Though you can easily buy your workbench, building it on your own means you can customize it to your specific needs and space requirements. There are different types of workbenches you can build like the permanent ones fixed to the wall or floor. You could include storage places to hold your tools so that you can easily complete your home projects.
Buying vs building
First, it is tall. Most benches are 36 in. high or lower, but many-if not most-hand operations are more comfortable at a higher level. For me (I’m 6 ft.), a 42-in. bench makes all those little jobs like letting in an scotches on plate, carving out a fan, or cutting a dovetail, much easier.
Everyone knows a workbench should be rugged and massive, “the bigger the better.” But some years ago I set out to build a firm yet semi portable stand for teaching and demonstrating. The little workbench that eventually evolved is now an indispensable part of my workshop. At first glance it looks like a traditional sculpture stand, and one might hastily conclude that it is too small, too frail and too tippy to be of general use to the woodworker-it simply doesn’t look like a workbench. However, it does offer some noteworthy advantages.
Small portable workbenches are also available and have come to be known as the ‘workmate’ and these types of workbench are very popular amongst DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen from many different trades. They are small and light and fold away for easy storage. The work surface usually consists of two pieces of hard durable material. One of these surfaces is fixed while the other is mounted on a moveable mechanism which allows it to be clamped to the fixed surface. This has the effect of turning the whole work-surface into a very effective vice, whilst at the same time providing a small workbench surface.
You can purchase the above mentioned parts individually also. 12″ quick release end vise is sold separately.
Maple Base Kit – It features 1 ¾” thick construction that will withstand heavy pounding and racking forces. The metal cross dowels provide joints that knock down easily. It is pre-drilled for quick assembly.
Be patient. If your kid doesn’t strike the nail properly the first time, don’t take the work away from them. Practice and stimulate.
As soon as they understand wood and the basic tools you can try to move up to the next level.
It consists of one piece for the top, two pieces for the legs, one piece for the stretcher and four pieces for the wedges. A handheld jigsaw comes in handy to round the edges. Move on to cutting your tenon and mortises and several notches. Follow the assembly instructions, glue and stain as you desire. You are done.
