work benches... from scratch

[brokenknee]

Here is a link to a "how to post pictures" I did in another forum I frequent.

http://www.diychatroom.com/f98/how-post-pictures-50857/

 

[Jack Olsen]

Did somebody say pictures?

I posted this in another thread, but it seems to also belong in a 'work benches... from scratch' collection.

I got a little break in my work schedule the other day, so while the kid was in school I knocked this bench together.

Here's the rough sketch I did at breakfast:

Nice look, but I needed to figure out how to bend the 2"x2" tubing. So I finally unpacked my cheapo Harbor Freight roller bender. Without dies for square tubing, it was slow going. I ended up having to make a series of cuts to help it along:

Then I just cut the rest of the pieces to match the sketch. I used a total of 33' of square tubing:

My assembly on this had to be quick (since the kid's only in half days of nursery school), and I'm still enough of a novice so that the welds are pretty ugly. But that's what grinders were invented for, right?

Here it is in its basic shape with the butcher block sitting on top of it. At this point, I still need to do the grinding, filling and paint:

My garage is still a complete mess from tearing out most of the old cabinets and putting some steel units in. But if you squint your eyes and look through all the clutter, the bigger picture of the new look is starting to come together:

As you can see, I stained the tops of all three wood benches a dark brown. It's kind of shiny in this picture, because it's drying -- but it will have a satin finish and be almost an opaque stain kind of look. I didn't want the tops to look like nice furniture, but I didn't want them to look like raw lumber, either.

(The lumber resting next to it is for an unrelated project.)

 

[rwhite692]

That looks real nice, Jack. The Arch really makes it a lot more interesting.

And of course the strength factor of a classic arch is a great bonus.

 

[brokenknee]

I really think it looks to nice to use as a work bench. I wouldn't want to put anything on it for fear of ruining the finish.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I really think it looks to nice to use as a work bench. I wouldn't want to put anything on it for fear of ruining the finish.

See, I thought it looked too pretty when it was just Maple butcher block. Then I took the old finish off with 36 grit sandpaper on a belt sander -- so the top of it now looks like the face of an old boxer. I won't mind banging on it at all.

 

[WhatThaFrig]

Wow! Jack, you never cease to amaze me. I wish I was a "novice" fabricator. Very very nice work.

 

[R6rider]

great job on that bench Jack... i like it.

 

[troublemaker427]

Anyone know where I can find a set of plans for a simple 8'x32" workbench built from wood? Nothing fancy, just a simple heavy duty bench for a garage.

 

[ddrewyor]

I built this a couple of years back because I got tired of moving the plate around to work in the garage! It's my welding, and anything that needs to be "heat and beat" on bench. I used 1" plate and some tube stock that I welded adjustable house jack feet onto. The plates are perfectly flat to each other so I can span across the triangle to get large projects flat. Holes in the top allow for clamps and threaded holders for any configuration of hold down. Hasn't broken yet!

Dave
________
Penny stocks

 

[R6rider]

Anyone know where I can find a set of plans for a simple 8'x32" workbench built from wood? Nothing fancy, just a simple heavy duty bench for a garage.

this thread has plenty of plans... pick a simple one and send a PM to the individual. I'm sure they will give you details.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That's awesome. That thick, you know that bench will put up with anything and won't go anywhere.

Did you attach it to the wall?

(And WhatThaFrig and R6rider, thanks!)

 

[ddrewyor]

I was going to bolt it to the wall but I did not have to. The L config keeps it from tipping and the weight keeps it planted pretty good. I figure it at 1500#s. The tops calculate out to 500#s each!

Dave
________
Suzuki Ls650 Savage History

 

[Jack Olsen]

That ain't gonna move.

 

[1BADI5]

Wow, very impressive work guys!

Theres nine ways to skin a cat as they say, but a million way to build a work bench!

 

[busman]

Here is a great article and plan for a simple workbench

http://www.rd.com/17667/article17667.html

I built a version of this for my basement workshop and I find it functions very well

 

[mustangmccance]

here are some pics of my semi mobile workbench. I wanted it to be able to be moved around the shop until I knew where I wanted it then to sit like a permanent bench when I got it there so I made the front wheels retractible.

I pulled it out so I could frame the wall behind it and build a closet with shelves to put my engine and jacks in. I also now have the new engine block back from the machine shop so all those parts on the bench can be put where they belong soon. then I will probably find something else to cover it up with. lol

 

[barn full]

Mine: Works OK. I made it from a solid core door and some file drawers from a used office furniture place. $100 all in.

 

[toxicz28]

I figure it at 1500#s. The tops calculate out to 500#s each!

Dave

WOW! You took my fathers title of "King of Overkill" away from him.

