July292022

A workbench in the garage with your own hands: a choice between wood and metal

This article will help you understand the desktop device, its dimensions and basic parameters. Guided by the step-by-step instructions, it is not difficult to independently make a workbench in the garage with your own hands based on the proposed drawings. The text discusses the main types of structures and common materials used to create them.

The workbench in the garage is a multifunctional table that is used for carpentry, installation, plumbing and electromechanical work

What is a workbench: the structure and features of the desktop

Workbench is a multifunctional table in the garage, which is used for installation, carpentry and plumbing, as well as electromechanical work. It serves as an ideal place for repairing or manufacturing parts, processing various materials (wood, plastic, metal), assembling and disassembling mechanisms, etc. If the work surface is properly organized, the workbench can be used for convenient storage of electric and hand tools.

The workbench is an excellent place for processing various materials, as well as repairing or manufacturing parts

The device of a standard workbench table in the garage

Most garages have a limited area, so you need to be very careful when choosing the design of the workbench and its dimensions. The table should be compact, but at the same time as functional as possible. The size of a regular garage box is 4×6 m. If you subtract the space occupied by the car from its area, there will not be much space left for arranging a desktop in the garage with your own hands.

Despite the fact that the designs of workbenches may differ from each other, there is a standard set of elements, without which it is impossible to make a comfortable and functional table.

As a basis for creating a workplace, a metal frame is necessarily taken. This material has an increased margin of safety. The metal structure is able to withstand serious weight loads, which, depending on the model, vary between 70-300 kg.

Important! If the table is to be used for processing massive large-sized parts, its frame part must be reinforced with diagonal joints.

The designs of workbenches may differ from each other, but there is a standard set of necessary elements

A mandatory component of the workbench is the countertop. The material for its creation is selected taking into account the expected types of work that will be performed in the workshop. The countertop of a workbench for a garage can be made of stainless or galvanized steel with your own hands. MDF, moisture-resistant plywood or chipboard are also suitable for these purposes. It is allowed to use wood with a dense structure. Machines, clamps and other locksmith tools are installed on the surface of the countertop.

Regardless of the chosen material, the countertop must withstand not only shock and dynamic loads, but also contact with various chemicals, for example, solvents, paints, engine oil, varnish, etc. In conventional factory-made workbenches, the working surface is designed for a load of 300-350 kg. In reinforced models, this figure is 400 kg or more.

Improved versions of workbenches in the garage with your own hands: photos of functional tables

A workbench without a pedestal in the standard version has the simplest structure. This option is the easiest to assemble, and it costs less. In order to increase the working surface and at the same time save free space, folding (folding) structures are usually installed.

The stability of the folding workbench in the garage is ensured by adjustable legs. At the same time, its countertop is fixed to the wall. When the device is not in use, the work surface is in an elevated state.

Single-column workbench designs are more stable and reliable

The creation of a folding workbench in the garage is resorted to only in cases where it is necessary to organize a compact workplace on a limited area. In this case, it is assumed that the table will be used extremely rarely. Such a design cannot be called a well-equipped workplace. In addition, the space under the folding table top should remain free, so it will not be possible to install cabinets or shelves for storing tools.

Useful advice! It is still possible to organize places for storing tools in a tight space. For example, using life hacks for a garage workshop, it is easy to install bearing guides with drawers with your own hands, or to supplement the folding table top with tables on wheels that can be easily moved to another place when the workbench is not in use.

Single-column structures are more reliable and stable. The weight of such models is about 100 kg. These workbenches have a reinforced work surface and a pedestal equipped with drivers. The movement of drawers is ensured by ball guides. In addition, adjustable shelves may be present in the design. A central lock is used to lock the drawers. Some functional models may have a dashboard.

Models with two cabinets weigh 110-115 kg. Provided that the weight is evenly distributed, each box can withstand up to 30 kg of load. In order to make the workbench in the garage more convenient and functional with your own hands, it is recommended to supplement the design with shelves or racks. A perforated screen can also be included in the package. It is a panel where hooks and holders are installed.

