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Shop Workbenches

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Crank

12-30-2001 17:05:07




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I'm just about at the point of installing workbenches in the shop I have been building. I want a durable surface that is easy to clean and won't absorb oil. I've been thinking of trying to use sheet metal on two 3/4" layers of particle board. Will contact cement work to glue sheet metal to particle board?




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Harold Hubbard

01-04-2002 20:15:20




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
I built mine out of an old Jamestown steel sink cabinet, Screwed a piece of half inch plywood to the back, added a few 2x4s for reinforcement, and put a solid core door on top. One end of the top hangs over enough to mount a vise on, and that end is also covered with a piece of half inch steel plate. I can pound the heck out of it and it doesn't even creak.



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JerryU

01-03-2002 06:21:48




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
A different twist--the 2 X 4 legs, but for a top--they were building a new elementary school with sinks in each classroom. I scarfed up all the cutouts--1 1/4" high density partical board with a heavy laminate top. Cut them into squares about 1 1/4' X 2' and glued them together. Heckuva top. Can pound, beat, glue, and oil won't bother it. You might try a cabinet maker or contractor and get cutouts. They work real well.

JU

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shoe

12-31-2001 23:26:28




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
Crank, I was going to give you a good idea for a
shop bench but it seems that a whole lot of guys
have some darn good ideas. It will be hard to pick one. I think my idea has allready been covered. You know the old saying, twenty heads
are better than one.



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Robert in Md.

12-31-2001 19:59:16




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
My best work bench is a 4 wheel farm wagon with a 7 ft. X 14ft body. I can work all around it and when its in the way I just pull it outside.



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JIM NY

12-31-2001 15:57:43




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
JUST FINISHED MINE 4X4 LEGS ON THE FRONT SIDE SCREWED TO THE WALL STUDS ON BACK 2X6 CROOS PIECIES 2X10 LAYING FLAT ALL SCREWED TOGETHER COVER WITH 3/4 PLYWOOD WITH 1/4 LEXSAN GLUED DOWN,I GET IT FREE FROM MY BOTHER-IN-LAW. NO HUMAN ALIVE CAN MAKE THEM MOVE!!!!!



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Norman

12-31-2001 15:37:47




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
Crank, I was lucky enough to be around when the local bowling alley changed the ends of thier lanes. They are 3 0r 4 ft sq and about 3 or 4 inches thick. Made out of maple. Very nice! I put them on angle iron frame and legs so I can move them around. But they still get piled high.
Norman



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Denny Frisk

12-31-2001 10:01:34




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
When I built my new shop 7 yrs ago I used 3/4" thk particle board with the un-tempered hardboard for the top surface. Plan was to paint it to protect from oil spills, etc. but never got that far yet.... hehehe. It's held-up great! By my welding vice I put a piece of 1/8" thick alum. sheet I had to protect from welding splatter & sparks. My workbench is 26 feet long.... Like another said, "Too Big is almost as bad as too small!" Most times I end up working on a stool because I can't set anything more on the bench! I made a 3 ft. X 4 ft. portable welding bench several years ago that sure is handy. Used a piece of welded walkway made from 1/4" thk X 1" steel set on edge every 3/4" joined with 1/4" square bar every foot or so along the length of the bars. Used angle iron for the frame to make it 36" high, REAL handy as a portable ladder too

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Greaseman

12-31-2001 08:02:40




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
I am about to start my work bench! Mine is starting with 4X4 leg's, and an old counter top I found beside the road to be junked! From there I will be having 2 large vises, and 1 smaller one. When the top gets to nasty I will be putting on a layer of non tempered masonite. I do not recomend metal only because of the electric shock threat. I am going to be holding the whole mess together with grade 8 nuts and bolts.

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JERRY SHEETS

12-31-2001 05:56:01




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
NOTHING BUT STEEL FOR ME. MIN. IS 1/4 INCH
AND I LIKE 3/4. GREAT FOR WELDING HAMMERING ECT.
I CAN ALWAYS LAY CARDBOARD ON IT FOR WOODWORK.



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F14

12-31-2001 04:57:06




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
Mine is 2 feet deep and 8 feet long. The back is nailed to the 2x6 studs in the garage wall. The front is supported by 4x4 legs on 4 foot centers. The frame is 2x6, the top is two layers of 3/4 plywood. Rugged to a fault. I used sheetrock screws to apply the second layer of plywood, the thinking being that when it gets too dinged up, I can unscrew it and either flip it over or replace it.

I have a cheap Chinese vise on one corner, with a 2 foot square piece of 1/4 inch stainless plate I scrounged for a hard surface on that corner of the bench.

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John Ne.

12-30-2001 23:22:14




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
When it comes to workbenches, figure out how much space you just have to have, any more than that and it will collect clutter, and become permanent storage tables. 4x6 would do most shops, unless you want to lay out big projects. just a thought. John in Ne.



