Need ideas for simple, bare bones builder's bench.

[CG6018]

I have very limited space in my one car garage to set up any kind of builder's bench. What would be the minimum length and width I could get away with, and what besides a vise should I include? The wife says that the dining room table is off limits. I saw plans a couple of years ago in Muzzleloader magazine for a simple outside deck bench which was simply a 2" by 8" covered with outdoor carpeting clamped diagonally across a corner of the deck. That may be what I'll be reduced to until the snow flies. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[musketman]

How about a folding work bench that lays flat against the wall when not in use?

 

I tried to PM you but you're not accepting them, a few month's back I posted plans for a portable bench.

Would this be what yer inclination is, if so make your PM available, and Pm me and I'll send you the materials list and a couple more Pic's Bill

 

[LSU TIGER]

I built mine from 2 X 4s and two layers of 3/4" plywood for the top. It's screwed into the wall studs and concrete floor. I added a shelf for rigidity. I built it in an L shape, 8' on the long leg and a total of 7' on the short leg, counting the 2' width of the existing leg. I'm tall, so it's 42" from the floor to the top of the bench and another 9" to the top of the vise.

 

[CG6018]

I appreciate your help gentlemen. Musketman - This is a great idea, and one I'll pass on to my son. I had in mind something free-standing like Bill's design. Bill - This appears to be a perfect match for the space I have. LSU Tiger - Sounds like a great bench, but more than I have space for at this time. My son is looking for something along these lines. Thanks again, fellows.

 

[rusty]

Bill would you send me the info as well that looks like a great set up.Thanks ...rusty [email protected]

 

[CrackStock]

Bill,

Please send me a copy as well. I never knew that I needed one until I saw it! :hmm:

But now I need it even if the wife does not agree. :thumbsup:

Thanks in advance,
CrackStock

 

[benvenuto]

I built my bench out of recycled 2x4's laminated together to make 4x4's - got the plans off the net but forgot where (!) but its a damn good design with nice solid joints. However litle space you have, make your bench solid and heavy. Everyopne has their own taste in vices, go to a store that actually has them set up to try out before you buy

 

[44-henry]

One of the woodworking magazines, which I forget the title of, last month had an article on making a bare bones workbench. I liked there ideas, they used a solid core door slab for the top (the ones without any lockset cutouts). The frame was rugged, but inexpensive and simple made with construction lumber. One of the optional add ons was a base that could be filled with sand giving the bench a rock solid foundation. To my way of thinking their bench ideas were very good, the top would be stable and could be replaced in the event that it got to chewed up for good service, you can usually find solid core slabs at homecenters in their discount pile due to cosmetic flaws. All in all, I think you could build the bench for much less than $100 if you were interested.

 

One of the woodworking magazines, which I forget the title of, last month had an article on making a bare bones workbench. I liked there ideas, they used a solid core door slab for the top (the ones without any lockset cutouts). The frame was rugged, but inexpensive and simple made with construction lumber. One of the optional add ons was a base that could be filled with sand giving the bench a rock solid foundation. To my way of thinking their bench ideas were very good, the top would be stable and could be replaced in the event that it got to chewed up for good service, you can usually find solid core slabs at homecenters in their discount pile due to cosmetic flaws. All in all, I think you could build the bench for much less than $100 if you were interested.

Please, PLEASE, tell me you can go back and find the article and post a recipe? Please-o-please-o-please? I almost bought a bench at Sears yesterday for $225, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I could probably build one better suited to what I wanted to do with it for less money. What you're talking about sounds right up the alley... especially the part about filling the base with sand to make it stable. :redthumb:

Thanks in advance!

 

[44-henry]

I'll look and see if I can find the article, don't waste your time at Sears, my experience buying woodworking tools from them in the past was very dismal, I doubt their benches are any better. If I had to buy a commerical bench for under $300 I would look at the ones sold at Sam's Club, they at least have a reasonably thick maple top on them, but I would much rather build the bench the way I wanted it and not have to fit myself to some desk bound engineer's ideas of how the thing should be.

 

[WRussell]

If you're buying a bench vise, grab the jaw when it's not clamped against the other one and move it. The less slop the better. Ideally you should be able to clamp a piece of rod at one side of the jaws, horizontally, and not long enough to reach the center of the vise, and be able to lean on it without it pivoting in the jaws (the jaws have to stay parallel).

Hard to find a good cheap vise. I'd say look for old ones. I have a 6 inch with pivoting rear jaw - great for tapered barrels. It came off a Liberty ship that was being cut up for scrap. Best tool I own.

 

[LSU TIGER]

Speaking of vises, check eBay. A friend bought a post vise that is in great shape.

 

[44-henry]

The article in question appeared in Issue 163 June/July 2005 of Wood magazine. It has the complete plans and material lists for the bench and the attachments. If you want to order this issue go to www.woodmagazine.com/store or call them at 1-800/346-9663. Hope this helps. By the way, another vice to look at is the Parrot Vice which can be purchased at www.grizzleyimports.com, this is a good match for my older Versa Vice and it is a very useful stocking vice.

 

[Rabbit]

The first gun I built was on a Black & Decker Workmate bench. The top is smallish but it did the job while living in an apartment. Stores easily and not too costly.

 

ALJ - Thank you VERY much! I will look into those.

Rabbit - That's what I'm currently using until I can reorganize my office/den and make room in here for a bench. She's being real good about it... but wants me to get my stuff out of the kitchen (I'm using the kitchen because it's easier cleanup.) If it wasn't so stinkin' hot lately, or raining when it's not hot, I'd take it out on the deck and work on it out there.

 

I was able to pay $6 and download the bench plans in PDF format! I have them!

Thank you very much, again! Looks like a really good bench. I'm sure I will be building it shortly.

 

[THORNAPPLE]

Iv'e used this for over 20 yrs. It's made from old 2 x 12 rough sawn oak, bolted together not screwed, weighs 80~100lbs. and has a pair of Pana-Vises mounted on it. I love it!

 

[CG6018]

Thornapple, You gentlemen from Michigan (Bill of the 45th Parallel) seem to be offering just the ticket for my constantly shrinking space in the garage. Your stand looks very strudy and functional, and the light is a great addition. Did you choose 2" X 12" oak boards because you had them, or do you feel less width, say 2 X 8's or 2 X 10's could work effectively with your design? I'd appreciate your input. :thumbsup:Chuck

 

[3 stinky dogs]

Iv'e used this for over 20 yrs. It's made from old 2 x 12 rough sawn oak, bolted together not screwed, weighs 80~100lbs. and has a pair of Pana-Vises mounted on it. I love it!

This is a nice bench. It looks like it would be a good bench for an apertment dweller.