Any advise on workbench build?

[Spyros]

a) Drawers is where tools go to die.  In 3 days you will forget what's in them and probably never use it again.  Hang as much as you can on the walls and yes even from the ceiling as Fred wisely said.

b) More important than the shape of the bench is the position of the bench.  Ideal is: One of the short sides against the wall with the other 3 sides free so you can walk around the bench instead of having to rotate long pieces to cut them.  The 4th side should be bolted on the wall, and the feet bolted on the floor, for stability so you can bang and cut things on the bench without it moving and rocking under you.

c) Even more important than the position of the bench is the surface of the bench.  Ideally you want one bench with a surface that nothing sticks on it so you can use it for gluing and dying and then you can actually clean it and keep it spotlessly clean, and the best surface for that is formply (the black stuff they sell at the hardware store for concrete pours, not even epoxy sticks on it).  And then another bench with a soft surface for punching and cutting without damaging your tools, the ideal material is 15mm or thicker high density polyethylene (HDPE).  Whatever surface you decide to use keep the mounting really really simple: 4 to 6 screws is enough, so you can flip it over when it's worn out.  If you don't have room for 2 benches you can divide the surface half and half, or simply use formply and throw a cutting mat on when cutting and punching.  I'm a big fan of formply.

d) Bench accessories are important to plan for, make sure you can actually mount them in a way that is convenient to your workflow.   A tabletop stitching pony will not mount on a bench if the edge of the bench is too thick.  A woodworking vice with wide jaws dressed with leather is actually very useful for pressing glued items uniformly instead of hammering them, or just holding them up for painted edges to dry.    A pair of long sticks are useful for holding a belt up for edge dying, ideally you want those sticks easy to mount on the edge of your bench.  A shallow hole on the bench is great for popping in those concave metal bases for pressing hardware like snaps and rivets on big pieces of leather that don't fit under a hardware press.  A hook hanging over the bench is sometimes convenient for hanging big/floppy projects for stitching in awkward locations.  A few holes with threaded inserts *might* be useful for mounting and removing machines like tabletop skivers.  If I was making my bench again I would also make a porthole with a big rubbish bin underneath to quickly sweep offcuts.  

 

[Spyros]

If you buy HDPE dont buy black.  You put a black piece of leather on and you cant see jack ****

[Hairic]

5 hours ago, HaloJones said:

As long as it suits your working ways should be fine.

I am in a similar position, the space I have is 3x4m I plan on a long workbench along one length with storage behind me, under the bench will be a tool box on wheels to pull out as I need, and some form of leather storage 

what I am still trying to nail is the height of the bench, what did you opt for?

As it sits is 36.5 inches, with casters should be about 38 inches.

 

5 hours ago, Klara said:

Where are you planning on storing your leather?

I have it under my improvised cutting table, easily accessible and out of direct light. For tool storage I am a huge fan of magnetic rails on the wall within easy reach. 

Have you checked out the YouTube videos on leather workshops? There are quite a few where people show off their new space.

 

I have watched several videos and seen lots of great ideas that I will implement later on, Really I want this bench to be able to hold everything while I learn better methods, But want it to be able to hold bulk items like glues, snaps, buckles, rivets, hardware in general.  My leather, I plan to build a cabinet style shelf and will roll my leather up around a rod so to speak and hang the rods horizontally, sides and such that is, smaller leather I'm not sure about just yet lol

 

5 hours ago, toxo said:

I think you just like playing with Sketch Up.

Lol it is fun! 

 

4 hours ago, Spyros said:

a) Drawers is where tools go to die.  In 3 days you will forget what's in them and probably never use it again.  Hang as much as you can on the walls and yes even from the ceiling as Fred wisely said.

b) More important than the shape of the bench is the position of the bench.  Ideal is: One of the short sides against the wall with the other 3 sides free so you can walk around the bench instead of having to rotate long pieces to cut them.  The 4th side should be bolted on the wall, and the feet bolted on the floor, for stability so you can bang and cut things on the bench without it moving and rocking under you.

c) Even more important than the position of the bench is the surface of the bench.  Ideally you want one bench with a surface that nothing sticks on it so you can use it for gluing and dying and then you can actually clean it and keep it spotlessly clean, and the best surface for that is formply (the black stuff they sell at the hardware store for concrete pours, not even epoxy sticks on it).  And then another bench with a soft surface for punching and cutting without damaging your tools, the ideal material is 15mm or thicker high density polyethylene (HDPE).  Whatever surface you decide to use keep the mounting really really simple: 4 to 6 screws is enough, so you can flip it over when it's worn out.  If you don't have room for 2 benches you can divide the surface half and half, or simply use formply and throw a cutting mat on when cutting and punching.  I'm a big fan of formply.

