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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Pat on August 14, 2012, 12:50:05 PM
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I am getting ready to start building again. Can anyone give me ideas of the best way to build a construction table/work bench?
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Speed up the results and save your building energy for models. Go to Harbor Fright! y1 Steve
http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-workbench-93454.html
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I bought that exact same bench last year and it is absolutely great. I bought it on sale plus I had a coupon for an additional $25 off. I think between the sale price and the coupon, I brought it home for around $100. If you order by mail or on-line, the shipping costs might be high. I bought mine at a store that was almost two hours away, but it was worth the trip.
I put a glass top on mine.
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But, it doesn't look like you can sit at it. I build sitting down. And the width is only 20".
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I use an old 6 person kitchen table (butcher block style) handed down from a friend.
As his wife said - "It was the last piece of furniture from the ex-wife, and I want it gone!" Chairs too, can't beat free!
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But, it doesn't look like you can sit at it. I build sitting down. And the width is only 20".
I actually raised mine up by attaching 4X4 risers and locking casters. Bob Hunt recommends a bench that allows you to walk around. My shop is small, so I can put it where is best, depending on the project. The 20" width was a concern for me at first, but it is plenty wide enough to build a wing and tail feathers at the same time. Once the wing is done, it can come off and a fuselage can be built. I can move it against the wall if I want to.
I raised it up because I like to build standing up to save my back. However, if I want to sit, I have a shop stool that I use.
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Thanks for the quick replies guys, I will look into the harbor freight bench. I understand putting glass on top of it, but what do you guys put on the glass to pin to?
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You could go to a secound hand store and get a cheap (but sturdy) dresser with drawers and find an old solid door which are usually perfectly flat and use that. I use dry wall when I want to pin.
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I don't use pins. I use jigs and weights with small clamps where needed. Lots of kits today have jig feet built right in, so you can tape the plans down and build right over them. CA adhesives have made this very easy.
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But, it doesn't look like you can sit at it. I build sitting down. And the width is only 20".
A drafting chair has about 18" of travel. Find one of these at an office supply store used. These are not task chairs. They are special chairs for working at drafting boards. Then you can sit or stand.
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I have glass tops on my benches and use one of the Great Planes building boards if I have to pin anything down. Plus I also use them when I use a wing jig. I pat the plans on the board, place the plan protector over the plan and then pin the jig fixtures to the board.
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A lot more guys are actually standing at their building table, than I ever would have realized. Must be all those ARFS,where you can whip them out quick. LL~
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Larry,
I will look into the great planes building board. Thanks!
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A lot more guys are actually standing at their building table, than I ever would have realized. Must be all those ARFS,where you can whip them out quick. LL~
I always sand up when I'm building - I sit down all day at work and its nice to stand up - what's funny about standing up to build? or is it an old guy thing?
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I always sand up when I'm building - I sit down all day at work and its nice to stand up - what's funny about standing up to build? or is it an old guy thing?
I stand up to do like, final assembly. But I had no idea so many guys build standing- up honest. Standing up to build would seem like a young mans thing. I guess I'm the old man here. :'(
Now that I think about it, i've always built sitting down. Even as a little kid- whipping up those Magicians-always sitting down.
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My workbench is pretty big. 10' long X 4' wide, built permanently to one wall. The best top would be a sheet of 3/4" MDF. The stuff is really rigid and flat! I put it on with deck screws, so that I can replace it when it gets too full of cuts and glue!
Floyd
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a buddy gave me a full size drafting table. heavy duty! man is it nice. y1 rd
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Yea, I stand up, but have a tall stool I use sometimes. I have a 65"x40" bench that is built as an island so I can walk all the way around it. 2" top with solid maple. Works.
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I have a 65"x40" bench 2" top with solid maple. Works.
That sounds like the size that will get er done.
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I think I am going to go for a full length closet door with a full length mirror pre hung on it. What do you guys think?
Pat
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The door with the prehung mirror probably won't be flat. With the prehung make sure you can shim it flat.
I build on glass. I use safety glass (laminated, it doesn't easily break) and shim it flat on whatever surface I use. I put the plans under the glass. I use blue tape and weights to locate parts. With Titebond or CA there will be some adhesion to the glass. a long thin putty knife removes the assembly. A single edge razor cleans the glass.
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not sure a mirror is a good idea - they are usually 3-5mm float glass and will break EASY. go to a shower/bathroom place that does glass doors or enclosures - ask for the doors they have screwed up (holes in wrong place etc) they are usually 10mm thick and toughened.
I got my one for abox of beers - it measures 2m x 1m (approx 6 x 3 ft) I can hit it with a hammer and it wont break!!
my bench is custom made - has an 18mm thick top ....custom sized drawers etc.....will post pics if anyone is interested
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Wynn,
I will investigate that. The more I think about the mirrored door, the less I like the idea of building on a mirror.
Pat
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Steve H.
I have been watching that Harbor Freight work bench. I emailed them re: it's construction. These are their two replies.
TABLETOP:60"L X 20 1/8"W X 2 1/2"HIGH EDGE AND 7/8" THICKNESS
MATERIAL: OAK WOOD W/A NITROCELLULOSE CLEAR LACQUER FINISH.
WOOD DRAWER RAILINGS, CAST IRON END VISE, GREEN FELT LINED DRAWERS & HEAT
TRESTED HARDWARE
Mr. Blankenship,
Yes, the top is made of multiple layers that are glued together and then planed flat.
I knew it looked like a "butcher block", but now I know. When a good sale comes up I'll get one. My other work table is a Mayline "steelwood" 60" drafting table. When I got rid of all my company's equipment, I kept this and an antique oak K&E 42" easel table. That is my stand up computer table.
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I was told by Harbor Freight here, that the work bench in question was on back order, with no idea when they would come in. ???