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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Lets see your work benches

Posted by: Kerrys914 Dec 6 2004, 11:32 AM

Over the Xmas holiday I plan on building a work bench and ? across the back of my garage (20 + ft). smash.gif smash.gif smash.gif

Thought I would ask you guys to see what you have and or want in you garage. What works what doesn't.

What is a good height? Waist high? 30" deep? If you have plans send them on smile.gif beerchug.gif

I am thinking about having a 4' section with a sheetmetal top for doing clean work.

Cheers

Posted by: jim912928 Dec 6 2004, 12:24 PM

To embarrased to show a picture of what I work on. I've restored 2 porsches from the ground up in the past 3 years and I use:

1. the floor
2. Lowes folding saw horses with 3/4" plywood running across it

Is that pathetic or what?

Jim

p.s. at least all my tools are in large Craftsman cabinets (conveniently in the basement!)

Posted by: type11969 Dec 6 2004, 12:35 PM

Don't be embarassed, as soon as I take anything off the floor, I can no longer find it.

I wish I had the space for a good workbench, but even if I did, I bet my tools would end up on the floor around the periphery of the car I was working on.

-Chris

Posted by: teenrookie Dec 6 2004, 12:44 PM

Boeing closed a plant near me about 10 years ago and I able to pick up a 72" wide by 36"deep and 39" high bench. Boeing built motors on it . It has metal angle iron for frame and legs. They line 2X4's across the top on end so the top is 4" thick with a piece of laminate on it. the laminate makes it easy to spin things around on it and with the heavy construction I never worry about it collapsing on me. It is ugly but bullet proof. I have used it for tons of projects. Te only problem is that it weighs a ton when you move it.
I can take pictures of it tonight, if you are interested in building something like it.

Posted by: synthesisdv Dec 6 2004, 12:46 PM

I got my bench from grainger.

Top is butcherblock, 36" x 72" and 34" high with a powered hutch.


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Posted by: seanery Dec 6 2004, 01:16 PM

Kerry,
My dad used to make a workbench in his garages when I was a kid, so when I bought my house he and I put one in my garage.
They are very simple and VERY STRONG (oh and cheap).
You use 2x4s and 2x6s to triangulate the bench to the back wall of your garage. I'll see if I can find a pic or two and post it here.

Posted by: Mueller Dec 6 2004, 02:13 PM

one of 2 benches (sorry no real pictures right now) are built from aluminum extrusion, roughly the size of 2x4's....


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Posted by: Mueller Dec 6 2004, 02:16 PM

my newest bench will be based on the frame and skins of this wafer edge grinding tool I am taking apart ($75k brand new or something silly like that)

all stainless outer, the framing is 1x1 stainless tubing


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Posted by: mikerose Dec 6 2004, 02:55 PM

QUOTE(Mueller @ Dec 6 2004, 12:16 PM)
my newest bench will be based on the frame and skins of this wafer edge grinding tool I am taking apart ($75k brand new or something silly like that)

all stainless outer, the framing is 1x1 stainless tubing

That's why you went into the clean room today lol2.gif

Posted by: seanery Dec 6 2004, 05:39 PM

Here is a quick drawing.


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Posted by: seanery Dec 6 2004, 05:40 PM

pic


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Posted by: Aaron Cox Dec 6 2004, 05:54 PM

QUOTE(seanery @ Dec 6 2004, 04:40 PM)
pic

thats tiny!

Posted by: seanery Dec 6 2004, 05:57 PM

it's 12 feet long by 34 inches deep!
but, the garage is tiny! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Kerrys914 Dec 6 2004, 06:11 PM

Sean, PBR nice beer.gif

The bench is nice too smile.gifsmile.gif How doe sthe gaps between the 2x4's effect working on bench?

Cheers

Posted by: seanery Dec 6 2004, 06:16 PM

actually, there aren't any gaps, but I wanted to show the different boards quick & easily.
The bench is great, and I can jump up and down on it! Being triangulated you can store stuff
under it without any feet and legs holding up the front.

