THe NAC Lots-O-BFG KO2 Thread

[MoparManiac]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

You guys that have built workbenches/shelves, any useful tips?

When we did the 3 car garage at my parents house, we just used home depot shelving brackets and plywood for shelves and framed out a workbench with 2x4s and some 1/2" plywood for the top. Worked fine, just wondering if there's a better way. If not, just going to grab some of that stuff in the upcoming weeks and get busy stripping/reorganizing the garage.

 

[kastein]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

I did the same thing, except I used 3/4 ply.

When I do the ones for the basement I'm probably going the same route but will be putting a sacrificial top over the 3/4 so I can put a new $10 piece of 1/4 plywood or MDF down every few years, or spring for a piece of steel plate if I get tired of doing that.

 

[dukie564]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

yup same way i built mine, except I used a heavy ass solid core door for my top - sturdy as shit.

I like the sacrificial layer idea Ken has though

 

[RCman]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

You guys that have built workbenches/shelves, any useful tips?

When we did the 3 car garage at my parents house, we just used home depot shelving brackets and plywood for shelves and framed out a workbench with 2x4s and some 1/2" plywood for the top. Worked fine, just wondering if there's a better way. If not, just going to grab some of that stuff in the upcoming weeks and get busy stripping/reorganizing the garage.

IDK, I built mine to support a tank. I don't like any bounce on my workbench.

I used 3/4 birch ply for the top of mine with a 3/4" x 1" hickory hardwood edge (scrap from the flooring).

 

[billyjp2]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

IDK, I built mine to support a tank. I don't like any bounce on my workbench.

I used 3/4 birch ply for the top of mine with a 3/4" x 1" hickory hardwood edge (scrap from the flooring).

If that were my bench that window would get smashed so fast.

 

[chedisme]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

what happen to the Power Block and Xtreme 4x4? I just saw it on NBC sports and its called Power time and Xtreme offroad?

and I would go for 3/4 ply and I also like ths sacrificial layer Idea. so 3/4 and 1/2in on top having give in the bench really makes hitting things with hammers suck.

 

[squashman702]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

what happen to the Power Block and Xtreme 4x4? I just saw it on NBC sports and its called Power time and Xtreme offroad?

Same exact shows and hosts, just different names. Watched the first two on Sunday while I was doing some stuff for work.

 

[chedisme]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

I figured that dufus I watched them. its just weird that they jumpd ship but spike kept the rights to the names?

makes me think the shows weren't sold but the whole power block wasent happy and left.

 

[foxwar71]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Ha, you guys use plywood!! I use 2" thick solid bamboo tops. Stuff is damn near indestructible, you can hit it with a sledge hammer and barely even make a dent, if at all. I like a real solid top that doesn't have any bounce to it when working on it, also a lot easier to mount bench grinders/vices/etc too.

 

[dukie564]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

mine is solid and heavier than yours so nah nah nah boo boo

 

[sheepjeep]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

ok got word from the people selling the tables at work, they don't want people reselling them for profit so i only got approved for 2 tables out of the 8 and if there is any leftovers i might get those. obviously I am keeping one

 

[chedisme]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Ha, you guys use plywood!! I use 2" thick solid bamboo tops. Stuff is damn near indestructible, you can hit it with a sledge hammer and barely even make a dent, if at all. I like a real solid top that doesn't have any bounce to it when working on it, also a lot easier to mount bench grinders/vices/etc too.

I figured he was trying to be cheap as possible.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Doesn't matter how big your workbench is, whenever you need to use it its always gonna full of shit

 

[chedisme]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

its just a big shelf

 

[dukie564]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

this is true

 

[squashman702]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

I figured that dufus I watched them. its just weird that they jumpd ship but spike kept the rights to the names?

makes me think the shows weren't sold but the whole power block wasent happy and left.

They weren't on Spike? Didn't even notice, just looked in the guide for 4x4 TRUCK SHOW BIGFOOT RACECAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Spike dropped extreme 4x4, it was last minute that they picked up his new show

 

[RCman]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

If that were my bench that window would get smashed so fast.

That was one of the main things I wanted was natural light in the shop. That was the biggest window I could fit in there without losing bench height or space within a reasonable price range.
I have all that bench space further down if things get hairy with flying objects.

Ha, you guys use plywood!! I use 2" thick solid bamboo tops. Stuff is damn near indestructible, you can hit it with a sledge hammer and barely even make a dent, if at all. I like a real solid top that doesn't have any bounce to it when working on it, also a lot easier to mount bench grinders/vices/etc too.

Not all of us have access to that.
My entire bench was free or recycled material save the ply top.
How much would 17'9" x 32" of that bamboo cost me?

Doesn't matter how big your workbench is, whenever you need to use it its always gonna full of shit

Truth!

 

[MoparManiac]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Justin I love the solid core door idea. I think I'm gonna go that route. Thanks everyone.

 

[vetteboy]

Re: THe NAC Lots-O-Post Thread

Ha, you guys use plywood!!

Ha, you guys use wood!

Having the whole bench (including mounted vise) be a ground for the welder is pretty nice. And the ability to wipe up whatever and not have it soak in or stain.

This is how it started:

and what's behind the pegboard:

Doesn't matter how big your workbench is, whenever you need to use it its always gonna full of shit

Only if you let it.

Unless I'm actively working on something, I rarely leave mine much more cluttered than in that pic. Including at the end of a day whether I finished what I was doing or not. If something's on that surface, that means it doesn't have a spot, which means it either doesn't belong in the shop in the first place or I need to find a more permanent home for it.

There is definitely such a thing as "too much" workbench space, because by the above logic, unless you've got multiple concurrent projects, that space is either just collecting crap or occupying floor area. Mine is 2' x 10' and I can't think of many tasks that I'd need a larger bench for. My advice would be to get all your tools there and see how that all fits, and develop a plan for workflow. In my case, the left side of the bench is the 'dirty work' area, which is why all the welding/layout/grinding/finishing stuff and the vice is over there. Following that to the left side of the room, which is where the pedestal grinder, chop saw, notcher, metal racks, etc all reside. The right side of the bench/room is for tools (I don't like the drill press where it is and will likely relocate that to the dirty side), tool storage, bolt bins, and then the two other rooms. It's not perfect but it keeps commonly used things all near each other and mostly keeps grinder dust/dirt/etc away from my tools and in a relatively confined area for easy cleanup.

So figure that out, get all the big stuff placed, then figure out what size bench will best accomodate that - it probably doesn't need to be all that big when it comes down to it.

In the 'clean room/office' I used 3/4" melamine board, which is extremely rigid, smooth, easy to clean, doesn't absorb spills, and for what I was going for, extremely good contrast & visibility for whatever you're working on.

I used 1" corner molding along the front edge to finish it off and provide a small lip to keep things from rolling off the tabletop.