Custom work bench help

[EliteRetard]

I've just realized that we've been wasting our time ... What can he build with a drill and hammer? They're assembly tools...

ROFL

What CAN'T you build with a hammer and drill?

 

[EliteRetard]

Reminds me of those loosers on "survival" shows. Provided with an entire shop full of tools. From hammers and wrenches to saws and chisels. And then they bitch and moan about how that can't build ANYTHING because they have no power.

"How can you possibly attach two boards together without an electric screwdriver?!"

'Core they pick em for the idiocy and lunacy. Makes for "good tv" lol.

 

[Humpy]

ROFL

What CAN'T you build with a hammer and drill?

A workbench.

 

[EliteRetard]

Certainly, a workbench can be strengthened with bolts, screws, mitered joints, and what have you...but I'm pretty certain some good ol' nails and glue can work wonders too.

 

[phucheneh]

That might be a bit to lightweight lol.

Dave had it right- I was thinking of hardboard. It's actually pretty dang durable, it just comes in thin sheets, so there's no real tensile strength.

ROFL

What CAN'T you build with a hammer and drill?

...why would he need a hammer? Heh. A cheap set of drill bits, something to drive screws, and said drill will do most everything except cut the wood.

The only thing a hammer might be needed for is trimming. I still think liquid nails would be the best way to put trim on the edges of some kind of engineered wood work surface, but a few finishing nails would save you the trouble of having to clamp the trim while the glue dries.

 

[EliteRetard]

I was being facetious...in response to the claim that nothing can be built without power tools.

But the hammer certainly has a use:

See

 

[phucheneh]

I know. I was just saying that in the case of cobbling wood together into furniture, you really only even need the one tool.

Nails are tools of heathens. With the exception of finishing nails, they have no reason to exist in modern society. Screws do everything better.

 

[EliteRetard]

Yes, and I'm being an ass...it's close to complaining. I think. Pretty sure I get paid to complain.

 

[EliteRetard]

Oh look, here's a fun picture:

Wheee!

 

[Humpy]

Nails are tools of heathens. With the exception of finishing nails, they have no reason to exist in modern society. Screws do everything better.

But who was speed, cost effectiveness, and shear strength?


I hope no one thinks the OP is ever really going to get a bunch of wood cut at Lowes and then assemble it into a usable workstation with just his hammer and drill.

That never happens in these threads.

 

[EliteRetard]

Why do you need to get the wood cut at Lowes? He has a hammer, just as accurate.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

But who was speed, cost effectiveness, and shear strength?


I hope no one thinks the OP is ever really going to get a bunch of wood cut at Lowes and then assemble it into a usable workstation with just his hammer and drill.

That never happens in these threads.

Menards sells a $65 workbench kit that's basically a bunch of precut 2x4s, 2x6s, and 1x4s. Assembly only requires a drill/screwdriver, although some clamps are helpful.

It's not the greatest design, but I liked it well enough that I bought some scrap lumber and made a second one. (I actually have a chopsaw...)

 

[waggy]

But who was speed, cost effectiveness, and shear strength?


I hope no one thinks the OP is ever really going to get a bunch of wood cut at Lowes and then assemble it into a usable workstation with just his hammer and drill.

That never happens in these threads.

why not? when i first moved in my house that's exactly what i did. they have a table saw (though its on it's side) and will cut to the size you need.

So i did that and brought it home.


sure it's ugly but it's been solid for the last 10 years.

edit: oh yeah did the same with a pic-nik table.

 

[rudeguy]

Here's my benches. I have 3 of them total for 18' of space:

The shelf is a must. It keeps all the cords off the work surface and lets me put the bulky stuff out of the way.

I can never have enough power outlets.

42" workbench next to a 36" desk. The extra height on the bench is perfect for stand up work but I can sit down easily. I bought a cheap chair that adjusts up pretty high.

 

[waggy]

Here's my benches. I have 3 of them total for 18' of space:

The shelf is a must. It keeps all the cords off the work surface and lets me put the bulky stuff out of the way.

I can never have enough power outlets.

42" workbench next to a 36" desk. The extra height on the bench is perfect for stand up work but I can sit down easily. I bought a cheap chair that adjusts up pretty high.

Jesus RG clean the fuck up! :awe:

 

[rudeguy]

Jesus RG clean the fuck up! :awe:

That is clean. My other 2 benches are all kinds of cluttered:

 

[feralkid]

I'm sure you'll grow once you hit puberty.

He's correct.

Try sitting at a 36" work bench on a standard chair; you'll understand.

What are you, Johnny Long-Torso?

 

[twinrider1]

Ok, side topic....If you could have just two hand tools, what would they be?

Give me a saw and a chisel. What can't you build with a saw and a chisel.

 

[Humpy]

why not?

My negative attitude tells me it's impossible.

When I read the OP wanted a workbench for inside his apartment I pictured something more like in rudeguy's little VCR and carburetor repair shop.

I guess a simple bench could be constructed where different lengths of material could be compensated for and it would still be usable. Maybe this time ATOT will come through with a completed project and pictures.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Here's my benches. I have 3 of them total for 18' of space:

What's your Mom think of you using up all that space in her basement?

 

[Humpy]

Ok, side topic....If you could have just two hand tools, what would they be?

Give me a saw and a chisel. What can't you build with a saw and a chisel.

I would want tools to build other tools, like a bench vise and a good file.

 

[rudeguy]

What's your Mom think of you using up all that space in her basement?

Can't you just ask her tonight?



My workshop upstairs here. The insulation sucks, so I have to have the heater cranked up to keep the temp reasonable. I don't care for myself but stuff gets brittle when its cold.

 

[rudeguy]

He's correct.

Try sitting at a 36" work bench on a standard chair; you'll understand.

What are you, Johnny Long-Torso?

Maybe I just got used to it?

I accidentally set my desk up for 36" when I put it together and its way too heavy to lower assembled and I'm much too lazy to take it apart to lower it. I either use my tall chair set to low or my regular chair set to high and I don't have any problems.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Hell, buy a $10 hand saw and cut the 2x4s and 1x4s to lengh, if need be. You don't need a circular saw or a chop saw just to do that. TBH, I've had good luck with both Home Depot and Lowes cutting a few things to size. They won't get it to within 1/32" of an inch, but 1/8" or so is easily doable.

If you use hex-head lag screws you might want to have a socket set handy, but a drill/driver (should have a clutch) should work.

For the top, if you can find a premade kitchen counter top, that's often ideal. Easy, durable, heavy, and pretty cheap. Example: http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=599570-12996-011350010694588-60

I'd also seriously reconsider that 32" depth dimension for the top, just to accommodate your existing antistatic mat. For a "small" workbench in a small apartment, that's going to be a pretty sizable piece of furniture. I think a top with a dimension more like 24-27" would be more reasonable. Get a new mat to fit.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I accidentally set my desk up for 36" when I put it together and its way too heavy to lower assembled and I'm much too lazy to take it apart to lower it. I either use my tall chair set to low or my regular chair set to high and I don't have any problems.

That's actually a good height for an electronics workstation. To give some idea, it's the typical height of a kitchen counter, which works well for many people when working standing up (and if you're tall, a couple inches taller may be even better). But you really do need a seat that's taller than a standard office chair.