Let's Build a Workbench!

[Chuz Life]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

My hope in sharing this about my own bench and build is to get some input from others and also to keep me focused on making further improvements. I'm really good at starting projects but I have a terrible record of finishing them.

It would be great if we could make this a space that is free of politics. There is no need for politics to be brought into it.

So, here we go!

This is my old bench (mess.) It was small, unorganized and might have been enough to get by, but I've always wanted more space to work on larger items. (Side note: I've been forced to retire, so I'm hoping to improve my bench so I can try to make some money working on things at home)

This old bench served its purpose pretty well for 10 years but I wanted a fresh start. So, I drew out what I thought would be better for my needs (using paintbrush)

Then I started by tearing down the old bench and repurposing the legs and wood for the new.

I bought some 2/4 plywood for the benchtop ($35) and I finished it with some stain/ polyurethane mix that I already had on hand.

So far so good but not a huge amount more room for work.

So, I decided to use my old benchtop as a side bench and here's what that looks like. (Obviously still a work in progress)

Please feel free to share your own benches and projects!

More pics and updates soon!

toobfreak scruffy

 

[rightwinger]

My Workshop

 

[Concerned American]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

My hope in sharing this about my own bench and build is to get some input from others and also to keep me focused on making further improvements. I'm really good at starting projects but I have a terrible record of finishing them.

It would be great if we could make this a space that is free of politics. There is no need for politics to be brought into it.

So, here we go!

This is my old bench (mess.) It was small, unorganized and might have been enough to get by, but I've always wanted more space to work on larger items. (Side note: I've been forced to retire, so I'm hoping to improve my bench so I can try to make some money working on things at home)

View attachment 1233653

This old bench served its purpose pretty well for 10 years but I wanted a fresh start. So, I drew out what I thought would be better for my needs (using paintbrush)

View attachment 1233669Then I started by tearing down the old bench and repurposing the legs and wood for the new.

View attachment 1233661

I bought some 2/4 plywood for the benchtop ($35) and I finished it with some stain/ polyurethane mix that I already had on hand.

So far so good but not a huge amount more room for work.

View attachment 1233673

So, I decided to use my old benchtop as a side bench and here's what that looks like. (Obviously still a work in progress)

View attachment 1233675

Please feel free to share your own benches and projects!

More pics and updates soon!

toobfreak scruffy

I made my bench at work and inherited it when the company decided to put it in the trash. It has a 4 x 8 butcher block top which is covered with 12 ga stainless steel. It has 2" square tube stainless steel legs on one end with a 4 x 4 storage cabinet with drawers on the other end with 4" lock swivel wheels so I can move it anywhere in the shop. It meets all of my needs and I doubt I will ever replace it. LOL, unfortunately, it looks like your first photo right now and I can barely find an empty spot on the top. Your new bench looks pretty good.

 

[Chuz Life]

I made my bench at work and inherited it when the company decided to put it in the trash. It has a 4 x 8 butcher block top which is covered with 12 ga stainless steel. It has 2" square tube stainless steel legs on one end with a 4 x 4 storage cabinet with drawers on the other end with 4" lock swivel wheels so I can move it anywhere in the shop. It meets all of my needs and I doubt I will ever replace it. LOL, unfortunately, it looks like your first photo right now and I can barely find an empty spot on the top. Your new bench looks pretty good.

4X8!

I think most who have benches understand, relate or even enjoy seeing the messy ass benches of others.

 

[JGalt]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

My hope in sharing this about my own bench and build is to get some input from others and also to keep me focused on making further improvements. I'm really good at starting projects but I have a terrible record of finishing them.

It would be great if we could make this a space that is free of politics. There is no need for politics to be brought into it.

So, here we go!

This is my old bench (mess.) It was small, unorganized and might have been enough to get by, but I've always wanted more space to work on larger items. (Side note: I've been forced to retire, so I'm hoping to improve my bench so I can try to make some money working on things at home)

View attachment 1233653

This old bench served its purpose pretty well for 10 years but I wanted a fresh start. So, I drew out what I thought would be better for my needs (using paintbrush)

View attachment 1233669Then I started by tearing down the old bench and repurposing the legs and wood for the new.

View attachment 1233661

I bought some 2/4 plywood for the benchtop ($35) and I finished it with some stain/ polyurethane mix that I already had on hand.

So far so good but not a huge amount more room for work.

View attachment 1233673

So, I decided to use my old benchtop as a side bench and here's what that looks like. (Obviously still a work in progress)

View attachment 1233675

Please feel free to share your own benches and projects!

More pics and updates soon!

toobfreak scruffy

Nice! That's going to look like something I would have had back in the 80's and 90's, when I was an electronics tech. I don't do much tech stuff anymore, most ammunition load development. This is the same workbench/reloading bench I've had for the last 19 years: A heavy steel bench I found at a garage sale, that has 1" plywood on the top.

One-third of the garage is also taken up with some steel shelves I got 15 years ago, when a convenience store was moving and threw them out.

 

[Chuz Life]

Nice! That's going to look like something I would have had back in the 80's and 90's, when I was an electronics tech. I don't do much tech stuff anymore, most ammunition load development. This is the same workbench/reloading bench I've had for the last 19 years: A heavy steel bench I found at a garage sale, that has 1" plywood on the top.

