How Do I Build A Freestanding Mini Workbench?

[MJO]

Hi,

I'm looking to build a freestanding mini workbench to use in my office/library/computer room or move it into the family room. I'm thinking of something with a 18" x 24" footprint or maybe slightly smaller that is sturdy enough for stamping and absorbing noise but is light enough to move from room to room. I have been thinking of using 2" x 4" or 4" x 4" lumber for legs with a wooden top. I could place a removable 12" x 12" or 12" x 6" small granite or marble block on top leaving a bit of room for tools and supplies. Any pictures or plans or suggestions for me?

Thanks and regards,

Mike

[Tree Reaper]

Have you considered purchasing a workmate?

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=workmate&index=blended&link_code=qs&sourceid=Mozilla-search&tag=mozilla-20

[WinterBear]

Have you considered purchasing a workmate?

http://www.amazon.co...&tag=mozilla-20

Have one of those workmate-types and tried it. Can't tool on it--too much bounce! It's just not sturdy enough. All I use my workmate for is to clamp on lace cutters/splitters. and use as an extra surface when painting or doing some layout. For tooling, I've been thinking of making a something similar to the base of this drill press (sans casters) as I also have no room. http://www.planethart.com/projects/?PN=15

[cem]

I bought a Bekvam Kitchen trolley from ikea for a similar purpose, I've got enough bench space in my work room but the room gets cold and the natural light is lacking in winter so it's great to be able to move it around for a more sunny spot. I carve standing up so it might not be exactly what you are after but it might give you an idea to start.

[Tree Reaper]

Have one of those workmate-types and tried it. Can't tool on it--too much bounce!

Even with granite on top?

[particle]

I would suggest using dense hard wood, as opposed to white pine and/or plywood. I have a 4'x8' plywood workbench that I modeled off one of Norm Abram's plans and love it, but it's pretty loud and obviously larger than you want. But, you could study the design and incorporate the castor system.

http://follw.it/e/110643/The_New_Yankee_Workshop/14/7/Work_Table_and_Clamp_Cart

I also built a 2x4 pine table so I'd have something more sturdy for tooling which is much more quite, but not as quite as I'd hoped for. For the top, I glued a whole stack of 2x4s about 30" long until I had a nice, large work surface (3.5" thick, and about 24" deep). I have a granite slab from a countertop sink cutout that I placed on top to do my tooling on.

I've also seen people simply use a section of a tree trunk, cut flat on both ends.

[WinterBear]

Even with granite on top?

Yeah, even with. Beats me why. I was hoping it would work, and disappointed when it didn't. I don't know if it is because the legs are relatively "spindly" or if it is because the tops are some sort of compressed board. I get better results if I put the slab on the corner of a desk (but not the center) or put the slab flat on the floor.

[Tree Reaper]

Any idea what your workmate is rated for?

[WinterBear]

'Fraid not. Can't go look at the moment either. The kids have got it at the Scout Lodge with a hand-cranked sewing machine clamped to it so they can repair some old army tents. I'll take a look when I get it back though. Don't let me forget.

(pretty sure it is the 450-lb)

Edited June 27, 2013 by WinterBear

[silverwingit]

Mike, have you seen Nigel Armitage's log workstation? You could put it on casters. http://youtu.be/lCFTDqQaEIc

[MJO]

Have you considered purchasing a workmate?

http://www.amazon.co...&tag=mozilla-20

I haven't considered a workmate. Are they sturdy enough and do they have enough mass to take the pounding without transferring the noise to the floor and the rest of the house? I know that a granite block put over a damping poundo sheet will absorb a lot of the noise but does the bent sheet metal and plastic workmate have enough mass to couple with the 12x12" granite block? What has been your experience with this setup? Thanks for your suggestion.

Mike

[MJO]

I bought a Bekvam Kitchen trolley from ikea for a similar purpose, I've got enough bench space in my work room but the room gets cold and the natural light is lacking in winter so it's great to be able to move it around for a more sunny spot. I carve standing up so it might not be exactly what you are after but it might give you an idea to start.

I just looked at the Bekvan Kitchen Cart on the Ikea website. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30240348/ It looks pretty close to exactly what I was thinking of. I'm think I'm going to borrow their design concept and with cheap 2x4s and scrap plywood realize my own version. Thank you very much! Have you made modifications to it for your leatherwork bench or have you left it as is, and clear it of your tools and supplies to hide it in plain sight when not using it for leatherwork?

[MJO]

Mike, have you seen Nigel Armitage's log workstation? You could put it on casters.

I really like the

I really like the log workstation. I'll see if I can talk my tree trimmer out of a correct size piece of log with sufficient mass and strength. It may be easier than to build a bench out of 2x4s and plywood. It certainly looks more "organic."

Thanks

Edited July 16, 2013 by MJO

[cem]

I just looked at the Bekvan Kitchen Cart on the Ikea website. http://www.ikea.com/...ducts/30240348/ It looks pretty close to exactly what I was thinking of. I'm think I'm going to borrow their design concept and with cheap 2x4s and scrap plywood realize my own version. Thank you very much! Have you made modifications to it for your leatherwork bench or have you left it as is, and clear it of your tools and supplies to hide it in plain sight when not using it for leatherwork?

Left it as is just put a rubber mat and small granite slab on it when in use, most of the stuff I carve is smallish so I can put a small wood block which holds my carving tools at the back. I keep my mallets on the shelves. When not in use I keep it in the walk in cupboard in my work room if I left it out my husband would probably try and claim it for the kitchen ha ha.

[Tex Shooter]

A log of the right size sounds great and maybe lay a piece of one inch thick HDPE on top for pounding on. You can move it around with a two-wheeler. Even a cheap two-wheeler will work. For tool mounting such as a crank splitter or manual clicker press, I like a two drawer file cabinet with a 3/4 thick piece of plywood on top. I bolt through the plywood and the top of the two drawer file cabinet with the head of the bolt being in the file cabinet so the draws will still work. I put large fender washers under the head of the bolt. Then you have a couple of drawers to store things in. I have used my Lucris press like this for about three years now. You can move these with a two-wheeler also. The old very heavy two drawer file cabinet works best and you can usually fine one for about 15 to 20 dollars. -- Tex

[edd]

This is the bench I'm intending to build at some point: http://paulsellers.com/series/building-a-workbench/

It can be made with standard pine so it's pretty cheap to build and is very solid due to the apron rails. There are detailed instructions on the website. Obviously the dimensions can be adjusted to make a smaller bench.