workbench ideas please

[Frankishelby]

Hi every ones, I am planning to fabricate a new workbench for my new garage renovation. I am looking to built one in steel and incorporate my tools in it , so what I want to know is if you have ideas or pictures of your workbench, I will apreciate
Thanks

 

[russlaferrera]

Need more info! Is it for woodworking or mechanical ? (Top Material)

Will you be standing or sitting ? (Hight)

What type of tools will you be storing in it? (Storage)

Does it have to be mobile? (casters needed)


You can use 2 bottom tool boxes, 2 X 2 X 1/4 angle between them, 1/4 plate steel for the top. or 2-3 square tube X hight, 1/4 X 2 X 2 angle across with a 1/16 plate over 1 1/2 plywood .

The width is what you have to decide, as the hight. Bracing will be needed on 3 sides min. I would use 1 X 1 X 3/16 in angle 12 in from the bottom.

 

[russlaferrera]

Better photo

 

[Darren M.]

I have only one thing to add to this thread. Do a google image search. You'll be shocked at how many different ideas you see out there. Also, don't just look at the subject matter [the bench] look all around the shop. Some of my best ideas have been stolen w/ google's help.

 

[Frankishelby]

Need more info! Is it for woodworking or mechanical ? (Top Material)

Will you be standing or sitting ? (Hight)

What type of tools will you be storing in it? (Storage)

Does it have to be mobile? (casters needed)

I am doing some body, welding, and mechanical job,

more often I standing but when doing small thing I sitting

my tools are ratchets, hammers, keys, screw driver, vise grips and all you need for doing body work.

I don't want it mobile but plan is to be about 8' long by 3 1/2to 4 ' large and material probably steel .

 

[russlaferrera]

My thoughts are about 40 in high. I find it easier in my back to weld and sit. You can put a roll/bottom tool box under the bench.If the tool box is not to be moved I would put it on a shelf which would be part of your bracing. Plus the added weight would help keep the bench solid.

Peg board ? With bodywork. Dirt collector?

Top. 1/4 steel over 1 1/2 particle board or plywood. I do not think heat from welding would be a problem. Legs, instead of square tube, you can use 2" pipe.

Width? 4 X 8 ? Can you reach to the back with a 40 in hight? Will the bench be mounted to a wall? The large size provides more work space and more room for clutter.

Add a cheap vise, for welding.

IMO steel work benches are stronger , neater, don't sway, last longer.

 

[Rustang]

I like these...

-Plenty of overhang for clamping work to the surface
-Super thick to ensure squareness
-The whole work surface can be used as a ground for welding
-Holes are tapped to provide solid mounts for jig fixtures
-Access to all around the table (I'm not a fan of having the bench up against the wall -- much easier to work around a heavy object than try to turn it all the time)
-Leveling feet to keep the work surface level so things don't roll off

Hope this gives you ideas!

-Jimmy

 

[SteveL]

WOW!!! Wonder what one of those would cost? And how the hell would you move one.

 

[MXtras]

I do not know the length of those, but they look like they are over 10'. The top of those alone would likely be over $2K after Blanchard grinding. They would be much more impressive if they were stainless but that would nearly triple the price just for the stock. Finding a large enough Blanchard grinder for those would be quite a task!

Scott

 

[bmwpower]

I'm in love. Some more picts of the table, but check out the rest of the shop!

http://www.race-dezert.com/skunkz/herbst_shop/

 

[wilbilt]

Wow. That is completely insane. I would expect something like that in a global corporation's R&D lab, but a family racing operation?

I don't think I could work in there. It would be like reverse claustrophobia.

 

[wilbilt]

This bench is pretty...uh...interesting.

 

[icnsltmfg]

I really would have been more impressed with that race shop if they spent a bit more time laying it out better, and keeping it better organized and clean...jeeesh.

 

[Uncle Buck]

This bench is pretty...uh...interesting.

Not for folks like me, financially challenged!

 

[goodfellow]

This bench is pretty...uh...interesting.

Look like one of those great "idears" you'd find at OCC.

 

[wilbilt]

Not for folks like me, financially challenged!

Did you see a price anywhere? Most of the links I clicked on said "Coming Soon".

 

[Rustang]

I saw a pic of some of the work that goes on around there. Nice billet aluminum jigs.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28316&d=1193471759

 

[Jononon]

I'm in love. Some more picts of the table, but check out the rest of the shop!

Why didn't I go into organised cri... the entirely legitimate gaming and slot machine industry ?

 

[Frankishelby]

I like this shop too.
If you have more pics about workbench ,please post it.
Thank's for your ideas,

 

[IDASHO]

Ive been working on my work benches.

Simple cabinet design, with a smooth steel door blank for a counter top.

Including the top, drawer hardware, all lumber, and finish materials, each one (Ill have 2 of these plus a center cabinet) will cost me less than $100. Total cost will be well less than $300 for 16' worth of workbench, drawers, and cabinets.

Tossed together with gorilla glue and a finish nail gun. These cabinets are STOUT!

 

[arkracing]

Any Idea what size levelers are used under one of those tables? I'd like to know how that is set up - as they have to support the table as well as what is on it. I wonder how big the threads are?

I'd be interested in making something similar to that for a chassis/frame jig, less the huge ground top (I'd love to have a top like that, but could think of better ways to spend the $)

 

[Rustang]

They look like some big yellow-zinc plated leveling feet available from McMaster-Carr. If they have a 4" base, the listing for this type of foot has the thread pitch at 1"-8, a max load of 20,000 lbs, and at only $24.16!

Link to catalog page

Should be simple enough to build one of your own. Just getting the big piece of plate into my truck is the concern. A forklift would be handy...

-Jimmy

 

[boiler7904]

The Herbst shop is amazing. Way too organized and clean.

