General or Utility Workbench

[Rich Riddle]

After looking at many plans for woodworking benches, I've come to the conclusion that a general/utility workbench works best for the current shop application. Woodworking constitutes only a small portion of the work done in the shop. Does anyone have plans for a general/utility workbench rather than the furniture looking woodworking benches we frequently see?

[Rodney Garson]

I'm going to build this one: http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/four-workbench-projects-based-mostly-on-your-feedback/. However, I will use 4x4's for legs instead of 2x4's, based on this helpful video: http://youtu.be/fPhRjs_2qfY

That first link will take you to an earlier link that explains the bench and how to build it. I'm going to skip the wheels.

Very simple and sturdy. I did a lot of web research and I think it's the best way to go.

[Matthew Curtis]

i have three of these in my shop and love them. Easy to build, solid, and no harm if you "spill something on them". I have 2 chests under one of them and a full width pull out tray on the other two.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/woodworking-plans/article/rock-solid-plywood-bench.aspx

[Steve Friedman]

I have been using 4 layers of 3/4" plywood glued together as a bench top. Use 1" screws to clamp together as the layers are drying. The (almost) 3" thickness is plenty for just about any vise, hold down, and bench dog. It is secured to the base with 1" dowels (not glued) set into holes in upper stretchers at each end of the base. Makes the top easy to remove and replace.

The base is held together with Lee Valley knock down fasteners. I used poplar for the base, but I'm sure anything will do. Legs are 3" x 3.5" (glued up 2 x 4), Lower stretchers are 2 x 8, and upper stretchers (that hold the 1" dowels) are 2 x 4.

Because I use mostly hand tools, I needed the bench to be heavier, so I added a plywood shelf on the lower stretchers and use it to store my heaviest wood. My bench is in my garage, with an uneven concrete floor. Therefore, I also added Lee Valley one-ton glides to the legs and that combination makes my bench solid as a rock!

A quick release steel front vise is extremely versatile for woodworking and other stuff as well.

Steve

[Bill Huber]

My bench is built into the shop, if runs from one side of the shop to the other. I the bench is made of 2x4s with 3/4" ply on top and then covered with Masonite, I can change the Masonite as often as needed when it gets messed up. The front just has some 1 by pine with rounded over edge. there is one support in the center and that is about it.

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