Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What's On Your Workbench?
- Thread starter HaMMerHeD
- Start date
Thanks "herndonbassist" and everyone, I should have provided more pics and some details. Sorry for the tease... It is a really simple setup using 3/4" vertical plywood slats, 1/2" horizontal plywood slats and 3/4" x 3 1/2" (actual dimensions) pine boards. Run a 1/2" dado about 3/8" deep and about 1/2" from the edge to slip over the horizontal slats. Cut the shelves to any length you need and slip slip them in place. Nothing glued or permanent so you can reconfigure as often as you want. Tip: space the horizontal slats using a couple of blocks of the pine board with a layer of painters tape for some buffer. Makes it easier to slide the shelves through.
Last edited:
I like plain old 3/4" MDF for bench tops. It's somewhat forgiving (won't ruin a dropped tool) yet dense enough to take abuse, and dimensionally very stable. And it's cheap and easy to work with. You can just toss it every few years if it gets trashed.
I don't like "glossy" or really hard tops (like your tile, or melamine, etc) because they're too slippery. MDF has just enough texture that stuff stays put, yet it's not so rough that it causes problems. It's nice to be able to clamp something to the bench top and have a little friction to hold it still, versus a slick top where things tend to squirm when clamped. And really hard surfaces (like tile) can chip a chisel or plane iron. If I manage to drop a tool or slip, I'd much rather gouge a disposable surface versus take a chunk of metal out of the tool.
I don't like plywood because if/when it does start to deteriorate, it tends to do so in splinters. MDF has the advantage of having no grain to splinter off.
I don't like solid wood because it tends to be unstable. I use my main workbench as a "perfect" flat surface for things like router planing jigs, so I don't want something that could warp by a few thousandths as the seasons change. Solid wood is also a little more involved (and expensive) to replace if/when it deteriorates.
I don't like "glossy" or really hard tops (like your tile, or melamine, etc) because they're too slippery. MDF has just enough texture that stuff stays put, yet it's not so rough that it causes problems. It's nice to be able to clamp something to the bench top and have a little friction to hold it still, versus a slick top where things tend to squirm when clamped. And really hard surfaces (like tile) can chip a chisel or plane iron. If I manage to drop a tool or slip, I'd much rather gouge a disposable surface versus take a chunk of metal out of the tool.
I don't like plywood because if/when it does start to deteriorate, it tends to do so in splinters. MDF has the advantage of having no grain to splinter off.
I don't like solid wood because it tends to be unstable. I use my main workbench as a "perfect" flat surface for things like router planing jigs, so I don't want something that could warp by a few thousandths as the seasons change. Solid wood is also a little more involved (and expensive) to replace if/when it deteriorates.
Last edited:
Not quite back to the bench but set this up with temporary body wings to level the top of the body section. Oh and yes out to do a temp exhaust pipe fix to get me to the muffles shop.
41 to be exact. extended scale 8 string guitar. Also the frets are black onyx courtesy of Crystal Frets in Colorado. It will look more like this when the actual body wings are attached.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,974
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Frets are black onyx. They are stone and were cut, ground to size, installed and polished. Work was done by Crystal Frets in Colorado.
@Tom0Blam0 I actually use a sacrificial melamine-covered board from Home Depot (or similar). It's definitely slick as @dwizum mentions, but it's very easy to see everything, and easy to keep clean. In my case, I have cut off chunks of 1/16" thick rubber yoga mat that I lay down on the bench when working on something sensitive. Works well for me... since you are already used to the slick surface that tiles give you, this might be an option. I think the 2' x 8' piece of melamine board I have on there cost me 16 bucks or so at HD. 
Last time I did a search for Crystal Frets, they appeared to be defunct - a quick search just now found the same thing. No web presence any longer...not since around 2018... 
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,974
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
That's a good trick! I have a silicone dish drying mat I use for that. Works great but it's on the smallish size. I wonder if my wife would miss one or two of her yoga mats...
Yes I believe his webpage was hacked. He is on Facebook and I just received the neck back several weeks ago so he is still operating on some level.Last time I did a search for Crystal Frets, they appeared to be defunct - a quick search just now found the same thing. No web presence any longer...not since around 2018...
Good to hear, his work that I've seen has been exceptional.
I was worried because even his Facebook has not seen an update since spring of 2017!
turindev
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2005
- 514
- 1,594
- Disclosures
- Builder, m7bassworks.com
My workbench got some much needed love today. I added an integrated downdraft table during the build-off, and this week I started trying to get everything I use a lot near at hand. Added the sandpaper organizer in the middle, magnetic bars and labeled drawers for small parts.
...it would appear that I'll be moving soon, so a new workspace will be a considered thing. I may actually get rid of a bench, as I've acquired alternatives since moving here (Workmate, dedicated guitar work table).
The bench in question has a solid core door that's over 6 feet long for a top, it's sturdy and heavy. It dismantles, too.
If there's any interest here, I'll let you know when it goes.
The bench in question has a solid core door that's over 6 feet long for a top, it's sturdy and heavy. It dismantles, too.
If there's any interest here, I'll let you know when it goes.
Nice! Any chance you could show a little additional detail on the downdraft area? I've considered doing something similar and could use some ideas.
