Complete your profile
Full Name
Email
Password
What size should I make my workbench?
I am building a workbench. actually 2. But I was wondering what I should make my depth. I have my height and my length figured out one is around 45inches and the other around 32. And both with a height of 37. I want to put casters on them to make them movable and I don't want them to be too top heavy. Most standard benches are around 24 but that seems a little to small. I plan to use it to weld metal on as well as some woodworking. I want it as functional as it is rigid. Any suggestions or engineers that can answer my third grade question would have my thanks as well as my ear. I will edit if you need more info. Thanks for all your answers in advance!
6 Answers
I went with 3' by 8'. It needed to be this deep to accomodate my miter saw, but I've found it's nice to have the extra space. I built a 2x4 frame with extra boards going from front to back for extra support, and 3/4" plywood for the top. I also built a shelf near the floor, for this I used 1/2" sheathing to keep the cost and weight down, this also lowers the center of gravity (you said you didn't want it top-heavy). For legs I used 4x4s, this might make it too heavy for casters, but my bench is REALLY sturdy. Have fun!!!
36" is a good. any more would make it heavy.
It all depends on what you are going to use it for and if you are going to have shelving below. If you have items that are larger than 24" that you want to place on top of or on shelving below, measure those items and go with the largest one. I built an entertainment center once and forgot to measure the T.V. . Luckily, I made it too deep and not the other way around.
If you don't anticipate having any shelves to store things, and you are using the casters as you mentioned just make them 24" deep. You can then put both of them together if you have something larger to put on them.
If you don't anticipate having any shelves to store things, and you are using the casters as you mentioned just make them 24" deep. You can then put both of them together if you have something larger to put on them.
I wouldn't go less than 30 inches deep. More than 36 and you'll have difficulty reaching anything at the back. 3/4 inch plywood makes a good sturdy top. Use some cross braces too. Putting a shelf or storage bin underneath will solve the top heavy issue. Make sure you use heavy duty casters with locking wheels. You don't want the bench shifting while you're working.
My stationary workbench is 36in high,42in deep and 12 ft wide and it's still not big enough. Make your bench as tall as needed to work comfortably on and make them as deep and wide as space allows. I do woodworking and when working on smaller pieces I clamp a bar across my bench to lessen the depth. It works well for me and I still have 42in of depth when I need it.
my answer is simple ,wide enough to reach across easily to make working on something easy. so use your arm to measure.hope this helped
Add Your Answer!
