New Workbench

[stickthrower]

This is a very nice workbench! You are so far above and beyond where I am at. I hope some day to be able to build a bench like this for myself.

you did some very good work.

Nathan

[TheBigE]

I built the same one! I added the two cabinets that hang underneath. My top is a solid core door I got a Lowes for around $40. I do not have the paper roll on the end. It's been a great bench for sure. You did a great job on yours.

[robinson46176]

I have read in other forums where other people have used rosin paper instead of the butcher paper. Rosin paper is used as floor underlayment and can be purchased from Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. I understand the main advantage to rosin paper is that it won't let water, glue, etc. through to the workbench.

I wouldn't think your butcher paper would be a problem with anything getting through to your bench top either.
The rosin paper might be a tad tougher but then how tough does it have to be. I did recently see rolls of red rosin paper at Lowes but had forgotten about it. I think it was pretty cheap. When I was a kid a lot of farmers used red rosin paper to line wooden grain bins and to draft proof other sheds. Flooring underlay was probably the most common use in houses.


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[shaun]

Great looking workbench! I have been combing through different pubs combining different designs and ideas trying to come up with an design that incorporates everything I want in a workbench...

Ah! A man after my own heart! Pub-crawling is indeed a wonderful, time-honored method of coming up will all sorts of interesting ideas and some designs of a particular nature. Crawl this way and we'll hit the best spots of Hotlanta!

[bffulgham]

I've been able to get the tag ends of the rolls of paper from a local newspaper for next to nothing. I picked up a couple of rolls awhile back that probably had 200' of paper each for about $5/roll. It is great for drawing full sized plans and for minimal protection. (used it to mask around the edges of a room while repainting the walls). Keep in mind, it's news print paper, so it's kinda porous and not very tough.
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In the 'good old days' the tag rolls were 30+ inches in width.

BTW....The 'roller' tube in the middle is great to keep around for storing dowels, or whatever.....

And, Lodgepole, a great looking bench. I've had a similar project in mind for years.....just as soon as I have a shop with enough floor space

[mrhart]

LP, How tall is it. I've been reading about bench height in some articles. I know it depends you how tall you are ect. But for curiosity sake.
I'm coming up with 34" (one method for a ball park was to stand with your hands free at your side, and measure from the floor up to the base of your thumb--not the tip). Also I read where most table saws are 34" high so it could be an outfeed table ect as well (if the saw or the table had casters and then the heights would have to be rethought as well)

Anyone have a Powermatic or grizzly or delta? How tall are they?

[Lodgepole]

mrhart,

The height of the workbench is 35 1/2".

From what I have read, the palm of your hand hand should rest on the top of the woodworking bench. This recommendation, I understand, is for a workbench where handtools are primarily used.

Since I use mostly power tools, I built my workbench 4" taller than where the palm of my hand would rest. This change in height is based upon recommendations from various woodworking magazines. And also, from my own experience with 2 past woodworking benches.

There was an interesting workbench design in a woodworking magazine a few years ago. The height was based upon handtool use. But, they included a set of "feet" that you could put under the workbench to raise the height.

Next time you are up this way, please feel free to give me a call to look at my workbench. This might help you decide on the final height for your workbench.

[mrhart]

mrhart,

The height of the workbench is 35 1/2".

From what I have read, the palm of your hand hand should rest on the top of the woodworking bench. This recommendation, I understand, is for a workbench where handtools are primarily used.

Since I use mostly power tools, I built my workbench 4" taller than where the palm of my hand would rest. This change in height is based upon recommendations from various woodworking magazines. And also, from my own experience with 2 past woodworking benches.

There was an interesting workbench design in a woodworking magazine a few years ago. The height was based upon handtool use. But, they included a set of "feet" that you could put under the workbench to raise the height.

Next time you are up this way, please feel free to give me a call to look at my workbench. This might help you decide on the final height for your workbench.

That a great idea, thanks. Cabin froze up, water damage, so I'll be up in a couple weeks working on that for sure.

[terrydowning]

Best guidance for workbench height I have read.

http://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2011/11/21/how-to-determine-the-workbench-height-that-is-right-for-you/

Failing this. If you have and use a conventional table saw and currently have no out feed support, then starting the height of the table saw is probably not a bad approach.

I'm planning on a new work bench (mostly for hand work) Height will probably be taller than 34" closer to 36" or 37". Not sure if I'll add the paper or not.

[Lodgepole]

Thanks! Some very good information!