Building table or Bench

Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
134
Points
78

Ok, so like I said before the fire took everything, and considering I am bored
and want to get back into building, I need a new work bench.
I want a flat surface to build on(my other one really wasn't) but also heavy duty.
Any and all ideas are welcome I just need to get going.
Dave F
 
Hello Dave. The possibilities are unlimited! But it all depends on what type of modeling you have envolve with. If you building models from plastic, most of the computer tables can do the trick. They can be inexpensive.


Another best friend of yours could be Ikea and/or home depot. The top can be built from a 30mm Baltic plywood. The quailityof this ply is really good, and surface even and straight. The legs can be chosen from Ikeya, they have a variety to choose from.
 
Hi Jim
I quess I should have included that.
I build wood kits and scratch build.
So jigs etc are going to be needed. Plus a very flat surface.
I had ply before but was really not happy with it.
I am leaning towards using 2x4's laminated on edge and then leveling or flattening. This I am afraid is very heavy.
I am open to other ideas as well.
Dave
 
Thanks.
I lookrd at Harbor freight but to high. I would like to sit while I build.
I had the the door but across 2x4's I got some distrortion in the framing.
Thanks again
 
My work bench is a frame made from 2x4's with a 3/4" plywood top. I went to a local steel salvage dealer and got a 1/4" steel plate and had it sheared to fit. It's heavy but still flat after 25 years. I also can pretty much clean anything off of it with a wire brush in a drill. When I built it I worked on full sized cars a lot and didn't want the bench all dented up, now it's just an over built hobby bench.
 
For me, two things are important. The first is is the height. I like my bench to be higher than most others that I've seen, so I built one about 20 years ago that I just love. It's quite high and very comfortable to stand at. For sitting I have a stool that is high enough to sit at it comfortably. So be sure that the height you settle on is a comfortable one for you.

The second thing is how it's placed. For me, I don't like the long side placed against the wall, but rather have the short end against the wall so that it projects like a peninsula. I don't have room in my basement shop for a free standing bench, so this is a good compromise. I have always found it useful to be able to approach the bench (I pretend I'm a lawyer:)) from either side. It's often useful for modelling too, especially during the rigging stage where it's safer to walk around the bench, rather than rotate the model.

The top is heavy pine planks, (about 2" full x 6".) The legs are 2x4's held together with bolts. It's stabilized with 1/4" plywood across each each end and with a bottom shelf. For my modeling, I protect an area of the top with a piece of masonite about 24" x 24." I think it's a great set-up, not the most beautiful bench in the world, but pretty functional.
David
 
Thanks Dave for the idea.
I have access here to marble and granite slabs. They are approx. 24" x 5' x 3/8" at first I thought it would break but if i glued to top it would be strong and flat.
BTW They only cost about 45 US a slab.
Dave F.
 
I also need a FLAT surface so I have a pieces of 1/4 plate glass that sits on the work surface. glue for the most part does not stick to glass and it is great to cut on.

1/4 inch plate glass it not that easy to break. in all the years I never broke a piece on my work table. Plus the fact the area where I do have the glass all I have are smaller hand tools, nothing big or heavy enough to break 1/4 thick glass.
 
ok, so, I guess I will throw my idea in. This is not an idea, but actually what I have used. It is called a SOLID CORE door. Home Depot / Lowes only carry a few of these. They are VERY heavy. The door will be long, so, get out your skill saw and cut off about 2 feet on the end. I build a simple 2x4 frame. Legs are sandwiched. Extremely sturdy - no wobble and no sagging.
 
Mine is a countertop that was a take off from a lab remodel. Black lab grade plastic laminate. Set on two 2 drawer file cabinets and a couple end panels. I have a slab pf 1/4" glass on one spot. The glass is great when gluing or painting because anything stuck to it comes off with a single edge razor blade. (been there for 20 years with no breakage), a large cutting mat in another spot, A 1" X 12" X 36" slab of pinkish color marble from a reclaim store for $5.00 and a smaller 12" X 16" piece from a fireplace mantle for things I want perfectly flat. These I use also for tooling leatherwork.
3oQAHqv.jpg
 
Last edited:
WOW - what a nice bench - Now, I have to go take a pic on mine LOL;)
usually the height is 29 inches or 730 mm
 
Back
Top