Work bench plans

[J. Schwiebert]

2 years ago before I got sick I was looking for plans to build a good solid work bench to work on good wood projects Anybody have any good plans or a good book to recommend? Thanks in advance. J.

 

[Kansas4010]

I have this book and it's ok. Get on YouTube and search for Stumpy Nubs. He's done a few videos on workbenches. You'll have to find some of his older videos because he bought a big expensive Sjobergs workbench and they're a sponsor so he's been trying to get people to buy that one right now.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

The Nicholson carpenter's work bench is a traditional classic and a good starting point to look at .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sVO_5PNadD4

I've just fitted a 70 year old Australian made Dawn 10" quick release carpenter's vise to my bench , it's marvellous . Try to design any bench around the vise you most want to use .

 

[sms]

I built mine out of my head. Sorry no picture. I even built a vice for the end. I had the screw and receiver from a broken vice, made slides out of angle iron. I did this over 30 years ago. Then square dogs were more common, today round dogs seem to be the norm.

 

[hje2]

I've built 2 ea. 32" X 88" X 36" workbenches from Woodsmith magazine. They have MDF tops and are very heavy and sturdy. I looked at woodsmith.com but couldn't find the plans anymore. I do however have a PDF of the bench that I would gladly email you I just need your email address.

harvey

[email protected]

 

[Janicholson]

Here is a pretty simple design. the front is open to allow knee room. the height is up to you. the planks can be easily replaced and are soft fir, not hardwood. Jim

 

[Janicholson]

I am not that Nicholson, but My submission is far simpler. I like this one, but I would want to be 30 when I made it. Jim

 

[Hoenes]

Humm, with a name like Stumpy Nubs, makes me wonder about his power tool capabilities. Ha !

 

[Phil9N3667]

If I were building one, one thing would be a working height that's comfortable, getting older makes a difference.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

John, I use a pair of folding sawhorses and a couple of different tops. One is a doubled 4X4, 7/16 waferboard, the other a full sheet, single thickness of the same with a pair of 2x4 studs under it. Both are solid, easily moved, and stored out of the way when not in use. gm

 

[Janicholson]

My My General Shop teacher as a HS freshman would have had me by the neck if I laid a hand plane down on its blade. The cover illustration makes me wonder about the author!! Jim

 

[Kansas4010]

My HS shop teacher was a joke. He was a couple years from retirement so all he did was sit in his office reading fishing magazines. As long as someone didn't walk into his office carrying a finger he didn't care what we did.

 

[J. Schwiebert]

Thanks. I made a frome for the bench before I got sick out of 2 X 2 angle before I got sick. I will need to get it out when the weather is a little warmer.

 

[stevieb49829]

Man, Jim, we must have had the same shop teacher. I still, to this day, can't lay a plane down on its blade. Even on a shop towel laid out on the bench. steve

 

[stevieb49829]

If you are really into wood working, get a bunch of straight 2x6's, rip them in half, and glue them face to face. Makes a wood slab about 2.5 inches thick, to your length and adjust the width by how many you want to glue up. Set it on a good pair of sawhorses, or a solid frame, and it ain't going anywhere. I used a bunch of reject Doug Fir 2x4s for mine, and then hand planed the surface down flat, clear epoxy to seal it. A lot of work, but man, what a sweet bench to work on. steve

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I'm the same Stevie and Jim, I couldn't possibly place a smoothing plane blade down on a bench . Educator's have a lasting effect on their pupils, forty years as a professor thumped that into me .
I went to a strict Catholic primary school run by Irish nuns as a child , I still cannot stand to see shoes placed randomly together , I must place them neatly side by side left to right . Academically induced OCD !

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I gave my son two pieces of 3 x 12 x 5 ft pieces of used oak from an old workbench. This is what he made. I also gave him the vise and grinder.

I put workbenches down both walls of my new pole barn and a shelf above. No legs. Easier to clean.

Don't have a pic of my favorite portable workbenches that are made from two 4x4 plywood covered pallets. I put wheels on the bottom pallet. Made the top pallet 4 feet tall. It comes in very handy.

I have a second portable workbench made the same way using two plywood covered pallets. This workbench is the height of the tailgate of my truck. Easy to slide something heavy out of the truck onto the workbench.

I put wheels on this workbench. Makes a nice place to store the aluminum brake or is it a break? I've seen it spelled both ways. This bench makes it easy for an old man to slide the brake in the truck.

I don't think you can have too many Portable workbenches

I made a metal portable workbench for welding.

 

[Ellis Kinney]

Whenever I am walking through flea markets or farm sales I always turn the planes over. Ignorance or disrespect of tools. Ellis

 

[Stephen Newell]

Depends on how much space you have. I glued up 2x12x8 yellow pine boards to make a 4'x8' top. The base is just 4x4 legs with 2x4's for a skirt.