catman161 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hey guys, Non-astro question. If I want to build a workbench along one side of my garage what is the best wood and how thick should it be or the work top surface? I will be usin it for general DIY, hammering/drilling/soldering/putting stuff in a vice etc. Design wise I'd like it to have cupboards but then an alcove in the centre so I can pull the stool/chair in that I will use so that my legs can go under it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I used reclaimed floor joists for mine, but as I was needing to have a lot of strength in it, it was built over sized. Leave room for a decent vice at one end, so you can get the longest piece of work in it you need it to take. Carefully consider the height you need it at as well, as too low, or too high will cause aches and pains you don't need. Old work tops make good tops, these can be got cheap as damaged items. If you do it any lasting harm, it's easy to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Felix, ask Rob (red dwarf) about wood as he has some heavy duty stuff which was the previous floor in his obsy, though not sure if he has plans for it. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peepshow Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I used on old inside house door for mine. Mounted horizontally of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I use a sturdy old table in the garage - my diy days are considerably reduced now lol. Anything heavier and I just get the B&D workbench out which has two heights and a vice for sawing/drilling and cutting wood. They have a well spread footprint too, so dead steady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I used dry wall studding to make the base and ply for the top, but it's not a heavy duty top by any stretch. Old kitchen worktops are ideal though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Thanks for the advice guys. There's a reclaim shop on site at my local tip so may have a nosey around that tomorrow and see what's there. I often see old furniture and cupboards and the like. I have a black and decker folding workbench which I often use when sawing longer pieces of wood but I want to convert my garage into a sort of "man cave" where I can do bits and bobs really. Mainly somewhere to go to get away from everything and be "manly" and build/fix stuff! Ha ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red dwalf Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hi Felix, I did have some long lengths of c16 grade timber which is 2 inch thick but most of it was used in the construction of the obsy and ive only got one length left. But kitchen worktops are ideal and cheap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 No probs rob, thanks though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 No probs rob, thanks though Felix - Don't forget to seal the wood if you use Kitchen worktops and any damp lifts the laminate - PVA glue or vanish - I say this now - I didn't and it started to lift - Thanks for the pointer to the Dobs how to image PDF - read it and got some useful tips plus CASTRATOR (LOL) s/w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Cool will do thanks Clive. Yeah I had a red of the PDF too, pretty good help for any that are getting frustrated trying. The authors Jupiter images are very respectable indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AstroOlly Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) Hey guys, Non-astro question. If I want to build a workbench along one side of my garage what is the best wood and how thick should it be or the work top surface? I will be usin it for general DIY, hammering/drilling/soldering/putting stuff in a vice etc. Design wise I'd like it to have cupboards but then an alcove in the centre so I can pull the stool/chair in that I will use so that my legs can go under it. Thanks Edited January 26, 2014 by AstroOlly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AstroOlly Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) Old kitchen work tops are best to MM Edited January 26, 2014 by AstroOlly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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