Time for a proper work bench

Andre

Fly yes... land no.
Admin
For the past 3 years I've been using a folding table as my "bench".
That is about to change.

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There was nothing really wrong with the folding table I just wanted something taller to allow me to stand while I work and also something to use for my video shoots.

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For the last couple months I've been using a dividing wall in the basement to shoot my Friday Flying Update videos but it poses a few lighting challenges. So this new bench will feature casters so I can roll it out into the centre of my work area and light it properly.

Tuesday evening I picked up the 60"x25.5" Bamboo counter top from Lowes. Boy that sucker is heavy.
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While the price was not super it is good material and it should in theory out last me ;)

This evening I'll be going out to pick up the remaining supplies.
2x4's, casters and screws.
I'm not sure if I'll do 1 or 2 lower shelves yet but the base will follow this example.

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http://n999za.com/2009/08/30/eaa-workbench-completed/
http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/tablefig.htm

I expect my bench to be at kitchen counter height.

Bamboo Countertop from Lowes
Medium Duty Swivel Caster from Home Depot
Medium Duty Swivel Caster With Brake from Home Depot
 
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DharanFlyer

Active member
For what it is worth standard kitchen counter height is 38" and when I built my workbench I did 48". I personally find it so much more comfortable to work at. Though two things - 1. I prefer to stand when I do things and 2. I am 6'. Just food for thought.
 

Andre

Fly yes... land no.
Admin
For what it is worth standard kitchen counter height is 38" and when I built my workbench I did 48". I personally find it so much more comfortable to work at. Though two things - 1. I prefer to stand when I do things and 2. I am 6'. Just food for thought.

6'2"and I agree.
Stuck behind a decks all day and nothing worst then leaning over a low bench.
I will have to test what height I prefer.
 

Bayboos

Active member
I'm just above 6ft and my DIY workbench is 110cm/43.3" high. I left it at this height intentionally since most of the "objects" I'm working on are several inches tall. Also, all the "tabletop power tools" (like band saw, belt sander etc.) are also at least 4"/10cm from the bottom to their own work table. Note that the "standard EAA work table", while "only" 35-37" tall, is designed for work on the "full size" planes and their components; which are usually much bigger than what we are dealing with.

Please take a look at the photos below. The first one shows the overall size of my workbench and "typical work-in-progress mess", the second one shows how much storage space you have below it (A LOT - the aforementioned power tools ale stowed on the shelves below and you can't even see them). I sometimes think I should re-do the shelves to put one more. Side note: my bench is actually two separate "bench bases" joined by the table top alone, so I can adjust (to some extent at least) the space on both sides and in the middle; and it will definitely make it easier to move (if needed at any point in the future).

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I can also suggest to watch those two videos about making work tables:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80p939N0wBs - Bob from "I Like To Make Stuff" explains how to build easy and simple work bench that can hold a lot of weight and let you work in standing position

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51PDMjjO0so - Grant Thompson aka "The King of Random" shows his "super duper electrified bench" and how to build one.

Those are the shortest and the most pleasant to watch "how-to workbench yourself" videos I know. Hope that helps. Good luck, and Have Fun!
 
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Andre

Fly yes... land no.
Admin
Picked up 12 2x4x8's last night, 4 locking casters, some 3x10 wood screws and some L brackets.

Should be starting the cutting and assembly this evening.

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Balu

Lurker
Staff member
Admin
Moderator
Most of us are missing the tools for a build like this, but it's always fun to watch Matthias Wandel do his magic:

 

Sharky

Junior Member
I'm still working on the same table that you started out with and am really glad to have it! All I did was to screw a piece of 3/4in ply to the top of it. Makes for a pretty good table for me. Your project looks GR8 by the way, good luck with your new table n happy building.
 

PHugger

Church Meal Expert
Nice build Andre and that Matthias is way over the edge! I'm planning a build of a table for a 3D Printer. I want to do it in steel (so I can play with my welder), but I was undecided about what to use for the top. A countertop in bamboo or some other material is a Great idea! I don't need wheels, but adjustable leveling feet will be a necessity.


Best regards,
PCH
 

Andre

Fly yes... land no.
Admin
I'm happy

We ended up only using 7 pieces of 2x4 out of the 12 I bought so that worked out nicely.
I can return the left overs this weekend.

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I'm still figuring out the bottom shelf but like how the grey bins can sit low between the rails.
 

Andre

Fly yes... land no.
Admin
I have 2 of these bins so I might brace them a bit more and trim the plywood down accordingly.

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RAM

Posted a thousand or more times
Very nice Andre.

I didn't see any wood glue in the pictures. Did you use wood glue or is the bench made to be dismantled?
 

PHugger

Church Meal Expert
You should know what Mike Holmes says about that........
(he's Canadian right?)

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Best regards,
PCH
 

RCLB

New member
Very Nice André ! I wish you tons of builds (and rebuilds also)! Congrats !!! Have a great Flight!
 

willsonman

Builder Extraordinare
Mentor
Well, the cool thing is that you will now have a very FLAT surface to build on... Make sure it is LEVEL!!! As you get into more building, setting the wing and tail incidence will be critical when you get out the level. You may also want to consider using drop ceiling tiles on top. If you build using pins then this will give you something for the pin to go into. Bamboo is very hard, which is why its great as a counter top. But, its very difficult for small pins to go into. You can adhere them to the bamboo using duct tape on the edges. Use some goo gone to remove residue. Do not used WD-40 to remove residue on a wood surface. The oil is bad.