Work Bench or Assembly Table?

[johnny means]

Build something simple. One sheet of plywood, a few 2x4s. Give it a top and a lower shelf. Start doing projects on it. You'll develop it as you work through real projects. My original work tables got me through ten busy years before I outgrew them.

[Jim Becker]

Here's a video that provides some interesting ideas for a quick workbench/assembly table that could be readily adapted to many situations.

[Marshall Harrison]

Jim,

That video by April is what got me thinking along these lines. Then I found this one which is what I am thinking of using as the basis for my assembly table:

[andy bessette]

Keep it simple.

[Charlie Hinton]

I have been wanting to build a real work bench but for the projects I like to do it's hard to see where I would get much benefit from it.
It would look cool though.
Before getting the whole garage I built a fold down outfeed table, I am glad I built it strong now since I use it for lots of stuff.
Everything is on wheels and the outfeed table and work bench are the same height.

IMG_1233.jpg
IMG_1234.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Marshal, that's a nice setup. What I'd personally add to that is a regular matrix of dog holes...like a Festool MFT...to allow for additional clamping and alignment possibilities.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi, I have a traditional bench, and am building one of these, except I'm using a hydraulic scissor lift table for the base.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWEdrBdbBhg&t=359s

I bought the plans from Tmothy's web site, they're very complete and detailed.

His other YouTube videos are great, he's a very organized craftsman.

regards, Rod.

[Marshall Harrison]

Marshal, that's a nice setup. What I'd personally add to that is a regular matrix of dog holes...like a Festool MFT...to allow for additional clamping and alignment possibilities.

My intention is to add more holes and use holdfasts similar to these - https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/...Gramercy_Tools

I would like to find a way to add a leg vise to the table using holdfasts but not sure if that is possible.

[elliot worrall]

I was looking at something similar before I build a hand tool bench later. A large, moveable, sturdy assembly/work bench. I was thinking about using the Kreg Track system on 2 corners with clamp mounts spaced in the table. The benefit of this system is that I could use the clamps in other area, e.g. drop saw, drill press, maybe even jigs/clamps for sliding table saw and shaper.

[Yonak Hawkins]

Count me for rolling carts that serve as work/layout/assembly surfaces, infeed and outfeed supports and for moving lumber and materials-in-process around. You've got to have a pretty smooth floor for travel and a fairly level floor if you want to gang them together for increased work surface area.

[Jim Becker]

My intention is to add more holes and use holdfasts similar to these - https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/...Gramercy_Tools

I would like to find a way to add a leg vise to the table using holdfasts but not sure if that is possible.

I use the Gramercy hold-fasts a lot. Do note that you need a thicker table to use them...I suggest no less than three layers of 3/4"/19mm sheet goods if you're going to build it up. A thin top will result in your dog holes breaking down pretty quickly.

[Marshall Harrison]

I use the Gramercy hold-fasts a lot. Do note that you need a thicker table to use them...I suggest no less than three layers of 3/4"/19mm sheet goods if you're going to build it up. A thin top will result in your dog holes breaking down pretty quickly.

Can you alleviate the problem by just adding a 2x4 to each hole? That way you would have the thickness of the 3/4" top plus the thickness of the 2x4.

[Joe Jensen]

Here are pics of the outfeed for my old saw. I also put a router plate in the top.

outfeed1small.JPGoutfeed3small.JPGoutfeed5small.JPGoutfeed2small.JPGoutfeed4small.JPG

[Jim Becker]

Can you alleviate the problem by just adding a 2x4 to each hole? That way you would have the thickness of the 3/4" top plus the thickness of the 2x4.

Theoretically, you can do that. Keep in mind that a typical 2x4 is pretty soft, however.