How many benches do you have?

Steve,
I think you are on the right track. If you look at my shop photos, I have a bench along one wall and my big bench behind the table saw. I also have a big bench in the saddle shop with a cut-out table across from it and a glue up/finishing table as well. Then when I am working on cabinets I lay a pile of sheet goods on horses and use the top for more finishing space.This gives me an 8 foot square to finish on. Some times knock down tables work best for finishing and assembly. It’s always fun to make a shop work just the way you dreamed it.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Steve,

At present I only have one bench that is about 8 ft. long and 33 in. wide. I plan on making at least 2 more benches when I can make room in my shop. One bench will be an extension for a radial arm saw that I have and for which I will also build a cabinet stand. Multi use benches seems to be the way to go.

Mark

-- Mark

I have 2. A desk bench in the “office” room of my shop, and a assembly/clamping bench which is my main
bench.

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

one big one, but also use the top of my RAS as needed and I also have and older, sturdier work mate from my wife’s grandfather. that’s it.

-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX

Hey Steve, I have two. The first is a permanently fixed “L” shaped bench that incorporates a sheet metal covered area for brazing, soldering and grinding, and grease work. It’s also where my big combo metal vise is. There is storage for woodshop magazines and plans plus a “sit down” area for doing intricate work. The cabinets are directly overhead for easy access too.

My other bench (the one that really gets the most use) is on casters for mobility and serves as an assembly table and anything else for that matter. Being mobile allows you to tackle any project regardless of size. (Like a canoe for instance!) It’s electrified with 4 outlets and also serves as storage for all my power tools underneath. Keeps it heavy so it don’t move at all when you’re torqueing on it. This bench will snug up against the wall to the “L” shaped one to create a 13’ long bench. I’m currently wanting to add a fold down type heavy shelf on the end for the bandsaw, planer and power miter saw.

Whatever you build, design the table top with enough overhang for clamping (on all sides) and a place to put your knees when sitting. I didn’t do this and regret it today. The next top will be wider. I’ve also read that proper counter top height should be appx. 4” below your elbow when standing. This is definately a back saver that you won’t regret at all!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Hi Steve,

I have two- an assembly bench, basically made out of a full sheet of melamine, and a cheap work bench, that is practically useless.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I’ve had to operate for many years in a garage space of only a little over 200 sq ft. However, I found it necessary to have two “workbenches”. An 8’ bench, 2’ deep, is along the wall. This is my general purpose bench. I have built it so that the top has a 1 1/2 overhang for clamping purposes. Rather than permanently mount tools like a vice and bench grinder, I mount them on a 3/4” thick plywood mounting plate that is 7” deep and 11” long. I’ve even put my re-loading presses on mounting plates. Four carriage bolts hold the plate mounted tool to the table by tighting wing nuts underneath the bench top. Thus, I can have a nice flat unobstructed surface when I need it. A shelf underneath the bench holds my tools and accessories.

My second “workbench” is a traditional woodworker’s bench with both side and tail vises and bench dogs. It wasn’t easy in my small shop, but I managed to place this bench so that I could walk all around it. Through the years, this has probably been my most valuable “tool”. For my new 24’x28’ workshop in the U.P. I am staying with this two bench scenario even though I now have more space. My new traditional type bench is a Sjoberg 1660, a veritable “clamping” monster. I really like it.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

Steve,

I’ll have three or four depending on final design.
One is included in the table saw work station and can be used a large assembly table.
One is a more traditional hand toold bench (you’re clamping bench) which I am planning on making 6’ by 30”.
One is along a wall and is 25” by 18’. This will include my “toaster” bench, desk, and misc bench top tools.
The other thing I was considering is an additional assembly table but that is going to be in the future.

-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas

And…don’t forget the large flat area to use for temporary storage. Like when you get back from the toy store with a bunch of stuff and don’t have a clue where your going to put it.

-- Dave Herron, Boise, ID -- “That which does not crash the browser, makes it stronger”

Steve, I have a work bench, and an assembly bench. I also have this lift table. Some one posted this a few years back in FWW. I added a torsion box to make it bigger. This table was just over $100 at Harbor Freight. It comes in very handy for finishing. You can adjust the height from about 12” to 36” (with the torsion box). Saves my back, by cutting down on the bending over.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

That lift table is a great idea !!

-- Paul

right now i have the bench that i use in my blogs for basic things but its not very flat. i do most of my work on my workmate, and i am planning on building a wood whisperer style assembly table for my assemblies.

Steve, I agree with your three types totally. However, I’d say that the assembly bench and desk bench could be combined if you had the room to make it a long one. I think it all depends on the shape of the space you have to work with.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Thanks guys, I just picked up a laminated slab of of a really nice maple table top. It is 1 3/4 inches thick and 3 foot by 4 foot is size. I spent the weekend cleaning/jointing old 2×4s to make legs for it. So without putting too much money in it, I plan (right now) to add a couple of vises and maybe make a clamp/assembly bench combo. Kind of a wierd size for a bench, but I still am not sure I really need a 6 foot bench.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

My assembly table is the heart of my shop. It also doubles as a clamping bench and tool storage. The solid core doors used for the top are a quick alternative for a Q-box design. it’s heavy, solid as a rock, and large enough to hold the unassembled components of even large projects and still have room for all the tools.
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/1899

-- DocK, WV