Cool Tools Bench Awards 2018

Here's my entry, where I've set aside a wall of the ManCave for electronics and use both standing and sitting bench tops.  I do all of the fabrication and testing at the standing bench, which has additional drawers and storage on the reverse side.  The foundation for the bench is actually a Craftsman Workbench (but the 1980's edition)  which I elevated and added retractable wheels along with the work surface - and then fit in the equipment risers.  So I have to move out the bench to access some of the infrequently used tools and equipment.  Alternatively, I can just turn the bench 90 degrees or put it in the center of the ManCave.

Most of my work is with computers and micro-controllers and the occasional kit or repair project.  This needs a consistent set of tools and prototyping boards, which I keep at hand.  The benches all roll out of the way to get into the wall cabinets which extend up to the 10' ceiling.  Each of the lower cabinet doors has parts cabinets on the reverse.  The wall cabinets are 47"W x 60"H x 18" deep.

While I have computer screens on both benches, I do most of my software development, research and email, at the sitting bench.  This also houses my older analog equipment.  I prefer portrait screens for viewing PDFs in full page size.  The small monitor is for booting up raspberry pi's - thereafter I use putty or VNC.

I keep the right side of the ManCave dark to support YouTube and movies on the big projection screen.  To the left starts the woodworking bench and tools.  I also have a small machine shop to handle all of my metalwork for cases and chassis restoration, and for custom camera fittings.  I built all of the benches, shelves and cabinets.  Long ago, my 6th grade shop class was woodworking, metalworking and electronics - which makes a variety of projects possible - if you keep up with it!

Hi Michael,

I really like your shop. It has a functional look and a flexibility that is somewhat rare. I can see that you are a true maker by your inclination to modify things to make them fit your needs rather than just accept them as is and adapt yourself instead. I also believe that the functional compartmentalization works very well to get things done provided that there is enough room to do it.

John

Thanks John!  Let me share a couple more pictures of the bench re-purpose.

Here is some of the reinforcing of the sheet metal to all for mounting of the work surface.  This bench had the capacity I wanted but was just too low and too small a work surface to be use comfortably.  While it is a standing height, I do sit at a stool while soldering and bread boarding.  So I really needed to be able to sit under the bench - and the original top just could not support that use.  With this frame in place, I could easily use pocket screws to fasten the new bench top on the old bench.

Of course, Having a large overhang would make it more difficult to access the drawers.  So the top is positioned asymmetrically with leg room at the back and minimal overhang at the drawers side.  Thus tools that are bulky and would otherwise take up bench top space, can be easily stored away until needed.

A lot of the tools that I use frequently then moved from the drawers to a "tool caddy" which I now use on the bench top.

The chunk of granite is a sample from a kitchen project.  I'm not sure it is really useful - but it seemed like a good idea at the time!

Now I could have just slapped on (2) slabs of MDF but I was doing everything in the ManCave in Oak.  I was thinking of the Edison Labs and how they they build everything to purpose.  So here I am trimming out the slabs in Oak.  The tape is used to mark the biscuit locations to help guide the clamping during the glue up.

If you look at the lower left corner of the bench you can see that the original bench just sits on a cleat.  This allows you to tune the height.  The leg is then bolted to the lift .  I settled on the final height by using a lift cart, raising the whole assembly, and trying it out.

Finally, here is the detail of the lift mechanism.  A scissor jack with a custom hand wheel adapter, one at each end.  I could have used the jack handle but it is a little fussy to get it attached through the opening.  The slot is critical because the center-line of the jacks moves quite a bit, over its range.This is maybe a little overkill but the final bench is pretty heavy and keeping it mobile is the most important criteria.  The bench is up against additional shelving and the wall cabinets so it needs to move easily to access that storage.

Michael,

I really like the bench top that you constructed.  Very Nice!  I built a similar workbench for my woodworking projects that used a thin sheet of UHDP (ultra high density plastic) as a work surface, so that any glue drips/smears could be easily removed.  (Slots and holes are for clampling projects).

Gene

Hi Gene,

Wow - that's a really nice work table and surface!! Your whole workshop looks great, a pleasure to work in I imagine.

Thanks Shabaz,

That unfortunately is my old workshop.  Two years ago we move to Texas to be with our grandkids.  Here I do not yet have a workshop (my wife really wanted to park the car inside here).  I am planning on building a new shop, but I have not yet come up with the right plan.  I really need to push a bit harder to get that moving.

Thanks!

Gene

Thanks Shabaz,

That unfortunately is my old workshop.  Two years ago we move to Texas to be with our grandkids.  Here I do not yet have a workshop (my wife really wanted to park the car inside here).  I am planning on building a new shop, but I have not yet come up with the right plan.  I really need to push a bit harder to get that moving.

Thanks!

Gene