Workbench week

My workhorse. It is so heavy, I havent move it in years.

Workbenches are for working.Over the past few years, a lot of people have asked me to shoot a video on how to make a workbench. Ive always set that on the back burner because I already have a workbench. Well, to be certain, I have four.
They all are made with the same down-and-dirty construction: 2x4s and plywood. They are strong, sturdy and made to be abused. They are benches intended for, well, work.
The Mere Mortals annex It recently dawned on me that really my shop has expanded into my driveway. I assemble projects and finish them outside my shop on almost everything I build, yet every time I need to haul out a pair of wobbly sawhorses and flop down whatever old board I can find to use as a bench top.

The sides of my new bench.

This weekend I decided to build one more workbench: one dedicated to my "expansion" shop in the driveway. It will be the same simple construction Ive used on all my other workbenches and will have casters so I can roll it into my shop on rainy days. Not only that, its going to be the same height as the tailgate on my truck. That will aid in sliding out sheet goods and rough cutting them.
But the design can be scaled to any size you wish.
To a lot of woodworkers, the workbench is the centerpiece of their shops. A "proper" woodworking bench can cost a thousand dollars to build. They are beautiful examples of workmanship and I admire them. Well, who wouldnt? But in my shop, a workbench needs to fill two needs: it needs to be sturdy, and it needs to be willing to take abuse. If I want to quickly screw a jig into it, I dont want to worry about ruining its finish.
Show me your workbench!I want to see what you are using for a workbench. More specifically, I want pictures of your workbench to post here. Mostly what I want to see are workbenches that get the job done. Maybe its something you slapped together 20 years ago and are still using. What do you like about it? Why does it work so well for you? If you were to make a new workbench, what features would you add? Post your pics on the Mere Mortals Facebook page. Or, email them to me at zrammedia (at) gmail (dot) com. Send a description with it!

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Build a cheap simple sturdy workbench

It has been a lot of fun seeing all the workbenches this week. Thanks to all of you who sent pictures.
Whenever a non-woodworker visits your shop, they might marvel at — or at least be curious about — some of your tools.  Your workbench will probably receive little attention, yet for most woodworkers its really the most critical element of a shop. We call it into service on every project we build.
If you want to set up a wood shop, your first project must be a workbench. There are plenty of plans available for the "ultimate" woodworking bench, but all you have to do is look through this weeks viewer pictures to understand all that a work bench really needs to be: a sturdy table.
This video shows you a workbench design that Ive been using for years. It costs next to nothing to build: a few 2x4s and a sheet of plywood, yet it will provide you with years and years of quiet service. Plus, with this basic design, you can modify it in any number of ways to suit your particular needs. Its all held together with a lot of yellow wood glue and 2 1/2" decks screws. It isnt a showpiece, but in my mind thats a plus. You wont be fearful of abusing it.

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On my workbench finishing cart

I am building a shop project for this weeks show. It a roll-around finishing cart with shelves on two sides. I have some leftover melamine from my router table that Ill use for the top.
As of this evening, Ive got most of it done. Most time consuming part was cutting out all the grooves for the dividers and shelves. That, and breaking down the 4x8 plywood sheet.
I hope it will be a useful way for me to store my finishing supplies, paints and brushes. Ill be able to wheel it right to my workbench or wherever needed. Since it will be stored next to my utility sink, liquids and splashes on the melamine top should wipe off easily.
Stop by Friday for the video and free plans!

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Viewer projects workbench compass and puzzles

Andrew Manzie in Australia sent over pics of his first project. Naturally, a workbench! He based much of it on the one I built last year. I really like the addition of the peninsula on one end. That can come in very handy when planing or working on projects that require you to easily access all sides. Looking forward to see what Andrew makes next, now that he has a workbench.

*****

Bill Wilson is always coming up with something clever. Check out his homemade compass. It began as a friction fit, but hes refined it using a wing nut.

Now these look fun. Bill made these tanglement puzzles. The first one he made for his grandson who requested a Batman theme! 

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First WorkBench

The Chicken & The Egg Workbench Conundrum...

As its been sunny lately and the room I intend to use isnt quite ready, I have been using a scrap piece of kitchen worktop placed on the garden table as a makeshift bench to clean & sharpen up my tools.

I was considering using the same piece of worktop and maybe knocking together some rough saw horses for it to go across as a slightly more rigid bench solution. However, it seems I would still be wrestling with clamps holding more clamps to hold a work piece. While Im sure its doable its far from ideal - much like previously living on a boat!

I could try and build a bench myself, but lets face it with my skills and no other bench to build it on, Im not sure its going to be any better than the saw horse solution.

Therefore, after much deliberation and reading, I have decided that the best thing (for me) is to buy a beginner bench.

This bench at only £126 seems pretty cheap and despite a few poor reviews must be more sturdy than the other solutions, especially if I can butt it up against a wall. It includes two vices and other work holding devices. I dont think I could build anything better for the price.

A friend introduced me to Axminster Tools and it took less than 5 minutes to sign up and pay for this little beauty, with free next day delivery! While I dont expect it will be as solid or rigid as a professional bench, for the price I dont think it can be beaten as a beginner bench. If the woodworking bug really takes hold then obviously Id like to build my own full size bench at some stage but by then I would know what Im doing (hopefully) and probably wouldnt be working out of a tiny spare room.

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