Workbench Construction Resources - Where to find them? (Plans + Ideas)

[Flash21]

Hi all - I'm thinking about constructing my own workbench. I have some very basic ideas but really need help to ensure I get the construction details right and it is built to last.

I would mind paying for some great plans but would love to find some free resources as well.

Any recommendations appreciated on where to get a hold of ideas and plans and materials lists

 

[bobcatdan]

There are two popular show us your work bench threads in general garage section.

 

[ilovevocs]

Simpson strong tie has plans on their site. Posting from my phone or I would link them. Have not built one myself and of coarse the plans utilize their products, but when I viewed them they seemed well designed and easy to construct assuming your going wood framed.

 

[Fizbin]

Simpson strong tie has plans on their site.

+1

Once built, these things are bomb-proof! Here's a link to their plans:

http://www.strongtie.com/diy/projects.html#shelves

And here's a link to the hardware kit:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Workbench-Hardware-Kit-KWB1/100375388

 

[bczygan]

Plunking down a pre-designed workbench is about as useful as plunking down a pre-designed house.
Design your bench to accommodate your needs and uses and functions.

Ask and answer a series of questions that define those needs and uses.

What will it be used for?
How much weight will it hold?
Mobile or fixed?
Layout or assembly?
Welding?
Woodworking?
Electrical or electronic equipment work?
Trans or engine work?
Etc. etc...

Will it need a toe kick. overhang, place for mounting a vise or other equipment?
Plus, what space is available and how tall are you?
The materials and construction details will flow from the answers to these questions.

 

[mrg7243]

2x4 and 3/4 plywood are what both of my benches are made out of.

 

[RedF]

It really depends on your intended application, but the next workbench I put together will be constructed from pallet shelving. Designed to hold very large amounts of weight, adjustable/configurable to your preferred height, and modular, so it can be added to, or broken down to be moved.

 

[Sloper0204]

Learn to use the search function, and spend a couple hours browsing this thread:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm gonna be using these plans when I build my bench:

1. http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/tablefig.htm

2. http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/worktabl.htm

 

[jvitez]

Here's a few ideas from Shop Notes; I like this publication, everything is clearly described, and the downloads are cheap:

http://plansnow.com/workbenchplans.html



Here's a free website with some good ideas:

http://www.woodgears.ca/workbench/plans.html

http://www.woodgears.ca/workbench/build.html

 

[scaron]

i'm planning on building a few workbenches from scratch myself if i can ever get to the point of finally closing on my house and getting moved in... i don't think you need elaborate plans, just kind of think of what your needs will be in terms of bench space, draw up some sketches and generate a bill of materials from that. like a previous poster mentioned, i'm planning on basically 2x4 or 2x6 frame construction for the legs with a 3/4" plywood top, maybe 2'x6' held together with deck screws. add in a few runners at thirds of the way under the bench top and around the perimeter of the frame for extra strength. since you're doing this from scratch you can tailor it totally to your needs. size the top considering what kind of tools (if any) you plan on bolting down to it and how far back you can reach with your arms... i'm a fairly small guy so two or two and a half feet is plenty of depth for me. for height, i'm thinking go with around waist height plus 4-6 inches or so, or if you plan to sit down, consider the height of your work chair and how your arms and hands will rest comfortably. measuring your bench or desk at work can be a good place to get some dimensions to start with.

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

Nothing wrong with going with something laid out for you, but think about what will suit you. This is not the best in the world but for what I have and small space it works for me.

 

[Flash21]

Thanks for the links - I'll try to get a picture of the space tomorrow as any design will need to be tailored to the space.

Anyone have more elaborate plans with full drawers and such? I'm trying to decide whether to build drawers in or 'park' a toolbox under the bench for tools think of like a lista

 

[CWP1616L]

Drawers would be way beyond my capability.

I wish I could joint and plane the 2x4's but that's not gonna happen.

I'll be using some fancy high tech wood screws though.

 

[kyrbz]

Several people have mentioned them and I'm a big fan of the Simpson Strong Tie brackets. They're very versatile. You can build tables, benches, shelving, or any combination of the three. Another big plus is I have changed the configuration of my shop several times and just keep reusing them to fit whatever configuration I need. I keep a few extra sets handy to build temporary assembly or work tables for specific projects when needed. Tables, benches, or shelving can be built quickly, inexpensively, and are very strong.

(NO I DON"T WORK FOR SIMPSON)

 

[dandan111]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77941408@N02/7262483784/" title="bench by [email protected], on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7262483784_f2c29f4b13.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="bench"></a>

Nice job on the builds guys. You can build a sturdy bench pretty cheap. I built my two benches off the wall for like $60. You can't move them around but I love how strong they are. No wiggling. I built my other one higher and not as wide for my bench grinder/drill press.

 

[jeremy v]

Try looking at the Family handyman website. They have lots of different ideas and plans for building workbenches and other tool storage and organization ideas. They range from simple, fixed, modular, or interlocking, all the way to portable, folding and/or complicated. They give material lists, show estimated costs, and have build pictures for you to follow. It is a great site for getting ideas for a custom workbench as well. I have never exactly followed any of their plans to build anything, but I have used their site as a source for many ideas I have adapted into custom setups I have built for myself and others.