One-third of the garage is also taken up with some steel shelves I got 15 years ago, when a convenience store was moving and threw them out.

View attachment 1233691

He'll yeah! Reminded me that I need a new (led) magnifying lamp too!

 

[Chuz Life]

My Workshop

View attachment 1233680

Funny thing is those old movies had a huge impact on my drive to learn electronics.

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

My hope in sharing this about my own bench and build is to get some input from others and also to keep me focused on making further improvements. I'm really good at starting projects but I have a terrible record of finishing them.

It would be great if we could make this a space that is free of politics. There is no need for politics to be brought into it.

So, here we go!

This is my old bench (mess.) It was small, unorganized and might have been enough to get by, but I've always wanted more space to work on larger items. (Side note: I've been forced to retire, so I'm hoping to improve my bench so I can try to make some money working on things at home)

View attachment 1233653

This old bench served its purpose pretty well for 10 years but I wanted a fresh start. So, I drew out what I thought would be better for my needs (using paintbrush)

View attachment 1233669 View attachment 1233697

Then I started by tearing down the old bench and repurposing the legs and wood for the new.

View attachment 1233661

I bought some 2/4 plywood for the benchtop ($35) and I finished it with some stain/ polyurethane mix that I already had on hand.

So far so good but not a huge amount more room for work.

View attachment 1233673

So, I decided to use my old benchtop as a side bench and here's what that looks like. (Obviously still a work in progress)

View attachment 1233675

Please feel free to share your own benches and projects!

More pics and updates soon!

toobfreak scruffy

You must be working on radios.
I see that you have O-scope and a spectrum analyzer.

 

[Chuz Life]

You must be working on radios.
I see that you have O-scope and a spectrum analyzer.

It's been a few years but I still have the equipment.

I thought I might get my Ham License but I'm told Hams don't like to spend money on repairs

Who does, right?

 

[1srelluc]

Darn, that's one cluttered reloading space! When I was reloading I made dedicated bench and shelving.

I got lucky....About 25 years ago my dad found two oak butcher block meat processing tables with stainless steel frames w/removable shelving under it at a auction.....$15.00 each!

I got one and he got the other. It's 38" X 5'. I don't mind the length but I wish it was narrower by about 8".

He made drawers for both of them too.

 

[toobfreak]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

Since you ask, I've taken a somewhat different approach. At one time I had four workbenches/areas in my house, but about 10 years ago, I phased it back to just three.

1. I've always had a down and dirty beater workbench in my garage that runs the length of the back of my garage for working on cars and stuff: greasy, dirty stuff. I keep a lot of general tools there as well.
2. Then I also had the bench/desk I phased out. It actually began life as an auxiliary study area in a bedroom with a big fluorescent light over it in front of a big stained glass window for light. It was actually mounted to the wall on hinges, designed so that it had folding legs in the front, then when not in use, it could just be folded down against the wall not taking up any space. But when needed, it could be swung up into position, making it a good place about 6' wide for reading, studying, drawing, typing, or even used as an auxiliary electronic test area.
3. But my main electronic test area was actually a workbench I built in an office whose one side of the room is a big desk for office and computer work while the bench is on the other side ostensibly designed for electronic work. Covered in an ESD mat, it is optimized for electronic testing, soldering and other work. I generally keep it clean (huh!) with a scope on a scope stand and other test gear on shelves off to the side then set it up with what I need how I need it for the job at hand. I use this area for anything from electronic work, computer repair, to even model building.
4. And finally I built my main workbench in my basement which again ran the length of a side wall. I did not use any glue or nails, it is 100% screwed together and designed so to be dead-on balls level on top. The height was designed to both be good for sitting or especially standing, laying out blueprints and drawing. It is good for drafting, mechanical drawing, and is generally a skilled area for more mechanical things. I keep most of my precision hand tools in this area and while I can use it for light woodwork, it is more of a metalwork/machining area where I keep a lot of fine machinist tools, various big power tools, a lathe/mill/drill on one side, and a floor standing mill on the other. This is my main fabrication area.

I've found you need a separate fabrication area and a separate electronics area for best efficiency, that way you can have more than one project going on at a time or can be doing two things at once not necessarily conducive to the other rather than trying to cut/drill/bend/shape/machine hardware in the same area as you are trying to do sensitive and delicate work like measuring nanoamperes of leakage current in an open item that could be harmed by dusty air or even a rogue filing of metal.

 

[petro]

Out in our second garage(toy box), I utilized old cabinets and a center island as a working area.

 

[toobfreak]

Out in our second garage(toy box), I utilized old cabinets and a center island as a working area.

I see a mini-fridge but I don't see any brewskies.

Your work area needs a work station/table out in the middle floor area, maybe 3' X 4' where the open floor space is, maybe on wheels that you can move about or lock in place.

 

[petro]

I see a mini-fridge but I don't see any brewskies.

Your work area needs a work station/table out in the middle floor area, maybe 3' X 4' where the open floor space is, maybe on wheels that you can move about or lock in place.

