Finally have one. Built it with Adam yesterday. It's a curious array of ten 4x4s about 2 feet apart (front and rear) but that's what we did.
Top is 8x3 feet melamine 3/4" board, which seems pretty sturdy. Top height matches the concrete sill. It turned out to be a perfect working height while standing for me. My elbows clear with some room to spare but minimal bending over while working.
The top is supported by 2x4s that run from the front 4x4s to the rear 4x4s. The top itself is laying on the concrete foundation sill. We screwed a 2x3 from underneath the top onto the top so when the top was slid back to the sill, we had a way to secure the top to the sill. Then there are four places we blocked the 4x4s:
1) along the bottom, front, with a treated 1x6 that I had laying around
2) along the bottom, rear, with a treated 1x6 that I had laying around. I placed both above 6" from the ground (more for toe clearance at the front but we matched the rear for aesthetics)
3) I think there is a 2x4 along the top, rear
4) Another 1x6 treated board as a fascia board that tucks under the lip of the melamine. Gives a more finished appearance, supports the leading edge of the top, and also ties everything together laterally.
The only other blocking that would be useful is front to rear blocking, of which there is none at the bottom. But that would ruin the storage area underneath.
We also pulled the whole thing a few inches from the wall to give storage clearance for my cardboard collection. I did get rid of a lot but kept a few pieces for laying on when working outside.
Last night I dug out one of my new in box LED shop lights that I never used and managed to mount it to the ceiling above the bench. That makes a big difference. Next I want to get some 3/4" half round (hopefully PVC) to protect the unfinished edge of the melamine top. Then maybe do a little shelving underneath, not sure yet. Oh and I should clean off the shelf that's already over the bench and use that. Maybe extend it a couple bays.
In retrospect we probably could have ditched at least one of the 4x4 supports but then we would have had to do more blocking or something under the melamine top since those spans would have gotten wide.
I could also splurge on a nice, industrial ergo mat to lay in front of the bench. We'll see.
For power, I already have two circuits available. The original 15A one and a dedicated 20A one that I installed more recently. I will probably look into a high quality power strip and mount it along the rear or something. Although, these days, there isn't as much to plug in while working.
Garage workbench
Garage workbench
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Re: Garage workbench
Couldn't find 3/4" PVC half round but I did find 11/16" wood half round. Used my sweet brad nailer for install.
I can order a 20 pack of this which would have been perfect but I didn't want to wait, nor buy 20 of them: https://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Pr ... /207038913
Added a second shelf extending the original and braced the original which was sagging.
I can order a 20 pack of this which would have been perfect but I didn't want to wait, nor buy 20 of them: https://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Pr ... /207038913
Added a second shelf extending the original and braced the original which was sagging.
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Re: Garage workbench
Bought some 2x3s and three extra shelf brackets. For the garage bench melamine top, we used all 8 feet for width and cut it down to 37" for total depth. Originally it was 49" wide. Leaving about a foot. So I had an 8x1' piece left. Shortened that to 6 feet and used that for a shelf in the basement above my original work bench.
I originally bought extra half round so I had an 8 foot piece that I cut to 6 feet and used that on the edge. I also notched the melamine for the 2x3s so it would slide back to the wall. I can certainly add more shelves above this but I think this will do for now.
These shelf brackets are rated to hold 200 lbs per pair. I guess that means three can hold 300 lbs? I think that's plenty.
These shelf brackets are rated to hold 200 lbs per pair. I guess that means three can hold 300 lbs? I think that's plenty.
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