Workbench preference
- Thread starter NES
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steaks&anvils
Well-known member
This thread won't specifically answer your questions, but it sure will give you ideas!
200 pages of GJ workbench love:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464
RTM
Well-known member
Before you ask a generic question, you might want to give clarity to what you are doing. Woodwork, auto repair, welding, watchmaking.... they all have radically different needs from a bench.
jagwinn
Well-known member
If looking at the Harbour Freight workbench with two drawers and pegboard wall, then look very close at how the drawers are made...it is a rectangle of metal with a masonite board for the bottom. Would not hold a lot of weight.
https://www.harborfreight.com/48-in-workbench-with-light-60723.html?_br_psugg_q=workbench
https://www.harborfreight.com/48-in-workbench-with-light-60723.html?_br_psugg_q=workbench
Shiftless
Well-known member
Quite a few of us just built their workbenches from framing lumber and plywood.
That way you can have the exact size you want and what best fits the space available and suits the kind of work you do in the shop.
If you do mostly car repair, use a double thickness of 3/4 inch plywood with a sheet metal top.
Or keep you eyes open for a piece of steel plate. Used or scrap cut offs from a bigger job.
That way you can have the exact size you want and what best fits the space available and suits the kind of work you do in the shop.
If you do mostly car repair, use a double thickness of 3/4 inch plywood with a sheet metal top.
Or keep you eyes open for a piece of steel plate. Used or scrap cut offs from a bigger job.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I prefer steel legs and a wooden top. In fact my welding table has a steel top that I fasten a wood top to it when I'm not welding. Keeps work pieces cleaner, in my experience.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
My personal preference is wood. I built my work bench out of 2 by 4s, a thick particle board, and screws. I remember spending less on building it than a cheap bench. The cheap work benches like the ones at Harbor Freight simply didn't feel beefy enough for mounting my bench vice. If you make your own, you can build it to your quality standards and custom needs. You can easily put a piece of sheet metal or rubber matting on top if you want. Wood is relatively easy to work with if you already have a drill/hammer, a circular saw, and some measuring tools. Drilling holes through metal (if bolting parts together) and welding complicates things.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
The family handyman basic workbench plan is stupid easy and can be modified to fit your needs on the fly. I’ll try and find a link here in a bit.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
This the one I used with a few modifications for my reloading bench for a few years. The worst part was getting all the parts into the basement for final assembly.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/classic-diy-workbench-plans/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/classic-diy-workbench-plans/
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I have an old wood workers bench with a wood working vice on it and i also have a store baught one that was used for a desk at Home Depot, its got 2 drawers and a couple shelves. I had a home made one from plywood and 2x4s at my last place that worked just fine. You can always cover a wooden bench with tin or steel later. You can always use the top of a big tool box to
^^^ This for me.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
I have both, I like each for their purpose, when building an engine or transmission I like the metal bench. I have my bench grinder bolted to my wood bench, it's quieter and dampens vibrations. If I only had one I would have the metal one as it's tougher and can handle more weight.
I like the conveyor belt idea for the top tho.....
I like the conveyor belt idea for the top tho.....
anndel
Well-known member
Ditto. I use my toolbox top and built one from Steve Ramsey's Wood Working for Mere Mortals called the Basic Mobile Workbench.
BTL-A4
Well-known member
Make or buy one with a metal top. I had a wood top and then started working on my car and the oil, grease, etc. ruined the wood top.
I got a piece of 16 Ga cold rolled steel and had the supply place cut it to size for me. My bench is 8 feet long and 24" deep, so I got two tops out of it. The place I bought the steel charged me for the whole piece, so I took the whole piece.
I also have a sheet of rubber that I use as a mat. I've used a piece of hardboard (1/8" thick, like pegboard without the holes) as well.
I made my bench so that I could fit tool boxes under it for storage.
I got a piece of 16 Ga cold rolled steel and had the supply place cut it to size for me. My bench is 8 feet long and 24" deep, so I got two tops out of it. The place I bought the steel charged me for the whole piece, so I took the whole piece.
I also have a sheet of rubber that I use as a mat. I've used a piece of hardboard (1/8" thick, like pegboard without the holes) as well.
I made my bench so that I could fit tool boxes under it for storage.
bsg
Well-known member
wood benches out of framing timber and ply are easy for anyone make , steel box or angle is nice and allows for slender frame and more design scope .
as for worktop hard beat thick rubber mat or even tempered hardboard laid over ply .
good for almost all usage beside heat and top surface easy and cheaply replaced .
steel plate is nice but be more cost and bit more marring.
Would avoid stainless as not worth the cost .
If want drawers underneath part of it half height filing cabinets work great and can be next to free off local classifieds ...
as for worktop hard beat thick rubber mat or even tempered hardboard laid over ply .
good for almost all usage beside heat and top surface easy and cheaply replaced .
steel plate is nice but be more cost and bit more marring.
Would avoid stainless as not worth the cost .
If want drawers underneath part of it half height filing cabinets work great and can be next to free off local classifieds ...
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
I built mine out of 2X4's and plywood. Since I did it a couple of years ago I probably have less than $50 in the whole thing. Will cost more with today's lumber prices, but still less than anything you can build.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Normally I'd build one, with the current cost of lumber you may want to buy instead.
I can recommend the ones from Global Industrial
I can recommend the ones from Global Industrial
Jswain
Well-known member
I went this route as well. My welding/cutting table has a portaband on one side, a small 4 inch vise on the other, and a slip on plywood top that locks in on both sides.
All on lockable casters. Small garage anything that can do double duty is a win win
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I was at Lowe’s and seen the Kobalt one they had. I really liked it. Seemed well built and lots of storage too. It has a wooden top.
Here's one that I really like. That I would like to get.
www.eastwood.com
Eastwood Heavy Duty Steel Shop Work Bench
The Eastwood Modular Work Bench is a great addition to any shop
www.eastwood.com
mercifiknow
Well-known member
I have the HF. I got it for Christmas a few years from wife and kids. Not good for anything except maybe electrical work as I’m OCD some.
I gave a old grainger workbench with thick wood top on it. I’m afraid to do much on it so I will use hardboard when working on car parts.
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I gave a old grainger workbench with thick wood top on it. I’m afraid to do much on it so I will use hardboard when working on car parts.
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal