I am in the process of finishing up my bench. I am building a tool well. I plan to build it sturdy enough that I can use it to clamp to. Probably 1.5” maple on the back side and .75” maple on the side next to the bench top. I will use a tongue and groove joint to join .75” plywood bottom. With the ends of the well extending the full depth of the bench I think that I will have enough strength.
I chose to go with a tool well because i am always working on multiple projects at the same time. I need some place to put project A’s parts when I have to stop and work on project B.
As far as it being a “collector of junk” I reserve the first 10 minutes of each day to straightening out the shop and figure that I can empty it out each day.
For times where I need the additional surface space I will have a rabbit around the inside edge and I can drop a cover plate over the well.
I sized my well to hold the largest tool I figure that I will need to store in it.
Hope this helps.
-- Jesse, Saint Louis, Missouri
