Show me your workbench!!!!

[Lou Ferrarini]

I will be moving into my new house next week and obviously, the first thing I have to do is organize the shop.:D :D :D

Therefore I need to build a new workbench on one of the walls. It will be about 16 feet long, with a lowered section in the middle for my RAS. I would love to see some pictures of how you guys built yours. Construction methods and anything else you can share. I want it to have lots of shelves and drawers for storage.

Thanks so much.

[Alan Schaffter]

Here is my 21' (I think) "back bench". A couple of significant design features- cubbies for the power hand tools on top of the bench- tools always visible and easy to reach. Little drawers will eventually be added to the cubbies which will hold tool-specific tools/wrenches, supplies, etc. I have a slider (SCMS) mounted to a recessed sliding platform about 2/3 the way down the bench. The sliding platform is so I can stow the saw when not it use. There is a 6" DC port inside the cabinet below the SCMS. I have compressed air mid bench and numerous outlets. Since I have a separate assembly table and will be building a traditional WW bench I covered the top of this bench with laminate. It serves as a tool and supplies prep, sharpening, etc, and not a true "work" area. For ease of construction I designed it so all top drawers are the same size and all lower cabinet doors are the same size. FYI, the oak, was milled from trees cut down when they cleared my lot so all it cost was for the sawyer. They weren't the best trees and I had a lot of waste.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-57.JPG

Tool Cubbies (large lower cabinet on the left holds a shopvac):

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-58.JPG

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-60.JPG

[Lou Ferrarini]

Wow - fantastic bench. I think I can use some of your concepts.

[Bill Wyko]

Nice job. Almost a shame to get it dusty.

[alex grams]

your tool bench is nicer than my kitchen cabinet...

very very nice though. I am in the process of redesigning mine. (the 2 car garage with the wife proves a challenge in space utilization).

[Garth Keel]

Very nice. Neat, orderly and attractive; and green, my favorite color (if it doesn't move, paint it green):)

[glenn bradley]

MDF, Fir and Beech. Drawer units are modular so I can change my mind. Gap between top of drawer units and underside of top allow clean up or recovery of anything falling through the dog holes.

3" thick top, 30"deep, 7' long. Access from all sides is a definite improvement from my against the wall unit that got 'retired'. Front and end vise, love the dog holes; never knew I was missing them till I had them.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=72306&d=1190341175

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=72307&d=1190341192

[Bob Oehler]

Glenn that's a nice bench I am starting mine to morrow in fact just about the same size.

Alan well I second my kitchen is not that nice. WOW now that's a nice workbench. I am humbled :rolleyes:

Sorry that I do not have a pic of my work bench because I do not have one yet. There is some wood in my shop that I am going to turn into one. Although it is only pine it will be a great learining expirance.

Take care
Bob Oehler

If you can't hear your radio you are using too many power tools.

[tim rowledge]

A sketchup model of my bench-

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=88bf671ab85e640cf05f92524c81f566

Some pictures -
http://www.rowledge.org/tim/woodwork/bench.html

[Bruce Page]

Here's mine.
Holy Cow Alan, that is awesome!

[Christopher Stahl]

Alan, that's just so wrong. Haha, just kidding. My next rendition of shop cabinets I hope to make them fancy like those. :)

[Bob Genovesi]

Here's mine!

I surfaced the top recently using a jig I made and a router.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Image017-650.jpg

After belt sanding.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Image024-650.jpg

After 3 coats of finish

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Image028-650.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Image008-650.jpg

The top is solid maple and measures 36 X 84 so there's a good deal of space to work.

[Steve Wargo]

Here's Mine. Overall it's served me well, and here's the post with a bit more detail. Bench Thread (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=20844)

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/TopShot.jpg

[Lori Kleinberg]

Wow Alan, that is a beautiful workbench/storage area. I just might have to copy some of those details for future use.

[fred woltersdorf]

here's a link to the bench i built 2 yrs ago.http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=312110#post312110

[Graham Skinner]

Hi All

Just found this video about a English/French/German highbrid work bench and thought you may like to see.

http://popularwoodworking.com/video/?showid=64822

Hope you find it as intresting as I did...Regards Graham....

[Matt Meiser]

Holy cow Alan! That's beatiful! But what does your wife think about you keeping you tools in the kitchen? :D

[Tim Wagner]

Alan, is that a workbench or a kitchen counter? thats amazingly clean. Good job to all though. :D

[Bob Genovesi]

Alan,

Looks more like a tool display, is your wife selling your tools? http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/laughdog.gif

Seriously, if that's an inkling of what your shop looks like I can only imagine what the rest of the layout looks like.


