Workbench idea, please criticize!!

[Bob Gerritsen]

Hi all, planning on making a new main workbench, plus something to put the MFT on wheels. Basically for working on sheet material projects, I have an old style bench for planing by hand and such.
I've been considering ideas for a long time now and am fed up tinkering, I want to built something soon.

Please take a look and shoot at it, tell me what it is lacking. It is quite basic and I've considered a million fancy and nifty things but end up tossing those ideas each time for one reason or other. Right now I'm thinking a CNC'ed MFT style top and the option to clamp stuff vertically through Timtool Tim's excellent domino supports should serve me 99% of times. I've drawn round holes but will be using the Domino for it.

My thoughts so far:

- I'm hoping the Ron Paulk style top will make sure the top surface remains flat. I'll use cnc'ed MDF for this and will probably give it a coat of varnish.
- I'll be using the top with Qwas dogs and clamps to align and hold stuff in place, nu use for a vise as I have another bench for that.
- The drawers will be for materials and tools I want close by, the other cart for the MFT will be in proximity always, between those two I have plenty of drawers.
- The short sides will be for smaller clamps and such.
- The shelves underneath will be for storing the tools in use and for storing some hardwood beams I use a lot for clamping and things like that.

So please let me know what's wrong with this, what would you do differently? Don't be shy!

Cheers, Bob.

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[Bob Gerritsen]

Hmmm, as usual with me it seems the pdf isn't visible within the post....  [unsure] I would be grateful if someone could fix that, I must be doing something wrong put need to get going.

Thanks so much!

 

[neeleman]

Only pictures (JPG, WMF, BMP) can be shown as attachments or picture links from web pages, no pdf's.
Export your pdf to a picture or take a screenshot from the pdf and then transfer to a picture, et voila.

 

[ajones]

Looks good to me apart from the 6 wheels which could cause issues

 

[Kev]

If I was going to make something that big I'd probably make it in two pieces that lock together.

Needing something this size, but having it on castors indicates to me that you intend making a lot of frameless cabinets and shelving systems in your workshop ... its this accurate?

Something I like to be able to do is stand hard up against my benches with my feed under the lower front rail, otherwise I find I'm leaning forward uncomfortably - I'd consider the castor height carefully.

Generally I feel benches are very personal things and they must work for you, your space and your projects - so it's hard to be critical without knowing heaps more.

Kev

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Only pictures (JPG, WMF, BMP) can be shown as attachments or picture links from web pages, no pdf's.
Export your pdf to a picture or take a screenshot from the pdf and then transfer to a picture, et voila.

Thanks Neeleman! I'll try to remember for next time.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Looks good to me apart from the 6 wheels which could cause issues

Good point, I'm going with six wheels as I fear the thing will get monster heavy and would like to prevent sag in any way I can. I could go with four wheels though and move them in a but, equalizing weight distribution. I'll think about that, thanks.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

If I was going to make something that big I'd probably make it in two pieces that lock together.

Needing something this size, but having it on castors indicates to me that you intend making a lot of frameless cabinets and shelving systems in your workshop ... its this accurate?

Something I like to be able to do is stand hard up against my benches with my feed under the lower front rail, otherwise I find I'm leaning forward uncomfortably - I'd consider the castor height carefully.

Generally I feel benches are very personal things and they must work for you, your space and your projects - so it's hard to be critical without knowing heaps more.

Kev

Well actually, also in response to the previous post, moving the bench happens about once every two weeks maybe. And I could probably work around half those times. I'm saying this because before I had the idea to get some height adjustable feet that I've seen underneath my neighbors workbench. Unfortunately he doesn't remember where he got them and has been looking for more himself without luck for a long time now. Anyway, ideally I would attach both these feet and casters, this way I could level it perfectly and roll it when I had to on occasion.

I do have some extra space to put together projects, moving the bench is strictly for cleaning and the odd weird project every now and again. So I like the option but wouldn't mind if it takes me 5 minutes to adjust the leveling feet inwards before moving the bench.

If anyone knows where I can get these feet, please do tell.

[attachimg=#]

 

[srzsrz]

You can get casters in an enormous variety of ratings, from the little things you put under a small filing cabinet to industrial stuff that will carry 23,000 lbs per caster (that's the strongest caster on McMaster-Carr, see here for their assortment). If 4 little casters isn't good enough, go for 4 slightly bigger casters.

 

[JayStPeter]

Look up "Elevator Bolts" and you'll get something that will work.

 

[junk731]

Bob

A lot of times I use the Festool Clamps by inserting them up through from the bottom of the 20mm hole, with the shelf so close this way of clamping is not possible.

John

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

@srzsrz: You're right, I've got some serious casters on my current bench and they can take quite a load. I do like the idea of adding the 'elevator bolts' as this will allow me to very precisely level and flatten the top surface. No twist will come in handy when glueing up stuff.

@JayStPeter: I've searched that just now but can only find smaller bolts this quickly. It would also help if it has something to put a screwdriver behind to turn it. I'll look some more though when I have some more time. Thanks!

@junk: That's a good point. Any idea what a minimum is?