Show me your workbench

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Discussion

Lefty

Original Poster:

17,690 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
As the title really.

I have an agri shed clicky that is a garage/workshop/store and I need a proper workbench.

I could get my local fabricator (who did the steel for the shed) to make me one or I could make one myself out of timber.

Really something I can put a big vice on, a bench grinder, pillar drill etc. got plenty of storage so I’m not fussed about drawers etc.

Show me yours!

Lefty

Original Poster:

17,690 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
Timber might be like this:



Though I’d prefer a solid worktop.

Steel might look like this



TimmyMallett

3,017 posts

125 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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I got some pipe cut to length, it wasn't cheap but it's certainly solid (bolted to the floor)


ATG

21,938 posts

285 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
Workshop area is ... err ... in a state of flux, so not much point trying to show bench.

But ... I'd say that wooden one would be good for woodwork and it would be the sort of thing you'd attach woodworking vices to and you probably want to keep the top clear of obstructions. I.e. you wouldn't want to stick a bench grinder or a pillar drill on it. If you've got the space, stick them in their own stations which could just be some other rough and ready table or bench. Similarly the metal bench you showed looks like it'd be great for fabricating metal stuff, so, as before, you probably want to keep it fairly uncluttered.

biggiles

1,899 posts

238 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
Depends on what I'm doing... I have sleepers-on-breeze-blocks for oily / heavy things; a Festool MFT-style top for some woodworking; and MDF worktops for everything else.

You can never have enough worktop space!

Condi

18,585 posts

184 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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If it's for metal working, get a metal bench. If for more general DIY and maybe some softer things, then wooden is good. With the size of your shed, get both. biggrin

TimmyMallett

3,017 posts

125 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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biggiles said:
You can never have enough worktop space!
x10.

DuncB7

353 posts

111 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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Mitre saw, table saw and router plate on top. Should really add a vice though.

Handy for storage underneath too.

Miocene

1,480 posts

170 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
^^^ nice job!

Looking at my bench at the moment - it's the width of the garage and in screwed into the wall with lovely rusted flat head screws which will be a delight to take out i'm sure.

I'd like to replace it and add some storage, currently looking at some variations of these from Bigdug https://www.bigdug.co.uk/workshop-flooring-c348/wo... they have the plus that if we move house I can take them with us

paulrockliffe

16,110 posts

240 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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I buillt this bench a few years ago:



It's 4" x 4" posts, 4" x 2" stretchers all mortice, tenoned, glued and bolted. The MDF lining stiffens everything up and the feet are on 4 x M16 bolts to allow it to be levelled.

The temporary top is still.....er...... there, but I have put 10 drawers in that side and I'm building 10 more for the other, the storage is fantastic. Downside is that there's not enough room to use some bench dog things, but I'm planning to replace the top eventually with something like two layers of MDF and a solid wood top. The idea is to cut M16 threads in the MDF so things can be bolted down all over.

I have a metal working vice bolted on and that can go in a couple of positions and I'm going to adapt it so my lathe can be attached as well so I can get rid of that cabinet and free up some space.

This is my main bench, it's solid enough to work off, behind it I am building a 5m run of kitchen units and worktop to use for projects and stuff, so that the main bench is kept clear of clutter all the time.

Welsh Pirate

187 posts

141 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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Mine isn't particularly large or mobile, but works well enough for what I use it for. Has evolved over the years as I've added/changed bits:


The Gauge

4,349 posts

26 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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It's useful to be able to clamp things to any workbench when cutting etc, so having an overhanging worktop can be useful.

Lefty

Original Poster:

17,690 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
TimmyMallett said:
I got some pipe cut to length, it wasn't cheap but it's certainly solid (bolted to the floor)

Thanks - like the look this and still DIY spec! Top work

Lefty

Original Poster:

17,690 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
DuncB7 said:


Mitre saw, table saw and router plate on top. Should really add a vice though.

Handy for storage underneath too.
Yep this is lovely - like the castors too

Mikey G

4,827 posts

253 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
Built my own years ago from a mix of sizes, think the top is 3 9" timbers 3.6 meters long. Wish it looked like this now, its a mess currently redface


gtidriver

3,575 posts

200 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
I've just started cutting up my wood for the frame. I'll post pics when it's done. On my plans it includes a table saw a router table and t-track galore, Lets see what it finishes as.

Edited by gtidriver on Tuesday 19th September 20:18

PushedDover

6,466 posts

66 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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Workbench porn

I’m in!



(My mediocre Island setup pics to follow)

Sporky

8,171 posts

77 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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Double thickness beech top from Worktop Express, poplar legs with ply panels for rigidity.


Promised Land

5,062 posts

222 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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Lefty said:
TimmyMallett said:
I got some pipe cut to length, it wasn't cheap but it's certainly solid (bolted to the floor)

Thanks - like the look this and still DIY spec! Top work
That’s called Kee Clamp, basically used for handrails etc but as seen here can be adapted to almost anything.

Lefty

Original Poster:

17,690 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
quotequote all
Mikey G said:
Built my own years ago from a mix of sizes, think the top is 3 9" timbers 3.6 meters long. Wish it looked like this now, its a mess currently redface

Brilliant. Like this a lot!