Project by kennethw | posted 03-06-2010 11:47 PM | 17640 views | 17 times favorited | 11 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
Hi folks! I’ve just completed my knock-down workbench. I live in a condo with no shop space and have to work in my home office. I’ve been using a Workmate for about a year and a half and seriously needed an upgrade.
It was built from several 2×4s for the structure and poplar for the surface. Everything is screwed together (hey, it’s 2×4) except for the stretchers, which are half-lapped and glued for strength. The 2 leg assemblies pull out of tight mounting boxes, and the 3 parts can be stacked and slid under my bed. :)
I built the vise using a manual threader for the screw, and various bits of scrap for the mechanism. There are 2 large guide rods to minimize racking, and an external garter.
It was all built with hand tools, except for a hand drill for the screws and dog holes.
I’ve written about it extensively over at my blog. Included there is a SketchUp file for anyone who might want to make one of their own. Thanks!
11 comments so far
donjoe
home | projects | blog
1360 posts in 4001 days
#1 posted 03-06-2010 11:50 PM
Nice work bench. Well done.
-- Donnie-- listen to the wood.
DoctorDan
home | projects | blog
281 posts in 3986 days
#2 posted 03-07-2010 12:48 AM
i like this.. I think I might even blog about it…
-- Daniel - http://theloveofwood.blogspot.com/
kennethw
home | projects | blog
50 posts in 4278 days
#3 posted 03-07-2010 02:23 AM
Thanks guys! Thanks for the blog mention Daniel. :)
brandon3484
home | projects | blog
8 posts in 3986 days
#4 posted 03-07-2010 02:41 AM
I really like this idea you came up with. I’m kind of in the same boat as you. We live in a duplex with no garage so the back porch is my workshop! Thanks for sharing this as I’m probably going to build one now.
BarryW
home | projects | blog
1016 posts in 4877 days
#5 posted 03-07-2010 08:23 AM
exceptional work…exciting to think you could do fine work in a small space…a really superb tool you’ve created.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
kennethw
home | projects | blog
50 posts in 4278 days
#6 posted 03-08-2010 08:17 PM
Thanks guys! Brandon, if you build I’d love to see how it works out for you. :) There’s a lot of info in the blog about specific steps.
rhybeka
home | projects | blog
4983 posts in 4092 days
#7 posted 07-02-2010 08:27 PM
great job Ken! wish I would’ve seen this a few weeks back :)
-- Beka/Becky - aspiring jill of all trades, still learning to not read the directions.
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13345 posts in 4644 days
#8 posted 11-23-2010 05:44 AM
Nice looking workbench!
KOVA
home | projects | blog
1362 posts in 3349 days
#9 posted 01-22-2013 04:56 AM
HERMOSO WORKBENCH Y MUY INGENIOSO SISTEMA PARA
GUARDARLO GENIO!!!!!!!!
-- KOVA, EL CARPINTERO DEL PUEBLO https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Carpintero-Del-Pueblo/148976618479733
rustythebailiff
home | projects | blog
99 posts in 2912 days
#10 posted 08-29-2013 01:32 AM
very nice looking set up, I love the support/bracing/vise setup below. One question, is it plenty stable without cross members on the legs? I’ve used the setup you have for recieving the legs in the table top before. Very sturdy.
-- "Necessity is the mother of invention"
nmssis
home | projects | blog
174 posts in 1956 days
#11 posted 09-30-2015 03:15 PM
do you have the plan still available?
-- Learn something new everyday!
Have your say...