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Building a workbench at home

GasX

GasX

Lifer
I have a large basement in my new house and there is a section that is perfect for a workshop. I am going to build a workbench and am looking for suggestions, tips, plans, etc..

So far, my plan is to have the top at a good height for working at while standing up, a pegboard on the wall, a storage shelf on the bottom and a vice bolted into the top.

Also thinking about a small shelf with the lids of jars screwed into the underside for nail/screw storage.
 
Originally posted by: Colt45
wood? steel?
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Probably 2"x4" legs and braces with a wood surface. I have an area 5' wide with an outlet box in place and a much wider section I can use as well (without power)
 
I built a very simple one in the summer. It's about 3' high, 3' deep and 6' long. Very sturdy.
All I did was frame the legs and the bottom section using 2x4s. The top was done by using 2x6s - six of them laid flat. worked out awesome. only cost me about $60 (cdn) worth of lumber too. i can get a pic of it to you if you like.
 
I bought this bench last summer after having several that I built myself out of 2x4's, etc. They all ended up getting wobbly, so I bought this one at my local wood working store. It's heavy as hell and the 1 1/2 thick maple top is very durable. I paid about $250 for it total.

Taken last night I'm working on some end tables to use some of the most beautiful walnut that I've been able to get my hands on.

 
I made something like this but it was out of my head with no plans.

The difference between this and mine is that I have a 2x4 nailed along the back to keep parts from falling off the back. I also notched the lower timbers into the leg for extra strength and ease of construction. I just nailed it together, so the joint does the actual support.
 
Originally posted by: jemcam
I bought this bench last summer after having several that I built myself out of 2x4's, etc. They all ended up getting wobbly, so I bought this one at my local wood working store. It's heavy as hell and the 1 1/2 thick maple top is very durable. I paid about $250 for it total.

Taken last night I'm working on some end tables to use some of the most beautiful walnut that I've been able to get my hands on.
Click to expand...


Looks nice! How are you going to finish it?
 
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Originally posted by: jemcam
I bought this bench last summer after having several that I built myself out of 2x4's, etc. They all ended up getting wobbly, so I bought this one at my local wood working store. It's heavy as hell and the 1 1/2 thick maple top is very durable. I paid about $250 for it total.

Taken last night I'm working on some end tables to use some of the most beautiful walnut that I've been able to get my hands on.
Click to expand...


Looks nice! How are you going to finish it?
Click to expand...


There's actually two tables there, I have one dry fitted and one is in pieces on the table. After sanding to about 400 grit, I'll put on about 4 coats of Zar exterior satin finish urethane, using 0000 steel wool between coats and finish with two coats of paste wax.
 
Keep me posted on the progress.

Woodcraft has a Lie-Nielsen low angle block plane on sale. Got to go pick that up right now 😀
 
Originally posted by: jkersenbr
I built a workbench for my basement with this kit. It's not cheap, but it's a whole lot easier than starting entirely from scratch and is ample strong for most people's projects.
Workbench pic
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I think I may go with your kit. $50 and the cost of wood is not too bad at all...
 
oh by the way Mwilding I couldn't get a pic of the bench just yet, but when I do I will post it here just for kicks. I am sure you will have yours done by then. Mine only took an afternoon to build. The only thing I have left to do is put a splash plate at the back, probably just using a 2x4. That way nothing will fall behind the bench. Right now it has my "garage computer" on it. 🙂 even the garage is not free from uber geekiness. hahah
 
If you aren't going to build a real fancy one that's custom... The best thing to do is go to the local Home Improvement store and see if they have any scratch and dent Solid Core Doors that are plain (no windows, no 9 section molding, etc). Put some sturdy legs on it and it will be the best workbench ever. You can also do it with scrap piece from the countertop section and just cut off the part that curves up if it's in your way. You can usually get some really good deals on those types of things.
 
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
If you aren't going to build a real fancy one that's custom... The best thing to do is go to the local Home Improvement store and see if they have any scratch and dent Solid Core Doors that are plain (no windows, no 9 section molding, etc). Put some sturdy legs on it and it will be the best workbench ever. You can also do it with scrap piece from the countertop section and just cut off the part that curves up if it's in your way. You can usually get some really good deals on those types of things.
Click to expand...

I second the countertop idea. Countertop also makes good desk material except that it's maybe not as deep as a normal desk. Probably not an issue if you have an LCD monitor. It's sturdy, reasonably durable, comes in a variety of surface textures and colors and you can get a 5-foot section for under $40. Less if you can find some that has been damaged in some way.

 
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