Workbench Against Wall vs. Center Worktable

[Crazyjake8493]

What is everyone's preference on having their workbench against the wall vs having a work table in the center so you can walk around all sides?

I've got a 19x19' garage with a 7.5'x19' addition off the side. Right now the addition has a 22" deep workbench that's about 9' long, and some old bookshelves on the opposite wall for tool/parts storage. The bench is in need of rebuilding, so I'm trying to decide whether to build a new one against the wall, or something like a 3'x8-10' center work table. I just got a compact table saw that I could incorporate into the table, as well as my router, and the table would be great for outfeed. I was thinking about making it a woodworking table with a few vises and holes for bench dogs.

The main part of my garage is used for welding, hanging out/poker with the guys, and working on mowers and stuff like that.

What do you guys think?

 

[beakie]

I just removed 9' of workbench, and will remove the remaining 9' in the near future (they met in corner)

I do mostly wood working projects in that 1/2 of my 24x34 shop. I have a small cheap workbench/outfeed, but would like to build a better one eventually (this works for now tho)



work benches really are personal preference & dependant on the person you are.

mine have been cluttered from day 1, so the less bench space, the less clutter I have.

Others are more organized, and can have lotss of benchtop left clean all the time.


what kind of person are you?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have both, a work bench along the wall and a work table that I can easily move around.

 

[sberry]

Along the wall and a couple saw horses can be set up, couple boards. Space is at a premium here. Even in my shop I don't want to walk around 10 ft of table.

 

[Mustang1167]

I have a 20x28 garage so we have about the same garage. I have 1 bay dedicated to a workshop. A 3ftx10ft workbench sits in the middle separating the "shop" area and the one parking spot that is left. I have another workbench set up against the unused door and a large tool chest and storage shelving along the 20" wall.

 

[DC73]

I have both as well. Built-in benches in an L shape in one corner with another bench on wheels I can move to the center of the room as necessary and then store against the wall.

I used these casters so I don't have to fight wheels when using the portable bench:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SX3T2LO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DC

 

[cheechi]

If you have room for both then both is the right answer. Aside from a dedicated woodworking bench, I'd put a freestanding bench on wheels.

Depending on your work and space, having an 'island' bench with stationary bench tools may work for you but I don't really like it. Other than the table saw, I try to have things near a wall where pieces, accessories, extra blades, whatever are nearby.

Maybe you need a free standing bench because you have a panel saw. In that case you get a pass. Otherwise a bench with a kind of backing or up against a solid wall you're not going to lose as much or maybe anything rolling back behind it.

 

[Sticks McGee]

I have both as well. Built-in benches in an L shape in one corner with another bench on wheels I can move to the center of the room as necessary and then store against the wall.

I used these casters so I don't have to fight wheels when using the portable bench:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SX3T2LO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DC

I like those.

 

[astroracer]

The majority of benches I USE in my shop are mobile. I have one big bench attached to the wall with a vise on it. I use the vise a lot, the rest of the bench is a dust and debris collector most of the time.
I make my rollers from trash picked vanities.

This one got a 3/8ths steel plate on top of it shortly after this pic was taken. You can see the solid bench in the background.

A cheap C'Man roller cabinet. I added the spacer to get it to a more comfortable working height. Also makes room for plastic shoebox storage bins.

I do quite a bit of heavy work and these usually are up to the task, and being mobile, they go where ever I need them too.
Mark

 

[Super Sport]

Currently I only have workbench up against the wall since that's all I have room for, but I love an "island" for larger projects. If I ever have a garage big enough I will definitely have one.

Oh and yes, i am constantly cleaning clutter off my workbench. I don't know how it accumulates there, but it's a constant battle.

 

[Jack Olsen]

This is really a matter of individual preference -- although most would agree a 22" bench isn't deep enough. I have more bench space than most -- both along the wall and in the center. It's a personal thing, but I don't like anything on wheels. If I hit it, I don't want it to move, and I kind of feel like anything that I can move ends up being in my way.

One tip is to make all the benches at the same height, so that you can bridge them with long stock for cutting.

Obligatory (clean) bench pictures:

 

[-Brent-]

I just removed 9' of workbench, and will remove the remaining 9' in the near future (they met in corner)

I do mostly wood working projects in that 1/2 of my 24x34 shop. I have a small cheap workbench/outfeed, but would like to build a better one eventually (this works for now tho)



work benches really are personal preference & dependant on the person you are.

mine have been cluttered from day 1, so the less bench space, the less clutter I have.

Others are more organized, and can have lotss of benchtop left clean all the time.


what kind of person are you?

I'm so glad to read this! I shrunk my bench, too. Partially because I had a cluttered mess making it a useless bench top. I needed more shop space, too, so reducing the bench made sense. Since I reduced it, it's been better than I imagined. I thought I was the only one around here.

As for your question, CrazyJake, my bench is against the wall but I find myself setting up temporary things to work all the way around, say for running a saw or using my shot bag.

 

[Slednut]

I have a long and deep work bench but for building cabinets I use a couple hollow core doors and 4 saw horses. The doors are so light it only takes seconds to set them up and they don't take much room when broken down.

 

[koditten]

No benches for me either. Just a place to get cluttered up. I have a couple of 4 x 4, roll around fab tables.