Workbench for working from chair?

[krazykevin76]

Wondering if anyone has a good idea for making a workbench from working from a chair. I already have a workbench for standing and now thinking to make another for more tedious work from a chair. The only reason for the question is that making the bench from say a 2x6 for sturdiness makes it hard to sit in a chair and roll under the bench without hitting the 2x6. All this saying I'm looking for a basic style bench. Nothing fancy. I made a small desk type bench and it seems like my legs are hitting the bracing underneath(2x6's). Maybe 2x4s is the answer to make some extra room but don't know if I will lose sturdiness.

Appreciate any ideas you guys or gals might have.

Thank you

Kevin

 

[rocksnstumps]

My suggestion try to find one of the old "tanker" style metal desks. Typical dimensions are about 30" x 60". Those suckers are heavy duty and of course already have drawers built in. I've picked up a couple of these cheap at small business retirement auctions. The more expensive one cost me 3 bucks!

Search a thread on here "Industrial Metal Desks" for pics of typical

 

[Glemon]

I had one of those metal desks from my dad, agree it was fine for sitting and work bench use. I honestly don't remember what happened to it when we moved 7 years ago, don't know if it was pitched, sold, or left with the house.

 

[charbar]

I would think if you are sitting down you are going to be doing pretty light duty work, so how sturdy does it really need to be? Even 2x4s seems like overkill to me for something like that.

2x2s with a 3/4" ply top glued and screwed might be plenty. Or a couple pieces of plywood glued and screwed together would probably be even stronger and take up less space.

 

[The Cobbler]

I agree that a sit down bench doesn't need a bunch of support .
what sort of work are you planning on doing on it? likely you're doing lightish work on it
3/4 ply single layer will probably be lots . or double it up even...

 

[johnre]

My two 36" x 72" assembly / disassembly benches are about 31" off the floor at the top, and I can easily be seated under them. The legs and support beams are made of 2" x 3" welded steel beams and channel, the tops are 2.25" double-thickness plywood subfloor covered with formica. They are a lot stronger than what is needed for the work I do on them, and the key is that it's all welded up and bolted together without involving the top, which I merely fasten down so it stays in place.

And the foot clearance is great; only the end pieces have bracing down low, while along the wide dimension where I'm seated, it's entirely done with two lateral beams mounted at the top. Thus, the entire front and back are clear of obstructions.

The price was right; it came from my employer's surplus equipment store.

 

[dogdog]

Look up those motorized height adjust benches/desk maybe make one that lifts… I think Husky have one but small tough, grizzly also sells the frame and electronic but over priced.

 

[cvairwerks]

Easiest one to build is get one of the small pallet rack sets from HomeDepot, Lowes or Northern Tool, put in a shelf at the required height and a second one up higher for storage. Use a piece of 1/2" or 3/4" cabinet ply for the deck. Takes about 15 minutes to set up and easy to adjust. The desk in my office and the electronics bench in there are both built like this.

I've got a bunch of this style racking and simply used the extra parts to add shelves over in the storage area,

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ironton-4-tier-heavy-duty-metal-shelving-rack-77in-w-x-26in-d-x-72in-h-model-4tier2000lbs-5856158

 

[OccupantRJ]

Cut a long radius arc out of the 2x6 for leg clearance. Keep it simple.

 

[racecougar]

I have a couple of these U-Line tables/benches set up in my shop. They've worked out well for both sitting and standing.

 

[Nick Rivers]

Have a look at soldering benches and the technician stools/chairs. They were designed for sitting while working. You can adapt a pneumatic tech chair to a workbench.

 

[niget2002]

I have a roll-around bar-stool height chair that I took the arms off of. This allows me to roll up to my standing height benches. Taking the arms off lets it roll under thicker openings.

 

[sz0k30]

Wondering if anyone has a good idea for making a workbench from working from a chair. I already have a workbench for standing and now thinking to make another for more tedious work from a chair. The only reason for the question is that making the bench from say a 2x6 for sturdiness makes it hard to sit in a chair and roll under the bench without hitting the 2x6. All this saying I'm looking for a basic style bench. Nothing fancy. I made a small desk type bench and it seems like my legs are hitting the bracing underneath(2x6's). Maybe 2x4s is the answer to make some extra room but don't know if I will lose sturdiness.

