Garage Work Benches

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Not a welding Table that's up next.  Just got a new Miller 211 and needed an excuse to build something so the garage got some new benches with a Floor Jack holder and adjustable feet with 1 1/2 bolts.  I saw someone on this Forum with a similar idea and borrowed it.  I love it, Jack is off the floor and out of the way.  I'm new to Welding Web but love this site so far.  I'm just a garage welder but have been doing it for about 15 years off and on.  Still just a rookie but I love Welding!  Thanks for all the neat ideas and inspiration.......Now to build that dedicated welding table..... Attached Images
Reply:Temporary MDF tops till I can find some cheap Butcher Block or other hard wood.  Maybe some 1/4 plate, not sure but this was a cheap tempo fix.
Reply:Nice jack holder idea. Does the fluid pour out of it yet?American by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:Hmmm, Not yet.  Didn't think of that.  Let's hope not.  Worse case scenario I made the holder removable.
Reply:I have the same jack. Got it from Costco about 10 years ago. Nice benches, BTW. More info and pics of the '66.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Very nice and clean, About how much does one of those way?
Reply:Nice benches. Heavy duty and very blue.As for the Jack...I have a nice Craftsman jack in my shop that I got at a yard sale for $5. It worked nicely for the previous owner until they stored it in about that position for a time while moving. It stopped working after that, so they sold it to me. It was a pain, but I think I have it almost working right again after bleeding air and filling with fluid. Obviously, I would recommend not storing your jack like that if you want it to work when you need it.
Reply:The top on my workbench in the garage is two pieces of plywood screwed together.  It has been a solid work platform for many years.  By the way, your bench looks great!!
Reply:Looks great!Smart to leave the one side open so you can sit at the thing or stand without hitting your ankles.I did a similar one with the extra trick of bending the lower crossmember.  It looks like the same 2x2 square tubing.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:For the top, check to see if you have a recycling type place that sells used solid core doors. There are a few in my area, including the habitat for humanity place, that has LOTS of them for sale. They're all pretty much $20, except nicer ones fetch a bit more. Either way, I used one for my one workbench...super solid 1 1/2" thick top for $20...can't be beat.
Reply:Thanks for all the compliments!  I appreciate the heads up on the jack too.  I guess I'll have to find a new spot for it.  I used 2" 11 gauge.  Probably overkill for benches but doesn't cost much more for a little more rigidity.  The bench with the jack is purposely taller than the other one so I can slide the Welding table underneath.  Wish I had pics of the 66 but it has yet to be acquired.  Still looking.  Thanks again for the Tips and after looking all over the boards I think I have an idea of what I want to do for a table.
Reply:Thanks Jack, your table looks awesome!
Reply:As I posted on another forum, I'm currently a fan of the Ikea countertops for workbenches.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40057853/
Reply:Maybe U can find my old 66Nova cpe.... Aqua Marine Blue, HiBack buckets, 327 WIDE ration 4 spd, no posi  (I was 18 what did I know? )   spinner caps... Cost $2845 cash out the door + plates and insurance for 6 months.  @ Brown and Hoeye Chevrolet in Mesa, Az... Sold it 1 year later... after all I would not need a car in the Navy overseas right?   Garage was handy, coulda, shoulda, mighta stashed it. Line forms to the right for a boot in the rear... stupid!Benches are first class, nice jobLast edited by PapaLion; 02-15-2012 at 10:29 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenLooks great!Smart to leave the one side open so you can sit at the thing or stand without hitting your ankles.I did a similar one with the extra trick of bending the lower crossmember.  It looks like the same 2x2 square tubing.
