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I've been wanting more bench space in my shop for some time now. I seem to change up my shop every year or so, trying to make my 185 sft more efficient with the tools I have and need for more bench space.

I recently decided that I'm not going to be finishing my own guitars any more as I have some good local options, this has freed up the far corner of my shop where my spraybooth and fan where located. I decided to make a U shaped bench, inspired by Shane's found in this thread

My bench isn't quite as big as Shanes but pretty close. I'm 8 feet along the long run of the wall and the peninsula comes out 4 feet to the vise mount (thanks to Todd Stock with help from Woodie B in this thread), then the vise mount sticks out 8".

The deep inside corner of the bench will house my new gobar deck, which will spin so I can access all sides.

There are 16 large drawers total (that you can see) and on the left side of the peninsula are two cupboards with adjustable shelves. Right at the end of the peninsular will be 4 drawers that can slide through either side. My plan is to keep set up tools there as well as my barbells for the new binding jig. Just above those drawers on either side will be a 2 socket plug for easy access when routing, drilling, sanding....

I'll post a few more pictures the next time I get in the shop and it's all organized. I did have to move a bunch of stuff around but once again, I feel like I've got more room to move around in my shop (always important) and also have gained 2 new bench surfaces and more storage than before.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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Nice one Rod.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

That looks real nice and I like what you did there with that vise. I think I may have to do the same thing for my bench.

When Woodie B posted that for Rod a couple weeks back I built one (not as nice as Rod's ) that very weekend. It has been awesome to have the full width of my bench!

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You're just missing the all important floor mats and and a few wipe coats of shellac on the mdf. Really helps keep the surface flat and unlumpy from cans, water glasses, spritz ing from this and that...

Nice! I must have missed that post. Think I will get busy this weekend on it.

That's nice Rod. It reminds just how badly I want to redo my shop - again.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Well done! My workbench needs some TLC. Thanks for the inspiration!

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George :-)

Dunno, maybe Z-poxy would pop the grain better?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I got me a good pair of shoes for in the shop with amazing cushion but I should have a few mats around the bench in case I drop a chisel.

Yup, gotta seal that MDF with something, thinking minwax urethane....

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Min wax is what I put on mine too, I guess I was being generic with shellac...

Love the vise!
I plan to revamp my space soon too.
I'm lucky to have a window at my bench.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

"Yup, gotta seal that MDF with something, thinking minwax urethane...."

Laminating with Formica would give you an easily cleaned solvent resistant surface.

Hmmmm, don't know if I'd want a laminate top for my bench.....

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Here's an iPhone pano pic of my shop now. Still 2 small shelves to build but I'm nearly finished this round of reno's




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

It's really open now. I bet it feels great to have a more flexible and open workspace.

Looks great, Rod. A while back, in a shop thread, I saw your space and wondered, "how does he do it with only 180 sq ft. At the time, I had about 220. Now I'm down to 170, so now I know-you get creative!

I have a similar carver's vise. It mounts into the workbench side vise so I can put it away when it's not needed. But when I need it, I REALLY needit.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Sorry, double post

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I like the plywood construction, Mr. True - looks as though it would be easily moved, as well as leave more space for the spinner nut and washer. You are giving me ideas for my own 'someday' shop! Thanks!

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

Well, thanks to OLF and this thread I have a very nice new addition to my new shop bench.

Since this thread popped back up i would like to ask a question.

Do you find cabinetry (uppers / lowers) and countertop space most useful, or a large working bench area?

I am building my shop in the basement and have a nice selection of reclaimed cabinets that I would like to use.
Also, i have a large benchtop that i would like to utilize; shop will only provide for one or the other, not both.
This project has been slow going, but all the harder boring work is done now. Getting into the subtle design and attractions now.
The shop has to keep pace with the living space or ill get in trouble. o_0


ty
gregor

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Wake up and smell the rosewood!

I personally don't care for cabinets because I don't like to have to open doors to see what's inside. I just like shelves and or cubby holes. Larger work benches could be nice but as long as it's long enough and wide enough to fit a guitar with a good amount of space around it AND even more importantly you can walk around it, so like a bench in the middle of the room.