Workbenches

[awptickes]

What kind of workbench does everyone have?

I need one, and don't really know what I'm looking for. I know I want something very solid, but I have a 1940's house so my stairwell is tight, so it needs to disassemble. I'm thinking of either buying the solid oak one from harbor freight, or buying a slab of oak tabletop and building my own bench based on that.

Requirements are that it be a hardwood top, and disassemble-able. I don't need storage or anything. I need to be able to put a large vise on it, but that's pretty much it.

 

[awptickes]

I like this design, but I'd use a different top:

 

[klyph]

I believe harbor freight sells butcher block tops for pretty cheap. Add a 2x4 frame and voila. Badass workbench you made yourself for dirt cheap.

 

[awptickes]

I believe harbor freight sells butcher block tops for pretty cheap. Add a 2x4 frame and voila. Badass workbench you made yourself for dirt cheap.

I think I'll go this route with a 2x4 frame and 4x4 posts for legs.

 

[xj0hnx]

Yea, there's no reason to spend hardly anything on a workbench. Get some pegboard for the back to hang shit on, and go. I do most work on my desk, but it got a lot of surface, and a glass top so it's good for spreading things out and working unless it's heavy shit like engine work.

 

[Drake]

Building one yourself is the way to go. Build it to suit your needs from the get go and you can get it done a lot cheaper. The butcher block top is a good idea.

 

[awptickes]

I think I'm going to build this style, but I'm not buying those legs. I think I can make the legs out of either sheet metal, or 2x4s.

2x4 Basics Custom Workbench Storage Shelf System Garage Office Workshop Shelves | eBay

 

[jeffie7]

Build it.

Unless you plan on spending $500 you'll just end up buying crap. I looked at fables from all the local places and around online, didn't like anything. Plus the sizes were too big or too small.

 

[awptickes]

Yeah, I'm going to have to build one, I can't find anything I like anywhere. I was thinking about pouring a concrete top, but there's absolutely no way I can get that upstairs, lol.

I'm thinking about 3x8 or so in size, with six legs supporting it, legs removable for easy transportation.

 

[newb]

Mines 3/4" particle board with a 2x4 frame and 4x4 legs. Its a got a short back board just to keep stuff from rolling off the back. Its solid as fuck, but I need to anchor it to the wall for the times I need to gently persuade things into place.

Im my years of working in shops I learned that peg boards and things like that at the back of the bench dont work for me. Because Im always reaching over and around my work piece then. Id rather have a tool box near or on the bench. Just personal preference.

 

[awptickes]

I can't do peg-board either. My upstairs has a pitched roof/ceiling, so I don't have a lot of usable wall space. I need to re-arrange my computer desks at the same time, so I may just move everything and get it all how I want it.

 

[jeffie7]

I built mine to hold a tool box and 2 coolers. I'm not a fan of hanging tools, would much rather them be tucked away in a tool box/drawer.

 

[Briansol]

Why are you putting a workbench in upstairs? shouldn't that be a basement or garage thing?

 

[jeffie7]

Why are you putting a workbench in upstairs? shouldn't that be a basement or garage thing?

He's a freak like that.

Gonna put together some Saw like experiments in his basement so he needs the work bench upstairs.

 

[Briansol]

Oh, well, in that case, may I suggest a good strap supplier?

 

[awptickes]

My basement isn't finished. No heat, no cooling. I don't have a garage.
I do, however, have a full upstairs floor that is mine to do whatever I please.


I suppose I could start finishing the basement, but that seems like a lot of work without much benefit, besides, it's cold down there right now and I have radiators, so that could be a big deal to get heat.

 

[Briansol]

I guess the real question is, what are you going to be working on with said work bench?

i wouldn't want to drag in car parts, wood working, etc through my house...

 

[awptickes]

It's going to be mostly computer/server, security system parts, small/medium electronics, small metal fabrication, and firearms.

 

[awptickes]

Hardwood plywood or normal plywood? Price difference has me thinking twice about the hardwood.

 

[thsancho86]

I made my table out of 3 levels hard wood plywood and threaded rods. it's pretty simple and reducible.