My First Workbench

Comment

Comment by Ken Darga on April 12, 2012 at 11:48am

PS---some time in the future, you may want to add some drawers.

You'll find them very useful.

Also, you many experience wobble of the work table, when it is on uneven surfaces,

such as your driveway or garage floor.

  Simply add a loose wedge (shim), under one of the casters.

Slide the wedge under one of the casters, when needed, and pull it out, when you move the table. 

  Tapered wedges can be cut to size from pine, or the like, or

may be obtained from a lumber supply store.  

The wedges (shims), I'm referring to, are commonly used when installed door frames, and the like.

I keep a supply of them in my tool box and work shop---very handy gadget.

Comment by Ken Darga on April 12, 2012 at 11:38am

Chrissy, 

Thanks for your reply.

  You have a nice looking portable work table,

that'll give you many years of useful service.

  To insure a rigid working surface,

having 2x4 cross members, located front-to-back, on 16'' centers,

will reinforce the plywood working surface.

  I like your Rockwell Blade Runner jig saw---

nice addition to your tool collection---

you'll find it very handy.  The variable speed is a nice feature.

I like its portability---I use it more than a band saw.

  I found that adding a portable light, is very useful---

so as to illuminate the working area near the blade.

(Its very hard to have a clear view of the cutting line and saw blade,

from the shadows created by the supporting members, on the tool).

Comment by Chrissy on April 12, 2012 at 5:17am

Ken, thank you very much for education.  i really appreciate it.

Comment by Ken Darga on April 11, 2012 at 8:40am

PS---

Also, I'd apply a sheet of 1/4'' Masonite to the top of the plywood work surface.

  Masonite is not waterproof---therefore, you'll need to apply a waterproof sealer.  If you don't seal it, then you'll need to replace it every year or so, when it's exposed to outdoor elements.

Comment by Ken Darga on April 11, 2012 at 8:28am

Personally, for a project of this type, I'd use and exterior grade sealer---

such as ''Australian Timber Oil'',

 http://www.cabotstain.com/products/product/Australian-Timber-Oil.html,---

Spar Varnish, http://www.cabotstain.com/products/product/Spar-Varnish.html?produc..., ---

 or the like.  

REASON: This type of material will provide maximum protection of the wood.

Changes in humidity and exposed to a wide range of temperatures, will cause the  wood to expand and contract, and a standard indoor poly finish would simply crack and deteriorate under these conditions.  Spar varnishes are typically designed to not only protect the wood, but also give it the flexibility and UV protection it needs to last for years.

Comment by Chrissy on April 11, 2012 at 4:39am

Thank you for the suggestion.  I will do that!

Comment by Jerry Alfaro on April 10, 2012 at 11:33pm

Nice job on the bench Chrissy,

I'll bet you had fun putting it together?

Put a couple of coats of satin polyurethane on your bench and then use some Johnson's paste floor wax on the table top.  That way if you spill glue or paint it won't stick to it.

jerry-

Comment by Rick on April 6, 2012 at 7:21pm

Thanks Chrissy.

Very impressive tool bench.  I like that nice 2" lip all around for clamping work to.

What's the top made of?

Comment by David Dean on April 6, 2012 at 11:44am

sweet I wish my frist one look like that.

Comment by Chrissy on April 6, 2012 at 6:39am

I got them from Rockler.com.   They are 4 inch wheels, all swivel and the front 2 lock.  My garage is old and cracked concrete and the bench moves like its on glass when the wheels are unlocked.  I was very pleased with them.

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