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TLW

12-30-2001 21:11:15




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
depends on what they are used for as to what i made mine out of. for general work used 2x2x1/8 angle iron for frame and 3/4 plywood top bolted on with formica top glued on. for welding bench used same type frame but covered in expanded metal with a ground wire to welder. for mounting my vice, grinder, pipe notcher, drill press, and pipe bender on i made frame out of 1 1/2 pipe with a 3/16 sheet steel top welded on.

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TB

12-30-2001 20:20:55




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
My bench top is 2"X 12"varnish but not glued. When I work on something that may make a mess I lay a plastic soda sign on it. Particleboard is not real strong and may fall apart if it draws moisture. Metal top benches are ok for welding and hot projects but I would not want one for other projects it depends on what you want to do.



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MOMark

12-30-2001 20:02:40




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
I built one using 2x4 frame and legs. Used 3/4" plywood for the top. Made it 2' x 8' so that the plywood was doubled (1 1/2"). It is pleanty stout. I used sheet rock screws to fasten the top to the frame. Painted two coats of battle ship gray porch paint so that oil wipes right off.

I built it free standing so I nailed it to the poles in the shop (the poles were 8' apart) with #40 ring shank barn nails. Its not going anywhere.

Good luck.

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jeff

12-31-2001 10:15:28




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 Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to MOMark, 12-30-2001 20:02:40  
I built mine similar to yours, except that I nailed 2x4 crossmembers to the wall studs 24" apart. I then framed it out so that it looks like a ladder and then bolted 2x4 legs to it. I topped it with 3/4" plywood. It is 2ft wide and 40 ft long.(the length of the building). I put the heavy items (vise,grinder,bandsaw) above where the legs attach. Then build a shelf underneath it all.



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Mac

12-30-2001 18:01:34




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 Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Crank, 12-30-2001 17:05:07  
1st benchtop I built, I used 2x4's on edge, glued together and ran an all-thread thru them. sanded for a smooth top. Then built another from 2x12. Glued these on the edges and clamped untill dry, used 1x4 underneath with deck screws for reinforcement. Sanded top a smooth finish. I would not advise a sheet metal top due to an electrical shock if you should be working on anything electrical. BTW, I just used 3 coats of varnish to stop from absorbing oil or grease

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rhudson

12-30-2001 20:00:03




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 Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Mac, 12-30-2001 18:01:34  
I've made several of the 2x4 tops with angle iron legs. i don't think you can beat them. most of mine i leave unsanded so small parts don't roll off. they are great for hammering on because they absorb shock so well, but boy are they heavy.



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BillD

12-31-2001 07:27:40




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 Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to rhudson, 12-30-2001 20:00:03  
My wife says that I cannot build any thing light My benches are made with 4x4 legs 2x6 stringers rabited into the legs and 2x6`s laid flat for the top I cover the 2x6`s with tempered masonite for a smooth surface I have used a 5" pipe wrench to break parts loose that are clamped to the table and never moved it



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JoeK

12-31-2001 09:39:08




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to BillD, 12-31-2001 07:27:40  
Sounds alot like mine,cept I had some t&g 2" hardwood from an old wood silo that I used for a top.Put drawers under right half,storage cubby under left.I've had 600lbs plus on it w/o a wiggle.Put a 2x6 "backsplash" on it with a lagbolts into 2 wall studs,just for tip over safety. Friend who does alot of welding etc built his bench outta 3" channel and 3/8 diamond plate.When we get together on a project we refer to ourselves as "Overengineering Inc",as we usually wind up w/things like 2" schedule 40 birdfeeder posts and such...Such is the scroungers Life..lol

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BillD

12-31-2001 14:24:56




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to JoeK, 12-31-2001 09:39:08  
Thats the only way to go Big ,heavy and ugly will win every time



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Jim in N M

12-31-2001 18:48:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to BillD, 12-31-2001 14:24:56  
I've had good luck building the base out of 1-1/4 angle welded,and found useing solid core birch doors and have made them as much as 10 ft.long. I have even pot heavy duty (6)casters under so I can move it around the shop,even pute an electric strip on to have multiple outlets. 1in.sq. tubing works well for a base also,By the way ,nobody ever mentioned what height they used,It's important also.It "MUST" be at a proper or compfortable height. Jim in N M

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Ted Buisker N. IL.

01-01-2002 07:16:29




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to Jim in N M , 12-31-2001 18:48:42  
I've made some real nice workbenches out of the Maple sections of bowling alleys. Hard maple already finished, almost as tough as steel. Bought the alleys for $20 per 10' section. Work super.



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Jim in N M

12-31-2001 18:47:16




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Shop Workbenches in reply to BillD, 12-31-2001 14:24:56  
I've had good luck building the base out of 1-1/4 angle welded,and found useing solid core birch doors and have made them as much as 10 ft.long. I have even pot heavy duty (6)casters under so I can move it around the shop,even pute an electric strip on to have multiple outlets. 1in.sq. tubing works well for a base also,By the way ,nobody ever mentioned what height they used,It's important also.It "MUST" be at a proper or compfortable height. Jim in N M

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