A workbench is an essential fixture for any job site or workshop. Portable or permanent, equipped with drawers, vises, or drafting-table tilt top, a bench not only helps work go faster and more accurately, it also keeps you safe.
"I very seldom work with something that's not clamped to the bench, You can't be accurate when you're squatting on the floor, and you're going to get hurt holding something in one hand and cutting with the other. It's really worth the effort to set up a bench, and it doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate." Workbenches come in all shapes in sizes: Small, foldable ones can travel from job to job, while heavy, furniture-like pieces with drawers and cabinets become a permanent fixture in the workshop. Most permanent benches have standard tops set near counter height (36 inches), which will suit a lot of different projects. But adjustable benches are handy if you want to tailor them to your own height and the tools you're working with. It's best to test out any bench in the store to see what feels most comfortable for your size and working habits. But with any of the ones shown here - plus several heavy-duty clamps to hold materials to them - you'll have a safe and convenient place to get the job done. Portable A portable workbench travels with you wherever you need it. About $100 buys a fold-up work center with a top around 2 feet by 3 feet, good for mixing paint, pasting wallpaper, setting up tools, and cutting lumber. Says Norm, "I like a great big table made simply from a sheet of ¾-inch plywood on a pair of sawhorses, but I've seen some of the guys work great with a folding bench. Permanent A permanent workbench is a sturdier alternative to portable benches, weighing up to a couple of hundred pounds. It should measure at least 2 feet by 5 feet and can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on size and construction. The better ones include drawers and cabinets, so tools and materials are always at hand. It can go in the middle of the shop so you can walk around it for woodworking, or up against a wall for general storage and projects. Where to Find It Opener - Workmate #WM425 Black & Decker 800-544-6986 www.blackanddecker.com Portable - Sawhorses: Crawford Double Duty Sawhorse Brackets #90 The Lehigh Group 610-966-9702 www.lehighgroup.com Workstand: #6135 Work Center Pro Wolfcraft 630-773-4777 www.wolfcraft.com Also sold under Craftsman brand as the Height Adjustable Clamping Table #65796 800-549-4505 www.craftsman.com Workstation: Workmate #WM425 Black & Decker Permanent - Homemade: Model #RTC24 Simpson Strong-Tie Connectors 800-999-5099 www.strongtie.com Storage bench: Model #65978 Craftsman Woodworker's bench: Traditional Storage Workbench #88A0201 Garrett Wade 800-221-2942 www.garrettewade.com
