Single wall work bench, 2 wall L or 3 wall U shaped??

G

GrizzlyBear

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Dec 5, 2009
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This is the inside of my shop:
0413102054-02.jpg


Side to side width is 10' (exterior, more like 9.5' inside walls).

I'm trying to decide just how much workbench space I want to build.

Single bench full 10' width across the back?
rearbench.jpg


2 Wall bench L shaped utilizing the full 10' width (or partial) and a wrap around that runs one of the side walls?
Lbench.jpg


3 Wall bench U shaped?
Ubench.jpg


I think maybe the L shape would be good that way I can use the short end of the L as a finish work area for sheaths and what not.

Any comments and recommendations are welcome!!!
 
I'd create as much horizontal workspace as possible. Flat surfaces in the shop get occupied rather quickly.
 
Take a look at how you will use the space under the bench, corners and small sides may not be effeciently used. That makes it a bit easier to determine your top. For me having the sides is not real effective, I tend to work directly in front and just set stuff to the side to get it out of the way.
 
I am voting for the u shape. It seems as though you will find more than enough stuff to put on the counter tops (I know I always do :D )

Depending on how many tools that you are using that have a dedicated base on the floor and any full size tool boxes should determine how much counter space. It looks like you could get away with the u shape and still have plenty of space for a tool box, floor drill press, and something like a buffer or grinder.

I was going to set up shop in my garage but convinced my wife to let me use a room in our basement that was used as an office by the previous owner. it is 11.5 x 13.5 but part of it is like 3 of the sides of an octagon. It only has 7 ft ceilings. I am going to do a u shaped work bench because it seems to give the most versatility and still plenty of room for other stuff.
 
I used to have L shaped work surface but no more. The corner area is too deep to use and is a dust collector. Instead I use the work surface on selected walls to one corner. The other corner is storage of some sort like oxy aced tanks or a storage shelf. The center wall is 80% full with a work surface leaving the corners unjoined.

I like saw bucks with 2 pices of ply as my main work area as I can move them and dump them clean easier than the screwed down work areas.
 
Makes sense about the deep corner space being too deep, never thought about that.

I think I may start with a full width bench and then go from there. I may put my 2x42 on a stand that I can roll outside, would work better for dust management :)
 
I would get some counter space in front of at least one of those windows...that's the most used bench space for me.

Figure out where your light comes in and put your main bench space there.
 
Plan it based on what tools you have that will take up counter space and how you want to move between them.
 
GrizzlyBear said:
Makes sense about the deep corner space being too deep, never thought about that.

I think I may start with a full width bench and then go from there. I may put my 2x42 on a stand that I can roll outside, would work better for dust management :)
Click to expand...

A 5 gallon bucket full of water directly under the grinder catches probably 90% of the dust, if you don't already have one..
 
Got the bucket o' water on my list of must haves :)

The light actually doesn't come in those windows that well, I mainly put them in to create a cross draft for cooling, mounting a window AC unit in the warmer months, and aesthetically matching the layout of my house.

Tools that I have that take up counter space (for certain) are my 12spd drill press, the DeWalt Portaband and my B&D bench grinder. My buffer could take up counter space or be on a pedestal. The Craftsman 2x42 could go on the bench, or on a rolling stand.
 
I've finally figured out that sticking a branch of the L out into the middle of the room allows me to put twice as many machines on that section of the bench (a row on each side). All I have to do is walk around it.
 
I'm working on a new workshop at the moment.
My plan is to have app. 80% at sitting hight and app. 20% at standing hight, becouse I prefer to do some tasks standing and they are h#ll on your back if the surface is to low.

I'd go for the U-shape with one of the short arms at app. 4feet and the rest a bit under 3feet.

But before making a work surface, paint the walls white, it is a lot friendlier on the eyes and reflects more light.
 
I'd definitely go with the U-shaped. I'm starting with an L shape simply because of limited space. The more work space you have for yourself the better.
 
First off, nice shop. My garage/shop looks more like utter chaos right now. I think the L-shape along the back wall and another 6' bench under one of the window for "clean" work (sheaths, final polishing, etc) is how i would do it. You could put drawers or cabinets under the window bench for material storage and they would stay cleaner than storage on the same bench with the grinders. Again, JMHO, my shop looks like a hurricane just left. :D
 
I have an L but the _ is short and has shelves on it. I store my wood on the main part and sandpapers, antlers and shaping tools on the shelf above that. The deep corner holds a lot of wood. And yes, hurricane status is what I fall under as well.
 
im a more space the better so i would do the U and build 2 corner storage boxes to take full ues of the extra depth

im gettign ready to build a table "island " in the middle of the work area
 
Thanks again to everyone for all the help and suggestions, lots of great ideas there!!! Island isn't a bad idea, I'd put locking casters on it though so I could move it out of the way when finished since my overall work space isn't that large.
 
Another piece of equipment I left out is the wood turning midi lathe and extension bed I'm getting. I think I may put it along one of the side walls and further towards the doors due to the amount of chips it generates. Turn one of my 4' shop lights lengthwise and hang it above the lathe area.
 
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