Workbench question

Adding Plywood to the legs will give it SHEER strength and you’ll be amazed at how much sturdier it gets. Do it in both directions. My bench wobbled like crazy until I did this and now it’s a rock. Try that before ditching the legs and starting from scratch.

Add the plywood across the (long) back and two (short) sides. Then the underside of your bench will be enclosed with walls on three sides… Now what you’ve got is an opportunity for great storage. Build shelves or even cabinets within.

Then, when the new storage space is full of stuff, your bench will be even heavier and sturdier.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

Blake that makes so much sense. I’ve got the plywood to do the trick with to. I’ll give that a shot this weekend and let you know the outcome. Such a simple solution.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

The other thing you need in a bench, when working with hand tools is weight. If you get the bench to be more rigid, but still need weight you can try this. You can build a hollow area under the shelf and then fill it with stand. I did this on one my early benches. It helped but there is nothing like hefty bench.

-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/

Great thought Blake. It slipped my mind. Go for it Betsy.

Also in line with what Mike said, you might want to put a plywood shelf on the cross braces
closest to the floor (with support) and store some heavy items there.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I agree, get that thing to be heavy. I have the huge Sjobergs bench and it’s heavy. I can do anything on that bench and it won’t move or rack.

I can relate to your issues Betsy. Good luck with the stiffening project.

-- Maplewood, MN

Thanks guys. I’m going to work on the ply tonight and will definitely add some weight near the bottom.

Mgrad – I’m jealous of your bench. I was looking at those and WOW are they nice.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Think “storage” Betsy. I agree with the others here about stiffining it up and adding sand. But you can never have too much storage, can you?

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Dado – I’m going to have to disagree! Dang, another disagreement on LJ’s. :-(

Actually, I was cleaning my shop last night in preparation for the upcoming LJ’s picnic in February (yes, I know that’s a month from now – but my shop’s a mess.) and I thought to myself – “I have to much storage!” I think I’ve pretty much decided that the more storage I have the more junk I’ve accumulated or just keep because I have the space to keep it.

So I’m going to try to reorganize and go through the stuff that’s accumulated and get rid of things that I’ve not used or can’t remember why I had it. Then reorganize the good stuff and go from there.

I will, however, be doing a cabinet of sorts under my workbench—- will use that space for weight.

How about those Pats—- they had their hands full last game.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

“Too much storage” Thus spoke Betsy of LumberJocks. Now I have read much of what Betsy has written in the past and I have found her to be intelligent, skilled and reasonable. Based upon these observations and the fact that there is NEVER too much storage I must conclude that the person posting this under the name of Betsy is an imposter.

And to think that after reading the initial post and Blake’s contribution I thought it might be a reasonable thing to replace my 2×4 and plywood throw together table with a bench and added storage. Now, I’m confused.

Okay, I have nothing constructive to add.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

I know, I know, I’m an oddity, but it’s really me Russell. I really do think I have to much storage in my garage. The house is another matter, but the garage. Yikes. I’m going to tighten it up a bit and maybe I’ll be able to find what i want when I want it and not have to look through a gazzilliion drawers to find something.

But I still think it’s a good idea to replace that 2×4 ply throw together bench with something more substantial. I really do!

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

OK, allow me to rephrase “storage”. What I meant is “storage” space for your most commonly used tools. Like drawers to hold the measuring tools and chisels and screwdriver bits, etc. Like a cabinet to hold your power hand tools. It’s all within’ reach and saves time chaseing about the shop.

As for the Dadoo name…It’s the name my grandson gave me when he was 1 y/o. He pronounces the “OO” as in ewe (a female sheep). This is especially funny when he calls me in a public place. But it is my name from him, and it will always be. I’ve seen many instances where people think it’s a typo of Dado…That is a slot in a board. A Dadoo is a grandpa! Thought you’d find that cute. If you are the real Betsy that is.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Gotta Dadoo (a/k/a grandpa). That’s a good idea. I got the ply out last night and will probably work on it some tonight. Spent most of last night just rearranging the shop a bit and cleaning up. Once I’m finished I think I could actually make the garage into a garage where I can park my car when the weather looks bad. What a concept that is!

