So as I’ve stated in Wood Turners section I would be building a new bench today.  Since this is general wood working the topic fits the section.  Either way I’ve got an early start.  Took my time with it.  I added in support underneath, I did not cut stud slots out in the back for the wall studs since it’s roughly will hold no more than 100 pounds I’d assume.  Eventually I’ll be building myself an actual shop under half of my car port.  But that’s in due time.  In the mean time I added structural support to the ply board in vulnerable spots.  Then added bench legs to it and screwed everything in place.  It does sit level and I added in the factor of the lathe working height.  The bench roughly sits at 32 inches.  Which puts the lathe at perfect height for myself to work comfortably.  I plan on adding holders for all of my tools as well.  It’s still a mediocre bench and crude for that matter, but not just slapped together.  I think at least it’s the best one I’ve done yet.

That looks Nice!

 

Underneath would be a nice place to add some lathe tool shelves. 

I have a strong tendency to over build.  That is a really nice bench, and I would put braces on the back of the table to minimize racking.  Also, I would make braces from front to back for feet just to stabilize the legs.  You are on the right track and you are going to enjoy that table. I have seen them with 2 or 3 layers of plywood for the table top, but it is all up to you and your budget.  You may also consider using some metal or wooden ties to the studs in that wall for more stability.  The table is holding the load, but anything to make the table stable is welcome.  I am looking forward to the finished product and see it in use.  Great job.  

So still a few things to add but it’s functional at the moment got to add the piece for the extension to rest on.  The lathe is bolted down to the ply board.  I had to sand down the tops of the bolts so they wouldn’t hang up on the lathe.   Needless to say it will work for what I want.

If it works and it is comfortable, that's all that counts!!

That's what I was going for.  LOL  I also wasn't working with perfectly flat surfaces putting that top together either so it was a bit of a struggle.  I still consider it a mediocre bench LOL.  But it will get the job done the lathe aint going anywhere either which will be really nice no walking the dog on the table top sort of say.  Bolting it down was a bit tricky but once I worked out and just ground down the tops on the 2 x 72 it all worked out.  One thing is my 2 x 72 made quick work of the bolt heads LOL.  The only downside to not having the feet on the Wen is the simple fact that the power switch almost hits the bench itself but that's not too huge of an issue its not entrapping the switch to where it makes it stay on or Id have to force it off so it works.  Well I think its time to go put the oak bowl blank on spin it up and see how well it holds up maybe I'll get to do some turning so we shall see if the thing flys off on me LOL.... Hopefully not.

Edited June 13, 20206 yr by AndrewB

Nice work surface. Like @FlGatorwood i tend to overbuild. My theme is build it once right and be done with it. Now as to arrangements in the shop that is another story.

 

You might want to put one 2x4 laying vertical under that horizontal one under the top. Make it goo all the way across behind the legs and screw it into the legs. This will contain sag in  the top and make it more stable.

I will more than likely be doing that.  I've got one 2 x 4 directly in the center of it so it will look like a plus sign underneath there but that's okay.  Plenty of leg support as well.  I was just outside turning starting on the bowl project.  Its a bit wobbly but that's probably due to the blank being out of whack.  How ever I've seen no cracks forming in the board itself from the constant wobble of the lathe.  But the lathe also aint walkin across the bench either.  If I don't run a 2x4 horizontally what I will do is run support legs in the middle of it like I had done for the sides.

I don't want to discourage you, nor put a damper on your raw enthusiasm to get back to turning on the lathe.  BUT, we are here to offer advice and tips as well as atta boys for our work.  So I took the time to find a bench design that was simple and has enough of the support element shown to see and demonstrate how a bench is built.  Others will chime in and add to this.  I like to get things done to move on to what I want to be doing the most as well.  But experience, plus having had to go back and fix my mistakes has taught me to spent more time on design and thinking through a project verses a rush job I just have to screw with all the time.  If I had been on a website 30 years ago and someone had offered suggestions to improve my designs I might have eliminated alot headaches and having to completely redo projects.  

 

This will be our model bench. It has no special angles or fancy joinery to build, basic carpentry 101 and basic tools will get this made in short order.

1.  Carriage bolts through the support beam (2)

2. this upright beam takes the load

3. Personally I would have put more cross supports in this location.  Overbuilt yes, but it cost what to do it??  1 or 2  extra 2x4's ?

4. The bottom not only has identical supports as the top but also has a plywood skin that further stiffens the entire structure.

 

Your bench has vertical supports that attach at the top but have no horizontal cross supports.  The legs are already splaying in this picture.  Vibration from the lathe can cause this to get worse, possibly collapse.  Your upper 2x4 support is face down, this is weakest part of the 2x4.  It should be on end like the picture I have used.  

