LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Precision Taper Jig  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Work Table

Project by fred posted 990 days ago 2376 views 1 time favorited 19 comments Add to Favorites Watch
Work Table
Work Table No picture No picture No picture No picture No picture
Zoom Pictures

When I first started to build my Shop (it’s not a garage, it’s a Shop) the only bench I had was a 3’x6’ folding table. It worked great for a couple of years. After looking through woodworking magazines for a couple of years, I decided to build a workbench. For me, simple is best. I also wanted to use it as an assembly table and an extension for the table saw.

I used 1”x 4” pine for the legs, feet and top cross-pieces. I glued them together to form a 4” x 4”. Well, really 3” x 4”. They are really strong. Made mortise and tenon joints so everything could fit together. Actually, at glue up I left spaces on the legs, feet and top cross-pieces so I could just slip them together. I glued and screwed a piece of MDF to the top cross-pieces. I put a piece of ¼” birch plywood on top of the MDF. Using a prefab maple butcher block top I placed that on top leaving about 6 “ from one side to make a tray. I bought the prefab maple butcher block top since the cost of stock maple was more than the prefab top. Then I used maple to edge the entire bench. One nice little tip: cut some ply for the ends of the tray and install them at a 45 degree angle. That way you don’t have a 90 degree corner that makes it difficult to pick up parts or keep clean. You can just slide any screws or parts up the ramp from the tray. I added one more tray under the bench which is used to house boxes of screws or nails.

There are two stretchers one for each leg. On top of the stretchers is a shelf. I could have bolted everything together to make it portable, but I glued and screwed it together.

Its one strong bench and it won’t go anywhere.

-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.


19 comments so far

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1074 days


posted 990 days ago

Nice, Fred. I’m guessing that, since you call this a “work table”, it’s not your bench. Seeing no vise, or bench dogs, what is the primary purpose of the table? You mention assembly and TS extension – what else?

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View Max's profile

Max

14511 posts in 1171 days


posted 990 days ago

Fred,

That looks really good and sturdy!!!! I like the idea of the 45 degree angle in the tray..

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3791 posts in 1212 days


posted 990 days ago

Come to think of it I don’t have a vice or bench dogs on my on my work bench. Good looking table.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View Bwillie's profile

Bwillie

103 posts in 1004 days


posted 990 days ago

I like all tables, benches and the like, because ….......I don’t have any. Maybe the Princess will have pity on me and give up her car space. Not likely.

fred, I like your work table and bench. I hope that I’ll get there some day.

-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.beavercreekfitness.com)

View monkman1's profile

monkman1

7 posts in 996 days


posted 990 days ago

I like the design. What are the dimensions?

-- Barry, Pennsylvania,

View WayneC's profile (online now)

WayneC

6043 posts in 995 days


posted 990 days ago

I like it. For grins you could drill a few dog holes and add some wonder pups.

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

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14167 posts in 1058 days


posted 989 days ago

sounds like it serves your purpose – perfectly!! Great design

Bill.. take a look at Obi’s table—you could suspend your table from the ceiling!!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Quentin's profile

Quentin

43 posts in 1044 days


posted 989 days ago

Very nice! I love the simple design and implementation. Makes me want to make one for myself.

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1059 days


posted 989 days ago

A nice bench indeed. I need to make one for myself too.

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

View fred's profile

fred

257 posts in 996 days


posted 989 days ago

I have since added an undermount vice in the top right side of the “table”. I haven’t found the need to add bench dogs yet. I assemble all projects on the table and I can access all sides of the project. I put a drop cloth over the table and put on some “T” stands and do my painting and finishing work.

The “T” stands are made of 3/4 plywood. I also use the “T” stands (6”x36”) for glue up of the projects. That way it is easier to clamp the bottom of a project and from all sides.

The dimensions are 62” x 33” and it is 34” high.

-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

View oscorner's profile

oscorner

4572 posts in 1208 days


posted 987 days ago

Nice work table and thanks for the tip!

-- Jesus is Lord!

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1059 days


posted 986 days ago

Good idea Fred, double duty for the workbench!

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

View Bwillie's profile

Bwillie

103 posts in 1004 days


posted 986 days ago

debbie…then she could see up my nickers :-)

-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.beavercreekfitness.com)

View tracker's profile

tracker

15 posts in 1031 days


posted 969 days ago

Really like the tray—good design. Really debated putting a tray on mine.
Scott

-- Scott - Dallas, Texas

View Karson's profile

Karson

25806 posts in 1298 days


posted 969 days ago

Nice bench, work table, paint stand, Good job Fred.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View handyman's profile

handyman

26 posts in 671 days


posted 669 days ago

Fred
Nice work bench. I built a very similar bench myself. Same type of frame and top. Used it many years.

-- Dan

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 772 days


posted 668 days ago

Great work table!

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

Beginningwoodworker

4214 posts in 571 days


posted 191 days ago

Nice work table.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

View a1Jim's profile (online now)

a1Jim

17019 posts in 475 days


posted 191 days ago

Looks great hope it serves you well for years to come

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase