Workbench

Nice looking workbench.. real sturdy.

Nicely done

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Looks like a nice start to a great bench. Love how you notched out the top to fit between the studs. I would suggest putting doors on the front and maybe some drawers, too.

-- The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. Ron, Crossville Tn

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a carpeted Shop

-- Lizardhead---Yeah but it's a dry heat--Tempe, Az

The rug is one I had in my CHU when I was in Iraq in 2009. There’s actually less dust in the workshop than there was over there!

-- Chris, Minneapolis

What ever works for you is the way to go. Well done

-- I am not so rich to buy cheap tools.

Give yourself some toe space (suck in the edges of the lower shelf)?

-- My broker promised me he would treat my money as if it were his own. Trouble is, he did.

For the next one:

1. Maybe let the top hang over the base a little more next time so you can easily clamp things to the top. (It’s hard to tell from the pictures how much you have done this already.)

2. Replace those shelves with drawers.

—Russ

-- My table saw laughs at hot dogs. http://thesorteddetails.blogspot.com/

I see a generously sized working surface that looks very sturdy and should function well for a variety of tasks. Plus, it has lots of convenient storage. I say “put it to work” and tweak it if you need to, but don’t fret over comparisons to other benches.

My first ‘bench’ was less sturdy than this one, but still allowed me to work on a variety of tasks. I have since built a newer ‘bench’ that includes fixes for things that bothered me about the old one. Coincidentally, I have that same vice, which I got on sale at Rockler, and it works well for me. I also put the dog holes right over the screw, but the bench top is shallow (~2.5”), so shorter dogs do just as well as longer ones, but don’t interfere with the screw.

I dismantled the old ‘bench’ and am using the 2×4’s for another shop project.

The exposed romex does concern me, though. I’d look for something to protect it, since it is now part of the work space.

looks solid to me .a vice is a must and to have a close power supply is handy with tools the cords are always to short i lke it well done.

-- Jesus Is Alright with me

if the height is still a concern, you could make a simple platform (2×4s and plywood) and have some toe room also.

looks good.

I have subsequently covered up the exposed wiring on the benchtop. I saw myself carelessly swining a part or tool in that direction and yanking it out – one of those moments where I was actually thinking ahead.

-- Chris, Minneapolis

Looks solid to me, at least the top is very thick, good for pounding and chiseling. My original bench was also 4×4 legs, but I foolishly used screws not lag-bolts and it wobbled a lot under long-way stress (planing, etc). I eventually had to put in a triangulation board from top left to bottom right. If yours does not wrack or sway, you are golden.

If you want a vise for the length of the bench, and if legs too far from edge for a leg-vise, perhaps a wagon vise? Supposed to be retro-fittable into existing bench tops.

I would loose the bottom shelf and put all thread bolted through strechers both ways – you asked ! Good job on protecting yourself from unwanted sparks flying out of the romex.

-- Love thy neighbour as thyself

exelectrician-

I have seen (since I have built the bench) many designs in the woodworking press that use that very technique. It does look like a good one. Thanks

-- Chris, Minneapolis