And the real Betsy does think the Dadoo name story is cute!

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

you know, Betsy.. you re-organize.. you reduce the storage space.. you toss out some stuff.. and the very next day you will NEED something that you just tossed aside. ..
that’s how it works! honest! :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Yes – I do all that – but that means if I don’t have something I just tossed out – I can go shopping. I reduce space – that means I can remodel – which means I have to buy more stuff and tools. So it all works out in the end. You know what they say === A circle has no beginning and no end.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

oooooooh win/win/win situation!!! Excellent plan.

I might just have to go “reorganize” my kitchen, with that plan in mind!! haha

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I have said this on other forums so at the risk of repeating myself and before I say it, I’ld like you to know that I would LOVE A NEW WORKBENCH with all the bells and whistles.

This isnt really directed at anyone, just a few thoughts. So many folks think that they cant make this, cant make that, unless they have this tool and that tool, that with out a nice heavy duty bench, that they are at some kind of disadvantage. To some degree thats absolutly true but for the most part it has nothing to do with the quality, varity of projects, that leave the workshop.

I’ve always admired the person who can sharpen the plough with a file, same for those who can make a razor sharp chisel without an electric grinder.

Again, I would love a new bench but all the same, it’s not the quality of the bench that matters, it’s what leaves the bench that matters. I have the same bench I have had since 1983 and to this day, I would rather build something for my home, for a friend or family then redirect my focus to a new bench that wont improve the quality of the work I do….......one bit.

Now if I was retired…..............nah <g>

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

I wish I had your problems, Betsy… too much storage, wow. Good luck with that bench. Let me know.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

You ought to have a garage sale on LJ with the “inventory reduction” that you are planning.

-- Maplewood, MN

I’ll keep you posted Blake.

Roman—- I’m with you on “it’s not the bench it’s the one using it” concept. 100%. My issue with my workbench is that it’s so wobbly that it’s not functional except as a depository for tools and dust. I want to use it as it’s intended – as another woodworking tool. It’s frustrating when you try to accomplish something and your tools don’t work and I’ve grown tired of using my table saw top as a work surface. Sooooo need to fix that wobbly thing!

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Betsy I definately spoiled myself buying that bench. I think it will last a lifetime (and more)!

Betsy said “and not have to look through a gazzilliion drawers to find something”

Just a thought, but have you thought of labeling the drawers with their contents?

It would be a lot easier than opening all the drawers.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Or you could implement a computer cataloging system like they use to find evidence boxes in huge FBI warehouses.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

GaryK!! what! and miss all the fun of finding some thing you thought you lost?

-- grumpa,Michigan

One small addition to the discussion. I’ve taken a couple of classes at the North Bennet Street School in Boston. Their classrooms, and the degree student’s benchrooms have very small benches which are sturdy but not exceptionally heavy. To add rigidity the benches are bolted to the floor (much easier on wooden floors than concrete) with L brackets.

As for the suggestion to label drawers – I’ve done that on one of my storage units. It has certainly helped although it hasn’t completely eliminated the searches.

-- Chelle http://artsgranddaughter.blogspot.com

Actually, when I had my five car garage. I had everythinglabeled. A blind man could come in a find anything he needed. I’ve not done it here because I no longer have the labeling machine and my hand writing stinks worse than Limberger cheese.

Cheller – I actually thought about the securing it to the floor idea. But nixed it just because I like to move things around and that would make things hard.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Well – I just came in from the shop – spent about 30 minutes and added ply to the sides and the back. Geez that bench is not going anywhere. I think it will be more than adequate for what I do. I still think I’ll add a shelf – but that’s later. For now this looks like it will work. So now back to my other projects.

Thanks for all the help.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!