d) Bench accessories are important to plan for, make sure you can actually mount them in a way that is convenient to your workflow.   A tabletop stitching pony will not mount on a bench if the edge of the bench is too thick.  A woodworking vice with wide jaws dressed with leather is actually very useful for pressing glued items uniformly instead of hammering them, or just holding them up for painted edges to dry.    A pair of long sticks are useful for holding a belt up for edge dying, ideally you want those sticks easy to mount on the edge of your bench.  A shallow hole on the bench is great for popping in those concave metal bases for pressing hardware like snaps and rivets on big pieces of leather that don't fit under a hardware press.  A hook hanging over the bench is sometimes convenient for hanging big/floppy projects for stitching in awkward locations.  A few holes with threaded inserts *might* be useful for mounting and removing machines like tabletop skivers.  If I was making my bench again I would also make a porthole with a big rubbish bin underneath to quickly sweep offcuts.  

 

I was a mechanic for over 15 years and worked religiously out of drawers lol, that's probable why I am going towards this design actually, every thing has a place and I learn that place and it becomes fluid. However that does not mean I wont change it up someday.  I plan to have the bench just as you said, with one side towards wall and three open sides, I was originally going to place it in the middle and 4 open sides but who knows, it will be on casters so I might change it lol. The top I got for it is more like an HDPE at about 1/4 inch thick, I went back to check what it actually is and it does not say, I still have it rolled up, should probably open it and look at it lol.  Those are all good ideas for sure, I have two woodworking vises on one of my woodshop benches, they are extremely handy, not sure why I didn't think about incorporating one or so on this bench.  Probably cause I'm Kinda rushing it as my sewing machine will be here tomorrow and really want this bench done so I can figure things out by early next week. 

And the top is white! lol I really wanted a black mat but did not want to spend 500 bucks on one, so I opted for this one.

Edited March 17, 2022 by Hairic

[Thescandall]

I built mine to retract to the ceiling. It’s 4x8 with metal angles around the perimeter. Bought a hoist at northern tool and beefed up the ceiling and rafters. Now if I’m not using it I just push a button and up it goes. 

[Spyros]

15 hours ago, Hairic said:

I was a mechanic for over 15 years and worked religiously out of drawers lol

Ahh you're one of them LOL

Ok, it can be done I guess, your brain must be much more organised than mine... for me all tools have to be on magnetic strips on the wall,  anything that doesn't stick to the magnets I hang it from nails, and anything that doesn't hang I've made a couple of blocks on wood with holes in them and I stick it in there so I can see it.  Otherwise I literally do not remember what tools I own.

[Hairic]

20 minutes ago, Spyros said:

Ahh you're one of them LOL

Ok, it can be done I guess, your brain must be much more organised than mine... for me all tools have to be on magnetic strips on the wall,  anything that doesn't stick to the magnets I hang it from nails, and anything that doesn't hang I've made a couple of blocks on wood with holes in them and I stick it in there so I can see it.  Otherwise I literally do not remember what tools I own.

Lol yes sir, Takes a little time to remember things then it becomes natural, everything has to have its place haha.. I guarantee I have tools hanging in no time though.  Actually one of the things I still have to figure out is what to do with all my mechanic tools that I have that shop right now... running out of room fast lol

[Spyros]

19 minutes ago, Hairic said:

Lol yes sir, Takes a little time to remember things then it becomes natural, everything has to have its place haha.. I guarantee I have tools hanging in no time though.  Actually one of the things I still have to figure out is what to do with all my mechanic tools that I have that shop right now... running out of room fast lol

Sounds like you have to make a choice... some of those precious tools will need to go into those big plastic tubs in the attic or something

[toxo]

16 hours ago, Thescandall said:

I built mine to retract to the ceiling. It’s 4x8 with metal angles around the perimeter. Bought a hoist at northern tool and beefed up the ceiling and rafters. Now if I’m not using it I just push a button and up it goes. 

Great job. Wish I had a place to do that but it wouldn't work in the spare bedroom.

[Frodo]

[chuck123wapati]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

Great job. Wish I had a place to do that but it wouldn't work in the spare bedroom.

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