Work Bench DOs and DONTs Planing to build one

[Jerrod McCrary]

I planing on building a workbench and Gary Roofner posted this link: 

http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/video/new-fangled-workbench...

 

This got me to thinking what others have own theirs that is very helpful or was just a waste.  I know sometimes stuff we think we need turns out to be a total waste, but sometimes small things can make a difference, liking adding outlets underdeath table top to keep from have cords running everywhere.  I plan on building just a solid basic bench with a few perks. 

 

Thanks for your time and knowledge.

[justin waldron]

Hey Jerrod, just my 2 cents worth here.  I did drawers under mine and I did add a power strip.  My top is 30x60, more for assembly of cabinets etc. than anything.  I let the top overhand the caracass if I need to clamp something to it, the only thing I did differently from most is that I sandwiched 2 pieces of ply for my top and screwed down 3/16 hardboard for the top.  Once the top gets messed up I just unscrew it and add a new one, around $10 or so.  I countersunk the screws and used a flush trim bit and it's done.  With mainly making a bunch of cabinets I haven't had the need for bench dogs or a vise yet, so this has worked well for me.

[james wilhelm]

Jerrod , welcome to the community , sounds like you are ready to build your basic work bench !!! Hope to see some pictures of your bench and other projects you have built in the future  !!  This is a good site to get Ideas and advice from  the many wood workers , that post there projects !!!  My bench is 4 ' x 8' with a shelf below and peg board on the inside and outside  for storage  !!! Also like Justin,s Idea of the hard board for the top , have fun and be safe , JIM

[Jerrod McCrary]

Thanks guys for the comments, I like all of yalls ideas.  I can see putting in drawers and using peg board for storage.  I got some countertops from work that I may try out as my table top.  Also, I am going to have my miter saw on it so that the cutting surface is flush with the table top. 

[Alan Shotts]

I picked up a couple of doors from a hospital remodel a few years ago. They were almost 4 feet wide and 2 1/4" thick solid core doors. They weighed a ton, but made rock solid, dead flat, work table tops. The only thing I had to do was cut a plug to fill the door knob hole. Mine are in the middle of the floor so I can get all around them.

I also put a shelf under them for sanders, routers, etc. so I don't have to go looking for them all the time. I'm not a real good "housekeeper", so shelves tend to collect dust. I used metal grill type shelving you can get at most box stores for closets. It never collects dust, so I don't have to get back under there to keep it clean.

I have outlets all around the underside of the table/bench and most of my power tools like sanders, routers, jig saws, etc. stay plugged in and stored on the shelf. I can just grab what I need and go to work. I don't worry about how many tools I have plugged into one outlet or powerstrip because as good as I am, I can only use one tool at a time.

[Ken Darga]

I'd make the bench, with an overhang on each end,

so as to facilitate an all purpose bench vise.

A woodworkers vise at the front.

Drawers are handy, to store tools.

Shelving is also beneficial, whether behind doors or open.

A 1-1/2'' thick top, support on the underside, so as to minimize ''bounce'' when hammering/pounding.

Area to accommodate bench top drill press, band saw, small grinder, and the like.

A back-splash is handy, if the bench is located against a wall.

The back-splash of 4-6'' H and feature electrical receptacles---

centered and near each end.

An auxiliary switch with a power-on light, and the bench outlets connected to the switch.

With this feature, electric power can be interrupted to all outlets.

The indicator ''light'' tells me at a glance when there's electric power to the bench, 

and can be in the OFF position, when walking away from your bench.

(Handy when youngsters are around).

One of my benches features overhead lighting,

connected to the bench---

when the switch is OFF, the lights are OFF.

Other work-benches, with receptacles, a separate ON-OFF switch with indicator,

tells me when power is provided to the bench, for power tools and VAC attachment.

I also use foot switches 

as well as stop switches

Each are useful, and have intended purposes.

[Jerrod McCrary]

Thanks for all the great ideas.  I know what you mean about those hospital doors.  My dad used them for the roof on an oversized dog house he built when I was younger, they had a cut out where a window used to be but those were some heavy doors. 

 

I like the switches, and putting an aux. switch with an on off is a great idea because I will have a 2 and 5 year old "helping" me sometimes.