The space under the countertop can be used to store tools

Types of workbenches in the garage: photos of structures for various purposes

According to the intended purpose, there are several types of workbenches, and each of them has its own dimensions. The carpenter’s workbench is least often used. The design of such a garage table reaches a length of 6 m. This size is necessary so that long and thick boards can be placed on the surface. Latches for lumber are also installed on the countertop. They allow you to fix the boards in a fixed position, which greatly simplifies the process of their processing.

Carpentry workbenches are installed in the garage much more often. The working surface in the structure is usually fixed on a strong frame. The lid of such tables is iron or wooden (dense rocks are used, for example, beech or oak). Due to the high strength characteristics, metal parts can be processed on this surface without the risk of damaging the coating.

To create a wooden workbench in the garage with your own hands, a pair of support posts are taken as a basis, which are fastened together with the help of longitudinal bars. A vise is installed on one side of the countertop, designed to fix metal workpieces, and a rectangular cutout is made on the other. It is necessary in order to be able to move additional vises along the work surface.

Pay attention! There must be holes in the countertop of the workbench that will be used for mounting clamps and stops. It is impossible to carry out carpentry work without these devices.

To create a wooden workbench, you will need a pair of support posts and bars to fasten them

Installing a locksmith table in the garage can be called a universal solution. In this case, the working surface is made of metal, so that the master can safely work with heavy and hard materials.

A metal locksmith workbench with a vise is suitable for performing such types of work:

sawing;
analysis of mechanisms and engine;
grinding;
cutting;
sharpening , etc .

Such structures are much more stable and stronger than other workbenches, although they differ in considerable weight.

Requirements for a workbench in the garage: dimensions of the structure

In order not to lose sight of anything important, it is necessary to make a preliminary plan for the manufacture and assembly of a workbench with your own hands, a drawing with dimensions is one of its main points. At the same time, the garage area and the size of the vehicle are taken into account.

On average, the length of a workbench for a garage should be about 1.5-2 m

The length of the table depends on the amount of free space in the garage, as well as on the intended types of work. On average, this indicator is about 1.5-2 m. Choosing the width for the future workbench, you need to take into account the nature of the placement of tools and other objects around the table. It is necessary to provide free access to the shelves on the wall. For this reason, it is undesirable to make a countertop with a width of more than 60 cm, otherwise it will be impossible to reach the necessary tools with your hand. If the workbench is located in the center of the room, then the width of its working surface can be increased.

The height of the locksmith workbench is selected individually. The parameters of the desktop are significantly different from the size of the dining room. They are calculated taking into account the growth of the master, as well as the pose in which he is used to working. The standard indicator is 80 cm . However, it will be inconvenient to work at such a table in a standing position. To keep your back from getting tired, it is recommended to increase the height to 100 cm.

There is an effective way to accurately determine the optimal height of the workbench. To do this, you need to take a pose in which it will be comfortable to rest your elbows on the table while standing. It remains only to measure the distance from the elbows to the floor.

Useful advice! If the design of the workbench is designed to work in a standing position, it is necessary to provide a wooden stand for a chair in case you want to sit at the table.

The standard height of the table in the garage is 80 cm

A power tool is installed on one side of the workbench. This edge of the countertop should protrude beyond the frame by about 20-30 cm. If the work surface is made of wood, it should be protected with a metal sheet. Stainless steel with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm is best suited for these purposes. Although an ordinary steel sheet with a thickness of 1.5 mm will be cheaper.

From what material is it better to make a workbench in the garage with your own hands

There are several options for making a desktop. According to the type of material used for the manufacture of workbenches are:

wooden;
metal;
combined.

In combined workbenches, a wooden base and a metal sheet are used as a countertop amplifier. In addition, there are metal combs in the design, as well as screws with applied threads. Combined devices include metal tables with drawers and shelves for tools made of wood.

