Best Workshop/Bench Design Concepts

[therrien]

I would love 14 + so I can put an above ground lift.
That would be heaven.

 

[duckboy]

My ultimate shop will include a panel saw, like Homeless Depot has to cut 4X8 sheets of plywood etc. Trying to manhandle 3/4" composite sheets alone on the table saw, or using a fence and skill saw on saw horses, especially in tight work spaces, most often reguire me to open the 5 gallon bucket of putty. These saws just need a wall and leave useable workspace in front. I believe they run about $1500.00. And as suggested, read, look at pictures, define
your goals for the shop. The other improvements my shop will have include a separate finish room, as large as I can make it. Many times I have to quit working while paint dries.
Also, I would suggest a good plan for heating and lighting. Good luck with your project.

 

[Westbilly]

I haven't done this in my garage yet, but I like the idea of bench tops on hinges along one wall. That way when you need the floor space, just fold the legs, and drop the bench tops down.

 

[genelp]

Are you looking for a general bench that you can mount a vice on and hammer on a piece of steel? Or are you looking for a woodworking bench? I wouldn't want to use my woodworking bench for anything else but woodworking. I wouldn't want any contaminants on it to ruin a project. I'll try to get a picture posted if I can figure out how to do it /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
If you will be doing mechanical and woodworking projects; I would build two seperate benches. I hope I'm not repeating something someone else has already told you, I just came across this thread and looked through it kind of quick.

Good luck!

Gene

 

[toddwulf]

Hi Gene, I'm not yet big into wordworking and I'll probably build a seperate outbuilding in the far off future so it's really just a general workbench for my tools and all the stuff I've managed to not throw out over the years. Any woodworking would be rough construction as opposed to finish or cabinetry. I could see myself using the bench to miter trim and what not.

Todd

 

[webbmeister]

Well, there isn't much concept or design here, but when one of the local tool stores was redesigning their showroom, they were selling these really nice, rock-solid tubular steel bases for $75. I would have bought more than one (they had dozens) but "local" at the time was Downey, CA and the shop was the garage - no room for more.Anyway, on top of the steel base, I placed a 4X8 sheet of MDF; to that I added a bunch of drawer pockets attached with bisquits for side access on both sides, and on top of that I put another sheet of 4X8 MDF. Finally, on top of all that, I put a layer of Formica (I keep the whole thing covered in kraft paper and replace just the paper when the glue, stain, etc... get bad. The ends have through and through openings at either end for storing pipe clamps, and each corner has a removable solid piece so vices, etc. can be attached to the table top. The whole thing is on a mobile base. I use another bench with real vices for heavy work, but this table is great for assembly and moderately heavy work - everything I need is right close by in one of the drawers, and bigger stuff rests on the bottom shelf. Here and in the next few posts are several pictures with descriptions (first one, attached here, is top/side drawer construction):

 

[webbmeister]

Here's a picture of the corner pullouts.

 

[webbmeister]

Bottom shelf and tubular construction (solid!)

 

[webbmeister]

An auxilliary router table that attaches via the end through and throughs - two clamps and presto!

 

[webbmeister]

mobile vise mounted to sub base, ready for clamping to the table top