Not shown in those pics is the welding table addition. I drilled 4 holes and mounted a 40" x 30" piece of 1/4 steel so I can weld on it, too. welder.gif
You can see, there's also an engine stand mounted on the front right.

Posted by: ws91420 Dec 6 2004, 06:24 PM

Kerry I did something similar to Sean's drawing in my old townhouse. I used 3/4 in ply for the top. sawzall-smiley.gif

Posted by: bryanthompson Dec 6 2004, 06:25 PM

QUOTE(seanery @ Dec 6 2004, 01:16 PM)
Kerry,
My dad used to make a workbench in his garages when I was a kid, so when I bought my house he and I put one in my garage.
They are very simple and VERY STRONG (oh and cheap).
You use 2x4s and 2x6s to triangulate the bench to the back wall of your garage. I'll see if I can find a pic or two and post it here.

the PO of our house built some half-assed version of those shelves, which we just tore out to make room for the teener. Most everything I use goes on a roll-around shelf now.

Posted by: vsg914 Dec 6 2004, 06:42 PM

Just a mix and match of old cabinet shop stuff, but it keeps some of the Tulsa Teens running.


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Posted by: vsg914 Dec 6 2004, 06:43 PM

nuther


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Posted by: Randal Dec 6 2004, 06:53 PM

I don't have any pictures of the bench I built in the house we just sold, but I utilized two pieces of 4X8 MDF for the top of the work bench.

MDF is amazing stuff, i.e., cheap, looks nice and when you destroy it just turn it over. And no splinters!

When you work on greasy stuff, just cover that section of the bench with sheet metal, but don't forget to have a splash bent into the sheet metal.

Posted by: Series9 Dec 6 2004, 06:54 PM

I've been in the house for five months, so there's still plenty to do. The area in the back left will be a large welding table shortly.

Sean, I like the neons in your garage. I'm going to look into some.


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Posted by: 72914S Dec 6 2004, 07:01 PM

Here is mine. 2x4 benches on three sides,no bench where the drivers door needs to open. I have to walk sideways down each side of the car. Building is 12 x 20 w/ a loft for spare parts.


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Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Dec 6 2004, 07:29 PM

My work benches aren't fancy but they work, garage is unfinished at this point so i haven't done anything fancy. Just 2x6s and plywood with some 2x4 supports to the wall.

First shot is my parts bench, I'm currently working on my 2.0L
My father in law works at a liquor store and has given me a bunch of wine boxes, they are screwed into the wall and make for great shelving for free.


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Posted by: Mueller Dec 6 2004, 07:31 PM

solid wood doors make great bench tops.....

I got a few from a building remodel...something like 4'x8' in size.....so heavy I had to drag the darn things out of my truck into the garage....

sometimes the home repair places will have returned or damaged doors at a deep discount...don't be afraid to ask for even more of a discount smile.gif

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Dec 6 2004, 07:31 PM

the other bench, no rolling toolbox, maybe for christmas


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Posted by: Larry Dec 6 2004, 08:11 PM

Hi Kerry,
I picked up a great wordworking bench at an auction a few weeks ago. It's an Ulmia about 7 1/2 ft long with 2 vices. German company I think went out of busniss for a while and now are back. It's way too crowded in my garage right now. 3 cars in a two car garage and not much space to work. My wife is temporarily using the bench as a serving table in our dinning room and I have to say it looks pretty good there. Not sure if I'll get it back. Your engine is in the garage, back worktable on the right. Good luck with the table and your six project.
Larry


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Posted by: Larry Dec 6 2004, 08:12 PM

crowded garage


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Posted by: URY914 Dec 6 2004, 08:14 PM

These shots don't show it real well but I'm using a commercial hollow metal door for my work bench top. I think it is 20 ga. sheet metal. heavy as hell. Bolt my vice right to it.


