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Let's see some clever workbenches.

747mopar

747mopar

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I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to build my bench and looking for ideas. I have a bunch of Chestnut from the barn that I tore down in order to build this garage so unless it proves to be valuable to sell I'll be using it. Regardless it will be wood and loaded with drawers, cabinets, stainless top, etc. I'm thinking about incorporating something like a Reese receiver into the top (not on top but in it) for different fixtures like my fixture for rebuilding 8.75 pigs. Length is another debate, I've got over 20ft to work with but my experience is it ends up just being an excuse to not clean it regularly.... just move down lol. Building it shorter would allow more space on the wall for welders, torches, etc. Really thinking about cabinets on the walls as well for power tools and a peg board as well? I can get super nice metal peg boards threw my work that are super nice not the crappy masonite junk you normally see. There will be no store boughten garage cabinets either, just heavy duty wooden cabinets. I have a full woodshop so there's no limit on what I decide to do either.

Let's see some pictures.
 
Not sure who is stealing who's idea for the Reese receiver but that is my plan also for the workbench. I had planned on doing separate receivers for the bench grinders...vice's...bead roller etc...
I planned on using an old steel door I got and just fabbing something up from there...
I'll be watching this to see if I can steal anything else...:D
 
skicker said:
Not sure who is stealing who's idea for the Reese receiver but that is my plan also for the workbench. I had planned on doing separate receivers for the bench grinders...vice's...bead roller etc...
I planned on using an old steel door I got and just fabbing something up from there...
I'll be watching this to see if I can steal anything else...:D
Click to expand...

Mine is just a big ole steel industrial shop bench but it has (4) 110V electrical outlets along the top shelf & (1) in each leg. i have it all wire up & plugs into the wall. Unbelievably handy. I always have stuff plugged in everywhere while working on the bench.

20161104_213833 (004).jpg
 
6PKRTSE said:
Mine is just a big ole steel industrial shop bench but it has (4) 110V electrical outlets along the top shelf & (1) in each leg. i have it all wire up & plugs into the wall. Unbelievably handy. I always have stuff plugged in everywhere while working on the bench.

View attachment 499859
Click to expand...
Already have many quad boxes on a 30 amp circuit down the whole wall, never to many outlets. Your bench is really about all that is needed in length... as long as you keep it clean.

Holy cow is that colorful!! I'm assuming many years of go fast stickers?
 
Last edited:
skicker said:
Not sure who is stealing who's idea for the Reese receiver but that is my plan also for the workbench. I had planned on doing separate receivers for the bench grinders...vice's...bead roller etc...
I planned on using an old steel door I got and just fabbing something up from there...
I'll be watching this to see if I can steal anything else...:D
Click to expand...

I better hury so I can say you copied lol. It just makes sense, the fixture I made for rebuilding pigs got bolted onto the bench and since it was bolted it just stayed there for me to bash my hips off of. Easy on off means it won't just hang there plus one spot serves multiple purposes instead of a bench with junk bolted all over it. Good minds think alike.
 
If you know anyone in the elevator trade, ask them to bring you home a elevator door or two. Stainless, heavy, and once a good foundation is built, makes a excellent work bench.
 
Sell the Chestnut - it absolutely has value. You will be cursing at all the splinters you will get if you build your bench from it. Just my thoughts. Good luck with your project - sounds like you (all) have great ideas!
 
IMG_1617.JPG
I have 3 identical benches with 16 gauge steel tops with backsplash. I used 1 3/4" solid particle board school room doors clad in plastic laminate. The frames are 4x4s, mortised at the legs, held together with all thread rod draw bolts. I picked up 6 new Steelcase computer keypad drawers for free (new) and used 2 on each bench. I've been using all 3 for 17 years now.
Mike
 
I don't have an actual picture of mine because I sold it due to lack of space but I used a stainless steel food table. I looked on craigslist and found one from a restaurant that went out of business and bought it for $60 bucks. It was pretty good size too. It was modular so I could easily break it down and I was going to put a vice on it but didn't have it long enough. Also, being stainless steel it was really easy to clean too. Looked something like this but I made wide bases so it wouldn't wobble with weight on it.

30036887.jpg
 
Zeppelin264 said:
If you know anyone in the elevator trade, ask them to bring you home a elevator door or two. Stainless, heavy, and once a good foundation is built, makes a excellent work bench.
Click to expand...
My brother in law had my dad bend up some stainless countertops out of 1/8" thick stainless and didn't use it all so I'll be using it.... As long as he still doesn't want it.
 
these are from the same place as above post
00b0b_fzpe14lr8r9_1200x900.jpg
00c0c_49wO5XlkvfM_1200x900.jpg
00000_fn30VxR8mnS_1200x900.jpg
00Y0Y_bwgOoheJ9G6_1200x900.jpg
 
Grady Cain said:
Sell the Chestnut - it absolutely has value. You will be cursing at all the splinters you will get if you build your bench from it. Just my thoughts. Good luck with your project - sounds like you (all) have great ideas!
Click to expand...
I'm in the process of having it looked at for value, from what I've read it may not be worth much. The timbers are where the value is and they're riddled with nails, cracks, rot and tendons. I can easily work around the defects and get what I need. As far as splinters go I'll plain, sand and finish it all and have a stainless top so it should be alright..... once it's built. I just thought it would be cool to incorporate the old barn into the garage but if it's worth something it's gone!
 
Last edited:
493 Mike said:
View attachment 499912 I have 3 identical benches with 16 gauge steel tops with backsplash. I used 1 3/4" solid particle board school room doors clad in plastic laminate. The frames are 4x4s, mortised at the legs, held together with all thread rod draw bolts. I picked up 6 new Steelcase computer keypad drawers for free (new) and used 2 on each bench. I've been using all 3 for 17 years now.
Mike
Click to expand...
Backslashes are a must, hate loosing hardware in between the bench and wall.
 
 
747mopar said:
I'm in the process of having it looked at for value, from what I've read it may not be worth much. The timbers are where the value is and they're riddled with nails, cracks, rot and tendons. I can easily work around the defects and get what I need. As far as splinters go I'll plain, sand and finish it all and have a stainless top so it should be alright. I just thought it would be cool to incorporate the old barn into the garage but if it's worth something it's gone!
Click to expand...

A cheap top for work bench is Masonite. It's hard and durable, yes oil soak is a problem with it.
 
 
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