Here is a quick link to some of their workbench related stuff. If you spend some time looking in their main workshop and garage pages you can find lots of ideas for custom projects and mods you might also want to do when building your own workbench.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/workshop/workbench

 

[Davefr]

Here's one idea. Mine is about 43" X 96" and the framing is all 4 X 4's with 2 X 4 supports every 16" under the top and bottom. All joints are lapped.

The sides have 1/4" pegboard inserts for hanging misc. tools. The top is 1/4" tempered hardboard laminated to 3/4" MDF. Garage floor tiles protect the work top surface. All the drawers are full extension slides.

You can't have a workbench that's too big, has too much storage or is too strong.

 

[woody 73]

Davefr very nice job well done!

I buy the simpson strong ties and build a quick workbench, very easy and it will hold a ton of weight. The only draw back is those suckers have gone up in cost not just a little but a lot; not sure maybe the cost of steel, shipping ,labor, etc. but for they are still a good value for a quick and easy workbench (of any size to meet your needs).

 

[Flash21]

REALLY productive thread guys, appreciate the input and I'm checking out all the resources!

Davefr's pics aren't showing for me... :/

 

[kyrbz]

Davefr very nice job well done!

I buy the simpson strong ties and build a quick workbench, very easy and it will hold a ton of weight. The only draw back is those suckers have gone up in cost not just a little but a lot; not sure maybe the cost of steel, shipping ,labor, etc. but for they are still a good value for a quick and easy workbench (of any size to meet your needs).

When I first starting using the Strong Ties, Home Depot sold the kit that came with 8 brackets and two boxes of screws for around $30.00. Now my local Home Depots don't seem to carry the kits and are selling the individual brackets for $5.00+ ea. with no screws. Same items in kit would now cost around $60.00

 

[woody 73]

Kyrbz I just about lost it when I saw the over $5.00 plus price tag for just one strong tie; and that does not even take into account a box of their special screws/nails.

 

[bczygan]

Some more ideas:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213030

 

[kyrbz]

Kyrbz I just about lost it when I saw the over $5.00 plus price tag for just one strong tie; and that does not even take into account a box of their special screws/nails.

I see online Home Depot sells the kit (8 brackets, 2 boxes of screws) for $39.99. Quite a savings over paying $5.65ea. for individual brackets with no screws.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Workbench-Hardware-Kit-KWB1/100375388#.Ui5z4-CGn8s

 

[wmartin]

It really depends on your intended application, but the next workbench I put together will be constructed from pallet shelving. Designed to hold very large amounts of weight, adjustable/configurable to your preferred height, and modular, so it can be added to, or broken down to be moved.

That's exactly my thinking, too. Every time I thinking about building a bench, the price of the materials drives me back to that pallet rack stuff.

Admittedly, if you have a small garage, you'd probably end up with something that's too deep.

 

[alex71]

It really depends on your intended application, but the next workbench I put together will be constructed from pallet shelving. Designed to hold very large amounts of weight, adjustable/configurable to your preferred height, and modular, so it can be added to, or broken down to be moved.

This is a great way to go. I built two of these, 42x102". You can park a car on them. Height is adjustable. Used 2x6 for the top with a sheet of plywood over. I use them for packing tables in the warehouse but they would make excellent benches. I can post pics if someone wants to see them.

 

[alex71]

That's exactly my thinking, too. Every time I thinking about building a bench, the price of the materials drives me back to that pallet rack stuff.

Admittedly, if you have a small garage, you'd probably end up with something that's too deep.

You can get pallet rack uprights as narrow as 12".

 

[alex71]

OK, so no one asked, but I felt like sharing anyway

Here is the packing table:


Here is the other section, packing table/will call counter. 5/8 MDF over a layer of 2x6, laminated in black formica.


What they look like under the tops. Capacity should be in the neighborhood of 6,000 lbs.


Buuut, those are packing tables. This is a workbench.

 

[woody 73]

I know you can buy the pallet racks at places like HD or lowes, but are you guys finding better deals somewhere else?

 

[alex71]

plentiful and cheap on craigslist, at least around here.

 

[MikeF2316]

I know you can buy the pallet racks at places like HD or lowes, but are you guys finding better deals somewhere else?

There are places that deal in used shelving where you can pick up what you need for way less than those places. I picked this stuff up from such a place about 5 km from my house. The beauty of doing this way is you can get a custom amount of shelves with your uprights. I find the big box store stuff to come with too few shelves.

 

[MikeF2316]

Hi all - I'm thinking about constructing my own workbench. I have some very basic ideas but really need help to ensure I get the construction details right and it is built to last.

I would mind paying for some great plans but would love to find some free resources as well.

Any recommendations appreciated on where to get a hold of ideas and plans and materials lists

One set of Gorilla rack (comes with 8 3' uprights) a 4x4 and a top surface. The Gorilla rack can be set up as 2 3' sets of shelves or a 6' set with the uprights joined by the shelf supports. The 4x4 was long enough that I mitered the corners and it goes around both sides and the front. A 2x4 does the rear. The top covers all the wood. The vise bolts through the 4x4. The back 2x4 is screwed to the wall studs.