Reply:Thanks, RRebelo.  I apologize for cluttering someone else's thread.  But dang if I don't really like the topic of garage workbenches.  Two of mine use Ikea butcher block for the top.  The center island bench is the big Numerar piece.  I just recently finished a bench that uses their standard depth piece (in oak).  The downside to it is that it's not 28'-32", which I think is a good depth for a bench.  It's only 25-1/2".  I had to add a piece of wood to get the depth I wanted.  If you look to the left of the row of black drawers on this bench, you can see where the two pieces meet.The center island bench is birch and it's much deeper, I guess since it's designed for a kitchen island.  You can see some of it here (and also an inch-thick top for a fabrication bench -- sometimes you gotta go with steel).This is the one with the curved cross piece.  Its top is 1-3/4" thick Maple, part of a second-hand Lista desk that I tore apart.  It's the best piece of butcher block in my garage -- and was also the cheapest, since it was used -- of the butcher block pieces I've found.And here's the explanation for the square you see on the left side of the garage floor.  Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:PaPa, just so happens I live in Mesa, AZ so I'll be on the lookout but I'm sure that Gem is long gone.  Some guys have all the luck.  Had a 70 Chevelle for about 10 years and I need another project, been to long
Reply:Clutter away Jack.  It never gets old taking a peak at a stellar garage like yours.  I dig it, can't wait to have one that clean.
Reply:Thanks.  Why not put a horizontal shelf for the jack about 6" under the top of one of the benches?  If the idea is to fully nest one under the other, you could put the jack storage under the top of the shorter one.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Yea, I love the idea of the jack not taking up any space on my floor.  Back to the drawing board.  But that just means I get to play with the Miller again....Sweet!
Reply:jack , you have a beautiful garage. i wish mine was that big &wide  open. i like the lift in the floor. i'm always working on my trucks on jackstands in the driveway in front of the garage. my garage  is too small to get my tahoe's inside to work on.
Reply:Gr8 job - love that blue!  Jack, gr8 clock!!!
Reply:THX, Not quite Miller Blue but it looks good in the garage.
Reply:One of the mechanics here used 2 layers of 3/4 " mdf fastened togeather with a 1/4 " masonite board on top.  When it got torn up he replaced the 1/4" board.  Said in 20 years he never found anything that worked better for him for the price. (Like your benchs)
Reply:Made my bench tops out of 2x10's with 1/8 sheet steel on top    durable and can serve as a place for a quick weld job.  By the way NOVABOY66,  your Nova is parked next to my 67GTO that i had to give up when i got drafted in jan68   But i have a 67 Goat project that i am working on now    Now if i could find some of the girls from back then............The Habitat store near me has solid flat exterior doors 36" wide for $20 each. The last time that I built a bench I used one of these for the top of it. Since the bench was 24" deep it was easy to rip the knob and hinge areas off to make a perfect benchtop. It was 2 1/4" thick with a mahogany surface, almost too pretty to bang on. I'm still kicking myself for leaving it with the last house. Someday soon I'll be making another one. That's why I know the price of them at Habitat.Jack, your garage is almost too nice to do any work in. I can only dream of having a shop like that.CharleyLast edited by CharleyL; 02-17-2012 at 10:54 AM.Miller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:My work bench is made from a semi truck headache rack that I cut about a foot off of the one side and the bottem, and added on the the existing frame( some was cut when I cut it down). It was slightly bent so I used my suburban to flaten it back out. Work's great for me... I'll try to get a pic.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:No Doubt Albie.  Someday It will happen
Reply:Great Idea Blackpowder, And talk about a cheap top.
Reply:I've got one of those racing jacks from HF, no less.As soon as I got it out of the box I started modifying it!That handle is in the wrong position!Leave the "center" bolt loose and remove the end one, then spin it around to the two bolts - it will stop there.  Then drill out the plate and reattach the bolt to the handle.  Tighten everything up.Now when you carry it you can actually carry it as it is balanced!Also, Put a shelf - or - runners under the stand to store the jack on - out of the way and flat, if you're concerned about that.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenLooks great!Smart to leave the one side open so you can sit at the thing or stand without hitting your ankles.I did a similar one with the extra trick of bending the lower crossmember.  It looks like the same 2x2 square tubing.
Reply:What a beautiful shop!! I had no idea how you can work in there and keep it clean!Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:Great Idea Danny
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenLooks great!Smart to leave the one side open so you can sit at the thing or stand without hitting your ankles.I did a similar one with the extra trick of bending the lower crossmember.  It looks like the same 2x2 square tubing.