Replies

1. 
   Samson | Dec 31, 2006 02:07am | #1

   Mine's in the center of my shop.  I love being able to attack from all sides, and that ability comes in very handy very often.  I bought a bunch of used track lights and have several aimed at the bench from all angles. 

   My old bench was a against a wall, and it was okay, but through using my new one, I've come to appreciate it was like working one hand tied behind my back. 

1. 
   pzaxtl | Dec 31, 2006 04:36am | #2

   Ditto.

1. 
   xmike | Dec 31, 2006 04:53am | #3

   Ditto, "ditto".

   Mike D :)

2. 
   BMilton | Dec 31, 2006 05:17am | #4

   Mine is against the wall in one of the few available spots. BUT, it is on casters (since the shop is small). So, when I just need a quick use, I leave it where it is. When I need access all around a piece (for example), I roll it out to the center.

   BTW, all my power tools are on casters as well (mostly on home-made carts), so even my table saw is against the wall, and rolled out when needed.

        Bob

    

3. 
   milanuk | Dec 31, 2006 09:26am | #5

   The previous benches I've had (not really woodworking benches, more of the 'utility' class) were against the wall so I had something solid backing them up when I went to tweak something *hard*.

   The 'woodworking' bench I'm building *now*, as in this weekend, is the NYW bench from Norm's plans & video (yeah, it's kinda puny but hopefully it'll be better than what I have in this place so far... an old door on saw horses. Because it is relatively small and light, it'll be up against the wall, right next to the door(s), so it'll have plenty of open space on one end, and sufficient space on the other two sides. If I really need to be able to attack something from all sides, I can probably drag it out in the open for some things.

   Making a bench big/heavy enough to *not* move when I really push against it (short of bolting it down) is going to be a challenge for down the road... but I think I'll start accumulating and stickering some nice maple and other wood for it now ;)

1. 
   user-181778 | Dec 31, 2006 09:41am | #6

   Currently my bench is against the wall under a window, but that is due to extreme space limitations.  The best I've had was the bench as an island, with counters and cabinets on three sides, and about a four foot walkway.  Having all that counter space close by let me keep the bench uncluttered but still have everything very conveniently located.  Someday.....

4. 
   Dave45 | Dec 31, 2006 06:06pm | #7

   I have a small "workbench" under my garage window that is actually a catch-all place for stuff I intend to put away ................. someday. - lol

   My main workbench (4' x 8') in in the middle of the garage and serves as the table saw outfeed table, assembly and glue up table, sanding table, etc.  Oh yeah, one end is a "junk magnet", but I manage to clean it up once in a while. - lol

5. 
   bones | Dec 31, 2006 11:13pm | #8

   Not exactly in the middle, but off the wall about 8'. I have it backed up to my TS to act as an outfeed table.  I can get around three sides easily.  Type of work does not mater to me. I wanted to maximise usable space, so it doubling as an outfeed table made sense. 

6. 
   mbcabinetmaker | Dec 31, 2006 11:33pm | #9

   Mine is in front or my dewalt slider which is against  the wall. This allows me  to work from all sides but My main working position is between the saw and the bench. It is about 4 feet from the saw table. Just turn around and cut something. This is the same set up as in a lot of commercial shops.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 01, 2007 08:09pm | #10

   Thanks everyone for your opinion.   This is certainly not a scientific poll, but it looks like the folks who responded, who have room, place their bench away from the wall so they can get to all 4 sides.  Up against the wall was the placement for those who said they had limited space.

   Mine is against the wall under a window, but my wife is getting out of picture framing so I will be able to use more of the shop space.   I am trying to think through what is the best placement for what I have.

   Thanks for your input, and your rationales as to why you have it placed where you do.  That helps me think through my situation.

   Alan - planesaw

   PS.  Anyone else is welcome to add to the post. 

1. 
   Ray | Jan 01, 2007 10:01pm | #11

   Mine's about 3 feet from the wall with some halogen lights above.  It's pretty heavy and I can wheel my tablesaw or planer up to the end to use it as an outfeed table. - - - I also restore old short-wave radios, flourescent lighting is out of the question - that's why I use halogen.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 01, 2007 10:49pm | #12

   Ray,

   Help me understand the issue of not having fluorescents.  I know some people don't like them, but you seem to have a specific reason.

   Thanks,

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   TonyCz | Jan 02, 2007 07:17am | #13

   Make the tools in yor shop Mobile. I have a shop in Carson Calif. 1400 sq. feet and I have all of the tools on wheels except for the table saws and the Radial arm saw.

   When you need room you can have it and when you need that one tool just roll it out if it need to be.

   Edited 1/1/2007 11:19 pm ET by TonyCz

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 02, 2007 07:29am | #14

   Tony,

   When you say all the tools on wheels, do you mean all the big tools, or do you mean all your tool cabinets on wheels, or both, or ????

   Thanks,

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   TonyCz | Jan 02, 2007 08:02am | #15

   Some of the cabinets could be on wheels using the good urithane type red plastic wheels. I don't have my cabinets on wheels because I only have two which are on the ground and used for the radial arm saw left and right support. 

   All of the others, are cabinets hung on the walls. I might also mention I have the dust collector off of the ground as well to make more floor space, which I make use for a two stage chip barrel for the dust collector. It works very well. since I now only have to dump the trach can and not the plastic trash bag each time it's full. I just roll it to the dumpster.  I do have a mechanics tool box for the shop hand tools and router cutters etc. which is on wheels. Sears ball Bearing steel cabinet a very nice way to go.

