eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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Jan 28, 2020 11:20:27 GMT
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Hi all, I want to spend my birthday money plus some extra on a workbench for my garage. I have a few requirements: - 1800/1900 max length - at least two levels - possibly including drawers or cabinets - on wheels - Max price inc. delivery 350 euro's. As I'm in the Netherlands I'm mostly searching for your tips or preferences as I've not yet ever had a decent workbench. I've been looking at things like this: 123magazijninrichting.nl/werkbanken/stow-werkbank-op-wielen-met-rem1800-950-1000-mm-2-niveaus/But by the time I have it delivered at my door it's 450 in my configuration (two levels and on wheels). The benefits I see are that the wheels mean I can use it in any spot in my garage or even outside. The lower level can be filled with almost anything and it's a deep model so large objects like a drill press aren't in the way and it's really heavy duty. Hammering on the top or putting my vice on will not result in bending or stuff bouncing about... The drawback I see is that it is likely to be messy and harder to keep clean as it's all open and no drawers for any tools. Alternatively there are these types: www.hornbach.nl/shop/KUePPER-Werkbank-170-cm-zilver-zwart-2-deuren-6-laden/3205570/artikel.htmlWithin budget is a good start. Benefits are clean storage and tools can be put in drawers. Drawbacks are I need to ad my own wheels, the surface is only 600mm deep, built from steel plating so half as strong as the one above. Although I think that will mostly be in theory, cause I don't see myself loading it with 300kg's ever. A final alternative I saw here on a Garage build thread, was where someone had made his own rolling benches from regular wood, built around some store bought tool chests. Looked awesome and would also fit in with my other wood built shelving. My fears are that the tool chests will be rather expensive as will the wheels and a thick top board. Also it will probably be able to carry less load. Well, there's my thoughts... now what are yours!?!? |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,712
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Workbench adviceDez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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Jan 28, 2020 11:54:52 GMT
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450 quid for some offcuts of pallet racking with some chipboard chucked on it and some wheels nailed on is nuts. I made one similar as a quick temporary job for my workshop, but with a shelf below and 2.6m long, top is 40mm thick. It cost about £100. I could have done it for less but I wanted everything quickly and as local as possible. Pallet racking is cheap to buy second hand (especially short uprights) and i bought two fire doors to make the top. I did that as it was the cheapest way to get some thick hefty wood. They were new and unused, 30” wide so I ripped about 6” off one edge and screwed it to the back as an upstand.  |
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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Jan 28, 2020 12:29:08 GMT
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450 quid for some offcuts of pallet racking with some chipboard chucked on it and some wheels nailed on is nuts. I made one similar as a quick temporary job for my workshop, but with a shelf below and 2.6m long, top is 40mm thick. It cost about £100. I could have done it for less but I wanted everything quickly and as local as possible. Pallet racking is cheap to buy second hand (especially short uprights) and i bought two fire doors to make the top. I did that as it was the cheapest way to get some thick hefty wood. They were new and unused, 30” wide so I ripped about 6” off one edge and screwed it to the back as an upstand. I never thought of trying to find the parts second hand. Will see what is out there locally... Good idea! |
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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Jan 28, 2020 15:42:44 GMT
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Not yet having much luck finding these pallet racking parts second hand over here...
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Jan 28, 2020 21:23:43 GMT
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My advice would be make it heavy. Most shop bought things will follow you around the garage when you have something stubborn in the vice and are swinging on 3 feet of scaffold trying to undo it. Dez' above looks about right, with extra ballast from oily gubbins storage underneath.
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,107 
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I am seriously considering bolting my bench to the floor, and my bench is very heavy already. I also would reccomend making one up or reusing industrial racking like Dez.
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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With a small garage I need the work bench to be mobile. Well at least I think that's what I need. It gives me the opportunity to always create enough room for my projects.
I very much agree though, heavy duty is good, hence looking at the ones made from pallet racking stuff. With a thick and heavy top on them. I realise that being mobile the weight will be a compromise. Heavy is good, immovable defeats the purpose.
But your advise that it's good to have the workbench secured so it can't move as it is sometimes a nuisance that the bench is mobile is well taken. If I go for a mobile bench, I'll see about some putting some ankers in the wall that can easily be fastened to the workbench.
I'll see if I can get the raw materials from somewhere, as I agree with Dez that 450 is insane for what it really is...