 

 

 

Yea this is just temporary for now so I can actually turn.  I have a double wide carport here where I live.  I'm planning on walling off half the carport and turning that into a full shop with proper benches.  In the mean time that's what I've been working with.  So in the long run things will be a lot better once I get walls up around my un used portion of my car port.

1 hour ago, Gunny said:

I don't want to discourage you, nor put a damper on your raw enthusiasm to get back to turning on the lathe.  BUT, we are here to offer advice and tips as well as atta boys for our work.  So I took the time to find a bench design that was simple and has enough of the support element shown to see and demonstrate how a bench is built.  Others will chime in and add to this.  I like to get things done to move on to what I want to be doing the most as well.  But experience, plus having had to go back and fix my mistakes has taught me to spent more time on design and thinking through a project verses a rush job I just have to screw with all the time.  If I had been on a website 30 years ago and someone had offered suggestions to improve my designs I might have eliminated alot headaches and having to completely redo projects.  

 

This will be our model bench. It has no special angles or fancy joinery to build, basic carpentry 101 and basic tools will get this made in short order.

1.  Carriage bolts through the support beam (2)

2. this upright beam takes the load

3. Personally I would have put more cross supports in this location.  Overbuilt yes, but it cost what to do it??  1 or 2  extra 2x4's ?

4. The bottom not only has identical supports as the top but also has a plywood skin that further stiffens the entire structure.

 

Your bench has vertical supports that attach at the top but have no horizontal cross supports.  The legs are already splaying in this picture.  Vibration from the lathe can cause this to get worse, possibly collapse.  Your upper 2x4 support is face down, this is weakest part of the 2x4.  It should be on end like the picture I have used.  

 

 

 

Excellent advice.  And if you want it to be mobile, I am really impressed with these from Amazon...

 

A little pricey, but worth it IMO.  The best part is when disengaged, the legs are sitting solidly on the floor rather than on the wheels.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DX7HL9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Jim

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

Yea this is just temporary for now so I can actually turn.

 

1 hour ago, Gunny said:

go back and fix my mistakes has taught me to spent more time on design and thinking through a project verses a rush job I just have to screw with all the time. 

 

If you plan to have a bigger shop later, then build the bench for that shop now.  This way you don't do build the same thing 2x, waste materials, time and energy.  Once the addition is completed you would only need to move the bench with lathe inside.  Not have to now build a bench from scratch. 

 

Real life example.  I needed to build a short retaining all for drainage.  BUT I also wished to later tie into my water line to take water out to my back building some 100 feet away.  When building the wall BEFORE I laid out the forms I dug a trench across the wall and 6 feet past it and put in a 2 inch PVC pipe then put an elbow coming up into the yard and capped it off, same on other side.  Then laid the forms and poured my footer over that and built the wall.  Now when I do finally put in my water line I do not have to dig down 2 feet and go under or through my wall.  Just uncap both ends and slide a 3/4 PVC pipe inside and attached at both ends.   The length of the PVC is 10 ft, I used this to determine how far each way I wanted to go so I used all of the 10 ft rather than have to cut.  I didn't have to do this, but when I put that pipe in I will be thanking myself for prudent planning.  

Honestly my problem right now is space.  Not enough to have at the moment.

5 hours ago, AndrewB said:

Honestly my problem right now is space.  Not enough to have at the moment.

I am currently in the middle of a build for a assembly bench.  Main parts are made but the top and shelf required edge banding with solid wood to the plywood.  This takes time to glue up.  Final dimensions will be 24 x 36 inches and 30 inches tall.  These are the exact dimensions I helped another turner make his lathe bench from last year.  Sorry no pictures, was not my project to post.    

Gunny, I like the bench you proposed and totally agree that it could use the extra bracing as you drew in.  Great advice.  See, I overbuild, but I don't usually have to go back and redo.  When I was an apprentice at the base, there was constant chatter about redo.  I pushed so that I never had to redo.  Still operate that way 50 years later.  

2 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Gunny, I like the bench you proposed and totally agree that it could use the extra bracing as you drew in.  Great advice.  See, I overbuild, but I don't usually have to go back and redo.  When I was an apprentice at the base, there was constant chatter about redo.  I pushed so that I never had to redo.  Still operate that way 50 years later.  

Not redo but my active mind (?) thinks up these new ways to store tools to make them easier to get to. The less time I spend going for a tool means the more time I have for turning. So I go for efficient layouts.

23 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Not redo but my active mind (?) thinks up these new ways to store tools to make them easier to get to.

I recall you posted about taking deep drawers and making two where one went.  Have done the same thing several times myself.  What gets me is I can never remember why I wanted a deep drawer or several to begin with.    A good many cabinets have been refurbished to accommodate upgrades shall we say.  Basic framework though has never changed.   

Gunny, the bench build and advise for Andrew is spot on.  I thought the same while looking at his set up.  Thank you for taking the time to assemble & share that info with him.