Workbench layout
 

Hello all,
Not sure if there is a better forum for this question but as this one covered building it seemed to be the best to start in.

After being away form flying for a bit and as I am faced with an upcoming move in a few weeks (and down-sizing), Id thought Id as how others have their shop setup. Right now I have a sngle bench along a wall for all my building/rebuilding. I had planned to add a second bench so it will be an 'L' shape, but I was also thinking of setting up the benchs away from the wall this time. It was sometimes a impossable trying to setup a plane fully assembled with the old setup.

Thanks,
Bill

RE: Workbench layout
 

I use to have a bench in the middle of the basement, it worked great, I could reach a plane from any side w/o having to move it. That's a must when checking incedences, not disturbing the model to keep the plane locked in position. Right now my bench is along the wall and is 12' long and true/flat. under storage set back which doubles as a foot rest too. All I need to add is a vise, a mini fridge and a lcd tv on the wall for the videos I wanna watch?! but then I might come out of the cave only when the weather is nice enough to fly, my girl would hate me for a long time! man, I'm gonna miss her, but o-well. lmao!

RE: Workbench layout
 

I have two main benches, both are about 5' x 2'. Both are covered with ceiling tile with sheet cork topping that. One has open spaces of about 3' on each end so things can hang off. Both are backed up against a wall. I have a separate table about 2' x 18" for my power tools: drill press, Dremel sander, band saw, etc. Obviously all can't fit on the table at once, so I swap out whatever I'm using at the moment. All tables have a power strip attached to the front vertical edge.

RE: Workbench layout
 

I have a 6' sq bench with all my wood stored undernieth that gives me 360deg access and a 3'x6' bench that is belly high on wheel with drawers for general storage and outlets on each end for power tools. Next is work benchs all along my walls with separate work areas, engine work, electrical work, and bench top power tools.
Edwin

RE: Workbench layout
 

My bench is an Island, so it's easy to get to all
sides while building.

Bob

RE: Workbench layout
 

I wish I had the room for an island.  It would be awesome to have that kind of access.

RE: Workbench layout
 

Me too.
I bought a big giant shed for modelling but hubby has filled it with his bee-keeping toot. I can just get in the door, sideways now.

RE: Workbench layout
 

I like to have one bench firmly attached to a wall so I can mount my vise there and pound on whatever I need to without the bench moving, then a separate, free-standing table for 360 degree access

RE: Workbench layout
 

I have three. Two are mounted to the wall and are dead flat and level. I have a fold away table I made from a hollow core door, 1x4's and folding legs.

RE: Workbench layout
 

I built this one using a couple of free cabenits and a $2.00 . 36in door slab . My shop is pretty good size , which makes it nice for walking around.

RE: Workbench layout
 

Insanemoondoggie,
I am planning the same thing only while Lams mounted on casters to make it mobile,, I'm banished to the basement for now unfortunately
Maybe next year when I get Garage heat thing will change ;)

RE: Workbench layout
 

Thats a good idea. I should have made a frame to set the cabinets on but since it's rarely moved it works out O.K
I had to buy a new slab this year ,as I split the cases on a motorcycle on it and the wieght warped the door a smudge . I should have known better. but another $2.00 door slab , fixed her right up.

RE: Workbench layout
 

Banished to the basement???

You make it sound like a BAD thing!

That's my favorite place to be! :D

RE: Workbench layout
 

I've seen his basement!!!!Getting banished there is more of a reward than a punishment!!!!;)

Ken

RE: Workbench layout
 

Really?? I'll have to change the locks

RE: Workbench layout
 

This reminds me of the time I was sitting at the computer (in the basement) and my wife came down there and started looking around suspiciously with a finger on her chin.

I said, "What are you looking at?"

She said, "Well, I was thinking... If we knocked this wall out, and made that one a half-wall, we'd have a big room for when we have a lot of people over."

I said, "Come with me." and I took her by the elbow and gently escorted her back upstairs. When she reached the top of the stairs, I closed the door between us and went back down.

I think she got the hint :D

RE: Workbench layout
 

Mike,
 Time to show the video again!!!!

Ken

RE: Workbench layout
 

Bigger than my entire house from the looks of it.

RE: Workbench layout
 

Must have been a Harley-Ferguson

RE: Workbench layout
 

Cabinets like that work great. In my old house (when I was single) I got several kitchen cabinets for free that were pulled out during remodeling jobs and put them around the perimeter of the garage. I made wood tops for them banded with oak. Once they were all painted to match, it looked great. I even had a rolling bench that was stored against a wall but could be pulled out into the center of the room. I had to build my upper cabinets though but that was no big deal. I just did poplar face frames held together with pocket screws on plywood boxes, adjustable shelves, etc. I miss that garage. My current one is actually a little bigger but the wife's car is in there.

RE: Workbench layout
 

I have 4 benches in my shop. Building bench which is an island, power tool bench, glue and misc storage bench then a finish table or just crap storage. I like to have the build and power bench close to eliminate steps. Setup is the general rule of a kitchen-Triangle shape-this helps in overall steps.

RE: Workbench layout
 

For a fixed bench I bought 12 ft piece of kitchen counter top, which had been lightly damaged on the edge. It was $12.00 dollars. I set it up on cabinets, with a good opening in the middle to get a chair under. If you take your time to look around , you can find some pretty good deals on construction material.