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Posted by: Larry Dec 6 2004, 08:14 PM

better shot of crowded garage


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Posted by: URY914 Dec 6 2004, 08:17 PM

Its a 3070 (3' x 7').

It was left over from a job I did.
Did I say "left over" I should have said I ordered an extra door when I bought the door package. wink.gif


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Posted by: boxstr Dec 6 2004, 08:17 PM

Larry is that a TVR Griffith in the back?? More details.
CCLINTOPGEAR

Posted by: URY914 Dec 6 2004, 08:18 PM

The cabinets on the back wall came out of a office breakroom I renovated.


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Posted by: URY914 Dec 6 2004, 08:20 PM

QUOTE(Mueller @ Dec 6 2004, 05:31 PM)
solid wood doors make great bench tops.....

I got a few from a building remodel...something like 4'x8' in size.....so heavy I had to drag the darn things out of my truck into the garage....

sometimes the home repair places will have returned or damaged doors at a deep discount...don't be afraid to ask for even more of a discount smile.gif

agree.gif

Once a door is damaged they'll just about give it to ya.

Posted by: Mueller Dec 6 2004, 08:28 PM

QUOTE(URY914 @ Dec 6 2004, 07:20 PM)
QUOTE(Mueller @ Dec 6 2004, 05:31 PM)
solid wood doors make great bench tops.....

I got a few from a building remodel...something like 4'x8' in size.....so heavy I had to drag the darn things out of my truck into the garage....

sometimes the home repair places will have returned or damaged doors at a deep discount...don't be afraid to ask for even more of a discount smile.gif

agree.gif

Once a door is damaged they'll just about give it to ya.

tried that...just had a small crack in it....sales guy walked away...."somehow" the crack got much larger, still had to pay for it, but not much smile.gif

Posted by: boxstr Dec 6 2004, 08:34 PM

Meant to add this. Home work area.
CCLINGLADIATOR


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Posted by: J P Stein Dec 6 2004, 08:34 PM

QUOTE(Randal @ Dec 6 2004, 04:53 PM)


MDF is amazing stuff, i.e., cheap, looks nice and when you destroy it just turn it over. And no splinters!


agree.gif

I'm a big fan of the stuff.
2 X 2 & 2X4 covered with MDF.


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Posted by: J P Stein Dec 6 2004, 08:37 PM

....but wait, that's just a little bench biggrin.gif
This one is bout 24 feet long.....and covered with shi....stuff.


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Posted by: Larry Dec 6 2004, 08:38 PM

The TVR at the front of the garage is a 71 2500M. It's my son's car that we picked up a few years ago and are just about finished. It has a TR6 engine and trans and parts from the shelves of many British car companies. It's been a blast to work on and he'll probable track it this summer. Did almost a complete restoration. Nice to work on a car that doesn't rust. Lucas electrical parts presents a whole other challenge. Needed seats so we picked up 2 914 shells at Hershey a few years ago. Had to be narrow and they worked well.
Larry


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Posted by: J P Stein Dec 6 2004, 08:45 PM

Then there's a combo tablesaw/roll around work bench......humm it's covered with stuff too. I must be in "thrash mode". idea.gif


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Posted by: hargray2 Dec 6 2004, 08:50 PM

Mine. Very messy.

16 feet wide
36 inches deep
44 inches high
1-1/8 inch ply top
2x6 frame
4x4 legs

44 inches may be a little taller than most, but I like my work where I can see it.

My shop is 24' x 30' at 14' tall. The area above the bench is a storage loft (24'x10'x6')


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Posted by: campbellcj Dec 6 2004, 10:49 PM

My workbench...er...entire garage layout sux! Well, it sure beats no garage at all and I'm thankful for the space regardless how chaotic it currently is. The PO was kinda a cheapskate on certain stuff (but not always or maybe that was the wife's doing).