   Also all of the big tools band saw, planer, jointer, router table, shaper, flaper sander, air compressor, drum sander are all on wheels. The drill press is just off to the side and not on wheels and not bolted down. 

   All of the lumber is on wall storage racks from Lee valley.

   Edited 1/2/2007 12:07 am ET by TonyCz

   Edited 1/2/2007 12:14 am ET by TonyCz

   Edited 1/2/2007 4:07 pm ET by TonyCz

4. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 02, 2007 04:01pm | #16

   Tony,

   Sounds like you have this thought through and organized.  My layout has worked, but my wife is getting out of her picture framing business so that is going to free up some more of the shop for me.  Our shop is small, relatively speaking, with something just under 400 sq ft. so any room to spread out a bit is wonderful.

   You have given me some ideas, along with my extra space, to consider as I reorganize.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Jan 03, 2007 04:38am | #19

   Why is fluorescent lighting out of the question?

1. 
   Ray | Jan 03, 2007 05:08am | #20

   Flourescent lights put out a lot of 60-hz interference.  Old radios really hum.  Darned things really mess up sensitive radio equipment.  I had flourescent lights over the bench, but when I was trying to align a vintage Zenith Transoceanic, I had to get rid of them.  100 watt halogens are really bright and with a good reflector, they can be installed high enough so the heat isn't a problem.

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Jan 03, 2007 06:42am | #21

   Ahhah, now I remember the good old days when I still had my hearing.  I remember that fluorescent lights even put out a noticeable hum.  Since I've lost most of my hearing, I don't hear those things anymore.  Don't watch TV or listen to much radio either since I can't hear what they are saying.  But I surely have nice bright lights in the workshop though and don't hear a distraction.

3. 
   Ray | Jan 03, 2007 07:27am | #22

   Don't rub it in, 25 years of working in a paper mill - I'm getting there.  Almost as deaf as my dad.

7. 
   pzgren | Jan 03, 2007 12:26am | #17

   Alan,

     Mine is away from the wall, semi-centered in the garage.

     Two main reasons for this:

        1) The current configuration of my garage -- storage shelves, etc, -- mitigates against putting it against the wall for efficient space usage; and

        2) I prefer to be able to work from all sides of the bench. Many of the pieces I work on hang over the edges, so it is easier to work on and manipulate project parts from more than one side. This holds particularly true when doing the initial dimensioning and much of the joinery.

     Since I do all hand-tool work, I suspect that this does influence bench placement. Being able to work from all sides works very well for me. Others advocate placing the bench against the wall. I tried that, but found it very restrictive -- for the way I work -- and moved my bench back out into the middle after a couple of weeks; for others, it's obviously the way to go.

     Hope this is of some use to you.

   Beste Wünschen auf ein glückliches und wohlbehaltenes Neues Jahr!

   Tschüß!

   Mit freundlichen holzbearbeitungischen Grüßen aus dem Land der Rio Grande!!

   James

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 04, 2007 06:13am | #23

   pzgren,

   Sorry, meant to say thanks for your info.  Understanding why people do what they do makes it easier (hopefully) for me to determine best placement for my bench.

   Alan - planesaw

8. 
   Pondfish | Jan 03, 2007 04:05am | #18

   1) no

   2) yes, I work on all sides

   3) it's located where it fits

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 04, 2007 06:14am | #24

   Pondfish,

   Thanks for the info.  It's lookin' more and more like I will try to have my bench where I have access to all 4 sides.

   Alan - planesaw

9. 
   joinerswork | Jan 04, 2007 06:10pm | #25

   Planesaw,

   My bench is against the wall, under a north facing window.  Attached to the wall, as a matter of fact.  In addition, I have an assembly table, lower than the bench, out in the shop.  Best of both approaches, as a bench height  comfortable for planing, sawing, carving, etc, is overly tall for assembly of casework.

   Ray Pine

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 08, 2007 02:46am | #28

   Ray,

   I like the idea of the work bench and an assembly table at different heights.  I don't know what average height is, but I am probably about average at 5' 11" and like my workbench a bit higher than the traditional (as I understand it) palms of my hands. 

   But I do like the assembly bench a little lower for working on furniture.

   Thanks for your input.  

   At some point we hope to spend some time running around the Shenandoah Valley.  If you are open to a visitor, I'll email you before we plan the trip.  Probably this coming summer.

   Alan - planesaw

10. 
    stevemorris | Jan 07, 2007 06:52am | #26

    my bench(a 3 by 7) plywood table with vises) is always in the middle of my shop(a 2 car garage)

    i found that benches againsta wall become collecors of "stuff"

    i have large castors on the table so that it can be be moved to accomadate large table saw work

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 08, 2007 02:47am | #29

   Steve,

   Anywhere I have a flat surface becomes a collectors space.  Even the floor.  Just haven't figured out how to get enough on the ceiling.

   Thanks,

   Alan

1. 
   stevemorris | Jan 08, 2007 06:22am | #31

   i hear you on that one, my shop both professional and hobby is also attached to the house(2 car garage) and gets groceries, recycles, lawn stuff etc etc going through it all the time.

   but my workbench is sacred ground and woebetide anybody putting stuff on it

   i always have a project on the go in there and its usually a money maker so it had better be accessable

11. 
    handyhands | Jan 08, 2007 01:07am | #27

    My workbench is against the wall full of drawer and doors. My outfeed table is 4x4 on wheels gose where I need it. My table saw sits in the middle of my shop and is also a good work table.  

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 08, 2007 02:48am | #30

   Handy,

   Do you mean your workbench has drawers and doors?  Any thoughts as to the pros and cons of the workbench having such as opposed to being open underneath?

   Thanks,

   Alan