What do you have for a workbench?

[GingiKisi 2]

I really love order and you did a very good job of decorating the furniture for the garage

[threepiece 6]

A bench is just another tool. Different tools do different tasks. For maintenance and assembly work most any surface will do. For fabricating steel, heavier is better. 

I have two fabricating benches in my shop, both steel and more than one inch thick. Both have 1/2-13 tapped holes Spaced 2.5” apart. One has these holes throughout the entire surface. Both are Blanchard Ground flat. The T-slot spacing on my milling machine dictates the hole spacing I use in my shop. This provides standardization which allows me to use any fixture I make any where I choose, even on the rear bumper of my service truck.
 

The increase mass/weight is helpful when hammering. Like a blacksmiths anvil, the higher mass helps to transmit more energy where it is needed instead of absorbing it with vibration and movement of a lighter bench. On some work it may make the difference between success and failure.
 

Suitable bench tops can be found at metal recycling centers. These tooling plates come from manufacturing facilities. Often they are already ground flat and sometimes unused. I have bought two this way for 10 cents per pound.

[ebinmaine 62,947]

@threepiece

That sounds like quite a set up!

 

[echris 1,425]

Just found this thread. Love checking out everyone else's setups. Always get new ideas to improve my own space.

Back in 2015 I did a major cleaning in my basement shop. It's not a very big space, about 25'x15' but I have an electronics workbench along with a wood shop and machine shop all in once space. Towards the end of the video below, you'll see my Dad's HO train set which I had to save when he passed. It's been taking my entire 4'x8' woodworking bench since 2012.
I've crammed a bunch of stuff in a relatively small space and it's all connected and working. Keeps me out of trouble more or less...

https://yittle.net/uploads/Shop-Tour.mp4

EDIT: In 2018, I added 3 shelves. Simple, just two layers of ply glued up with 3/4" angle edge banding and a few coats of Man-O-War Spar Varnish. 2x2 cleats Tapcon'ed into the wall. A few extra supports here and there.

In the video above, these are just behind the floor drill press, to the right of the lathe. Add a metric ton of storage. Each shelf is 4' on the long side and 2' on the short x 12" deep.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by echris

[echris 1,425]

On 4/2/2019 at 1:13 AM, formariz said:

 

I'm not embarrassed to say I sometimes get the chills when I see pics of your woodshop. 

[formariz 11,849]

Looking at this thread again, brings up a few memories. When I bought this place 37 years ago, the first thing I built here was my very first workbench, a Scandinavian style bench . It served me well for many years until I outgrew it. It now resides in my oldest son's shop, him being an extremely talented woodworker. The second one built here was actually for him when he was a child. It also now resides in his shop next to his being used by my grandchildren. And so it goes on.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by formariz

[echris 1,425]

That's amazing that you have the pics of the progression of your workbench from apprentice to journeyman!

[RandyLittrell 3,827]

On 11/12/2021 at 7:20 PM, formariz said:

Looking at this thread again, brings up a few memories. When I bought this place 37 years ago, the first thing I built here was my very first workbench, a Scandinavian style bench . It served me well for many years until I outgrew it. It now resides in my oldest son's shop, him being an extremely talented woodworker. The second one built here was actually for him when he was a child. It also now resides in his shop next to his being used by my grandchildren. And so it goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I would love to sit in the corner and watch you do woodworking!!

 

 

 

Randy

[ebinmaine 62,947]

5 hours ago, RandyLittrell said:

 

 

 

I think I would love to sit in the corner and watch you do woodworking!!

 

 

 

Randy

Absolutely agreed. Observe a master at their craft. Fascinating.

[Gregor 4,838]

Most of the cabinets came from our kitchen remodel, several years ago. I built a few more base cabinets. The top is used, 1 1/2",  solid core doors I got at a "Restore Store" CHEAP !

I covered them with Formica. Our schools colors use to be green & white, hence the color scheme.

[ebinmaine 62,947]

@Gregor

VERY nice shop!!

I have a very similar if not identical vise to the one that's on your bench.

[Oldskool 6,582]

@Gregor that looks very very nice. I like the reuse of materials.

Heck a microwave and a sink I could move rite in 😁😁😁

[Gregor 4,838]

On 12/3/2021 at 11:20 AM, ebinmaine said:

@Gregor

VERY nice shop!!

I have a very similar if not identical vise to the one that's on your bench.

5" Harbor Freight. Works fine for me.

 

On 12/3/2021 at 4:09 PM, Oldskool said:

@Gregor that looks very very nice. I like the reuse of materials.

Heck a microwave and a sink I could move rite in 😁😁😁

Microwave is on the wifes workbench. No Plumbing. If I ever add on, there will be, depending on cost.

Notice the outlets at wifes workbench, power prongs are up, ground is down. The rest of the garage is opposite. She insisted. Same in the house. Whadda ya gonna do?

Edited December 5, 2021 by Gregor

[Oldskool 6,582]

1 hour ago, Gregor said:

5" Harbor Freight. Works fine for me.

 

Microwave is on the wifes workbench. No Plumbing. If I ever add on, there will be, depending on cost.

Notice the outlets at wifes workbench, power prongs are up, ground is down. The rest of the garage is opposite. She insisted. Same in the house. Whadda ya gonna do?

All of our outlets are like that. Including the garage.

I have often pondered the idea of a microwave it the shop right along with a mini refrigerator. Maybe someday.