Work bench advice

[Boggle4137]

Hi guys

 

Im just in the middle of painting my new shed and ill soon be making a work bench. I dont plan on storing any of my saws/machines in my shed (i have an inside storage cupboard) so security can be kept on a sensible level. Basically i wouldnt mind having a bench where i could sit down as i hate arcing my head and back as ive done in the past while tinkering. Also because this is my first build i would love some advice and even some of your pictures for insperation.

 

My idea atm is to have a lower platform below the window (for sitting down work) then a higher, more sturdier platform against the back of the shed for standing work where i will probably install a vice. Im building this bench from reclaimed good quality milled timber and scaffold boards. 

 

 

[dent]

Put one bench at a meter high and have a decent workshop chair that will adjust up to work on it 

Im 6'4 and wouldnt want to use a vise on a bench much higher than a meter 

 

For the bench mount plug sockets alon the front edge of the bench as opposed to the wall stops leads knocking stuff on the table and iff handling small parts put a trough along the front to catch small parts before they roll onto the floor 

 

Pinterest has hundreds of useful ideas for workshops and work benches including how to work out the best height for urself to work at 

1m is the most average but there is various things to work out optimum personal height

[Boggle4137]

Never thought of the trough idea. I didnt look at pintrest but i did google and it fried my brain abit with all the choice/ideas

[drinksloe]

Same principle as trough but just but a thin piece of edging proud of the bench top, stop things rolling off.

Also if using scaffold battens does that mean u'll have joins as usually only 8" wide, my last few benches i've just made the legs with 4x2 and used some ply (or even OSB) or splash out and buy a kitchen worktop (althou the rounded edge can be a pain).

 

If u have any mates who do kitchens always ahndy to offer to take some units and work tops (make great strong shelfs too) and even wall units. Makes ur shed look right tidy

 

Also i now fit mt vice to a piece of thick ply, so its mobile enough to move about but also stable enough to do most of wot i want. If i'm really abusing something i can either stand on it or screw it down to work top, that easy now with modern battery drills

Edited May 6, 2018 by drinksloe

[aspenarb]

Ply bolted down on decent industrial draw units makes for a solid bench that will take a vice, done this and covered it in offcuts of that heavy duty lino thats used on hospital/school floors.

 

Bob

 

[Mick Dempsey]

I made my own bench, thought it makes an interesting contrast to @aspenarb ‘s tidiness wise!

Edited May 6, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[lurkalot]

6 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I made my own bench, thought it makes an interesting contrast to @aspenarb ‘s tidiness wise!

You think that's bad,  I don't think I've seen the top of my bench for quite some time.  lol.. 

[Boggle4137]

Wow thats pretty impressive bob. However im light years away from a workshop like that. I do like the idea of a solid kitchen top but i never seem to get my hands on them. I get most of my timber from skips (no crap mind). Just measured out what i have and i can probably make a standing work bench atm but im going to wait and accumilate some more bits and pieces so i can at least make a basic standing/sitting work bench and add extras later.

 

Any advice/pics on securing my bench to shed walls/floor?

 

 

[Boggle4137]

3 minutes ago, lurkalot said:

You think that's bad,  I don't think I've seen the top of my bench for quite some time.  lol.. 

Even the blue teddy is staying away from the carnage haha

[Boggle4137]

3 minutes ago, Boggle4137 said:

Wow thats pretty impressive bob. However im light years away from a workshop like that. I do like the idea of a solid kitchen top but i never seem to get my hands on them. I get most of my timber from skips (no crap mind). Just measured out what i have and i can probably make a standing work bench atm but im going to wait and accumilate some more bits and pieces so i can at least make a basic standing/sitting work bench and add extras later.

 

Any advice/pics on securing my bench to shed walls/floor?

 

 

For the legs im using four 2×4 at a metre in lengh