Another Workbench
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11 July 2018 at 5:49 pm #549277
I have started working on my workbench – mostly evenings and weekends. I am definitely a beginner at all of this, but so far I am happy with my progress. Currently working on getting the top flat – lots of shavings!
Couple of questions for everyone though:
1. What is a good length – I can easily get 6 feet, but thinking 5.5 may be more than enough?
2. The current depth of the laminated top is 11.5″ – is that enough or should I add another board to the top?Hopefully will be moving to the legs today/tomorrow…
Thanks!
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You must be logged in to view attached files.12 July 2018 at 9:05 am #549284I don’t think you’ll regret any extra length if you have the space for it. I assume that what you’re showing for the top is currently 11.5″ wide. When you add the skirt board to it, you’ll be 13″ + for the work surface and that is all you need.
Good length equals the longest I can fit in my shop without it getting in my way. My current bench is 8 feet. Sometimes I have two projects on it and other times two halves of the same project. On really good days, my daughter is working on her project at one end of the bench while I work at the other. On the worst days, the off end has a bunch of clutter, but even that I claim is helpful becomes sometimes you just need some space but don’t want to be distracted to clean up.
13 July 2018 at 9:40 pm #549378Thank you for the advice to go long! Going slow, but it’s hot in Texas…
I have cut one end to length – have a little more work to be done to get it back to the knife wall, but pretty close so far. Now to buy the rest of the wood – legs, well, and aprons!
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You must be logged in to view attached files.23 July 2018 at 8:58 am #549553My top is 40cm (15.7in) wide plus the tool well which is another 16cm (6.2in).
The total length is 155cm (5′) but I was constrained in space. It’s OK though, I’d say 5′ is really the minimum.24 July 2018 at 6:40 pm #549574I don’t know what a minimum is, but you might keep in mind that you might have to move the thing someday.
42 years ago I built a workbench that was 71” O.A. To the tip of the tail vise screw so the bench top would fit in the back of a pickup truck bed without disassembly. That meant a 65” main top. At the time, I was doing lots of on-site work in banks and residences where power tool use was restricted and I needed the portability. It was short enough one person could easily carry Either the top or the base ( Scandinavian style where those can be separated by just removing two bolts).
The two pieces still had enough mass and stiffness when joined.It was always my intention to build a “proper” 9’ bench when I set up a permanent shop.
Life got in the way and my shop moved every few years, I continued some on-site work and never had a big enough shop for the larger bench, but I’ve never really felt I was held back by my shorter bench. It could have been a bit shorter. A longer bench would most likely have been left behind in one of those moves.
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