This bench is pretty...uh...interesting.

That bench is the result of having a new water jet machine and nothing better to do with it.

 

[Ign]

I think a couple receivers built into the underside of the table surface are great. From that you can fab all sorts of attachments. I really like the suggestion of 40" high, it really is easier on the back.

I agree that steel benches are great. They conduct ground as already mentioned, and they'll take a great deal of weight such as the 14 bolt above (FYI I sat on the 14 bolt, too......just to add another 200lbs for good measure).

 

[Rustang]

That's a great idea with the 2" receiver hitches. I just got a length of it and stuck one into my soon-to-be-poured driveway. Took a few minutes to weld on some big plates to keep it from turning and to anchor it.

Here it is stuck in the ground.

My tubing bender, belt sander, and vise are going on it.

-Jimmy

 

[CRAZYASTRO]

that really is a great idea to weld the receivers on the workbench...
that idea in the ground is nice as well.

 

[Quiksilver]

Ign _ I really like the receiver hitch idea. On another note, what are the dimensions on the rest of the table? Also, what size material is it made out of?

 

[Ign]

Ign _ I really like the receiver hitch idea. On another note, what are the dimensions on the rest of the table? Also, what size material is it made out of?

The top of this is only 3/16" plate, size of the top is about 6'7" by 3'1". It's braced underneath with an X of 1" square. This was not intended to be a welding table, just a general workbench, so the thickness of the top didn't concern me. The angle around the perimeter is 2" .120, the legs are 2.5 square .188.

Steel provides some good weight, makes the bench more sturdy, and since it's all welded it'll never flex our come out of square. No worry about dumping fluids all over it (wont' absorb or stain) or setting freshly welded work on it (won't burn).

In fact just tonight my wife loaded up the small parts bender in the receiver and bent some round stock for an artsy project. The receivers are really handy, and the possibilities are endless. No need for official "receiver" tube, just some 2.5" sq x .188 wall will fit 2" sq fine.

 

[NOMAD]

Now this is what I like to see. I think I'll use the same construction tequniques in my garage. I have some rough rolling tables now made of 4x4, 2x4 and 5/8 inch plywood I had laying around. I'd really like to get some cabinets done though. I like the 1x4? construction though as I could haul this home from the yard by myself.

I have ball bearing slides that will do nicely too.

Post pics when you're done.

Ive been working on my work benches.

Simple cabinet design, with a smooth steel door blank for a counter top.

Including the top, drawer hardware, all lumber, and finish materials, each one (Ill have 2 of these plus a center cabinet) will cost me less than $100. Total cost will be well less than $300 for 16' worth of workbench, drawers, and cabinets.

Tossed together with gorilla glue and a finish nail gun. These cabinets are STOUT!

 

[Brunow]

Since a while i'm working on building my own work place.
The first thing was my cart. And now i'm starting to see some results off my workbench.

Hope you like it.

 

[Steve V.]

Here's a simple design that they have in this month's Workbench magazine. It's made from industrial shelving, wood, and pegboard. You could actually take the design and enlarge or modify it.

Steve

 

[tygre]

I'm in love. Some more picts of the table, but check out the rest of the shop!

http://www.race-dezert.com/skunkz/herbst_shop/

Wonder if you would get fired for welding on one of those benches?

 

[kbs2244]

I am not a fan of shelves under workbenchs. They just collect stuff that sits for years.
I have 3 roll around work tables and a roll around tool box. I almost never use the bench anymore. The tables let me work on all for sides of something and the tool box lets me bring everything to the work.
The under bench space is where they are parked. That forces me to keep it clean.

 

[motox88]

Lots of links here for work bench plans. Check it out.

http://www.freeww.com/workbenches.html#Anchor-Gara-52299

 

[Stuey]

Lots of links here for work bench plans. Check it out.

http://www.freeww.com/workbenches.html#Anchor-Gara-52299

Yikes, lots of ads there, and I wonder if that suffix is a referral link, especially with that link being your first and only post.

I spied one link to a site that I know has nice plans, so maybe your spam isn't worthless after all.

 

[motox88]

Oh not all. I'm not looking to spam anyone. Sorry. I just signed up the other day. Just trying to help you out. There are a bunch of links to pdf files. I just did a google search and found it. Worked fine for me. The name of the website is freewoodworking.

I guess take it for what its worth.

This one was my favorite.

http://www.bobsplans.com/FreePlans/DNLD/Workbench.pdf

Has lots of drawers and center cabinets on casters. Although I think that I could make it w/o the router cutout.

 

[Stuey]

Oh not all. I'm not looking to spam anyone. Sorry. I just signed up the other day. Just trying to help you out. There are a bunch of links to pdf files. I just did a google search and found it. Worked fine for me. The name of the website is freewoodworking.

I guess take it for what its worth.

This one was my favorite.

http://www.bobsplans.com/FreePlans/DNLD/Workbench.pdf

Has lots of drawers and center cabinets on casters. Although I think that I could make it w/o the router cutout.

Forgive my skepticm then. From your first post alone, I couldn't tell if you were trying to be helpful or trying to make a quick buck off of some clickers. Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion so quickly.

Anyways, the following link is to a plan that I think is simple, cheap and easy. I bookmarked it a while ago but a link from your link reminded me of it.
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20.html

 

[beatercj5]

That last link has a good cheap bench in it.. just install the bottom boards inside the legs to give your feel and ankles more room.. also makes it eisier to install the bottom shelve.

 

[Rustang]

I just ordered a new bench from McMaster-Carr. Its a 60" x 36" mobile work surface. Should be here by Tuesday. I also ordered a 96" butcherblock workbench to put at the end of my shop. They have a lot of options to build your own.

7 gauge thick top.

-Jimmy

 

[comp]

looks good