Setting up the space: Ideas for Work Benches

I have been reading a lot of Make Magazine lately, and came across a couple of good ideas for work benches I wanted to share. First, is a medium size work bench for larger projects or groups working together. It is from an article in issue 23. This work bench is built from half of a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" plywood, so it makes sense to build two at a time. The required materials for two are:
  • 12 2"x4"x8' studs (@ $2.89 each at Lowes)
  • 4 4"x4"x8' (@ $9.06 each at Lowes)
  • 23/32"x4'x8' plywood (@ $27.97 each at Lowes)
  • Sheetrock screws (I may have left overs that would work, I still need to check)
Total cost for two work benches: $98.89 + tax or ~$50 each. I'd be happy to chip in $10-$15 and do the builds if everyone else would chip the same amount to fund these.

The second work bench idea I have seen is for a small electronics work bench. I found this idea in The Best of Make. The author actually recommends a solution based on Ikea parts (desktop and legs and maybe something else). Unfortunately, it looks like this product line has been discontinued. But the idea is still a pretty good one. It might be worth a trip down to Ikea to do some shopping for the current version of this product.

What do folks think?
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3 comments:

  1. Joshua StultsSaturday, January 29, 2011 at 6:59:00 PM EST

    It might be worth checking out deconstruction depot to see if we can find some cheap materials that could be re-purposed as work benches.

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  2. JediBFASunday, January 30, 2011 at 1:44:00 PM EST

    That looks like a cool place. We should do a Dayton Diode field trip there some time. In terms of these benches, I'd prefer to follow the drawings from Make. They look sturdy, affordable, and easy to build.

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  3. Joshua StultsSunday, January 30, 2011 at 3:33:00 PM EST

    By hook or by crook, we need workbenches, so I'm in for $20.

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