Workbench advice needed

Hi.

Could you perhaps replace the stretcher with some stout diagonal braces, as long as possible while still leaving room for chair/cabinet? You’re going to want something there. Otherwise there isn’t much to keep the legs stable.

Or, what about built in cabinets, leaving the stretcher, and maybe make the top overhang on one end for a stool?

It would rack and wobble pretty badly. I built that same plan for my first workbench. The stretchers are integral to the design. You’ll be tightening the bolts fairly regularly if you live somewhere the humidity varies a lot like I do.

Rich;)

-- Rich;) -"Dada make a big mess?" "Yes Dada made a big mess."

channeleaton, this bench is a very nice one. I built this very bench from the same source for my first and it served me well. I upgraded to an Ulmia but I still have that one in my shop. I think it would probably be a bad idea to remove that front stretcher if you plan on using tools that will wrack the bench (hand planes!). If you do not do work that will cause the bench to wrack, 45 degree braces would be a good substitute to get a cabinet or chair underneath.

Good Luck!

-- Mike

That’s a great bench design as is. I’d not mess with it.

You could always have your chair at the vise end.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I think I’ll build this bench as is with some built in drawers and another one of a different design for craft/electronics work.

I’ve had that bench, and it’s a great one, but really relies on those stretchers to keep it from rocking for handtool type work.

If you only plan on using this for powertool type work, and/or light electical/crafts than you could potentially forgo the front lower stretcher to accommodate a chair/rolling cabinets.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

You could always try it without the front stretcher and see how it works. I would defiantly keep the top front stretcher. If it was not sturdy enough you could try adding a stretcher in the center (half way from front to back).

Do you need the workbench portable? If not, could you screw all four legs to the floor?

-- Jesse, Saint Louis, Missouri

Relocate the front stretcher back 1/2 the distance. The bench will still be rigid enough and you will have enough room for a chair.