Building my shop- workbench question

V111Pilot · #1 08-31-2012, 09:14 AM

I am currently setting up my shop in two bays of a three car garage, my question is which setup would be best:

A 3ft by 16 ft workbench setup against the wall (only access on one side)

or A 4ft by 12 ft workbench accessable on both sides?

Having the bench against the wall would offer more room for everything else, so that would be a big plus.

Input appreciated!

V/R,
Brent

jtrollin · #2 08-31-2012, 09:27 AM

I would go with 2 smaller but movable workbenches. I built mine so I could slide the DRDT2 between the two tables. I has be really nice to have two, but I could also squeeze them together for one long table if needed.

More flexibility is always better.

ppilotmike · #3 08-31-2012, 09:37 AM

Brent,

I am building a 10 in 2 bays of a three car garage, just like you. My advice would be to build 3 rolling tables using slightly modified EAA table plans. I made my tables have retractable wheels, so I could "drop them" in place or move them whenever I want to. It works great for rolling everything outside and blowing the shop floor clean, which I do every so often. Take a look at my weblog and you can see how I laid things out.

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...=128020&row=14

The problem with fixed tables is that you'll want different setups for different parts of the project. So far, I don't have any complaints with my setup.

FresnoR · #4 08-31-2012, 09:38 AM

Are you sure you need to have it 4' x 12'? My bench is 4' x 8' and has been plenty big for anything I have done on it. That extra 4' in your shop may give you the room you need.

As for access to both sides of the bench, it was really helpful during certain parts of the fuselage construction because it saves you from picking up the entire structure and spinning it around when you need to work on the other side. I would not say it is essential though, you can get away with the bench along the wall. I would be careful though, as it may be tempting to hang tools and things up on that wall and the last thing you want is something falling onto whatever section of skin you just worked on.

Fearless · #5 08-31-2012, 09:38 AM

I had benches against the side walls and had to shift them around when it came time to pre-fit the wings. I have a three car garage that I'm building in as well. Measure across the garage to see if you will have room to pre-fit the wings. That might give you an idea where you can put the benches and what sizes to use.

Dbro172 · #6 08-31-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppilotmike

Brent,

My advice would be to build 3 rolling tables using slightly modified EAA table plans.

Yup.

you will want access to both sides at times.

N546RV · #7 08-31-2012, 09:56 AM

I decided to go with modified EAA benches; I made them a bit higher since I'm a tall dude. I intended to make two 2x6 tables and one 2x4 table; so far, I've only built the one large one, the rest of my materials are stored.

At first, I had the same thought as you: put the table against the wall, keep some open space in the garage. It didn't take long to realize that this was horribly limiting, especially the first time I clecoed together the rear HS spar. So now the bench is out in the middle of the garage, and while navigation in the garage is a little more difficult, it's been far more useful to be able to get to all side of the table, especially when working on a larger assembly like the entire HS.

larrynew · #8 08-31-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppilotmike

My advice would be to build 3 rolling tables using slightly modified EAA table plans.

I have 2 EAA tables on wheels and absolutely wouldn't change a thing. I used woodworking platenuts and long bolts and can quickly (less than 5 minutes) change from a long table to a rectangle.

SilverEagle2 · #9 08-31-2012, 10:10 AM

I originally built 2 EAA tables and then put them on casters. They are now against the wall holding parts, tools, and misc stuff.

I have a 4 x 4 bench on casters with my band saw, disk sander, drill press, and bench vice on each side. I love that bench.

I then built a 4 X 6 bench with a 2" lip on the top that is my main work bench. It is on casters too. This bench has been indispensable during my build so far.

I used the remaining 2 x 4 top left over from the 4 X 6 bench for the DRDT-2. Also on casters. I have had no issues with this setup.

Lastly, I have a 3 x 20 counter top against the full length of the back wall of my shop. There are cabinets above it, but as FresnoR stated, I do not use it for assembly for fear of dropping items on skins, etc.

David Paule · #10 08-31-2012, 10:17 AM

Two car garage,

One 3' x 7' table on wheels, it's my main work bench. I move it where needed and lock the wheels when it's there.

One 2' x 7' table fixed against a wall (30" wide would be a significant improvement).

One 2' x 8' table fixed on another wall (ditto the 30" comment here, too).

All the tables have shelves under them.

I'm real happy with this arrangement.

Dave