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,341
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Workbench advicemylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
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I built mine from 2x4" wood (pallet rack shelving) that my old work place were giving away. The top is 3 layers of 18mm plywood from a very large packing crate, also obtained from my old work place. The frame is held together with leftover roofing screws (~8mm diameter and 150mm long). It's too big really; over 1m deep, over 2m long and over 1m high - but I can store a LOT under it, on it and it's got a big Record vice bolted to it that doesn't move. I previously dragged some old box section frames from a bush at another old workplace, took them to TAB ( link) and they bolted 150mm square fence posts to the top to create the indestructibench TMSee what you can find locally second hand and repurpose |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,712
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Workbench adviceDez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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Jan 29, 2020 10:17:37 GMT
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That’s a good point mylittletonyI find if I bench is too deep it just ends up as a dumping ground for things that really should have homes elsewhere. hence me cutting this one down a bit depth wise. For a bench against a wall I’d go 2 foot deep maximum, in my old setup I had a couple that were only 18” and they worked really well too. For an island bench I’d go a bit deeper, but then they’re a waste of space in a different way. |
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Jan 29, 2020 10:32:55 GMT
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I would recommend looking at liquidation auctions and agricultural sales. I got the blue bench in the pic at a sale for £10. Best part is I got three, two with vices on. Red one is home made from second hand 50mm box, probably £30 in it. Or just thought if you cant make one try a local small fabrication business. Custom made and probably cheaper than you would expect.  |
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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Jan 29, 2020 12:28:53 GMT
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I would recommend looking at liquidation auctions and agricultural sales. I got the blue bench in the pic at a sale for £10. Best part is I got three, two with vices on. Red one is home made from second hand 50mm box, probably £30 in it. Or just thought if you cant make one try a local small fabrication business. Custom made and probably cheaper than you would expect. I always like the "lived" look of a workbench or garage space in general that looks like it's been used for it's purpose. The atmosphere is just so attractive to me... I've spend a fair amount of time looking at what's available online second hand. Both in materials and finished articles, but so far I'm appalled by the cost of second hand workbenches. The character they gain over their life span apparantly inflates prices to the ridiculous! As for raw materials I guess I'm not very good at looking as I can't find what I'm looking for at all... |
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Jan 29, 2020 13:08:42 GMT
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Have a drive round local factories or industrial estates, looking for piles of racking dumped in yards. Then go and ask if you can have a few bits. You may get lucky.
There's a massive pile of it where I work, so other places may be the same.
😃
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melle
South West
It'll come out in the wash.
Posts: 1,983
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You're not going to find free/ cheap pallet racking in NL.
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www.saabv4.com'70 Saab 96 V4 "The Devil's Own V4" '77 Saab 95 V4 van conversion project '88 Saab 900i 8V
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If you're handy with wood or a welder, have a look on YouTube. Lots of good diy videos of how to make workbenches (lots of bad videos as well though lol)
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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You're not going to find free/ cheap pallet racking in NL. That is my experience so far. We have dome spare stuff at work, but chances of getting the parts I'd need are slim and I'd need to adapt them. Would be a cool way to try out my ancient arc welder... |
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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If you're handy with wood or a welder, have a look on YouTube. Lots of good diy videos of how to make workbenches (lots of bad videos as well though lol) Thanks, I'm new to the idea of looking on youtube for such things. It makes sense in today's world though. I'm currently learning towards a wood build, but if work comes through with the metal bits that may change... |
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Is there a problem buying steel where you are? I can get 7.5 meters of 50 x 50 mm box for about £30. Delivery extra but if you buy plenty delivery is free. You should be able to build quite a bench for your 350 euros.
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,487
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Is there a problem buying steel where you are? I can get 7.5 meters of 50 x 50 mm box for about £30. Delivery extra but if you buy plenty delivery is free. You should be able to build quite a bench for your 350 euros. No, steel supplies would not be the problem per se. But I'm no welder. So building one out of metal from scratch I'd need help with... the kit forms are basically great, but the problem is the ridiculous price. You do make me wonder though. I have an arc welder that I could learn to use. On these thick walled pieces there less to go wrong... Hmm...even more to consider... |
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melle
South West
It'll come out in the wash.
Posts: 1,983
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Perhaps design one that bolts together? Not sure where you are, but I can highly recommend Hardeman in Veenendaal for materials; if you're not local to them they deliver nationwide foc for orders >€250 ex BTW.
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www.saabv4.com'70 Saab 96 V4 "The Devil's Own V4" '77 Saab 95 V4 van conversion project '88 Saab 900i 8V
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If you're handy with wood or a welder, have a look on YouTube. Lots of good diy videos of how to make workbenches (lots of bad videos as well though lol) Thanks, I'm new to the idea of looking on youtube for such things. It makes sense in today's world though. I'm currently learning towards a wood build, but if work comes through with the metal bits that may change... Make one out of uni strut. All just bolts together. Can make it exactly how you like. |
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1994 BMW 525i touring
2004 BMW Z4 sorn and broken
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1999 Mazda B2500 daily driver.
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