I built a new workbench recently in our new house. I don't think I posted the pictures though.
This was the first "woodworking" project I've ever done. I've done lots of metal work, but until recently, no wood. This is probably pretty easy work for a lot of you, but since I've never done anything like it before, I'm pretty proud of it. lol.
Total cost was about $145. It would have been a little cheaper, but I ended up buying 3 or 4 too many 2x4x8's.
A couple months ago, when I met up with Donna to pick up Doug's lathe, I also purchased some of his old tools, including a very nice DeWalt miter saw and stand, and some nail guns. Previously, I only had a second-hand circular saw and jig saw that I bought used on Craigslist a number of years ago.
Man, that miter saw is nice! It made this workbench project a breeze!
Here I built the legs out of doubled-up 2x4's, and built a frame for the bottom shelf.
I was building this by myself and had a little bit of trouble keeping the top frame level, while simultaneously attaching the legs, so I used the Ramset gun (also one of Doug's old tools) to set the frame into the brick wall--gives it a little extra stability, and also gave me a chance to use the Ramset gun!
Here we have the maple "butcher block" top installed onto the framework. It's secured to the framework from underneath by attaching some 2x2 blocks to the inside of the framework and then screwing through them into the bottom of the butcher block top. It JUST barely fits and allows the door to open, however, I have no plans to ever use that door, and actually have a small rolling toolbox sitting in front of it now. The top was another craigslist find. 6 ft x 2.5 ft for $60, in very good condition.
Made the bottom shelf out of a single sheet of 3/4" MDF and nailed it to the lower frame. Also, figuring out where I'm going to mount my vise.
All finished. Vise is mounted (for the first time in the 4 or 5 years I've owned it! lol.). Lathe is not mounted, but just sits on top of the workbench. It's heavy enough that it doesn't really need to be mounted, but light enough that I can slide it around the workbench to either use it or move it out of the way when it's not needed.