Building A Workbench

[Martian]

I need a good workbench to start on my *new* FJ40, and am thinking about building this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/Workbench.html&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHowTo

I may add a sheetmetal top to it, and put it on locking casters so I can move it around the garage if I need to. What do you guys think? I need something that will support heavy things like a vice, a transfer case, etc. Are there better workbench options out there that I should consider?

 

[NMuzj100]

I was reading about using an old solid core door as a bench top and think that would be a great idea and real solid. For your purposes a nice flat steel fire door might work well. I see them in the local paper free to pick up or real cheap.

At one of my jobs (graphic design/ad firm) all the desks were old doors over two filing cabinets. Very practical but slightly on the ugly side. After a merger they wanted to spruce up the place and spent ~$30k for new desks and other office furniture. After one month all the new desks ($1k/ each) were in a storage room and the file cabinets and doors were back because they really were the best solution.

 

[Okie_dave]

I made a workbench from a solid core wood door years ago. It was a great workbench. I kept the hinges and made it so it could be stored against the garage door.

I pulled it out when I moved and built legs all around it. Still have it after 20 years.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I built a workbench along one wall of my garage. It has a ledgerboard along the wall and 4x4 posts to hold it up. The top is 1 1/4 plywood subfloor. It is solid as a rock and could support the weight of my entire Land Cruiser. I have a 6 inch vice in the middle bolted to the top with 5/8 bolts. The entire length of the workbench has a shelf as well made of 3/4 ply and I have several cylinder heads, a transmission, 2 transfer cases and a whole bunch of other stuff stored on it. If you use good materials, strength will not be something you need to worry about.

 

[alia176]

I built a workbench that is similar to Lowe's but with couple of extras:

-a sheet of 3/16" steel plate screwed down to the top of the bench. Heat from welding can cause steel to warp if you don't screw it down.
-the air compressor is housed under the bench and plywood covers all four sides. This keeps the noise down to a minimum.
-the front facing plywood has a built in door for moving compressor in/out. In the middle of this door, there's a tiny 6"x6" door for accessing the compressor on/off switch.
-a 48" long power strip is mounted to the front as well.

Your imagination is only the limiting factor on this project!

Ali

 

[calphi27]

try and check a metal scrapyard. the one near me has commercial kitchen (steel) workbenches for cheap. already made too! just a thought

 

[Trollhole]

MDF is my material of choice. top is 5/8 mdf Topped with 1/4 luon. Its tuff stuff quiet when pounding on it. It's also only screwed down and replaceable.

I've been woodworking for 15 years though so I biased toward wood over metal. Full extension 28" drawers. European hinged doors, dust collection and a set of top cabinets that I found in a dumpster.

 

[Tools R Us]

Old kitchen counter top also make great bench tops. Old school heavy duty steel desks make good benches, they are a little short, so leg extensions are the first mod.

 

[tltaylor22]

I made a rolling bench out of a large piece of 5/8" steel. Yeah I don't rollit around very often, but it'll take a beating. I've got the mdf ones and 3/4" plywood bench as well, but there's nothing like a 400lb piece of steel.

 

[djs100]

Building A Workbench
I need a good workbench to start on my *new* FJ40, and am thinking about building this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio.../rightNavHowTo

I may add a sheetmetal top to it, and put it on locking casters so I can move it around the garage if I need to. What do you guys think? I need something that will support heavy things like a vice, a transfer case, etc. Are there better workbench options out there that I should consider?


That's a good design, but I would use a solid core door for the top and let it overhang a couple of inches all around for the purpose of clamping. I would also add 3/4" plywood to the bottom to make the legs stronger and give you another flat surface to put stuff.

 

[C6H12O6]

I have something similar to Trollhole's with the cut-out for the miter saw. Having the miter saw deck and the rest of the benchtop lined up is fantastic for cutting long stock. It also forces me to clean the bench off once in a while.

 

[zidaro]

I built one just like the Lowes project except I used 4x4's @ the top perimeter and put a 3/4 sheet on bottom for stability and a shelf of course. Very simple build and has lasted multiple projects and abuse. Add some small steel feet and it will slide around on your concrete floor much easier.