Discussion
Build your own.
http://www.plansnow.com/wwrkbnch.html
I have built this one twice now. Built out of 2x4s and a solid core firedoor. Basic bench (without drawers / shelf) comes in at about £90 for lumber and fixings. Can be built in weekend easy.
Drawers are a bit more tricky. Made massive amounts easier if you have a table saw and or table router. Good excuse to go and buy one if not.
You can never have enough power tools.
http://www.plansnow.com/wwrkbnch.html
I have built this one twice now. Built out of 2x4s and a solid core firedoor. Basic bench (without drawers / shelf) comes in at about £90 for lumber and fixings. Can be built in weekend easy.
Drawers are a bit more tricky. Made massive amounts easier if you have a table saw and or table router. Good excuse to go and buy one if not.
You can never have enough power tools.
Have a look on Ebay. There are ones the same or similar to the Machine Mart ones or you might find something local which is used and is heavier duty. You might also find one fitted with a vice.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601....
Unless you're not much good at wood work, I would always says build one. It's the only sensible way to get what you want, for the space you have and at the height you'd like. I build my current one to withstand artillery strikes, so it's got a 2x6 frame, 60mm x 60mm legs, a 38mm thick kitchen worktop all topped with a galvanised 3mm steel sheet which laps down the front and up the wall. The whole thing is 3m long and 60cm deep It's massive overkill, but I won't ever break it. I probably won't ever dent it. All in I think it cost me £110 as Woodford Trailers are down the road and the top came from them as 3m long sheets can be hard to find. It's also just the right height for me as I'm 6'3", but a mate finds it too tall to use the vice.
Ian Geary said:
That's a mighty fine bench.
What did you use to fold the metal? And how did you fix it to the worktop?
Ian
Thankfully, I didn't have to bend it at all, the trailer people did it for £30. There's no way I could have done that to a 3mm sheet. As for fixing it down, three tubes of Wickes's contact adhesive are underneath it to glue it to the worktop, and then there are 80mm screws attaching the back to the uprights in the wall. At some point I need to screw the front fold down as it can bong a bit if I'm hammering on the bench. But a few 40mm wood screws will do that.What did you use to fold the metal? And how did you fix it to the worktop?
Ian
I used a laminated wooden worktop I got from IKEA, supported on battens screwed to the walls, and Stanley garage storage units at the front. I took this just after I made it. I don't want to show you a current photo, as you can't actually see the bench (or the rest of the garage) for bits of disassembled motorbike(s).
A bit messy, but a front view.
A bit messy, but a front view.
Edited by Riff Raff on Saturday 10th May 11:28
I got one similar to Machine Mart one from Ebay (IIRC about £50 delivered),complete with drawer and cupboard and it had done ok for 4 years. Then I was folding a bit of metal in the vice (overdoing it I add) and the chipboard top split right across! A £40 solid beech worktop off the Bay has sorted it, and it's a good better bench.
My previous bench was built from 2x4's, chipboard and coach bolts/screws. The top was made from loft flooring boards, from B&Q, three layers thick, for weight and rigidity.
We then moved house, bigger garage etc, so i needed a new bench. Same again, heavy duty timber, with three layers of marine ply for the top.
We then moved house, bigger garage etc, so i needed a new bench. Same again, heavy duty timber, with three layers of marine ply for the top.
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