Five pages of "I like to screw 2x4s together and slap plywood onto that."
There are other very important things to consider whether building or buying benches.
- Standing workbenches need toe space at the floor level of the bench. Kitchen or bathroom cabinets come designed this way from the factory.
- Sitting benches require that the top overhang the support structure, simply from the standpoint that you have a place for your knees to go when sitting without straining your back leaning over to reach the bench. This overhang can be reinforced properly to avoid flexing.
- Lighting is imperative and should have more consideration than just a couple of fluorescent fixtures hanging from the ceiling.
Use under cabinet lighting if you use over bench cabinets.
Use some type of lighting in your under bench cabinets such as smaller LED fluorescent fixtures or those strands of tiny LED bulbs. I use pressure switches in the doors to prevent these lights from being on all the time you're working.
Directional lighting to prevent and banish shadows from all the down lights and where you need readable light especially in corners.
- Plan for and install more electrical than you think you need. This is more crucial nowadays than ever before with all the electronic/digital equipment we think we have to have. There is nothing worse to deal with than extension cords or those multi-plugs on the floor. Don't forget computers, TV, electronic scales, etc, etc, etc. Make a list of all the electronics needing a plug and where these will be positioned. Longer strips of multi-plugs screwed to the wall under the work surface can be handy.
- Think ahead for wire management, where will all those cords go? Under the bench using zip ties for bundles or wire staples for random pathways. This keeps your bench clear for the work meant to done not cords in the way.
- Over bench cabinets should be narrow in depth so you can see what you have not shuffle other stuff out of the way to find what you need.
Bottom cabinets with that much depth become catchalls for the stuff we'll never remember we have and can't find when we need it. Use bleacher-type shelves that are higher in the back, tiered, work wonders when you light the cabinet also.
(no toes space here, really stupid...)
- Pegboard is one of the wonders of the world for staying organized and being able to find that tool you need when you need it! Cabinet drawers become more catchall space that you have to dig through.
This is just an example of accessories available for pegboard besides hangers for tools.
- Rolling cabinets can be stashed under a work surface when not needed but pulled out for more table top work space.
For those who want to get a good bench with pegboard and drawers complete:
Seville HD for about $160.00/each. Lighted with two drawers. I have used these in a very condensed shop space with great success. Tools can hang or put into drawers for some dust prevention.
So rather than just making that trip to the lumber yard for 2x4s, spend a couple of hours really thinking about how you work and what it takes to make that work easier.
Enjoy!
consider mounting to a 2x4 a handful of cheap Lee single stage presses to hold universal decapper, mandrel dies and even seating dies. The 2x4 can be c clamped to the side when needed and hung on the wall when not needed.
