Garage/Workshop
Garage-workshop conversion
LATEST NEWS
HOME PAGE FITTING OUT & PROJECT PAGES. PROJECT 1.
Bandsaw Installation & Configuration.

PROJECT 2.
Constructing a Workbench
(This page)

PROJECT 3.
Making a Wood-turning Sandpaper Dispenser.
PROJECT 4.
Log Cutting Sled Jigs for the Bandsaw.
PROJECT 5.
Making a Chainsaw Horse.
PROJECT 6.
An Electric Chainsaw Mill.

Woodturning Topics
Laburnum bowl
WOOD-TURNING
PROJECTS
Current Wood-Turning Project
Walnut Wood.
WT PROJECT 1
Making Belaying Pins
WT PROJECT 2
Experimental Drying
WT PROJECT 3
Walnut Platter.
WT PROJECT 4
Turning Green Cherry.

Workshop Fitting Out & Project Pages.


Constructing a Small Workbench.

A small workshop can only accommodate a small workbench and this page describes the construction of a very simple workbench with drawers, designed to fit the available space exactly.

Sketch plan of workbench. Sketch plan of Workbench.

Sketch plan of workbench (taken from a Sketchup drawing), showing the dimensions of the framework. Construction was of softwood 94mm x 94mm (for the legs),95mm x 45mm (for the cross pieces), held together with a series of 12mm diameter square-headed coach bolts and wood-screws.

(Click picture for larger view)

Interactive drawing of workbench framework. Interactive Drawing of the Bench Framework.

Interactive Sketchup 3D-drawing, of the completed bench framework.

(Click picture to view the interactive drawing)

Workbench frame, as constructed. Workbench frame, as constructed.

This shows the workbench frame after construction and bolting together with 12mm diameter coach bolts. It is essential to drill the 12mm bolt holes as true and as accurately as possible. A drill press is the recommended option for doing this and was used for drilling all the holes in the component pieces.

(Click picture for larger view)

Detailed photograph of bolting. Detail of Bolting.

This shows how square-headed coach bolts were used to fasten the bench framework together. These bolts were ideal for this project.

Top tip for this project; accurate drilling of the 12mm bolt holes is essential - after marking out, use a drill press to drill the holes for maximum precision and to ensure that the holes are drilled at right-angles to the wooden components.

(Click picture for larger view)

Sketch plan of workbench with top. Sketch plan of workbench with top.

Sketch plan of workbench (taken from a Sketchup drawing), showing the 40mm Beech worktop in place.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of workbench with Beech top. Photograph of workbench with Beech top.

The workbench as constructed, showing the 40mm Beech worktop in place.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of right hand drawer runners. Photograph of drawer runners (right hand side of workbench).

The self-closing drawer runners were screwed to an 18mm thick plywood support board. The board was secured by screwing to the workbench legs.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of left hand drawer runners. Photograph of drawer runners (left hand side of workbench).

The self-closing drawer runners were screwed to an 18mm thick plywood support board. The board was secured by screwing to the workbench frame using four modesty blocks (plastic fixing blocks).

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of drawer. Photograph of drawer.

Photograph of drawer showing construction and how the runners were attached. The drawer sides were constructed from 12mm thick plywood whilst the bases were made of mdf (Medium-density fibreboard).

(Click picture for larger view)

Drawing of completed workbench. Drawing of Completed Workbench.

Taken from a Sketchup drawing, showing completed workbench with six fitted plywood drawers.

(Click picture for larger view)

Interactive drawing of completed workbench. Interactive drawing of completed workbench.

Interactive Sketchup 3D-drawing, of the completed bench.

(Click picture to view the interactive drawing)

Photograph of completed workbench. Photograph of completed workbench.

Workbench shown in position in the workshop, ready for use!

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of completed workbench, drawers in use. Photograph of completed workbench, drawers in use.

Bench shown with drawers partially open and in use for storage!

(Click picture for larger view)


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