LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

Well I'm mostly done (minus drawer knobs) with my new work bench, which became a priority when I got tired of trying to cut longer pieces of wood on my shorter chop saw cart and having them bump into my taller RAS bench.

I started with a 10' cabinet, I found for free in my neighborhood on Craigslist and built it up from there. I had to raise the whole thing to get it to a comfortable height as well as make clearance for the crank on the RAS. I designed it as I went, so some things didn't come out perfect! The whole thing is 46" tall, which seemed to tall at first, but now feels great on the back!

I framed out the first layer out of 2×4's and decided this was a great place for some extra storage! I than layered it with two layers of particleboard, because I was feeling a little cheap. I added some more 2×4's and created three more drawers for a total of six, plus some cubby holes.

I finished the whole thing with a 3/16th's layer of melamine hardboard, so I could unscrew it and replace it easily as it gets weathered. I made a common fence for the two tools that was all based off of the RAS, once I dialed it in, and than topped it with the Kreg precision track and stop kit. I've only used it a little bit, but I'm already liking it! Not having to measure and scribe wood is already making me faster. Although I do not do this for a living, I can get more done when I sneak into the garage! The kit was in place before I made the drawers and I was able to whip them out like a production line! (to me at least :)

I ended up using 3 sections of rails out of the kit, which gives me around 36" of accurate measurements to the left and right of each to blade. I was not smart enough to figured out a way to have it continuos and accurate to both sides of the blade. On the rare occasion I have a longer piece to cut, I'll break out the pocket tape!

I plan on using the last piece of rail for the miter gauge on my TS!

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
18,411 Posts
Looks like a great "Production Station"!!!
Good to see that you got it all sorted out & in use.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
999 Posts
Turned out great. Looks really nice.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,272 Posts
Finally got it all figured out, huh….? I knew you could do it…..Time and patience are a vital part of putting anything together…...It turned out nicely, and you'll be glad you went up in heigth….Like you said…saves on the back from stooping…..Now you can really make the dust fly…..Looks like you've got dust collection hooked up, also…..Now you're in business…....
 

· Registered
Joined
·
484 Posts
Thanks for the kind words everyone and consults earlier too Rick!!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
477 Posts
Awesome job bud would go well in any shop. I love the height too.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,272 Posts
Hey….you made the Top 3….Good deal…..Now if they would just give a prize or gift for that, it would be ok..
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,392 Posts
That is a really nice looking bench.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
8 Posts
Look's great! Great plan and execution.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
17 Posts
Great looking bench. How tall are you? I need to make mine around 46" tall as well and I am not sure if its too tall for me.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
17 Posts
Perfect, exact same height as me. And you don't find it uncomfortable to work at?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
484 Posts
I thinks a good working height. Down an inch wouldn't be the end of the world! Maybe a little better. I find myself using it as a work surface a lot even though it's not my widest bench!
 
Top