Work Benches

[PY-Tactical]

I really miss my bench that got destroyed last year. Been looking to buy something around 4 foot long that would fit in my apartment. Need a top rugged enough to mount a good heavy vise to it. Want to mount barrels again. So need a vise. And mine is heavy.
Anyone have any experience with the Kobalt sold by Lowes? 45" wide, in powder coat with MDF top or, for a hundred bucks more, in stainless steel with a solid wood top. Both with a metal pegboard back, lighting, power strip, and three drawers.

Making one, I think I would buy a piece of butcher block counter and a couple of pair of metal legs.

Any other suggestions, plans, kits, or ideas?

[Meketrefe]

I have two large benches and the last one I made in a pinch and it has a 900lbs lathe on it.
2 4x4 posts to make legs and then the 8x2 also treated boards that are cheap.
had them cut and put the boards on top as a counter top. Then if you want put some plywood or even a counter top
for your final surfaces. Drive around for drawers people put in the trash and there you have a mcgiver bench you can put your car or truck on top w/o budging.
I love them with lots of meat so the presses do not budge when I am reloading. Nothing beats lots of heavy lumber and it is cheap to make that way too!!

[Meketrefe]

BTW I can sketch it for you but I used bad ass screws too. All thinking about the weight I might put on top.

[usmcveteran]

I built this one. Super simple design. Cut 2 x 4s to length you want and assemble two frames. Then cut 4 x 4s too length and screw together then add top and screw that together making sure you pre drill all holes. Bottom shelf is plywood with corners cut out.

[PY-Tactical]

My problem is that, renting an apartment here, if I get too utilitarian looking it may upset the landlord. Need to stay more toward furniture in appearance. Saw a bench on metal legs with a wood top on heavy duty casters that looks like something that may work.

[thughes]

Throw a table cloth over it and put out a center piece and a couple of place settings out when you're not using it.

[PY-Tactical]

This is one from Lowes



And another that is more furniture appearing

[Meketrefe]

My problem is that, renting an apartment here, if I get too utilitarian looking it may upset the landlord. Need to stay more toward furniture in appearance. Saw a bench on metal legs with a wood top on heavy duty casters that looks like something that may work.

If you are renting aren't you allowed to have your own personal stuff whatever that might be you need? The furniture one is going to be tricky. When you put a decent vise and start
pounding and torquing you need meat and mass or things will be moving all over the place and you will hate it. Unless you are building just small things and small hobby projects.

[Brendan2904]

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Fold-Out-Wo...X22/203083493/


I have 2 of these.