Appreciate any ideas you guys or gals might have.

Thank you

Kevin

I kind of had those same thoughts years ago when I wanted to make a workbench for my basement workroom. Use it standing or sitting. I made the frame from 2x4's. The top is about a 2" thick solid core door I had laying around. And from an old cabinet I had a 1/2" formica top which fit perfectly and gives a great surface for doing whatever. The top of the bench is 38" high. Its on casters So I can move it around. And you can see the foot/chair clearance on the bottom shelf so I can slide right in with a barstool.

 

[Spareparts]

Solid Core Door from a Rehab Store for the top and legs of your choice, maybe a couple of
file cabinets, or tool boxes.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have a couple of these U-Line tables/benches set up in my shop. They've worked out well for both sitting and standing.

That is what I was thinking a taller chair.

 

[rocksnstumps]

My thoughts on a tanker desk were not really about the heavy duty part but just the fact that they can be had really cheap. Have seen 1/2 doz or so at auctions and they all go for under $20. And that is usually because they have a chair and other office "stuff" with them. Just a desk goes for like under $5. Try to buy a 3/4" sheet of plywood for that and then factor in your fab time. But maybe some folks just want some shop time and bang for the buck/great utility is not the point. Now if you can make it from all materials you have laying around anyway, yep you can customize your size too.

 

[jayemm]

here's height adjustable. Home depot has different styles available. Has foot pads included too if don't want casters.

Husky 62 in. W x 24 in. D Adjustable Height Black Workbench Table with Solid Wood Top HOLT62XDB12 - The Home Depot

Give your work area or garage space an elevated appearance by selecting this Husky Adjustable Height Work Table. Corrosion resistant.

www.homedepot.com

 

[rocksnstumps]

I kind of had those same thoughts years ago when I wanted to make a workbench for my basement workroom. Use it standing or sitting. I made the frame from 2x4's. The top is about a 2" thick solid core door I had laying around. And from an old cabinet I had a 1/2" formica top which fit perfectly and gives a great surface for doing whatever. The top of the bench is 38" high. Its on casters So I can move it around. And you can see the foot/chair clearance on the bottom shelf so I can slide right in with a barstool.

Like the cutout for foot clearance but still have a decent size shelf.

 

[bwringer]

Businesses get rid of massive, super-strong desks all the time.

I love @cvairwerks ' idea of adapting industrial rack shelving.

 

[cvairwerks]

Businesses get rid of massive, super-strong desks all the time.

I love @cvairwerks ' idea of adapting industrial rack shelving.

The nice thing about using the industrial racking, is that I've got 6 feet to move side to side and not 30 inches like a desk.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I like having my bench height the same as the standing benches. But most stools will address that issue.

I cut a cabinet in half to make the base for this one and used butcher block on top.

 

[crewchief888]

i threw one together a couple years ago out of scrap i had laying around.
already had the computer desk chair and was about ready to toss it out.
works out good for tearing down and cleaning guns

 

[Dig Doug]

ULINE work bench

OR
build your own
a couple file cabs, tool box bases, solid core door blank, Hallow metal door blank, butcher block slab

Modular Workbenches, Workbench with Drawers in Stock - ULINE

Uline stocks a wide selection of Pedestal Workbenches. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 42,000 products in stock. 13 Locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Pedestal Workbenches.

www.uline.com

 

[isb cornbinder]

Because of my limited mobility, I made a hydraulic adjustable multi purpose work-bench. The bench is 36 "X96". I used two hydraulic rams t slow the lift function down, One cylinder would have enough lift.
I originally wanted this table/bench for servicing my Harley and later my Honda.
I made a removable 12 volt battery operated hydraulic pump that is removable from the bench hose with a quick attach fitting. I added a 12 volt connector to the battery and a removeable boost cable. I added a battery maintainer/charger.
The bench/table will lower to about 4 inches and raise to 40 inches. The lift capacity will easily lift a 1940 Ford body.
In 2003, this cost me $1365.00cdn. The rise of price of everything would cost me over $2500cdn in 2024.

