Hello everyone!
First post here but have read a lot. A bit of explanation:
I finally organized and cleaned out most of the garage and attic and was able to grant myself about 6 extra feet of wall space in the garage. Currently, I have a very cheap but sturdy workbench I made with screws and some construction lumber. It's a bit too small for my liking (18" x 48") and I find that I never actually use it to work on and prefer my current outfeed table which is a raised plastic folding table… I've decided it's time to make an assembly table which will also serve as an outfeed table and will be mobile on locking casters. After looking around for a couple of months at different designs, I've come to the conclusion that I generally use power tools more and would benefit from more of an assembly table design rather than a traditional style bench. I've opted to go for a heavier duty frame construction (4×4's and 2×4's - since it will be moved frequently) with plywood dividers, shelves, and drawers.
What I'm getting hung-up on is the top. I've narrowed it down to three options:
1. Torsion box top: I like the idea of a very flat surface, however; I cannot see anyway to implement a t-track as the top layer is not thick enough. I often see these with dog holes but everything I've read said that one layer of 3/4" material isn't nearly enough to utilize the dog holes with a bench vise (which I currently have on my workbench and would love to re-use).
2. T-track top: This is sort of what I see as the best option simply due to the very many different clamping and work-holding options. I can easily make this with two layers of 3/4" material and do some routing for the tracks and wrap the top in hardwood. The downside is that I don't think the tracks are secure or strong enough to use in combination with a bench vise and that this system is much more expensive than the alternatives in the other two options.
3. Dog-hole hybrid?: I saw this assembly table and it took my breath away. A very unique design compared to most of what's out there. This would probably be my preferred top as it has dog holes secured in solid wood runners to provide the proper strength, and I could possibly install t-track in the future if I wanted, but at least I could re-use my bench vise. My problem is, I cannot fathom how difficult it is to "puzzle" together this top to get it as perfect as this guy did. I feel like it would take some serious accuracy to get a perfectly flat top after piecing together so many different materials.
I'm just looking for any suggestions or easier alternatives. Am I overthinking this? Should I make a simple top and see how it goes first before I add holding systems? I'd like to also add that I'm a beginner woodworker and have not yet dabbled in any special joinery techniques beyond pocket holes and lap joints.
I'm just looking for a top that will offer clamping or hold-down ability and it would be nice to re-use my bench vise but I don't have to.
Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!
First post here but have read a lot. A bit of explanation:
I finally organized and cleaned out most of the garage and attic and was able to grant myself about 6 extra feet of wall space in the garage. Currently, I have a very cheap but sturdy workbench I made with screws and some construction lumber. It's a bit too small for my liking (18" x 48") and I find that I never actually use it to work on and prefer my current outfeed table which is a raised plastic folding table… I've decided it's time to make an assembly table which will also serve as an outfeed table and will be mobile on locking casters. After looking around for a couple of months at different designs, I've come to the conclusion that I generally use power tools more and would benefit from more of an assembly table design rather than a traditional style bench. I've opted to go for a heavier duty frame construction (4×4's and 2×4's - since it will be moved frequently) with plywood dividers, shelves, and drawers.
What I'm getting hung-up on is the top. I've narrowed it down to three options:
1. Torsion box top: I like the idea of a very flat surface, however; I cannot see anyway to implement a t-track as the top layer is not thick enough. I often see these with dog holes but everything I've read said that one layer of 3/4" material isn't nearly enough to utilize the dog holes with a bench vise (which I currently have on my workbench and would love to re-use).
2. T-track top: This is sort of what I see as the best option simply due to the very many different clamping and work-holding options. I can easily make this with two layers of 3/4" material and do some routing for the tracks and wrap the top in hardwood. The downside is that I don't think the tracks are secure or strong enough to use in combination with a bench vise and that this system is much more expensive than the alternatives in the other two options.
3. Dog-hole hybrid?: I saw this assembly table and it took my breath away. A very unique design compared to most of what's out there. This would probably be my preferred top as it has dog holes secured in solid wood runners to provide the proper strength, and I could possibly install t-track in the future if I wanted, but at least I could re-use my bench vise. My problem is, I cannot fathom how difficult it is to "puzzle" together this top to get it as perfect as this guy did. I feel like it would take some serious accuracy to get a perfectly flat top after piecing together so many different materials.
I'm just looking for any suggestions or easier alternatives. Am I overthinking this? Should I make a simple top and see how it goes first before I add holding systems? I'd like to also add that I'm a beginner woodworker and have not yet dabbled in any special joinery techniques beyond pocket holes and lap joints.
I'm just looking for a top that will offer clamping or hold-down ability and it would be nice to re-use my bench vise but I don't have to.
Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!