Making a new bench?

[MikeNash]

Well, if you are, have look at MFI's closing down sale where they're getting rid of kitchen tops 3-4 metre long for £35 or less (at Farnboro' Hants, at least). I used one of these some years ago and have never regretted it. MikeN.

[bmcecosse]

I think Ikea do kitchen tops for less than that as standard Mike ! In any case - if I bought a new kitchen top I would be expected to fit it in the kitchen !!!!!!!!!!!

[linearaudio]

Likewise re cost: Wickes/B&Q etc have budget worktops less than that!

BUT- you are right in your application, makes a good solid bench if tied well into the walls/floor and with the luxury of a wipe clean finish! I have a length of 4x2 under the front edge and a couple of well positioned vertical posts for areas where I want to do a bit of serious thumping!

[dp]

If you go to B&Q or other large sheds you can get 8 x 4 plywood 18mm thick which they will cut to exact size you want on site all for £25. Bit of varnish and it'll take no end of workshop abuse.

I made a table out of it for our home but Mrs never liked it so that's what I now use in the lockup.

[Kevin]

I made a table out of it for our home but Mrs never liked it so that's what I use in the lockup.

Well that's a good trick now what do I need that I could pretend was for the house

[dp]

dishwasher

[bigjohn]

iv got a5ft square solid oak table that my mother through out,its now in the corner of the garage with the vice and piller drill bolted to it best bench iv ever had,and just think i used to eat my meals off it when i was a kid

[Kevin]

just think i used to eat my meals off it when i was a kid

That sounds ideal, but you should still eat on it that would save time having to go indoors

[bigjohn]

hey dont you worry, many a meal is still eaten off it,the one who MUST be obayed wont let me anywhere near the house table when iv been in the garage

[MikeNash]

The thing about the MFI ones is that they're 32mm thick and so v stiff, and the finish stands any oil, paint or adhesive spillage. £35 was the highest price, and I suppose that'll drop as the sale proceeds.

[mike.perry]

iv got a5ft square solid oak table that my mother through out

I hope you haven't destroyed a piece of antique furniture.

[bigjohn]

yep im afried so the bench in the garafe was far to inportant to worry about antique tables

[paulk]

Thats it! a Loius the 14th work bench with Queen Anne legs and french polished to within an inch of its life.

[mike.perry]

I can just hear the expert's comments on the Antiques Road Show.

[bigjohn]

no it was bought new in 1953 when my mother first got married plus one of the legs broke off its now held on with a bit of 2"x2" and 6"nails

[Mick_Anik]

I've attached the first of a series of much-less-primitive diagrams to show the contruction of my bench at a workshop I had for a short time.

The idea for it came to mind because someone gave me a load of high-quality, solid office doors each a couple of inches thick, so I had plenty of free wood to play with. The bench went the entire length of one of the walls. I left it for the next occupant when I moved out.

The first step was to mount the length of 2x1 along the wall, at the optimum height for me. While a mate held a section of the worktop level on the 2x1, I placed a support under it and drove in a couple of screws through the worktop to secure it. Job done! The shelves mounted between the supports prevent them moving horizontally. The shelves have to be of two different heights alternately, from the floor, so you can get the screws through the supports to hold them.

All downward force at the edge of the worktop, where I mounted the vice, is (I think) transmitted more against the wall than the floor, so I didn't have that 'rebounding energy' feeling when I was whacking away at stuff.

And I never once banged my knee on a support.

Why it took me so long to find the 'line' option in "Paint", I'll never know! <br><br>