Advantages and disadvantages of a wooden workbench in the garage

The choice of material for the manufacture of the table is primarily determined by its purpose. A wooden workbench in the garage is usually installed in cases where you need to quickly organize a workplace to perform simple operations. To create a frame part, you can use boards with a size of 4×8 cm or a beam with a size of 5×10 cm. The rectangular base is assembled taking into account standard dimensions, and its components are fixed with nails or screws.

A wooden workbench is installed in cases when it is necessary to quickly organize a workplace

To strengthen the structure, wooden spacers are installed in the upper and lower parts between the legs. The lower ones, which are located at a height of 15 cm from the floor, can be used as a base for the shelf. For the assembly of the countertop, a planed tongue-and-groove board made of oak or beech is suitable. You can also use a couple of sheets of moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of 1.8 cm, which are glued together and sheathed along the edge.

To create a workbench in a garage made of wood with your own hands, you do not need much effort and skills in handling a welding machine. The set of tools is minimal (electric jigsaw and drill), and the process itself takes much less time than the manufacture of a metal structure.

On the other hand, a wooden table has many disadvantages:

it is not able to withstand significant power loads;
the working surface is not designed for the installation of several tools, which does not allow the simultaneous use of heavy locksmith vise and sharpening or drilling;
the wooden bed is short-lived;
wood does not react well to humidity and contact with various paints, oils and other substances;
there is a risk of fire.

The disadvantage of a wooden workbench is the inability to withstand large power loads

Useful advice! The wooden surface must be treated with an antiseptic. This will protect it from rotting.

Advantages and disadvantages of a metal workbench for a garage

To assemble a welder’s table with your own hands, you will need special equipment and skills in handling it. The elements of the workbench are connected by welding. Not every master can produce a metal structure with high quality. In addition, the table turns out to be very heavy, and the material itself, unlike wood, is not cheap.

Carpentry workbench with your own hands: how to organize a comfortable workplace

Types of structures, their main elements and purpose. The technology of making a workbench with your own hands with drawings and a detailed description of the actions.

On the other hand, metal workbenches in the garage have many advantages that many car owners will appreciate.:

compact with a high degree of reliability;
ability to withstand severe mechanical loads;
increased weight of the structure, making it more stable;
a large selection of modifications (the design can be folding, movable, shortened or with a folding table top);
strength and reliability of all connections;
fire safety;
durability and ease of care;
the absence of sharp corners makes the countertop safe;
the working surface allows you to install two sets of vises;
due to the high strength of the material on the table, it is possible to perform cutting and sawing, as well as grinding and turning of metal and wooden parts;
The space under the countertop can be used to install shelves, organizers, grids and tool boxes.;
metal shavings do not damage the surface.

Useful advice! To prevent the appearance of rust, the metal surface must be treated with anticorrosive agents.

Creating a wooden workbench in the garage with your own hands: drawings and technology

Not having sufficient skills and knowledge, it is better to give preference to a wooden workbench. Working with a bar is much easier than assembling a heavy metal structure from a steel corner by welding. In this case, you can limit yourself to an elementary jigsaw and a drill.

Before you make a workbench out of wood yourself, you should make all the parts necessary for its assembly

Before you equip a workbench in the garage for tools, you need to determine not only its size, but also its placement. It is advisable to choose a garage area for the arrangement of the workplace, where there is access to sockets, as well as a good level of lighting. It is most convenient to work when natural light falls on the left or directly in front of the master.

The workbench and the equipment itself must be placed so that in the process of work it is not necessary to drive the car out of the garage. At the same time, the design should not prevent the free entry of the car or block the door.

Before making a workbench with your own hands from wood, you need to make all the parts necessary for its assembly. The ideal tool for sawing is a stationary circular saw. In extreme cases, you can use its manual version. The edge part of the material is cut off using an electric jigsaw.