Mini fridge season starts in a month.
Garage has 100amp power but not permanent heat yet.
The beers would freeze.
Fridge is nice in summer though for quick transfer to camper which parks in front.

With the boat, snowmobiles, lawn tractor and other assorted crap, not much floor space left for a rolling station.

 

[Concerned American]

Mini fridge season starts in a month.
Garage has 100amp power but not permanent heat yet.
The beers would freeze.
Fridge is nice in summer though for quick transfer to camper which parks in front.

With the boat, snowmobiles, lawn tractor and other assorted crap, not much floor space left for a rolling station.

Sounds like its time for shop expansion, LOL.

 

[Chuz Life]

Since you ask, I've taken a somewhat different approach. At one time I had four workbenches/areas in my house, but about 10 years ago, I phased it back to just three.

1. I've always had a down and dirty beater workbench in my garage that runs the length of the back of my garage for working on cars and stuff: greasy, dirty stuff. I keep a lot of general tools there as well.
2. Then I also had the bench/desk I phased out. It actually began life as an auxiliary study area in a bedroom with a big fluorescent light over it in front of a big stained glass window for light. It was actually mounted to the wall on hinges, designed so that it had folding legs in the front, then when not in use, it could just be folded down against the wall not taking up any space. But when needed, it could be swung up into position, making it a good place about 6' wide for reading, studying, drawing, typing, or even used as an auxiliary electronic test area.
3. But my main electronic test area was actually a workbench I built in an office whose one side of the room is a big desk for office and computer work while the bench is on the other side ostensibly designed for electronic work. Covered in an ESD mat, it is optimized for electronic testing, soldering and other work. I generally keep it clean (huh!) with a scope on a scope stand and other test gear on shelves off to the side then set it up with what I need how I need it for the job at hand. I use this area for anything from electronic work, computer repair, to even model building.
4. And finally I built my main workbench in my basement which again ran the length of a side wall. I did not use any glue or nails, it is 100% screwed together and designed so to be dead-on balls level on top. The height was designed to both be good for sitting or especially standing, laying out blueprints and drawing. It is good for drafting, mechanical drawing, and is generally a skilled area for more mechanical things. I keep most of my precision hand tools in this area and while I can use it for light woodwork, it is more of a metalwork/machining area where I keep a lot of fine machinist tools, various big power tools, a lathe/mill/drill on one side, and a floor standing mill on the other. This is my main fabrication area.

I've found you need a separate fabrication area and a separate electronics area for best efficiency, that way you can have more than one project going on at a time or can be doing two things at once not necessarily conducive to the other rather than trying to cut/drill/bend/shape/machine hardware in the same area as you are trying to do sensitive and delicate work like measuring nanoamperes of leakage current in an open item that could be harmed by dusty air or even a rogue filing of metal.

Many good suggestions and design ideas.

I too have a bench for greasy, mechanical jobs in my barn but the weather is getting to my tools and it's pissing me off. Even my drill press is suffering.

 

[Chuz Life]

Out in our second garage(toy box), I utilized old cabinets and a center island as a working area.
View attachment 1233965

Much like my dad's setup.

He used old cabinets, too.

 

[Yarddog]

If you are a shade tree mechanic, woodworker, electronics tech, inventor or arts and crafts minded person, chances are you have a work area or bench for your projects.

My hope in sharing this about my own bench and build is to get some input from others and also to keep me focused on making further improvements. I'm really good at starting projects but I have a terrible record of finishing them.

It would be great if we could make this a space that is free of politics. There is no need for politics to be brought into it.

So, here we go!

This is my old bench (mess.) It was small, unorganized and might have been enough to get by, but I've always wanted more space to work on larger items. (Side note: I've been forced to retire, so I'm hoping to improve my bench so I can try to make some money working on things at home)

View attachment 1233653

This old bench served its purpose pretty well for 10 years but I wanted a fresh start. So, I drew out what I thought would be better for my needs (using paintbrush)

View attachment 1233669 View attachment 1233697

Then I started by tearing down the old bench and repurposing the legs and wood for the new.

View attachment 1233661

I bought some 2/4 plywood for the benchtop ($35) and I finished it with some stain/ polyurethane mix that I already had on hand.

So far so good but not a huge amount more room for work.

View attachment 1233673

So, I decided to use my old benchtop as a side bench and here's what that looks like. (Obviously still a work in progress)

View attachment 1233675

Please feel free to share your own benches and projects!

More pics and updates soon!

toobfreak scruffy

well if you do any welding at all, consider putting steel plate as a top on the second table, that way you can use it also as a welding bench!

 

[Chuz Life]

well if you do any welding at all, consider putting steel plate as a top on the second table, that way you can use it also as a welding bench!

I have only a small wire welder and I would use it only in case of no alternatives. It would be nice to have a welding bench though. Mig, Tig, etc.

 

[Yarddog]

I have only a small wire welder and I would use it only in case of no alternatives. It would be nice to have a welding bench though. Mig, Tig, etc.

Yes, I did that with my work tables in my garage. Its nice to just hook up the ground clamp to your table when welding. and sometimes you can just tack weld the work piece to the table. so handy