My bench does not have a tool well. At the back left corner there is a 5" x 24" shelf about 4 inches above the top of the bench. I keep a drill index, tape measure, pencils, nail set, razor blade scraper and X-acto knife there. It also doubles as a catch all for drill bits, screws etc when assembling or taking stuff apart.

Work bench is usually full of stuff, a vice, table top drill press and chop saw reside there most of the time as well as stuff that gets dropped there. For me a well would be full of sawdust lost screws, etc in short time.

 

I wanted to try the tray idea on my bench so I simply made a tray that rested on a couple of arms that attached to the bottom of the beach. This made easy to take off if I didn't like it and to clean out. If I don't, I've got a nice burn pile I can throw it on. Anyway…..It's been there for years and is used every day so make a nice one.

 

I wanted to try the tray idea on my bench so I simply made a tray that rested on a couple of arms that attached to the bottom of the beach. This made easy to take off if I didn't like it. If I don't, I've got a nice burn pile I can throw it on. Anyway…..It's been there for years and is used every day so make a nice one.

 

For some, a workbench is first a vise holder.
Putting the piece to be worked on on the workbench-top only if absolutely necessary.
So the top is available for tools.
See the video in this blog :

You will notice that the resulting table is nevertheless nice and flat.

 

I'm building a large Roubo with a center tool well. At the moment I've got it sitting on a sawhorse table with the tool well space in place. I'm finding it very convenient. I like the uncluttered work surface and easy access to my tools.

 

The primary reason for NOT having a tool well is to keep sharp edged tools from crashing into each other. My main working tools are carving gouges and knives. I keep them on my work surface (bench). If I tossed them into a tool well, I'd spend all my time repairing nicks, chipped edges, etc.

 

As far as putting sharp edged tools in the tray, I don't because of the reasons Phil stated above. If you want to use the tray for chisels and other sharp edged tools, put a block of wood with holes to stand them upright. For planes put in a appropriate sized piece of anti skid mat in the tray to protect the cutting edge.

 

Seems my tool well is a bit busy…lately..

One of the reasons I do not mind a batch of shavings in the tool well….something for the chisels to land on, instead of something else metal…

 

Yet another use for the Tool Well…

Hook a clamp into it…

Helps to hold the narrow parts better…

YMMV, of course…

 

Tool wells, I suppose it are like politics. You can argue about it all night but at the end of the day you rarely move the opposite side to yours. Sadly I will need to build another bench to find out and until the shop expands its not going to happen.

 

As a follow-up to my previous posts, I now have 3 workbenches. One large one is used for junk; another is used for everyday projects and is usually cluttered, and my newest bench is dedicated to my hobby, model railroading which I try to keep as clutter-free as possible. That current bench is located in my house, while the other two are out in my shop. Having air conditioning and heat is great to have now. I don't think I have any need for more workbenches. It has been my experience that I build a bench to suit the work I am currently engaged in. I have the luxury of having a 1200SF shop, so space is not a problem, and being a widower (sigh), I have the house to do what I like with.

 

Thought about it, but no

t yet. I use a tool tray on casters I drag to where I am working. Chisels are under the bench in a cabinet. Saws and planes on the wall.

 

The Tool Well is more of a place to sit a few tools while I use them….Not about to chop one mortise, put the chisel away, only to get it back out 2 minutes later…..besides, all that vibration from all that chopping, makes things want to walk over to the edge of the bench….I tend to want the tools I am using to be right where I can grab them….and not have to go looking through this or that tray to find them….haven't the time.

When a task says I am done with a tool, THEN it will get put away….to make room for the next set of tools..

 

As a follow-up to my previous posts, I now have 3 workbenches. One large one is used for junk; another is used for everyday projects and is usually cluttered, and my newest bench is dedicated to my hobby, model railroading which I try to keep as clutter-free as possible. That current bench is located in my house, while the other two are out in my shop. Having air conditioning and heat is great to have now. I don t think I have any need for more workbenches. It has been my experience that I build a bench to suit the work I am currently engaged in. I have the luxury of having a 1200SF shop, so space is not a problem, and being a widower (sigh), I have the house to do what I like with.

- MrRon

A small house came on the market across the street that had always bee an eye sore and a problem. I said I can by it for a shop. I got shot down.

 

I have a purchased bench that has a tool trench and I occasionally wanted more space so I made 3 upside down "U" shaped inserts out of Baltic birch ply to set into it. They're only about 18" wide each and I can slide them to where I want them or hide my chisels out of harm's way. The system works well for me.

 

My big issue for planning a tool well in 'Bruiser, is not dropping my tools on the concrete garage floor I have. "Brusier', like the name implies is going to be a real big bench. 22" working surface on either side of a 7 1/2" tool well. I'm use to working on a plywood saw horse table after all these years so why not add a tool well? Because I want one. It's my shop, my workbench and I can build how ever I want. It's all about personal preference. Nothing is wrong if it suits you, your work and your ascetics. Go forth and conquer!

 

If you have a tool wall directly behind your bench, or if you have cabinets built into your bench, then you really don't need a tool tray. I have neither, just a bottom shelf on my bench where my bench planes live, so not having a tool tray would really suck. That said, the ones along the back of the bench I find to be very limiting because you can't use both sides of the bench, which I find really handy. They are also way larger than I need. So my tool tray is at the end of my bench. In that location, it really doesn't collect a lot of wood shavings and when it does it generally gets the really big long ones that are super easy to pull out. I have all my measuring marking tools in there with dogs, pencil, random things I often need quickly, etc. A rack for bench chisels and some back saws or other things that might come up (carcass saw lives there), and dowel hooks on the back to permanently hold my two primary hand saws, doe's foot, strop and hand broom. I couldn't live without it.

 

Chris I really like that idea of yours. I had never thought of anything like that. Now it makes me wonder if I should rethink my plans for 'Bruiser'.

 

Chriscarter
Interesting idea.
I could add such a thing to the right side of my bench.
I have a shelf between the two aprons at the left side where I keep my sharpening plates and strop.
The classic tool well has a limited depth (workbench-top thickness minus thickness of the tool well's bottom board)
The advantage of an added tool well is that one can freely choose its depth. (Paull Sellers has a second tool well at the back of his bench).

 

I got my 9th workbench yesterday, i love VERY old ones, and all I can say is, tool trays, or as you name it "tool well", are just a place to collect dust and junk, that makes my shop and my work feel messy. I rather prefer to have cabinets on the wall or a wheeled cart to keep tools I am using. I love when workbenches look solid, a massive slab on trestle legs. My two cents

 

"Got your 9th workbench" Do you mean are on your 9th or do you have nine?

I can totally get having a rolling cart, if you have the room. I never really thought about it but perhaps the size of the workspace can influence the size and style of the bench. Probably your workflow too. I have always admired Paul Sellers shop layout. Even though it is in the corner of a large studio he tries to limit it to the dimensions of a single car garage, like that of his primary audience.