Workshop table ideas

[joydivision]

My sister is moving out, so I am going to be renting her room and turning into a workshop, it is the same size of an average UK lounge so it is plenty big enough. I want to have a long strip bench with space two monitors and two laptops.

I am thinking of either a very clever home built solution with a high back with mounted monitors and plug sockets, but that will require a lot of support, or just a really cheap solution.

It would need to be around 1500cm in length.

Any idea of a DIY solution which would be easy to build for a none capartenter but somebody who knows how to use a saw and drill? I built my HIFI shelf myself by using threaded rods, but that has 5 shelves they that provides the rigidity to stop it wobbling.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Hi mate, personally I would think twice about the 2 monitor setup, and opt for either a 2 port or 4 port kvm, less = more.

There are plans on tn for simple workbenches, which I am sure you could build yourself. Even using something like 4x2 par (pine), and a mdf or chipboard top would be ok. That way you could make it to suit what ever size bench your looking at building. Don't forget to use a anti slip mat or similar though.

There are also workbenches which can be put together, simply slotted together. I think Makro have them. Similar to the 2 I have in my workshop, if you can remember. Where I have the monitors placed on the top shelf. I will send a pic of them to remind you if needed.

Power sockets are a complete must have, the more the merrier, also cat5/6 points would be needed. Remember on the sockets though, if your not competent enough, you would need a sparky to install them properly for you. Also invest in a good quality surge protector.

As always if I can help, shout

 

[Martyn]

You want to get some of these, cheap but just the job. I bought 4 of them including delivery for around £100.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?query=VIKA+AMON/VIKA+CURRY

You can get corner units and different lengths to fit your room.

10 minutes to assemble each and very sturdy.

 

[joydivision]

Those Ikea tables are an idea. I will do a price comparison between something like that and building from scratch.

I am competent enough at installing sockets, before all the Part P stuff I used to do a bit of DIY electronics, I wired in our alarm etc.

 

[ATTech]

I built about a 10 foot long workbench out of some finished shelving and some 2x4s. It cost less than $50 and only took a few hours (Even adding the gadgets that I did). I've known other people to use solid core doors as a top with 2x4 support and a plastic piece on top of the door for a nice finish.

 

[vdub12]

If you are located anywhere near a particle board plant you might be able to buy aluminum sheets from them. The wood presses use the sheets to make the wood but once they can't use it anymore they normally sell it at scrap value. It makes a bey sturdy bench surface.

 

[joydivision]

Transport may be a bit of issue though, as I have a FIAT Panda.

Although I have a large hardware store about 1 mile away from me, so I could carry a worktop or something back, however smaller units I could slot together would be a lot better.

 

[Martyn]

Transport may be a bit of issue though, as I have a FIAT Panda.

Although I have a large hardware store about 1 mile away from me, so I could carry a worktop or something back, however smaller units I could slot together would be a lot better.

The Ikea stuff was delivered

 

[colonydata]

Transport may be a bit of issue though, as I have a FIAT Panda.

Although I have a large hardware store about 1 mile away from me, so I could carry a worktop or something back, however smaller units I could slot together would be a lot better.

wow the car of captain slow.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Btw, and not meaning to hijack the thread, but the pic of your car reminded me. How did you get on with the scrape / dent?

 

[joydivision]

Just left it, would cost over £100 to fix as it will involve trim removal and then the panel would need a respray. I just go over the scratch with a blue permanent marker and you can only notice it in certain lights.

I may get it fixed if I keep the car for a long time, but for now the car is still too new to start removing bits of trim. I don't want to introduce any rattles. I may get it sorted after the car is out of warranty and I am no longer paying loan payments on it.

The good news is the insurance on it has now gone down to £600 a year, so can pay it cash up front to avoid the high interest charges.

 

[TechLoopPC]

I put in counter tops in a corner, one with left miter one with right. 2 8ft pieces, cost me $130 USD. I just used some heavy-duty L-brackets to secure to studs and it seems to be sturdy enough. Works great, even though the countertops are only 24" deep, thought it would be a problem initially but have found it to work great. Pictures Here End caps aren't cut off in pictures, that's why they look so jagged.

 

[Darren55D]

My sister is moving out, so I am going to be renting her room and turning into a workshop, it is the same size of an average UK lounge so it is plenty big enough. I want to have a long strip bench with space two monitors and two laptops.

I am thinking of either a very clever home built solution with a high back with mounted monitors and plug sockets, but that will require a lot of support, or just a really cheap solution.

It would need to be around 1500cm in length.

Any idea of a DIY solution which would be easy to build for a none capartenter but somebody who knows how to use a saw and drill? I built my HIFI shelf myself by using threaded rods, but that has 5 shelves they that provides the rigidity to stop it wobbling.

Have a look at these, available at Lidl from Monday morning.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_23441.htm

 

[MobileTechie]

I built my benching using the cheap, white kitchen surface they sell at B&Q. They also sell legs for breakfast bars to support it.

 

[glricht]

I put in counter tops in a corner, one with left miter one with right. 2 8ft pieces, cost me $130 USD. I just used some heavy-duty L-brackets to secure to studs and it seems to be sturdy enough. Works great, even though the countertops are only 24" deep, thought it would be a problem initially but have found it to work great. Pictures Here End caps aren't cut off in pictures, that's why they look so jagged.

+1 for kitchen counter tops. They're fairly cheap, come in both straight and corner units in all sizes, have a backsplash to keep things from falling, and look quite good. You can either attach them to a wall as TechLoopPC did above or lay them onto portable drawer units (which I did) so you don't have to drill holes in the wall while also providing lots of storage.

 

[score444]

What do you guys think the ideal height of a workbench is? Right now I am using a desk, but when I have to replace screens on laptops my back absolutely kills me because I am hunched over trying to reach down to the laptop.

I was thinking about building a bench about 48 inches high? What do you guys think?

 

[Steve202]

My workbench was built using some brackets and a large piece of wood, covered in some rubber matting which I had knocking about. Cost me around £40 to put together.

 

[Kitten Kong]

My bench is some 10ft long. Made from racking, so is sturdy as anything. With a 38mm chipboard top, it is not going anywhere. With having a backboard also, where the monitors and tools are it makes a difference also. The total cost of the workbench, and 2 lots of shelving units (6ft high, 3ft wide), cost me a n&p on my mates bosses laptop. Awesome trade! Plus a couple of bottles of Cider for my mate .

Height of the bench is 37" to the top of the bench. With having a duckboard on the floor, it makes a huge difference. I can only sit on a stool here. No chance of having a chair .

 

[ATTech]

What do you guys think the ideal height of a workbench is? Right now I am using a desk, but when I have to replace screens on laptops my back absolutely kills me because I am hunched over trying to reach down to the laptop.

I was thinking about building a bench about 48 inches high? What do you guys think?

The higher the better; then get one of the high stools to sit in.

 

[Iconic]

My bench is made of 3/4 inch plywood and some 1x2 finishing mouldings.... Very simple with enough room for two monitors and 2 KVM switches. 2 shelves below the main top so that the towers can go on one shelf and other junk on the bottom one and keeps the top clean.