A bar will be suitable as a material. It is advisable to take pine or oak. It is these types of wood that have high strength. The size of the lumber depends on the design of the workbench itself and its features. A 15 m long beam is considered the best option for most tables. The cross section is selected taking into account the expected loads. To assemble the countertop, you can take an edged board. A material with a thickness of about 2-3 cm is suitable for this.

Important! The boards for the countertop must have a smooth surface. The presence of defects or flaws, for example, cracks, knots, pits, is not allowed.

To make the workbench as functional as possible, an additional shelf can be installed between two cabinets under the countertop. To create it, you will need three plywood sheets with a thickness of 0.6-0.8 cm and a size of 60×200 cm. Self-tapping screws designed for working with wood are suitable as fasteners. Some components of the table will have to be fixed with steel corners.

How to make a workbench in the garage with your own hands: cutting the material and the assembly process

Taking into account the dimensions that are prescribed in the drawings, the frame part of the table is made. To do this, the wooden beam is cut into several parts so that the following details are obtained:

foot racks (4 pcs.);
transverse spacers (5 pcs.);
horizontal beams (4 pcs.).

If the size of the selected workbench does not exceed 2 m, then a beam with a cross section of 7 cm can be used for work. Vertical racks need to be sawn so that the result is a pair of parts measuring 90 cm and two elements measuring 150 cm each. The difference in size is due to the need to install a screen for the tool, which will be fixed on the supports.

After manufacturing the frame part of the workbench, the work surface is assembled from boards and a sheet of plywood

Horizontal beams act as connecting elements between the legs of the table. The support posts in the lower part are attached with 150 cm long parts. To fix the countertop, you will need a 2 m long beam. Spacers with a size of 60 cm are made from the remaining material. After that, all the components of the table are connected using screws and steel corners.

When the frame part is ready, the work surface is assembled from boards and a sheet of plywood. The resulting canvas is adjusted to the dimensions of the workbench, leveled and processed with carpentry glue. After complete drying, it is firmly fixed on the frame with screws.

How to assemble a metal workbench in a garage with your own hands: photos and step-by-step technology

The metal structure is assembled on the basis of a steel corner. A grinder and a welding machine act as an auxiliary tool.

The working surface of the locksmith workbench should be made of sheet steel with a thickness of at least 0.5 cm

First of all, to create a workbench in a garage from metal with your own hands, you need to cut out a frame blank for the upper canvas. In locksmith tables, it is better to make the working surface of sheet steel with a thickness of at least 0.5 cm. Corners are installed on the surface in accordance with the drawing, which will later be used to fix the base of the countertop. Before these elements are finally fixed by welding, they should be aligned at the corners and secured with clamps. After that, the connecting seams are carefully cleaned.

If the master has a semi-automatic welding machine at hand, you can pre-connect the metal workpieces of the table. After that, a steel sheet is fixed on them. In this case, spot welding is necessarily used. If you use standard technology when connecting the work surface with a metal frame, there is a high probability of overheating, as well as damage to the sheet. As a result, waves may appear on the surface of the countertop, which will create inconvenience during operation.

At the next stage, vertical racks should be made from a steel corner and connected to the frame part. If the garage floor is strewn with crushed stone, for greater stability of the workbench, special supports (nickels) should be welded to its legs. In rooms with concrete floors, the work table is fixed with anchor bolts. To do this, it will also be necessary to provide appropriate elements in the design.

Then the crossbars are made. They are welded horizontally at the bottom on the support posts. To strengthen the structure on the back of the table, you need to install a diagonal spacer. Under the boxes, which can be made of any improvised materials, it is necessary to weld transverse segments and longitudinal corners.

The finished design needs finishing work. At the final stage, the seams of the metal structure are cleaned and treated with a primer, after which the entire table is painted. Finishing a wooden table involves polishing and painting/varnishing.

A well-made workbench will create optimal conditions for working in the garage. If all the necessary requirements are met, the design will last for a long time.

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