Home Depot Folding Workbench

[Wobbly]

Here's how I did it....



My bench top is 2 layers of 3/4" MDF capped with a single 1/2" hardwood plywood layer. So the top is effectively 2" thick. Each layer was successively glued and screwed from the underside. Then the edging was done with pine 1x6 to keep you from seeing the layers and help attach the legs.

I like to stand and reload, so the top is 37" high. 2 garage sale stools are used for those times of sitting to read or calculate. Top is 22" deep by 8 ft long.

Legs are 4x6 landscape timbers. Even with the 2" thick top, both presses are located over the legs.

Bench is also attached to every stud in the wall behind the bench (total of 6) using 3" sheet rock screws.

Left-over piece of 1x6 serves as a shelf for the scale, which is convenient since the bench is not deep. Notice all my lighting is done with small $3 thrift store lamps.

Very simple to construct, very low material cost. Bench, stools, lights, shelf cost less than $100. It's all in the planning and shopping.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

It's okay. I enjoy a good arm workout  I've been wanting a way to exercise at home in addition to the gym sessions during the week.

kpj, do you have any of the sway/flex that Wobbly describes? That was my biggest worry with the fold away bench. At the moment, I'm considering going with the double layer ply and then probably drilling in a wood leg directly underneath the press.

This is the piece of ply I'm looking at now: https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-panels/3-4-x-4-x-8-uv-prefinished-birch-plywood/p-1444441908132.htm

Already finished so I don't mind paying a bit extra since I'd otherwise would have to pay stain/sealant and have leftover.

[Wobbly]

Second page and you still haven't answered basic questions, relevant to your situation...
? What kind of press ?
? Does it have a mount ?
? Standing or sitting ?
? Do you have wife ? kids ?

And why do you feel like you need a hardwood top ? Are you going to also build automatic transmissions on this bench ? You certainly won't be doing any hammering during reloading to warrant such.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

It's a Hornady LnL w/ Ultra  Mount. Sorry, Scarlett and I were PMing so he knew what I was getting already.

Don't really care about standing or sitting, but getting the ultramount pretty much eliminates sitting though anyways. No wife or kids. The single life is quite nice for this hobby.

I just feel like I need a solid top since this MDF top from IKEA is sagging just from my computer monitors (~40 lbs I'm guessing?).  It is 1.5" thick. If you think the 3/4" ply layered up is good enough I don't mind spending less! I'm all for spending less.

[kpj313]

It's okay. I enjoy a good arm workout  I've been wanting a way to exercise at home in addition to the gym sessions during the week.

kpj, do you have any of the sway/flex that Wobbly describes? That was my biggest worry with the fold away bench. At the moment, I'm considering going with the double layer ply and then probably drilling in a wood leg directly underneath the press.

This is the piece of ply I'm looking at now: https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-panels/3-4-x-4-x-8-uv-prefinished-birch-plywood/p-1444441908132.htm

Already finished so I don't mind paying a bit extra since I'd otherwise would have to pay stain/sealant and have leftover.

Not that much flex at all, I reinforced it with some 2X4's on the under side. I'm actually pretty impressed from something prebuilt. I don't know if I want to screw it to the wall or not being plaster and all. Still might mount another leg in the middle though...

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[SlvrDragon50]

Ah okay. I am planning on doing that if I build my own work bench. What are those bolts coming through?  Strong mount?

[Dan_69GTX]

.......Are you going to also build automatic transmissions on this bench ? .........

Please don't use a wood topped bench for automatic transmissions.  Use something with a steel top and a lip/drain to catch all the fluid that doesn't come out until you take it apart.

A cadaver table works real well!!  That is what I use!  But put a screen over the drain to prevent losing any loose check balls!


Opps - sorry - got distracted.....Now you know what other hobbies I have....

[kpj313]

Ah okay. I am planning on doing that if I build my own work bench. What are those bolts coming through?  Strong mount?

Yeah, strong mounts in both pictures. As for the bolts I just went with 5" bolts and large washers.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Wobbly]

Don't really care about standing or sitting, but getting the Ultramount pretty much eliminates sitting though anyways.

Not really. You can always saw 3" off the legs and get it lower.

I just feel like I need a solid top since this MDF top from IKEA is sagging just from my computer monitors (~40 lbs I'm guessing?).  It is 1.5" thick. If you think the 3/4" ply layered up is good enough I don't mind spending less! I'm all for spending less.

You can have rigid without spending tons of money. First lesson in design: shape (NOT materials) make a flat surface rigid. You could spend $5000 on a sheet of 3/4 plywood and it wouldn't be any more rigid than the $12 sheet.

 

[copemech]

Formica covered kitchen countertop sections are also available, and with rolled edges and backsplash. Nice slick easy to clean surface.

[SlvrDragon50]

Formica covered kitchen countertop sections are also available, and with rolled edges and backsplash. Nice slick easy to clean surface.

THat's a good idea. I was planning on just layering vinyl on the ply, but these countertop sections are pretty cheap! Only 50 some bucks for a 4' section. Are they just secured using screws from underneath?

Although... I don't know why I didn't look at countertops before, but now I see Menards has a $69 butcher block 4' top that's 1.5" thick. I think I'll just grab that!
https://www.menards.com/main/kitchen/countertops-laminate/view-all-countertops-laminate/butcher-block-top-25-wide-x-48-long-x-1-5-thick/p-1444430610144-c-3629.htm?tid=7432643433903643430

The two pieces of ply are costing 40-50 bucks anyways, and I'll have to pay for adhesive and glue. Though now the workbench legs don't fit since they're made for a 30" depth desk argggg

Will driving lag bolts through the butcher block into 4x4 timbers as legs be sturdy enough? I'll probably get some 2x4 to crossbar to minimize sway as well.

[copemech]

ny number of ways to do it, but I think I would throw together a 2x4 framework stand and set toe countertop on it. Then use something like small L-brackets to attach the two.

Screw and glue works as well, yet may be a bit of overkill.

[Wobbly]

Will driving lag bolts through the butcher block into 4x4 timbers as legs be sturdy enough? I'll probably get some 2x4 to crossbar to minimize sway as well.

Not without screws into the wall.

[SlvrDragon50]

Dang. I went to Menards today and found a perfect maple bench top for 30 bucks, but it's a 24" depth top. I haven't been able to find a decent 24" frame unfortunately.

[Wobbly]

Frame the top in with 1x6 all the way around. Glue and screw the 1x6 flush with the top surface.

You'll end up with a "skirt" protruding below the bottom. You can use the skirt to attach your 4x4 legs from 2 sides, one in each of the 4 corners formed by the skirt.

If you really want to get fancy, in place of the rear 1x6, use a 24" piece of 1/4 or 3/8 plywood. That will give you extra stability in the rear legs and make attaching to the wall much easier and more secure.

When I say attach to the wall of the building, I'm talking about sinking two #8x3" sheet rock screws into each stud inside the wall behind the bench. Maybe 8 total. These will leave the smallest of holes, which you can fill with putty or toothpaste when you move out. It's not going to destroy the wall. You'll make a larger mess hanging pictures !