by "Tripper" (tripe46)
Published 02/27/2017 at 11:35
by "Tripper" (tripe46)
Published 02/27/2017 at 11:35
No Tags
STARS: 14
I’ve been yearning for space to tinker since we bought our house almost 2 years ago. We have a little finished room in the basement where we watched movies very infrequently. So my wife suggested that I make it a workshop. This is one of the few projects that I have done where I have remembered to take some pictures along the way. So here they are.
I started the bench last weekend, and basically finished this weekend. I still have to wire in the light on the underside of the bench, sand the surface, and put a finishing board on the top. I’m also planning to integrate a PC/monitor, so that I can google things.
I got ideas from the internet, then designed what I wanted to make using “SktechUp”, then went to it. I’m designing my saw table next (miter saw, table saw, router) but first I have to junk/find a place for the rest of the crap that is in that room.
We threw out the couch that was in there but we still have one of those cheesedick electric fireplaces, brand new coffee/end tables, and a 60" TV that is just old enough to be ugly (2011/2012 thick boarder around the screen). In addition that TV is a plasma, so I can’t use it as a monitor etc...
My homeowner game was strong this weekend. I also replaced the wax ring on a leaky toilet, which was gross, but cost effective...$6.97! It was also really easy!
I hope everyone had a great weekend.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/27/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
Thus is relevant to my interests. Did you use a pattern?
"razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
02/27/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
Officially jealous. Love that shelf/pegboard combo, I could waste days in a space like that. Good job!
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
02/27/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 0
The real question is...how did you built the work bench for the workshop before you had a workship?
"xyzabc" (stackofoldwood)
02/27/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 1
Good job.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/27/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 1
Nice! I especially like how you stored the sawzall. It’s out of the way, yet accessible. And it makes use of a hollow that would probably have remained empty otherwise. Good use of space!
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
02/27/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 2
nice job
I’m already planning out walls to remove int he house i dont own yet.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 0
I found a design that I liked, then re-worked to maximize the use of one whole sheet of plywood. I wanted a 6'x30" worktop, which left with with 6'x18" for the bottom shelf, which left me with enough to cover the top (1'x6') with a 2'x1' piece left over. The frame I fit to the worktop with the CAD tool SketchUp.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
02/27/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 2
Yeah, totally stealing that great idea. Thanks for the pictures, I always tend to just jump into things and forget to take pictures.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 0
Haha on the ground outside/in the corner of that room. By photo #4 I was using the workbench as a workbench, which reminded me how badly I needed it.
I should have taken pictures of my super ghetto sawing ordeal. I have a really nice table saw and a really nice miter saw, but no saw horses...
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 2
Haha thanks it was really late and I was just sitting down there half falling asleep just staring at the bench. I was trying to think of ideas to store all of the awkward tools. Since I now have a bunch of tool bags that I’m not using I cut the straps, fused the ends and started using them for things like that. I also made loops for hammers etc... I even used the Velcro straps from an old visor-mount cd holder!
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
02/27/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 1
lol workbench-ception
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
02/27/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 2
Nice! I have one suggestion for an addition to the bench, something I’ve used countless times on my own. I’ll try to take a picture later, but it’s nothing complex.
I drilled a 1 1/2" diameter hole in the surface of the bench near the front edge, roughly in the middle - I actually have two, of different sizes. Then I drew a crosshair pattern with a straightedge so I can find the hole while holding a piece of... whatever I’m drilling through. That way you can have the whole piece of material - or at least a large part of it - over the hole, and you can drill straight through the bench. If you’re really clever, you make the hole the diameter of your vacuum hose and you can stick the hose on the hole while you’re drilling, then sweep the shavings right into the already-running vacuum.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/27/2017 at 12:13, STARS: 0
I’d love your sketch up file if you don’t mind.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0
Oh I like that idea. After I’ve got the saw table built, I will probably add that either to it or the workbench.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 0
I don’t mind, however it’s on my home NAS which is down for my next project. I’m finishing underneath the basement steps and building a cabinet to house my server, and the home theater receiver.
I do have the cut list if you’re interested. I’ll also be happy to provide the file when I’m back up in a week or so.
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
02/27/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 1
Lots of good ideas here on improving work benches from other posters. Thanks again for posting and getting this going.
Only cleaver thing I did was install and old pencil sharpener the bottom side of the top shelf.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/27/2017 at 16:57, STARS: 1
Thanks! I’ll update again with the finishing touches
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
03/02/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
Nicely done, except there’s no sofa for naptime.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
03/02/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
Yea I had to chuck a sofa that I have had since college to get enough space in the room. However, we don’t have kids yet. Thus, there’s a room upstairs dedicated to napping/board games. Floor pillows and the whole bit lol.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
03/02/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0
That sofa may have needed to go anyway. You need a Man’s Chair in there, though. And a computer screen... At least, I would need that...
"Tripper" (tripe46)
03/02/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 0
The computer screen is coming for sure I based the workbench around that idea. I’m just not sure how I want to do it yet. Option one is dismantling a monitor then I would build my own frame/case into the side of the bench. Option 2, is flush mounting an old laptop LCD right into the pegboard. Option 3 is either a flip down LCD (like you would find in a car) from the top of the bench/an arm that comes from the top shelf an allows the screen to move around.
The original design for the bench was a “budget” workbench that you can build for $50. I’m approaching 10 times that at this point so I have to start spacing out purchases. I just treated myself to a bright green tool box from Viper, socket mounts, and padding for under the bench. I also want to get a couple of masonite work surfaces. I sanded the shit out of the plywood, but it’s still splinter city.
Regarding the chair...I need it my back is killing me because I have spent so much time standing/leaning over the bench recently.
I’ll be dropping an update tomorrow.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
03/02/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 0
My best solution for a screen in the shop has been a laptop computer. Stream music and video and move it around as necessary.
$50. Right. And let me know when Elvis gets here.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
03/02/2017 at 16:09, STARS: 0
Yea a laptop makes the most sense, but I have to over complicate this aspect of the project.
Originally I was going to build a PC right into the bench, but this room is supposed to be my escape from computers. So I want the application to be minimal, just for looking up stuff when I’m working on a project.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
03/02/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
Nope. I overcomplicated several attempts to install a workstation and a screen into my work areas and have concluded that the laptop is the only way to go.