Workbench questions: Size and surface materials

[Larry Callahan]

Since I now have a real garage (small but real) I want to build a wall with cabinets and a work bench.

What works for you or what do you hate about yours? Should I go 6' or 8'? Steel top? Butcher block? Laminate?

I know I want to bolt a vise to it and the bench to the ground. I also want to be able to hammer on it and bend stuff in the vise without the bench collapsing or moving.

I also need to store a tall chair under it so I can sit at it and solder or?????

Oh, and I think about 20" deep is as far as I can go.

[72BBSwinger]

My bench top is 12' long and made out of 1 1/2 solid oak doors lol! It works excellent and I also wrapped it in 20 gauge galvanized sheet. So its now chemically resistant as well.

[sccacuda]

I would suggest two tables. A "clean" and "dirty". I use a steel table as my dirty, vice, bang on it, etc... that also incorporates a small channel on the back that dumps into a 5 gallon bucket. I have several used restaraunt stainless tables as my clean work surfaces. They are available in all different sizes, with or without back splashes and are super easy to clean.

[icemanrd19]

post your work space. Im researching the same thing now. Maybe we can help each other

[tommycomfort]

Larry, I have multiple benches and am getting ready to build a new one for the new garage/shop. I'm looking at an 8' section of bowling alley. Should be well sealed and durable.

[Ron Sutton]

I would suggest two tables. A "clean" and "dirty". I use a steel table as my dirty, vice, bang on it, etc... that also incorporates a small channel on the back that dumps into a 5 gallon bucket. I have several used restaraunt stainless tables as my clean work surfaces. They are available in all different sizes, with or without back splashes and are super easy to clean.


X2

I always need a place to beat, grind & shape metal. And you need a clean, smooth surface for assembly, lay out, etc.

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[72BBSwinger]

I have my work bench and then I have my welding table. And they're probably 20 ft apart. I recently bought a flame retardant blanket that I plan to put up as a curtain around the welding table.