| Project by RockyBlue | posted 540 days ago | 3276 views | 3 times favorited | 21 comments | ![]() |
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I have been needing a bigger outfeed table for my powermatic, and also needed a better workbench with a nice top. Not having the spare time to build “shop furniture”, I decided to purchase 2 Harbor freight benches and marry them. Oh it was a beautiful ceremony indeed and they make a cute couple don’t they? I had to move the front vise on one bench to the opposite end and corner. I made oak rails to mate the legs and added 6 adjustable feet to level the whole thing to my saw. I screwed the tops together also. These benches are very solid and sturdy, especially when doubled. And at $127 each , its better than being jabbed in the eye with a sharp stick. I leveled the bench to be 3/4” below the saw so I can use a 4×6 sheet of malamine as an outfeed table, or remove it to expose a nice clean work surface. It works for me and is better than the other table I built from scraps. I still need to cut the miter slots in the top sheet, and it can be clamped against the saw with the 2 face vises if it moves too much, which it hasn’t yet.
-- I haven't had this much fun since hogs ate my little brother. www.rockybluewoodworks.com
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21 comments so far
psh
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72 posts in 1167 days
#1 posted 540 days ago
Very clever, I’m impressed!
-- Peter, Central VA
woodworm
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14104 posts in 1762 days
#2 posted 540 days ago
Great idea and it does work!
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
dubsaloon
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619 posts in 965 days
#3 posted 540 days ago
Nice work. multi uses.
-- The works of evil people are not the problem. It is the "Good" people standing by and watching not speaking up. Dubsaloon
jackthelab
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235 posts in 864 days
#4 posted 540 days ago
Excellent idea. Nicely done!
-- Dave in Minnesota - If it ain't broke, improve it!
Jim Bertelson
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3337 posts in 1336 days
#5 posted 540 days ago
That is a great cost effective solution. Are the drawers half way decent?
-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska
Bertha
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13115 posts in 865 days
#6 posted 540 days ago
Give it a week and that couple will start fighting about who’s on which side;) Nice solution!
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
ChrisK
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547 posts in 1253 days
#7 posted 540 days ago
A very good use of HF stuff.
-- Chris K
ShaneA
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3970 posts in 770 days
#8 posted 540 days ago
Looks great, I think it was a good idea, plus it sounds easy and pretty cost effective at that price. Well done.
BigTall
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10 posts in 550 days
#9 posted 540 days ago
Awesome, looks like i have a way to save space when i build a shop of my own
-- -Kyle, New Jersey, Novice Craftsman
Jonathan
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2568 posts in 1222 days
#10 posted 540 days ago
This is a great idea, and at a nice price too. I might have to look at getting one of these benches. Looks like they’re on-sale right now for $159.99 (not including shipping, which is a big chunk extra since it’s oversized). I’ve got a HF close by though, so if I get it, I’ll just pick it up at the store. Now I just need to find a 20% off coupon.
I’m also curious about the quality of the drawers/slides. I wouldn’t expect too much at this price, but I don’t want to have to fight with them every time I try to open or close one.
-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."
RockyBlue
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265 posts in 865 days
#11 posted 540 days ago
Its seems they are always on “sale” for 159. You can find a 20% coupon in most offroad, dirtbike,woodworking magazines. The drawer slides are good enough, but I wish they were full extension. The drawer faces and backs are solid wood, but the sides are particle board. It would be very easy to make new sides and upgrade to better slides if a guy wanted. I am leaving them as is for now, and will build a full chest of drawers for each unit when I get time. At that point I will remove the existing drawer unit.
-- I haven't had this much fun since hogs ate my little brother. www.rockybluewoodworks.com
grumpy749
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112 posts in 549 days
#12 posted 540 days ago
looks like a winner except what do you do when you have the benches full of tools and projects and then you need to make a cut on the saw? Bummer. Real nice saw though.
-- Denis in Grande Prairie. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.....Pink !
Jonathan
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2568 posts in 1222 days
#13 posted 539 days ago
Thanks for the candid review of the drawers, it’s appreciated.
-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."
Jim Bertelson
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3337 posts in 1336 days
#14 posted 539 days ago
......and right now you got a bunch of drawers you can use for little money. Sounds like a good plan.
-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1844 days
#15 posted 539 days ago
Nice work!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
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