A no nonsense-low tech-off the rack-gotta start somewhere kind of workbench

The MOST basic would be a hollow core door resting on 2 saw horses.
HTH

-- Art

What Art said.

I’m using a sturdy oak office table, until I can build a real bench. The table was free and I’ve got a lot of use out of it. I think it makes sense to get a feel for the type of work you do and your particular work flow and style before you commit to buying or building a bench. Having said all that every time an LJ post a bench I think ‘That’s the bench for me’....not my skill level unfortunetly:-)

-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2

Thanks for the feedback. I will probably go by way one of the routes you’ve suggested.

If you go with a door, go with a solid core door instead of a hollow core. Hollow cavities can be problematic when clamping or performing any function that puts stresses on the work surface.

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

You can get a Solid Core Door at Habitat for Humanity restore for 20-30 bucks

-- Ken, USAF MSgt, Ret.

Harbor Freight has a solid wood workbench that routinely goes on sale for about $140 and has a front vice.

-- Brian T. - Exact science is not an exact science

Perhaps a a B&D Workmate. Maybe even two of them for working longer projects. It has legendary (and easy) clamping ability, is stable, and if you want / need a table-like work surface keep a 2’x6’ panel (3/4” plywood, maybe?) nearby with spline to clamp into them: instant assy or finishing table.

My .02

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

As Ripthorn suggested Harbor Freight has a decent little bench with a hardwood top and a front vice and this week it was advertised at $144.99 and you can use their $20.00 off coupon, out the door for $125.00 + tax.
Reg. price was $229.99.

That’s a bench and a vice for the price of a low-end vice.

-- Mother Nature should be proud of what you've done with her tree. - Len ...just north of a stone's throw from the oHIo, river that is, in So. Indiana.

HomeDepot has a nice big fold up workbench for $60 or $70 dollars that would be great as a starter bench. Was looking at it for an extra bench for doing projects outside. It is 4×6 if I am not mistaken.

-- mrg

How about one of those “Little Giant” combination ladders advertised on TV and a piece of plywood to serve as a bench top? A ladder will always come in handy anyway. I’m thinking here, portability as being a #1 priority.

I gotta ask; Will the landlord of your apartment allow you to use power tools on the roof or basement? I once lived in an apartment that had assigned parking facilities. I was able to do a limited amount of woodworking as long as I didn’t disturb others and kept the area clean.

Thanks again for sketching out my options. Apparently there are many ways to approach this and I’ll try to pick the most feasible and practical and meanwhile remind myself that I will someday have something more permanent.

PS: To MrRon’s comment: the landlord of my building is the biggest _ in the tri-state area…
but thanks for the thought.

I’m military, and have to move every 2-3 years. I bought a workbench from Sam’s Club that has a wooden top and a steel base. You can get rolling/removable cabinets that store beneath it, and they’re very handy when you need more real estate, but tuck away nicely. You can get some inexpensive dogs, and either use wedges, or that nifty little Veritas surface vice to clamp pieces to the top. It has served me well, is readily available in stores, and is relatively inexpensive at $200.

Bench

Rolling Cabinets

Another Option, but not tall enough for me

-- _Never argue with an idiot. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience_