First Workbench

looks like space is not an issue!! I hear you on the table saw being the main bench of everyting…and when I built my firewood box the ground was my work space…good luck on your venture…I will look forward to your progress…since a bench is in my future, I hope…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...

A great shop to start in CapnRon. To save space, and help with the table saw, you might want to make your bench the same height as the table saw. Then you can use it as an outfeed table, as well as for assembly. Or, you could put it to the side and use it as an extra extension if you are cutting wide width items.

While you are at it, you might want to make a mobile base for your table saw. Then you can use your workbench as an outfeed or extension table as needed.

Looking forward to those pictures.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

That weedwacker is a bit slow for resawing, but what the hey, I’m always looking for another way to do something! But seriously, here’s a website that has a ton of plans, some free others cheap: http://www.workbenchdesign.net/ (Also, I’d be worried about that stack of wood on the wall, gravity storms have a way of showing up in woodshops…)

-- Jeff, West Linn, OR, http://www.dogwood-design.com

Nice size shop you have there. Can’t wait to see the bench in production.

-- Jesus is Lord!

I wish I had that sort of space! If I was you, I’d plan an assembly table first. Then use it to make your workbench. It looks like you have the room.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I like the idea of the bench top matching the saw height. I’ve seen a number of layouts that revolve around a central station that is a combination of saws, routers, drill presses…etc.. Makes for efficient use of space and allows for some huge panel work and long boards. When I finallly get to build a dream shop it will be layed out that way.

Like this…

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Nice layout, Bob. My MFT1080 is coplanar to my saw so it’s a large assembly and workbench. I’d love a free standing shop that I wasn’t bumping into myself in. Having the big central workstation would be great!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

This looks layed out very nicely. I’m assuming the posts in the middle of the workbench are an artifact of the drawing tool.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

CapnRon,

It looks like that woodpile on the shelf is about to fall! When I finally designed a workshop in my basement, one of the focal points was my workbench. I always used a 4’ x 8’ 3/4” plywwod topped bench but realistically, it was too large and was a deterent to efficient work. I did some research, and went with “standard dimensions”. The top of my table is my exterior front door surfaced with 1/4” oak plywood. This bench is rock solid. My shop is always evolving, based on my needs and funds that become available from THE Project Manager. I am not to the point where I am ready for a photo of my shop. I think your shop will be photo ready long before that.

-- WaywardHoosier - Behind schedule and over budget, but who's counting?

Mmm… The project manager keeps referring to “tool expenditures”...and how to budget for them… CapnRon – buy a Festool MFT – you will thank me later.

-- John

Build 2 workbenches, wish I had. Mine is always cluttered and I end up using the saw top for a bench to put stuff together anyway. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

This is a great read!

Jeff and Bob thanks for the resources. Bob, I wish I could do SketchUp that well!

Don’t look at my shop – you will notice I am sorely lacking a workbench. I am planning on building one soon. The hardest thing is to decide the needs and what type of bench to build based on type of work in the shop. I tend to do a lot of machine work and know that a higher bench level is beneficial. However . . . I am also beginning to appreciate a growing interest in hand tools which would mean a lower bench height and a good clamping system. I am considering an assembly bench for my machine work and a more traditionl bench o grow into as I develop some hand tool skills.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

I use three benches. Jockmike2’s suggestion is a good one. One bench is described above, that is my assembly bench. A second benchtop is used for documentation , clutter, and parts, etc. The third is a portable Cummins Tool $15 special which I use quite a bit for fast temporary work downstairs, in the garage, and in the backyard on beautiful days.

Yes, I have the luxury of space. I finally got the clearance to have a dedicated shop a few years ago. I’m an engineer so I overthink the small stuff. Oddly enough, I like shop design, I’m always looking for ideas to make a shop work better. This website really helps out. Just look at some of the shop layouts in the profiles.

-- WaywardHoosier - Behind schedule and over budget, but who's counting?

Three workbenches! I grew up watching my grandfather use his Radial Arm saw table as his workbench, so a piece of ply on the Tablesaw is an unfortunate fill in for me (from time to time.) I decommissioned my first workbench, converted it into a table and my sharpening station… Still need to make a better replacement… come to think of it, I made a 2×4 (rolling) workbench/table/cart. the same height as my workbench, which got equal, if not more use than it’s 2.5×6 big brother… so I did have 2 workbenches!

presently I’m making to with a couple workmates, the aforementioned table, the tablesaw and “counters” made from ripped down doors.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

If you need bench hardware (like the metal for vises, etc), check out Lee Valley Tools. They have a good selection.

Best wood for a bench is hard maple (if you can afford it), but any hardwood will do.

-- surplusdealdude

Well, you guys have made me feel better about my shop. It is also a mess, I have 3 workbenches in my shop. One is a dedicated workbench – under all of the junk I have piled on it. Bench #2 is a Craftsman Radial Arm Saw that I haven’t used in some time – but it is also covered with scraps of wood and tools. and my third workbench is normally clutter free, unless I’m cutting wood with it – it’s my tablesaw. Ah, the life of a woodworker. At least my shop doesn’t smell bad, I’ve been cutting some Cedar for a plant stand project – love that smell.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I agree you should build 2 minimum, cause at some point you will kick yourself for not doing it, I have 2 myself that I put back-to-back to make a work surface of approx 5’ x 6 with drawers under neath for tool storage, used a plan from Woodsmith mag as a model. You can see them on my website in “My Projects”

-- Sawhorse - Sulphur Springs, TX - www.sawhorseworkshop.com

I finished one this year and I REALLY like the difference it makes. I echo everything posted so far. I like the idea of doing the assembly table first (FWW this week has a good video this week on one) and use it to build a ‘proper’ workbench.

-- Scott - Dallas, Texas

I’ve always found that having counter space at my back while at the workbench makes work easier. Just keeps the clutter off the workbench and makes things handy to reach for.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

I too need to build a decent bench. I was thinking of building a bench and a torsion box assembly table. My questions revloves around a decent working heigth for handplanes and such. Keeping in mind that I am well over 6’ tall and my two son’s are even taller. Any suggestions?

-- Chris

This is what Christopher Schwarz has to say about workbench height.....

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov