Topic: building my first work bench, any design ideas?

[psycherhexic]

My background is custom cabinetry.. so the work bench will be easy peasy!

However, I'm considering the fact that I'll mostly be using it to work on my motorcycle and (hopefully) future motorcycleS.

So.... should I construct it with any jigs ready to go? The one Idea I had so far was a wheel trueing "notch".. (any links to specs?)

any thoughts?

[dave500]

beer holder,make the bench so heavy that you can pound on it and mount a vice and all that sort of thing and not shake the beer up any!

[GammaFlat]

I used the old cabinets from my brother's house as a base and put a laminate top on it.  It works great.  I also used the "upper" cabinets on the wall for parts and stuff.  In terms of jigs... I dunno.  I don't have one... but I'd love to have a media blast box.  I have a bench grinder/polisher... 2 separate units - very handy. 

[Kong]

Make sure its firmly attached to the wall, not just a screw or two here and there into as stud; hit every stud.  Mount the largest vice you can find.  Give yourself at least 4 feet of clearance on the side that is closest to the vice from any obstacle.   I made my bench top from 2x6's laid on their sides, I should have used 2x12's just so there would have been fewer joints.  The reason for the tick wood is because you can drive nails or screws in it, and remove them later.  This is invaluable when you need to hold jigs and such in place.  Make it as large (long) as you can.  Along with the mounted vice you may find yourself mounting other useful tools - I have a large buffer and a chainsaw chain grinder bolted down to mine in addition to the vice.  Some part of the bench has to be set up for "bench work".  This is the place where you will pull up a stool and rebuild carbs or other intricate tasks.  So make sure the workspace has good light and power immediately available.   Oh, if you have air its good to have line with its own regulator at the workspace too.  Have a place close to the main workspace on your bench that you can put a large trash can.

Those are about all that come to mind immediately.

[sick_seven_fifty]

I used 3/4 inch plywood, backed by 2x4 bracing.  A pegboard like this one is a godsend. Make it large...it fills up fast.  A 4x8 pegboard is cheap, and Walmart sells a hardware set for less than 5 bucks.  Make sure your lighting is sufficient.  I added a cheap flourescent light.  You'll also want to add plenty of power outlets or a power strip.  There's a diamondplated wall-mounted powerstrip out there that's super nice.  I just bought a cheap one.

[Tugboat]

So clean!

[Bakeoff]

I like mounting a power strip on the front of the bench as low as possible.  That way you can plug in your angle grinder or any other power tools and not have the cords draped across the bench.  I also mount one at the back of the bench for when you need to solder or use dremel. 

The thick wood top is the way to go.  I like using 2x6 lumber for the top.  Screw in whatever you need to, and its easy to flip one board when its full of holes, and even easy to replace when you get to that point.  If you have a large tool chest, make sure you can slide it under the bench or have room to the side.  And make sure to have at least one area you can pull up a stool and have leg room under it, so you can sit and work comfortably.

[flopshot]

i went with the recycled kitchen stuff when i rebuilt mine.  absolutely love the bottom cabinets and shelves so much i did the same for my bench grinders.

[psycherhexic]

affordable bench grinder?

[flopshot]

affordable bench grinder?

depends on what you want to do and how fast.  polishing takes some horse power and over a long duty cycle.  Delta's not bad, Grainger has a good selection under the Dayton label.  i prefer 8" myself but a 6" will do most jobs.   it's funny, both of mine are identical in every way but the name brand.  one is Craftsman and i can't remember what the other is.

[lone*X]

From personnel experience, since grinders and buffers are being discussed.  A work bench on which you will be disassembling or assembling engines, carbs, electrics, etc, should be capable of staying relatively clean.  Don't mount a grinder to this bench.  Grind a few items and you have carborundum grit everywhere and it is the devil to clean up.   Mount the grinder/buffer to a pedestal to get the mess away from the work bench.  I actually move my pedestal grinder out of the shop and on the drive to keep the grit out of the shop.

I also have my upright compressor on the same wall as the work bench and just off to one end.  Makes use of air tools real handy.

[flopshot]

  A work bench on which you will be disassembling or assembling engines, carbs, electrics, etc, should be capable of staying relatively clean.  Don't mount a grinder to this bench.  Grind a few items and you have carborundum grit everywhere and it is the devil to clean up. 
I also have my upright compressor on the same wall as the work bench and just off to one end.  Makes use of air tools real handy.


very good advice.  i don't even have stones on the two grinders in my area.  buffing wheels or wire brushes only.   any grinding of steel is done outside or at work.   i share my space with a Cockatoo so i have to be careful about what i allow to float around the room.

[dave500]

i got an old real estate type steel for sale sign and laid that on the top screwed down,very durable surface then that wont absorb crud and wipes clean easy.

[lone*X]

+1 Dave500.  Anything to help keep the bench top clean is a plus.  My "clean" top is 2'x8'.  I use quarter inch Masonite hardboard on top of a full 2" thick bench top.  Buy a full 4x8 sheet and cut it down the middle.  One on the bench and another for when this one gets beat up.  The Masonite is very hard,  durable, and a lot smother than dimension lumber or plywood.

[mattd]

not as flash as the others but as a bench top i used an old formica kitchen work top - amazingly hard wearing and easy to see any fixings washers etc that you put down on it

[Elan]

one thing to add. Do as much surface as you possible can.  I built mine 18' long and still could use more space!

[bollingball]

I like a good size overhang on the front All the jigs I make just c-clamp on the lip and remove when not in use. Just 3 1/2" with of a 2x4
Hey Dave I told my wife she needed a new refrigerator so I got the old one 2yr. for the shop beer

[number13]

I have been using a 1940s drafting desk for about 20 years now.
Huge and heavily built it has never let me down.

[Steve_K]

I like mine tall 36 to 40 inches tall. I like the edge of the bench to extend past the legs so I can use a stool to work at the bench.   I also want my grinders and buffer someplace else as I like to work on carbs and other things that don't need dust.  In fact, I have a stand for my grinder so I can take in outside to grind or buff,  Don't like that dust near my machine tools.  Power outlet nearby is a good thing and good light like mentioned above.
Steve

[psycherhexic]

thanks guys! its already being built.. I'll post pictures when its done 

[WarwickE36]

Find a fast food joint going under and buy one of their steel tops, did it, best decision ever.

[crazypj]

Unless your OCD, don't make bench too deep.
 You will get unfinished stuff that gets pushed back and new stuff gets front position.
 Narrow bench forces you to clean up (even when you don't feel like it  )