Versatile Workbench

[James Hart]

I'm working on a drafting table that I bought for $50 from a guy selling used office furniture.
It has a 2" maple top, all edge grain up. I just drilled the dog holes, using the spade bit suggested here, thanks.
Got the vise for $25 from a garage sale.
The cabinet drawers all have full extension slides rated at 100 lbs. I'm keeping planes, sanders and paper, small clamps, etc. in there.
Has wheels and the overall height is about 1/16th below the height of my table saw so I can position it for infeed or outfeed support.
http://members.cox.net/jimhart9/P1010112.JPG
http://members.cox.net/jimhart9/P1010113.JPG

Any suggestions on anything else I can do to improve it?


Jim

[George Bregar]

I'm working on a drafting table that I bought for $50 from a guy selling used office furniture.
It has a 2" maple top, all edge grain up. I just drilled the dog holes, using the spade bit suggested here, thanks.
Got the vise for $25 from a garage sale.
The cabinet drawers all have full extension slides rated at 100 lbs. I'm keeping planes, sanders and paper, small clamps, etc. in there.
Has wheels and the overall height is about 1/16th below the height of my table saw so I can position it for infeed or outfeed support.
http://members.cox.net/jimhart9/P1010112.JPG
http://members.cox.net/jimhart9/P1010113.JPG

Any suggestions on anything else I can do to improve it?


Jim Would have made a great router table but nice find and nice job.

[Dan Barr]

maybe a shoulder vise and a jack on the front.

get "the workbench book" and incorporate some of the simpler ideas from there.

v/r

dan

[Chris Padilla]

Jim,

You'll want a way to solidy lock those wheels in place. I dunno if you get into any handplaning action but you don't want that bench moving when you are digging in! Nice, thrifty find! Norm would be proud.

When you do lock the legs in place, is the bench top pretty stiff when pushing on it? I don't know if the cabinets you built under it stiffen it up because I see they only connect between one set of legs. In other words, you'll want to minimize any racking.

[Allen Bookout]

That is really going to make a good workbench. I have one that is simular. It started out a cheap purchased one and I just kept adding on untill I had it like I wanted it. Mine is not quite as wide as yours but I wish that it was. Good job.

[Brian Jarnell]

Must say I like the laminated 4x2 top on the one I have just made...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/cicero1520/DSCF3237Small.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/cicero1520/DSCF3236Small.jpg

I had a 6m beam given to me and now I think it's Christmas,oops it just about is,so a happy one to all you merry woodworkers in the good old USof A.