 

[Full Size 66]

Jack O, your bench is a lot like furniture, I saw your fence work too, man your good. I am just an inexpirienced kid of 39 with 6-7 yrs in welding shops and a small Miller Syncrowave 250 in my garage. TIG of course... I dont know much but you got good ideas and a skill set.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks very much, Full Size 66. Maybe it's one benefit of being just a hobbyist -- I can slow down and work things out over and over again on paper until I like them -- no customer or boss hurrying me along. But I appreciate the nice words from someone who's already a much better welder than I'll ever be. (And for the record, I can barely remember 39.)

 

[IssuedSig]

This is probably one of the most addicting sites that I am a member of. The ingeunuity never ceases to amaze me and has caused my to do and want lists to grow ever longer.

I'd like to hear your opinions on the below table legs. I'm looking to use them for a workbench with the Ikea butcher block. What do you guys think? My only concern is that I'll need some type of stringer to connect the legs so that they don't seesaw.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I think those will work fine, but you should add some diagonals if there's going to be any lateral force on the benchtop. You'd hate to have the thing fall over.

And also:

This isn't entirely 'from scratch,' since I used a Harbor Freight tool box as a starting point. But I finished this bench today, complete with handy electric outlets and a concealed air reel.

In this picture, you can see the way the dual hitch receivers hold tools (in this case a grinder). You can also see (in the lower left, peeking out) that I painted my shop vac red while I was re-painting the Harbor Freight box.

 

[PassnThru]

Slow down Jack - you're making me dizzy. With all the stuff you have done in your garage lately one would think it was at least 1000 square feet.

 

[IssuedSig]

Wow.. Now I need to buy two HF boxes. Very nice job. That box should come from the factory like that.

 

[welpracing]

that grinder doesn't shake and vibrate really bad?

I think those will work fine, but you should add some diagonals if there's going to be any lateral force on the benchtop. You'd hate to have the thing fall over.

And also:

This isn't entirely 'from scratch,' since I used a Harbor Freight tool box as a starting point. But I finished this bench today, complete with handy electric outlets and a concealed air reel.

In this picture, you can see the way the dual hitch receivers hold tools (in this case a grinder). You can also see (in the lower left, peeking out) that I painted my shop vac red while I was re-painting the Harbor Freight box.

 

[Jack Olsen]

that grinder doesn't shake and vibrate really bad?

It's Harbor Freight, so of course it shakes and vibrates.

But if you look at the left side of the hitch you'll see a red adjustment bolt. It was a part that came with my drill press to lock the platform in position -- you just tighten it down. I ordered a few more from Sears, and welded bolts to each hitch so I can tighten them and hold down whatever is in the hitch. When that bolt is tightened down, it's like the grinder is attached to the bench.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

Jack,
Could you post a closeup of the adjustment bolt. I guess I can not quite picture how you have it working.

Thanks,

 

[Jack Olsen]

I don't have a close-up handy, but you can see it on the side of the first of these three pictures:

There was already a hole in the side of the square tubing (for a pin), but I welded a nut over it. Now I can tighten the bolt down and have it press against the inserted piece of square tubing and hold it in place. Does that make sense?

 

[BetterDays]

I presume each item has it's own platform?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Yes. Some scrap squares of 3/16 or 1/4 plate and a couple of pieces of 2" square tubing. I bolted the bases together because I only had a 120V welder at the time. But the bolts that hold the tool down are also the bolts that hold the three pieces of the platform together.

 

[Furious D]

I made this today for my little buddy, It was decent out today so we spent a couple hours in the garage together. I had most of the material in the attic, just had to buy the vise and the top. I'll probably add a pegboard back and cut a piece of diamond plate for the top when I get some time.

 

[stuntman]

.....and cut a piece of diamond plate for the top when I get some time.

I would reccomend a smooth top as the diamond plate would be very uneven as a work surface, and at worst be tough to keep clean.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

So you are getting enought flex in the hich reciever to clamp the base solid.
Got it.

 

[mcdtommy23]

Here's a better pick of mine. 2*4's, MDF, stainless, plywood, diamond plate, aluminum angle. Kind of thrown together.

 

[E.rodz]

this is my welding bench that I just finaly finished the top is 36x72 and is 1/2 thick and sits over a old solid core door with a firebarrier between built it 10 years ago and just finished it to be a little more functional.

this is a portion of my main bench that I am just trying to finish and organize.two drawer file cabinets make some awsome bench drawers roller bearings and super load capacity.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I like that a lot.

 

[walrus]

How wide are people making their benches? I was thinking 30" inches. too wide?

 

[litljay]

Here's mine. Nothing fancy but does the job well.

 

[JOHNMAN]

Here are a few pics

 

[bstevens]

Just finished building my first homemade work bench. Got alot of good ideals from here. Thanks!