify buying thousands of dollars in welding and cutting equipment to build a workbench so I stuck with wood.... The reason I went with this type of "table" design is that I wanted a large span of up to 10 feet between the two front legs and still be sturdy. I wanted a ton of open storage under all of my workbench area.

Here is what I started with, a roughly 500 pound oak table from a library was low cost locally on line.

 

[JDishong]

Not complete yet, but here is my progress on my made from scratch cabinets. I wanted the look of aluminum modulars .... Stainless steel counter top in progress.

Wall mounted base cabinets required additional wall supporting to be installed behind drywall as shown:

 

[dittle fart around]

View media item 10146
Here's mine. Built from recycled soccer goal posts. That's the wife playing the part of Vana White. Check out this post for more workbenches

We moved to Napa and left the house with our sons. This is my oldest son's new workbench. The saw table fits flush with the wall mounted bench.

View media item 42506
The bench is sloped to follow the floor so the saw table can be moved down towards the garage door and still act as an extension of the saw table.

View media item 42507
The finished project. Doesn't look much like my old garage anymore.

 

[Regnar]

I seem to remember an article I read about someone that built a sled for their router, placed a 2X on each side (leveled of course) and then leveled the top by running the router in the sled and then moving it over. Then run a belt sander over the bench top to smooth it down.

Here you go. Good video on flattening a bench.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Today I added a 20" deep 8' long fold up work bench. That brings me to 38 feet of workbench in this 26X26 garage. I used two 2x10 that I salvaged from a construction dumpster, 6 hinges, and some 2x4 that I had around. It is really sturdy and only took me an hour to build. The 1x2 that ties the legs together also hold the bench up against the wall!

 

[NASTYZEN]

My mobile fab workbench.

 

[PCO6]

NASTY - I don't recall seeing that model in the Beach catalogue!

Nice job.

 

[188slo50]

My mobile fab workbench.

Now that's a fab bench! Got any build pics?

 

[taumac]

My mobile fab workbench.





[emoji481]

WOW HOLY ****..... That's super nice.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[Pupuhd]

Holy **** indeed. Does that beast drink diesel or jet fuel?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[allinon72]

Nasty wins, lock the thread.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Thanks guys. I am really enjoying working with it so far.
I keep catching myself staring at it. It'll wear off soon enough...

Here is the link to the ongoing build.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230168

 

[firecracker]

Fantastic job Nasty What engine did you finally deside to put in it ?
Top marks to Zach for the paint job.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

love this thread....so many great ideas...those of you using MDF of plywood for tops....how do they hold up long term?

 

[sean Buick 76]

MDF is great unless it gets wet or moist, i find.

 

[Burl]

I tore down a deck....built this. Yeah, I'm a fan of pegboard, a buddy of mine has boxes of the larger pegs, so why not.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

MDF is great unless it gets wet or moist, i find.

a little sealer should help solve that.

 

[Grinder Bill]

I purchased 4 Craftman 42" rollaway tool boxs on sale and used them as built-ins. Made the base out of 2x6 covered with 1/2" plywood and built the walls to support the 3/4" plywood top. Bent up 2 8' sheets of 304 stainless to complete.

Built another 8' bench from 2x2 steel, covered in 3/4 plywood & capped with stainless.

 

[taumac]

I purchased 4 Craftman 42" rollaway tool boxs on sale and used them as built-ins. Made the base out of 2x6 covered with 1/2" plywood and built the walls to support the 3/4" plywood top. Bent up 2 8' sheets of 304 stainless to complete.

Built another 8' bench from 2x2 steel, covered in 3/4 plywood & capped with stainless.

That looks great. Nice job

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[DP121]

Grinder Bill, how do you bend the stainless steel and how do you attach it to the plywood to make a workbench top?

 

[Grinder Bill]

Grinder Bill, how do you bend the stainless steel and how do you attach it to the plywood to make a workbench top?

ty, taumac.

I know a few guys who do HVAC; cost me a box of donuts to have the tops sheared and bent. The sheared off pieces were used for kick plates and trim.

The s/s is glued to the plywood with PL Premium, and attached to the wall with s/s screws, which are hidden by the aluminum diamondplate backsplash.

 

[4AudiQ]

What is the ideal height for a work bench?

 

[DP121]

ty, taumac.

I know a few guys who do HVAC; cost me a box of donuts to have the tops sheared and bent. The sheared off pieces were used for kick plates and trim.

The s/s is glued to the plywood with PL Premium, and attached to the wall with s/s screws, which are hidden by the aluminum diamondplate backsplash.

Thanks for the answer.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I found this table stand by a dumpster and I salvaged it to build a medium duty 4x8 table. I can stand on the table and it is plenty stiff. I put this top together with a 3/8" plywood top laminated to scrap 1/2" OSB with 2x4 and 2x3 re-enforcement:

The feet are adjustable which is great and the top is removable with just 6 screws to the base.

 

[rick carpenter]

Well it is not "from scratch" however I did a lot of work to the table so I thought it might give others ideas....

...

Here is what I started with, a roughly 500 pound oak table from a library was low cost locally on line.

I like your narrow benches Sean, they look really good and are similar in spirit to mine: two 6' x 18" sections of an industrial particle wood door cut in half. I have two-high milk crate stacks (plus, uhh, other ****) under my benches for storage

 

[sean Buick 76]

I like your narrow benches Sean, they look really good and are similar in spirit to mine: two 6' x 18" sections of an industrial particle wood door cut in half. I have two-high milk crate stacks (plus, uhh, other ****) under my benches for storage

Thanks!

 

[bobbyu]

Something like this?

That looks like a fun project. I'm thinking about getting a butcher block top from Menards while they are on sale. Mounting it on some type of legs. http://www.menards.com/main/search.html?search=butcher

 

[JonnyMac]

My mobile fab workbench.

Ok I have to know... the door on the long side seems to open directly into the sides of the short side drawers.. whats behind the door???!!!!

 

[peelman]

love this thread....so many great ideas...those of you using MDF of plywood for tops....how do they hold up long term?

Its really very subjective. If you beat the tar out of them and gouge them to hell, they might not last a month. if you have a proper steel top for that kinda thing, and reserve the MDF surfaces for moderate banging, you might get a year or two. If your like me and hardly ever find time to get in the damned garage any more, they might outlast you.

 

[Kimarieck]

Its really very subjective. If you beat the tar out of them and gouge them to hell, they might not last a month. if you have a proper steel top for that kinda thing, and reserve the MDF surfaces for moderate banging, you might get a year or two. If your like me and hardly ever find time to get in the damned garage any more, they might outlast you.

Agreed. Depends on how you use it. For a woodworker, sealing or applying Formica might make them a long term solution. If you're gonna beat on them, you need to cover them up. Metal is ideal, but a sacrificial tempered hardboard top might be the deal short-term.