Need suggestions for a solid work bench

I agree, build your own.
I built this one last spring.
Just make sure to glue and screw the assembly together, it'll be one solid piece then.
The latest thing I'm working on are my built-ins in my den.
Cabinet doors, sanding and paint next!
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My new project, may get some more gussets or just paint. Should hold a few tons...but I know it may not be strong enough for some... 😝

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I have 2 freestanding work tables approx 77x36” that I built 15 years ago. The top is 3/4” AC plywood. I cut 2-5 1/2” strips off a long and a short side of the panel to make the top rails. I glued 4” 1/2” plywood stips along the bottom edge to make them more ridged and allow c-clamps to be used.The Legs are 2x4s glued and screwed. I ran a 2x6 under the middle off the top panel. I glued the top down with Titebond and only used enough screws to hold it until the glue dried and then removed the screws so they wouldn’t scratch anything I put on the table. The bottom shelf is a 2x4 frame with a 1/2” CDX top. I treated the top with boiled linseed oil and when that dried I put several coats of spar varnish on it. The rest is just painted. My vice is mounted on a 3/4” panel that I just clamp to the table. There is no decernable flex when using large hammers. The table is heavy enough that it doesn't move easily but I can still move it to make room in the shop. Sorry for the mess in the pictures that room in my shop is a disaster. The honey bottler in the picture weighs about 250#. I’ve had over 1000# pounds on these tables with no issues. Very simple but inexpensive and sturdy.

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I followed the plans posted by @MountaineerTom on the first page, but I extended it to 8 feet to minimize the amount of falloff plywood. Very satisfied with it, it's SOLID. I used wood glue when assembling the support structure as well as screws, and I took care to make sure the mortises were tight in the legs so its resistant to racking.

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The next one I build I will probably use the same basic design but I'll use 2x lumber for the top, because it's way cheaper and now that I have 16 square feet of hardboard work surface I can probably live with 2x8s for another bench.

Hope to get the pegboard hung this weekend.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
I followed the plans posted by @MountaineerTom on the first page, but I extended it to 8 feet to minimize the amount of falloff plywood. Very satisfied with it, it's SOLID. I used wood glue when assembling the support structure as well as screws, and I took care to make sure the mortises were tight in the legs so its resistant to racking.

View attachment 416175

The next one I build I will probably use the same basic design but I'll use 2x lumber for the top, because it's way cheaper and now that I have 16 square feet of hardboard work surface I can probably live with 2x8s for another bench.

Hope to get the pegboard hung this weekend.
Click to expand...

Awesome!
 
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