Craigyboy21 Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I've got a brick garage, not massive but would easily accommodate your average sized car. We never put the car in the garage & id like to have a workbench running the length around it, I'm hoping to get into home loading soon & it would be the best place to do it. Anyone have any ideas or advice as to how they've built a bench in a garage/workroom? Cheers for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfer Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I've used a left over length of work top from the kitchen and two plastic saw horses and it works well as a bench for me Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 A bit expensive but 3" x 2" framing and a 3/4" blockboard worktop would last a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Cheap kitchen carcases and 40mm worktop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I have old kitchen worktop and then 2/1 wooden framework so have a freezer under for my pigeon rabbit etc then tools and bits on shelving under it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I just use either floor board or OSB both 18mm as bench tops with a thin piece of timber round edges to stop stuff rolling off, and either 3x2 or 4x2 for the frame. May not look as nice as kitchen work top but more practical and u dinaae mind when u cut/drill into it or set it on fire welding on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 The engineering factory where I worked at the time had its 8'x6' sheet steel delivered on heavy duty wooden pallets, which were otherwise scrapped. So the 5"x5" cross-pieces made my bench uprights (and the lengths the workshop rafters). The bench-top itself was made from old scaffolding planks, with a s/h 40mm kitchen worktop firmly screwed to them. The u-shaped bench was securely screwed to the walls, and the uprights fixed with brackets to the floor. This bench happily supports my lathe, drill press and huge cast-iron vice and nothing, but nothing, vibrates or shakes and it is absolutely level. A bench should be SOLID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubble Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 all of the 'thick ' recommends above occasionally you will need to get something BIG and the vice and give it some 'welly'. you might regret a flimsy bench i managed to get a joiners bench from a school woodwork shop clearance/auction, it was my sister wedding day , the day of the auction, so I had to slip out ,bid and then rejoin the throng, I wasn't going to miss that it will see me out look out for a big vice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Our local hospital closed some years ago. I now have the mortuary slab table as a work bench... Very stable. Unfortunately the marble slab got broken during recovery. Dead lucky to aquire it if you will excuse the pun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Block supports Wall plate ties Scaffolding boards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 First decide on the use first then decide on your vice (or vices) first then decide on your bench. A reloading bench needs little in terms of strength from abuse and thumping but a bench for heavy carpentry needs to be heavy and very robust/stable. Get the height right for you Make it as heavy as you possibly can if it is for any tough work. Then decide on your construction but I'd plan for mortice and through-tenons glued and wedged to make it as strong as possible. don't forget diagonal bracing at the back. Benches nearly always get more abuse than you plan for!!! A rickety one is of little value. I like big strong 4 inch sq or even better 5 inch SQ. To me worktops are at least 2 inch ideally 3 inch solid timber unless you have lots of oil from engines on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katzenjammer Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 ^^ as above^^ Over engineering is the key. You never know what you might want the bench for in future. Vices - woodworking and engineers. There are some versatile swivel ones around where the jaws swivel as does the base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northerner Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 If you are after a wood working bench how about this https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD39949332C7FB168 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 The house I just bought has a really sturdy workbench in there which the old boy must have built himself. This one is actually on a metal frame, but no reason it couldn't be constructed out of 3x2 timber. He used floorboards for the top and it is rock solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy.plinker Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 As said getting the height right,the top of the vice (engineers one for steel) should be the same height as your elbow for hacksawing and filing, what an old chap told me anyway and it is comfy working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy21 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Thanks for all the great advice guys, there's a couple of sturdy looking ones for sale on fleabay near me, if they don't work out at least I've now got a few ideas of how to construct a decent one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyredmist Posted October 15, 2015 Report Share Posted October 15, 2015 Try this http://m.instructables.com/id/Woodworking-Workbench-Sturdy-Inexpensive-and-Quick/?ALLSTEPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted October 16, 2015 Report Share Posted October 16, 2015 Keep an eye in the free mags for a kitchen. Bases for storage and it top are good it will save £40 a leanght at b&q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted October 16, 2015 Report Share Posted October 16, 2015 Hiya May be a bit late but a peruse of the '2x4.com' webpage may provide food for thought (Cabelas used to do them). My bench uses their 'legs' and my timber (or should that be lumber?) for a bespoke length. Topped off with 18mm ply solid enough for reloading and anything I will be doing. I have also made up my shelving using their supports. Just not sure how you will get it over this side of the pond........ L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted October 16, 2015 Report Share Posted October 16, 2015 A bit expensive but 3" x 2" framing and a 3/4" blockboard worktop would last a lifetime. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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