Table/Workbench for garage

[junior varsity]

I am at the point where its getting hard to do some of the projects I want to tackle in my garage with my limited space/resources. I am very interested in still doing much of my own stuff, so I need solutions.  I will soon be moving to a larger garage. Apparently, the house it is attached to is also larger, says my wife. But back to the garage, I will have room for a fridge or at least a mini-fridge for beer, so I won't have to take these long breaks to walk all the way into the house to grab a frosty beverage.

I am looking to put a work table or work bench in so that I can comfortably stand or sit on a stool and work on things with a large surface to place tools, etc.

What should such a table be constructed from? I would need a durable surface, free from grooves or holes as i don't want to be searching for the lost o-ring/washer/bolt/ball-bearing, etc.

Clearly, I'll also need to affix a bottle opener to the side.

Anybody done this themselves and can provide pointers for sourcing a top surface?  Other ideas?

[ducpainter]

Will the whole bike need to be on it?

[mitt]

I made my bench frame out of scrap 2x4 and 2x6 wood & 3/8 carriage bolts for strength.  I then bought a cheap scratch and dent laminate kitchen counter top for the work surface.  I like it, since it is bright, smooth, easy to clean, etc.  It my not be durable enough if your projects include a lot of pounding and heavy steel parts.


mitt

[junior varsity]

that's a great idea!


i've seen some that look like nice kitchen countertops made from wood like this:


But I just wrote it off as unaffordable.

No bike support needed, this will be for everything but the bike, pretty much. Will include the occasional motor until I can make my own rolling motor support

[lethe]

Since I haven't installed it in the kitchen yet, I should swipe my wife's stainless stuff.  
Don't think that'll go over well.  

I've just got an ancient old wooden thing.

[junior varsity]

make it yourself?

[junior varsity]

I want one sturdy enough for a vice or two.

[mitt]

that's a great idea!


i've seen some that look like nice kitchen countertops made from wood like this:


But I just wrote it off as unaffordable.

No bike support needed, this will be for everything but the bike, pretty much. Will include the occasional motor until I can make my own rolling motor support

If you want to spend the money, browse here, you can find about any material you want

http://www.mcmaster.com/#bench-tops/=9d3lvs


mitt

[lethe]

make it yourself?

In my case it was here when I bought the place. I just added a little nonsense here and there to it and currently have the FZ sitting up on it in one spot awaiting attention again at some point.
Ask around and if anyone you know is remodeling their kitchen, it might not be a bad idea to use some of their old shit. I plan on reusing my old kitchen stuff out in the garage when i rip it out. Can never have too much work space and cabinets if you've got the room.

[junior varsity]

hmm.... going to browse CL for old kitchen counters...

If you want to spend the money, browse here, you can find about any material you want

http://www.mcmaster.com/#bench-tops/=9d3lvs


mitt

while i love mcmaster-carr, i don't think i'll be throwing a considerable sum into a work bench. At this time. But I will certainly look harder into it.

[LMT]

If you are close to a salvage yard or building reclamation business check it out. You might find something interesting at a good price.

[Vindingo]

I have a butcher block bench for wood working that I scored super cheap off of CL.  It is very heavy and I have two vices on it.  If you find one cheap on CL you can't go wrong with butcher block.

Because I couldn't find another one cheap on CL for mechanical work, I use a 36"x79" solid core door from home depot.  Grease and wood don't mix, so I wanted a second work bench.  It was $50 and does not have the holes for hardware drilled out.  I edge banded it with some 4/4 mahogany so you don't see the laminations on the side, but that's kind of overkill.  Just wipe some poly on the door and you are golden.  It is strong, heavy and because it is solid, you can bolt vices to it.  

[Turf]

i searched craiglist and found some small 3' or so filing cabinets, used some old plywood and covered that in ducttape and I now have a workbench that i made without spending any $

[junior varsity]

please change your username to macgyver. or macgruber.

[junior varsity]

If you want to spend the money, browse here, you can find about any material you want
http://www.mcmaster.com/#bench-tops/=9d3lvs
mitt

huh.   not as expensive as i thought with further investigation.