I'd like to redo the whole thing but it's not really high on "the list" so I have plenty of time to figure out what would work. Thanks so far for the good ideas and pics above...

Posted by: siverson Dec 6 2004, 11:21 PM

Not the present garage, but where I did 90% of my restoration.

It was rented attached the the 390 sq ft beach "house" I lived in at the time. shelves on the right that you see, and then there were 3 of those big Home Depot plastic shelves behind the camera. Work bench?!?! Nope. I had a crappy Ikea folding table that I setup in the alley and put away every night when done. It made me keep everything very well organized. ~4 years in here.

-Steve


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Posted by: dan10101 Dec 6 2004, 11:47 PM

Perfect time for this thread.
We're building a Teenie garage addition and I'm looking into benches and such right now.

Here are some picts of my $200 garage overhaul Built with leftover 2x4s and 4x4s. Added a couple sheets of plywood to make doors to cover the mess and some cheapie drawers to put small stuff into. Purchased one high grade hardwood plywood for the top that will take the abuse, (it has...)

Made the area where the door opens narrower so that it would be easier to get in and out of the cars.


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Posted by: dan10101 Dec 6 2004, 11:51 PM

Here is another mini counter that holds the ancient toolbox (it was old when i bought it used 25 years ago...
It also hides the seldom used lincoln arc welder. (works great as a cutting torch) welder.gif

All too noisy oiless compressor otherwise doing a good job. We'll be building a noise reduction cabinet with leftover wood from the garage build.


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Posted by: dan10101 Dec 6 2004, 11:59 PM

I was thinking about getting the Sears garage wall system or the stanley Zag garage storage system. But I'm leaning toward spending the money on a new toolbox and building the rest out of wood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42363&item=4341985271

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00959273000&subcat=Workshop+%26+Garage+Organization
They have a full system too...

I'm most concerned with getting a bunch of drawers somehow so I don't have to dig thru 1 foot deep drawers to find what I'm looking for. I will also have the storage shed that I can do some better storage design in there. (currently just a bunch of rubbermaid bins..)

So, does anyone have an idea where to get multiple drawers without spending a bundle? I'm leaning towards getting a new tool box for rollaround tools since I'll be taking the tools between the two garages from time to time. Then maybe use the old toolbox and buy another ancient toolbox to use for general storage.

Posted by: dan10101 Dec 7 2004, 12:02 AM

This is what I would like to have...


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Posted by: markb Dec 7 2004, 12:16 AM

QUOTE(dan10101 @ Dec 6 2004, 10:02 PM)
This is what I would like to have...

Who wouldn't?


I'll be happy to someday get a garage. sad.gif

Posted by: JOHNMAN Dec 7 2004, 12:24 AM

I know it's a mess and it may be hard to see the benches, but....

Please excuse the mess.....

Pic1


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Posted by: JOHNMAN Dec 7 2004, 12:25 AM

Pic 2


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Posted by: JOHNMAN Dec 7 2004, 12:26 AM

Pic 3


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Posted by: Randal Dec 7 2004, 09:34 AM

Wow JP, that is a serious work bench and you got your priorities right, i.e., a refer right in the middle, your fly poles off to one side (on the top) and an air conditioner on the left. Oh and a wood stove off to one side.

Set for life. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Kerrys914 Dec 7 2004, 10:05 AM

Nice work guys smilie_pokal.gif

I think I will be doing a neat blend of a few of the ones posed here. I'll post some photos when I get done.

I am going to have a LOW section for working from a stool/chair (maybe a 914 shop chair conversion ohmy.gif ) and a section with a sheet metal top and back splash (easy bends). This will be my clean area.

Cheers

Posted by: dan10101 Dec 8 2004, 10:30 PM

QUOTE(dan10101 @ Dec 6 2004, 09:59 PM)
I'm most concerned with getting a bunch of drawers somehow so I don't have to dig thru 1 foot deep drawers to find what I'm looking for. I will also have the storage shed that I can do some better storage design in there. (currently just a bunch of rubbermaid bins..)

