Workbench and shop space

So the good news is that I just signed the lease on a place with a garage so I can finally set up my shop proper like.

The bad news is that my table I'm currently using as a workbench will soon become my kitchen table. :lol:

So the first item on the agenda is to build a workbench. I have in my mind something that has a shelf underneath to put my handheld power tools on, a vise mounted to the top, enough overhang for clamping jobs, and a back that has pegboard on it so I can hang things from it, and maybe one of those lights that moves on a little crane.

Are there any other features I might consider incorporating into my design? Tips, suggestions?

I'm also planning on making a base to go underneath my table saw, with casters so that I can move it around. And I figure I'll have to come up with some sort of station for my planer and jointer as well.

And maybe a rack to hold my clamps.

My current workbench is a series of 2 x 6's glued up as a top and 4 x 4's for legs. I put lower rails across 3 sides to stiffen them and lagged everything together. I hang clamps off the rails and the open side gets the wet dry vac and garbage can underneath. I raised it up a few inches more than the standard height since I'm 6'2". I think the key is making the wasted space under it more usable.

Some shallow drawers underneath can really help for the tools you use a lot (fretting tools, calipers, square, etc.). Also, make sure you put a decent woodworking vise on it.

Here's a few pics. Begin with a steel x military/industrial bench. Top is a 36" door with 3/4" support all around about a foot deep underneath. That gives you a nice thick strong top. Set up stations as you please, wood vise, drill press etc.
Some storage underneath, add a locker with shelves and just about all your guitar stuff will be together.

..

The Workbench Book (Taunton). Look into it at your local library. There are more ideas in there than you can shake a stick at. While you're at it, track down The Workshop Book. One of them profiles a classical luthier; it's fascinating stuff.

Thanks for the tip, Picton. I work at a library, and if we don't have it there I can probably get it on loan from somewhere that does.

Two pieces of 3/4 plywood glued & screwed together on a 2x6 frame make a very sturdy reasonably priced workbench. 2ft wide x 8ft long against the wall is a nice size.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t468/jlaceytrc/006-2.jpg

Nice to have a stationary work bench as well as a work table that you can access from all sides. I had to downsize my shop from full blown to bench top tools for the most part. Im restoring a 52 Ford truck these days in what I call the real shop, so a storage room that measures 8' x 30' on front of our carport now serves as the work shop I guess. Can't believe I sold my cast iron table saw and jointer.......Anyway, you can build a simple bench like mine for $80.00 not counting the peg board. It's 12 ft x 2 ft. Always consider what's going under or on shelves when planing your bench. I've seen guys build benches with a shelf that nothing would fit on or under. I also have the bench that Shepherd metioned. Very nice to have one of these, but I find that mine is too low to use . I'm 6'1".......I bolted mine to the shop wall and mounted my drill press and bench top jointer on it. Good look.

double post, sorry........

Somewhere, years ago, I saw some plans for a flip-top small bench tool center, that had a thick table made of dimension lumber 2-bys and 3/4 inch plywood, with a 3/4 inch pipe running through the middle, on which the table pivoted, and tools like a ROSS on one side and a tabletop planer on the other. One was upside down while the other was in working position. One of the cool things is that it had drawers for each of the tools, that kind of locked in place when upside down, so like your sanding cylinders and belt for the ROSS, etc. would be secured when upside down, but right there ready to pull out and mount when you're ready to go. I thought, and still think it's a great idea and great space saver. I've tried to find the article or plan off an on for years now, probably buried in some old woodworking magazine down in my basement, but some day, I'm gonna do it. Might be something for you to look up and see if it would help you maximize your storage and work space, while keeping tools handy.

I second the recommendation for drawers. I'm gradually removing tools from my pegboards and putting them in drawers, mainly because I can put one of those rust fighter packs in each drawer, and keep my tools nice and shiny.

I'm thinking if you need "one of those lights that moves on a little crane", you should probably try to mount the light to the ceiling with very big lag bolts and save the bench space :grin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWY7Pi4v-M&feature=plcp

and go from there!

I'm thinking if you need "one of those lights that moves on a little crane", you should probably try to mount the light to the ceiling with very big lag bolts and save the bench space :grin:

You don't need to get that complicated with it, the ones that clamp on with the magnifying glass are cheap, and portable.


Tip: Stand up normally, hold your forearms parallel to the floor, and have someone measure the distance from your elbows to the floor. This is the proper height of your workbench top surface. :cool: