Workbench

Solid core doors make for a good bench top. I got some (used) free from a commercial remodel site and found some others on sale for $10 each at the Depot. After trimming off the hinge and door lock cut outs I edged them in poplar.
I used steel "deck hardware" for the structure.

 

Workbench? This is a Workbench.

 

Lee Valley / Veritas ?

 

Made it myself out of Solid Ash with Bubingua Accents. Shelf is solid Pecan.

It is basically a custom Split Top Roubo Bench.

Used Benchcraft Vise Hardware for the Leg Vise and Wagon Vise.

Have some Veritas Clamps.

 

Nice

 

Here's mine, in case it can help anyone:



I used 2x4's, 7/16" plywood for shelves and a 3/4" plywood top. Shelves and top are made with 8'x2' "frames", screwed onto 8'-long 2x4 rails which I mounted screwed to the studs in the garage wall. Legs "wrap" around the front corners. Seems very solid. First one I've ever built and I'm very pleased with it. When I add more receptacles to the garage, the mess of extension cords will be removed. I have my tool chest full of all the tools and use the bench for hardware/spray storage. Also have a 9'-high x 4'-wide x 16"-deep shelving stack constructed using a similar method.

 

I agree with VeeSix...doubled piece of 3/4 plywood is pretty durable. You can do the same thing using MDF, which is pretty durable. A piece of 3/8 plywood or even OSB attached to the rear legs adds to the stability.

 

Grizzly Tools sells a good set of steel legs that turn your plywood into a solid bench, fast. 28" deep though, which messes up the plywood trick.

Now, I assumed we were talking about a bench for automotive or general garage type work - home handyman stuff. That beautiful ash bench (and nice job!) would look sweet with a transmission all exploded on top of it! My planing bench is 9' long with a 2" thick oak top but I used a wooden screw for the vise. Something about a wooden screw squeaking shut...

 

it's ...beautiful!

...did you use the benchcrafted plans, ...or just design it on your own?..

....also curious what kind of drill and bit you used in drilling your dog holes.... any advice... i'm currently in the process of a build, first timer...

 

If using 2-3/4" plywood together to make the top, would you recommend glueing the 2 plywood sheets together, I assume by holding them together with clamps?

 

If you are going to glue them together , put them together upside down , run 1 1/4" screws in from the bottom side , they will act as clamps till the glue sets up , remove the screws the next day

Make sure the screws don't bridge

 

Another question, I don't have a power saw. Was thinking about getting a circular saw. Will the circular saw will cut straight enough?

 

If you just need it ripped down the middle for two 2x8 sheets, have them do it with a panel saw at the hardware store.

You can do it with a circular saw, but to get it straight, you'd need a guide/fence and it would be a pain in the ass to get them exactly even, especially if you aren't used to doing this. Even if they weren't even, you could just turn them so the factory edges are facing out into the garage and the cut edges are back against the wall. Or you could take the extra step of trimming the cut edges once both pieces are glued together.
But yeah, in general, get a damn circular saw...

 

Thanks Scott!

 

track saw would be nice, ...if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, festool makes a nice one...

...but, you could do the task w/ handheld rip and crosscut handsaws - just a bit of elbow grease req'd

 

It would be cheaper to buy a tablesaw than one of the Festool plunge track circular saws

 

Would love to build one like this, just don't have a workshop. I work out of a shed, which leads me to hardly go out there and build anything. If I had a garage or a bigger space I would be out there working on stuff a lot more, and I would have more tools.

 

yes, ...hence my caveat "if money burning a hole in your pocket", ...

however, trying to safely manipulate large pieces running them over a table saw might be a bit difficult, especially w/ the smaller table saws...

 

Naw , I rip sheet goods all the time by myself on my DeWalt portable 10" tablesaw , BUT getting a Festool track saw is on my wish list.