Opinion on Workbench Length
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- This topic has 13 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by Jason Stair.
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29 January 2014 at 3:28 pm #26809
I have gathered wood for my workbench build and I plan to start laminating pieces in the next week or two, but I am having trouble deciding how long to make it. My stock is 8ft. I could make room for an 8ft workbench, but space is a premium and I would rather not make it longer than necessary. I am thinking 6ft or 7ft should be plenty. I am also concerned with the top flexing more at longer lengths, but this may not be an issue with Paul’s design. For those who have built Paul’s workbench, what length did you make it? Has anyone later wished that it was longer (or shorter)?
29 January 2014 at 4:37 pm #26817Mine is 5ft long and built per the design in Paul’s book. I have been quite happy with it so far. I have never felt limited by the size of my workbench.
29 January 2014 at 5:41 pm #26827Jason
I built an English style workbench very similar to Paul’s design (with some changes) I went with a six foot bench and the length is perfect. I have been really pleased with that length so I don’t think you need an 8 foot bench if space is an issue. However I don’t see anything wrong with going longer. The standard Nicholson bench was generally 10-12 feet long with a top less than 2 inches thick. Granted they put in cross stringer but it was still very efficient. Bowing is just not a problem with a 2×12 apron think of a floor joist on a house it can span 15 feet easy and it holds up your entire house. The same engineering principles also are what make the workbench so stout.
29 January 2014 at 5:56 pm #26829hi Jason i would think six foot would be ample its differant if you have two people working on it from both sides but if its just you i wouldn’t go too long it only leaves space for clutter ,if you find you dont have enough room you can always build a tool table like the one Paul uses that can be moved in when needed .Which ever size you end up building enjoy
Jason, having room around it would be the more important factor to me. Mine is only 4ft long and I need to move it and relocate some other tables and equipment in my shop so I can get around it. If I had the space, I’d go for the 8ft based on the “better too much than not enough” concept. But if it meant crowding my working space I’d adjust smaller.
29 January 2014 at 9:38 pm #26838I agree with Sandy if ever I had the space I would have bench so I could get all the way round. Handy for bigger project like the shelving unit Paul is going to start. If I had a choice 6′ would be ample.
I would not have a chance of building anything that large in my shed.
I think It is one thing Paul needs to look at as a lot of us have only very small work spaces.
The biggest project I could build at a maximum would be about 4’x 2′ x 2′ and that would be a push.I handled my tool chest which is 40x24x22 inches no problem. The big issue for me is my bench is right up against a wall (no option there either). If I’m going to get on with a big piece I generally have to pull my bench out from the wall to fit stuff on top of my bench. Bigger dimension projects is a challenge but its doable, you just have to make some adjustments on how you clamp stuff up to plane, saw etc. Lots of ways to do it so don’t think a small bench will limit a person to what size projects they can make, to a point obviously.
29 January 2014 at 11:21 pm #26843I only have enough space just about to walk along side my bench so pulling away from wall not an option.
When I say I’m in a small space I mean it. The only option I would have to set up some trestles and a sheet material outside. It’s been the wettest winter for 66years so wont happen now.
I imagine that a lot of people do have the space and I do not wont to deter them from making project. It is just very frustrating for those of us who do not have the space.My bench is just over 6 feet long. If I was to make it again I would make it 8 feet but I am not restricted for space. The reason is sometimes I am working wood longer than 5 feet and one end can be unsupported, for example when you are ploughing a groove or rebate along its length etc.
I certainly would not want it shorter than 6 feet.
30 January 2014 at 10:17 am #26854I made mine as per Paul’s DVD, so it’s a single top type (as opposed to two tops with the tool well in the middle) and 5ft long. If I built another for my new shop, I’d go longer. I can’t position my bench somewhere I could get to both sides so I’d increase the length to probably 7ft, which is about the biggest I could make it while still being practical in the space.
You’ll use as much space as you have on the benchtop, unless you really keep on top of things and put everything away straight after you’re done with it. My suggestion would be to make it as long as you can!
George.
30 January 2014 at 2:37 pm #26866Thanks everyone! That was exactly the kind of insight I was looking for.
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