So, does anyone have an idea where to get multiple drawers without spending a bundle? I'm leaning towards getting a new tool box for rollaround tools since I'll be taking the tools between the two garages from time to time. Then maybe use the old toolbox and buy another ancient toolbox to use for general storage.

I found the solution for my drawer delima.
OSH has an inexpensive (read, no ball bearing drawers) Craftsman tool box they call a project center. It has 5 drawers that will work for my needs. 3 should do the trick for my packrat needs. I'll build a workbench that they will slide into when there is no need to roll them around.

They are $99 each until 12-10-04 at OSH.

Dan

Posted by: Kerrys914 Dec 23 2004, 01:45 PM

Okay.. What should i put on top of my work bench to prevent oil, grease, fuel from soaking into the MDF top?

Will a good coat of paint work okay? I could poly it but will that hold up? If I use paint could just repaint it if it gets too bad.

Non painted looks cool but after a few used parts get on it it will look like crap.

Posted by: Lou W Dec 23 2004, 01:56 PM

I'd recomend Formica, that's what I have on mine, easy to clean too. IPB Image

Posted by: 914GT Dec 23 2004, 02:13 PM

Galvanized sheet metal is good too (won't get burned/melt if soldering, heat gun, etc.). Solvents and thinners wont hurt it either.

Posted by: J P Stein Dec 23 2004, 02:24 PM

2 coats (minimum) of oil based enamel works for me.

It's a good idea to bullnose the edge of the table top....I use a
a quarter or half inch radius router bit. I also double up the thickness around the outside perimeter of the top.

A 4 X 8 X 3/4 sheet of MDF weighs over 100 lbs. These days, I get help when stuffing them SOBs into my table saw...I'm gettin' old....(sigh). Also, wear a mask when cutting. The dust is some bad shit.

Posted by: skline Dec 23 2004, 02:34 PM

Well, I would show you mine but it would take a few days to clear off all the crap. Sorry.

Posted by: airsix Jan 3 2005, 11:37 PM

Ok, I know, this thread is ancient. I didn't want to post a pic until I cleaned off the bench from the last project. Bench was already in the garage when I bought the house. Stoutly home-made with a thick plywood top. Wood top was fine for the woodchuck who lived here before me, but a gearhead needs a metal-top bench so I had a local shop bend me a 10ga galvanized cap for it.

-Ben M.


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Posted by: URY914 Jan 4 2005, 08:59 AM

Is that a vertical mini-mill?

Posted by: trekkor Jan 4 2005, 11:37 AM

If I show my bench/work area, my membership might be revoked IPB Image

KT

Posted by: airsix Jan 4 2005, 12:18 PM

QUOTE (URY914 @ Jan 4 2005, 06:59 AM)
Is that a vertical mini-mill?

Yes. It's no Bridgeport, but it does most of what I need. I mostly use it for precision drilling operations (tool steel and titanium) on my folding pocketknives. It also get's used for other projects too. I used it to make all the flanges for the 914's turbo plumbing. It's really a great value if you start looking at the price (about the same) of a decent bench-top drill-press and weigh in the versatility of a bench-top milling machine. It was a no brainer for me and I'm very happy with it. The chuck it came with was junk, but I replaced that with a nice ROHM and now it is very accurate for the price (even more so with collets). Since it's so small you can't take deep bites when milling (It'll chatter up a storm), but it does a great job for it's size.

-Ben M.

Posted by: watsonrx13 Jan 4 2005, 06:10 PM

Finally got around to taking a few pics of my 'shop'. This is a 10'x20' lockable shed attached to a 2-car carport.

Here's my work bench.

BTW, my 700th post...


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Posted by: watsonrx13 Jan 4 2005, 06:10 PM

Here's a shot of more storage.


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Posted by: watsonrx13 Jan 4 2005, 06:10 PM

And finally, my refrigerator and more storage.


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