Project by bhack | posted 07-22-2009 03:45 AM | 13248 views | 7 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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Well, this is my version of a workbench. I have spent a few years using a ‘get by with’ workbench. During that period I have developed my style of working so I built the bench to fit me. It is 74 1/2” long, 33” wide, and 36 1/2” high.
The pedestal is made from SYP and the joinery is mortice and tenon. The top is made from two layers of 3/4” MDF with a topping of 1/4” tempered board. It is wrapped with SYP. The tempered board is removable so it can be replaced when necessary. The lower shelf is 3/4” MDF topped with 1/4” tempered board.
One vice is from Lee Valley and the other (tail vice) is from the old work bench.
Probable cost is around $200.00.
As I said I built it for me and have been using it and it is working out great.
Thanks for Looking.
-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.
17 comments so far
SteveKorz
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2139 posts in 4271 days
#1 posted 07-22-2009 04:00 AM
Very nice. You’ll get a tremendous amount of use out of that.
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
SnowyRiver
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51458 posts in 4038 days
#2 posted 07-22-2009 04:05 AM
Nice bench. It looks like you have a lot of room on the top.
-- Wayne - Plymouth MN
firecaster
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574 posts in 3976 days
#3 posted 07-22-2009 04:10 AM
That should last forever.
-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.
Don K.
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1075 posts in 3884 days
#4 posted 07-22-2009 04:20 AM
Very nice looking bench…well done. I have a question for you…or anyone who may be able to answer.
The holes you drilled for your bench dogs…how do they hold up in MDF Vs. hardwood ? I ask because I have drawn up some plans for a work bench…and was debating using doubled up MDF Vs. Hardwood for $$$$ reasons. My only fear was that the holes would start to split and chip out when pressure was put against them day after day.
I was actually thinking of making the holes bigger…and inserting short steel pipes into them to back them up, and then slide my dogs into them.
So I guess what I am asking is do I even need to mess with the pipes…or are the holes through double MDF enough ?
-- Don S.E. OK
tenontim
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2131 posts in 4302 days
#5 posted 07-22-2009 04:21 AM
Nice job, Bill. Looks like a nice heavy bench. This is my kind of workbench too. I don’t have much patience when it comes to trying to get work done and protecting the top of my workbench. Fortunately, my bench is made out of old solid core maple door, that now looks like it’s been living in a butcher shop. Guess I may have to think about putting a layer of tempered hardboard on it. Thanks for the post.
bhack
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349 posts in 4278 days
#6 posted 07-22-2009 04:45 AM
Thanks for the comments guys.
Don, I haven’t used the dogs much yet, but I don’t foresee any problems since the tempered board should absorb most of the pressure.
-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.
bigdave
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27 posts in 3842 days
#7 posted 07-22-2009 07:52 AM
Nice looking bench. Similar to what I built for my first project but a lot nicer!
Since I’m such a noob . . . . . what does SYP stand for? Southern Yellow Pine?
Splinterman
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23074 posts in 3919 days
#8 posted 07-22-2009 10:58 AM
Hey bhack,
Now that is a nice looking bench….....well done.
Derrek LeRouax
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129 posts in 3852 days
#9 posted 07-22-2009 01:51 PM
Bill,
You mentioned that the hardboard top is removable. How did you accomplish that? Is it not glued down, and only set in place, or is it just screwed on? I am designing right now, and have been scratching my head about this issue for a couple of days now… Thanks for the help, and the bench looks GREAT!!
-- Derrek L.
bhack
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349 posts in 4278 days
#10 posted 07-22-2009 04:03 PM
bigdave – You got it. Southern Yellow Pine.
Derrek LeRouax – I used 17ga brads 1 inch long and tacked it down at about 8 inch intervals. Did the same on old bench and it is 8 years old and never came up. Works for me but others may have a better way. Used a hammer and nail set.
Thanks for looking.
-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.
Derrek LeRouax
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129 posts in 3852 days
#11 posted 07-22-2009 04:14 PM
Bill,
Thanks for the response. you have solved my design problem of the week.
-- Derrek L.
timthetoolman
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#12 posted 07-30-2009 01:56 PM
Hello, very nice bench, wanting to do the same with getting a bench made, very simple and fast for the shop, as i am getting by with just a top with legs on wheels. Tell me, do you have a finish on your bench or wanting one, i heard about the varnish and turpentine combo’s for a thin finish on workbenches. Even on the tempered board tops i have seen. I have also seen a setup for benches to protect the top by installing a large roll of paper underneath one of the ends, and have a sheet of paper rolled out to protect top, for painting, finishing etc.
-- Tim The Toolman Dayton, Ohio
bhack
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349 posts in 4278 days
#13 posted 07-30-2009 03:59 PM
At this time there is no finish. If I put one on it will be two or three coats of shellac.
Thanks for looking at my project
-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.
sIKE
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1271 posts in 4311 days
#14 posted 07-30-2009 04:13 PM
Nice bench. You will get many years of use out of this solid looking bench.
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
Enthalpy
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44 posts in 3599 days
#15 posted 02-06-2010 02:11 AM
I’d let nature take its course…let the wood age naturally…no finish….
May your arrow hit the bullseye.
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