 

[krazykevin76]

Thank you guys so much for so many options. Desks are one idea that hadn't even crossed my mind. I agree most of the time it would probably be light work. Tedious work like working on small engines, chainsaws, fishing reels and such is what most of the work would be. But as someone mentioned I'd like to be able to stand up and really hammer on something if need be. I think the 2x4 support option with 3/4" plywood, maybe even a double layer of 3/4" might be the best option. And maybe the 2x4 option I just mentioned is what I need for a smaller bench and maybe a heavy duty desk as a second bench is a combo for the best of both worlds.

I'll grab some pictures this week and start laying out my plans for my enclosed airconditioned work area. I'll share with you guys and see what you guys think. Again, thanks so much for so many ideas.

Kevin

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like temporary work bench kobalt plastic sawhorses, 2x4s, 1/2 or 3/4 plywood.

 

[isb cornbinder]

There a perfectly suitable pneumatic lift table for motorcycles. The company offers side panels for lifting ATV and snowmobiles. I bought a Wells Cargo trailer with one of these lifts inside. I made one call and sold the lift for $400 an hour later. The price has gone up considerably since the covid cloud passed by.

Pneumatic Motorcycle Lift Table

Pneumatic Motorcycle Lift Table

www.blackwidowpro.com

 

[CraigStu]

It seems to me that this is no big deal. Look at your dining room table. There are a lot of styles but they are all within a 2 inch height range, and most have 3-4" of support beam that your legs fit under just fine. Heck I use a plastic folding legs table for gunsmithing stuff. It isn't strong enough for hammering much but that HD one jayemm listed would be. Also both HD and L offer butcherblock slabs in several sizes. Search 'screw attached table legs' for tons of hardware to fit legs to a table top. My old 200# metal lathe sits on a butcher block slab from L supported by black iron pipe legs and hinges to the wall studs. There is a good sized vise on the RF corner that I bang the heck out of pieces of flat steel to make bends in.

 

[krazykevin76]

@CraigStu Never said it was a big deal. Just needing ideas on how to delete the 2x6 / 2x4 from my past projects that got in the way. I'm thinking just the thicker bench top whether butcher block or double layers of 3/4" ply is gonna do the trick. As most work will be more tedious and low key, I do want it very sturdy just in case. Definitely going to look into many options listed above. I'll report back.

Thanks fellas

Kevin

 

[CraigStu]

We will look forward to seeing what you decide to go with.

 

[Fixr]

@CraigStu Never said it was a big deal. Just needing ideas on how to delete the 2x6 / 2x4 from my past projects that got in the way. I'm thinking just the thicker bench top whether butcher block or double layers of 3/4" ply is gonna do the trick. As most work will be more tedious and low key, I do want it very sturdy just in case. Definitely going to look into many options listed above. I'll report back.

Thanks fellas

Kevin

I'm going to second the suggestion for a used solid core door. I have one on a set of cast iron legs that are placed at the extreme ends. I climb up on it fairly regularly to reach a high shelf and it doesn't flex perceptibly. The local ReStore sells the doors cheap. I use it with an adjustable height rolling stool.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I've had 2 or 3 steel lab tables and they would work. They usually have drawers and are very heavy and sturdy.



I called the above table the "Aircraft Carrier" based on it's size. It had holes from when someone had a vise mounted on it at some point. I replaced it with a drafting table eventually as I needed the space.

Cheers

Jim

 

[Firebrick43]

here's height adjustable. Home depot has different styles available. Has foot pads included too if don't want casters.

Husky 62 in. W x 24 in. D Adjustable Height Black Workbench Table with Solid Wood Top HOLT62XDB12 - The Home Depot

Give your work area or garage space an elevated appearance by selecting this Husky Adjustable Height Work Table. Corrosion resistant.

www.homedepot.com

I have two of these. one like above, one with two drawers under the top. They work very well either sitting or standing. The one with drawers I also clear, adjust the height, and use it as an outfeed table for my table saw.

 

[jayemm]

I have two of these. one like above, one with two drawers under the top. They work very well either sitting or standing. The one with drawers I also clear, adjust the height, and use it as an outfeed table for my table saw.

I also have 2 of them, in the 46" length, no drawers. I love how you can adjust to the perfect height. Luckily bought them 4 years ago before prices jumped (like everything else).

 

[nadogail]

Workbenches that fit your needs are a Joy, benches that don't can be a PITA.