Very nice indeed! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_55.gif

[Timothy Aiken]

Love that yellow beast in the background too. Not sure if I admire the bench or the rod more! Both are nice.
Tim

[Tom Clark FL]

Hi Lou,

Alan will win the prize for the nicest looking long bench, but I use a slightly different approach. Just like Mom used to re-arrange the furniture now and then when I was a kid, I occassionally like to rearrange the shop.

Last spring I added a new bench and smaller workbench, and when returning this fall, I started changing things around again. In the photo is three workbenches and a larger assembly table. That way when one bench is cluttered there are other places to slip in a quick project. Just something to think about. Modular work areas can be changed to suit whatever the current projects demand.

Closeups of benches can be seen in my past posts.
Tom

[Bob Genovesi]

Love that yellow beast in the background too. Not sure if I admire the bench or the rod more! Both are nice.
Tim

Thanks Tim,

It's a bit off topic but it's a 2004 Z06, one of my other hobbies. http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/laughdog.gif

The car is a lot of fun and my wife and I enjoy taking it out and the Corvette meets are awesome as well.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Z06-100-1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/IMG_0180-depth-700.jpg


Catch the Wave....http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/2002wave-small.gif

Bob

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Here is my 21' (I think) "back bench"...

Alan, that back bench is spectacular. It's exactly what I'm looking to have in my shop. I haven't searched your posts to see if you've provided a shop tour yet but if you haven't, please do (in another thread so we don't divert this one). I'd like to see how your back bench fits in with the grand scheme of things. Very nice.

[John Schreiber]

Here's mine.
Bruce,

I'm about to start on a similar bench. Could you tell the dimensions of yours? I'm especially interested in the size of the top, the footprint of the base and the amount of overhang on the front and sides.

Also, does it have a solid one piece back, or is it paneled. Do you have any trouble with it rocking in any direction?

[John Thompson]

Easy to build.. extremely sturdy and very funtional.. made with re-claimed beams from a civil war warehouse and scraps. To say the least, it's just a work-bench designed to do.. well.... work! ;)

Sarge..

[Lou Ferrarini]

Thanks to all. I am probably going to build a unit on one of the long walls, and also something around 3X6' for a combination outfeed/assembly table.

[Bruce Page]

Bruce,

I'm about to start on a similar bench. Could you tell the dimensions of yours? I'm especially interested in the size of the top, the footprint of the base and the amount of overhang on the front and sides.

Also, does it have a solid one piece back, or is it paneled. Do you have any trouble with it rocking in any direction?

John, here is a screen capture of an Acad drawing of it.

Pegged mortise & tennon construction. Drawers are 17” deep giving me lots of storage.

Crappy picture of the back raised panel construction.

[Rob Bodenschatz]

BRUCE!!! Get back in your shop quick!!!! Your workbench is falling over!!!!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

[Bruce Page]

BRUCE!!! Get back in your shop quick!!!! Your workbench is falling over!!!!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

LOL! Not likely, the thing weighs a ton!

[Jeff Norri]

Here is my 21' (I think) "back bench". A couple of significant design features- cubbies for the power hand tools on top of the bench- tools always visible and easy to reach. Little drawers will eventually be added to the cubbies which will hold tool-specific tools/wrenches, supplies, etc. I have a slider (SCMS) mounted to a recessed sliding platform about 2/3 the way down the bench. The sliding platform is so I can stow the saw when not it use. There is a 6" DC port inside the cabinet below the SCMS. I have compressed air mid bench and numerous outlets. Since I have a separate assembly table and will be building a traditional WW bench I covered the top of this bench with laminate. It serves as a tool and supplies prep, sharpening, etc, and not a true "work" area. For ease of construction I designed it so all top drawers are the same size and all lower cabinet doors are the same size. FYI, the oak, was milled from trees cut down when they cleared my lot so all it cost was for the sawyer. They weren't the best trees and I had a lot of waste.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-57.JPG

Tool Cubbies (large lower cabinet on the left holds a shopvac):

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-58.JPG

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Backbench-60.JPG


Allan,

I never get tired of looking at that back bench (I am sure you don't either).

By any chance are you sponsored by Porter Cable?

Can you post some pice of the rest of your shop?

[Jeff Norri]

Nothing too fancy here, but I love the storage:

http://www.user.dccnet.com/sboyda/images/Workbench/Resized_Close%20bench%20done2.jpg

http://www.user.dccnet.com/sboyda/images/Workbench/Resized_Drawer%20detail%2022.jpg

http://www.user.dccnet.com/sboyda/images/Workbench/Resized_Drawer%20detail2.jpg

[Leland Berry]

All this makes me want to drag mine out back and torch it ! :eek: