Carpentry and Woodworking - Workbench and cabinet plans

I'll soon be building a 18' x 22' workshop/shed with a 10' garage door on one end. I'm thinking of enclosing all shelves under my workbench and having enclosed cabinets to the greatest extent possible. The thought here is I would like to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, saw dust from getting into everything. Perhaps being able to use my lawn blower to clean everything out the garage door.

I would like to build the workbench and cabinets. The pre-made stuff cost too much, and frankly I just like to do the work.

Any ideas on where I may get some plans for workbenchs and cabinets? My workbench may be as long as the shed is wide (18') and will be on the end oppisite the garage door.

Please feel free to suggest other arrangements.

Don

As to the dust problem, have you considered installing a good dust collection system? Looks like you'll have a first-class workshop; might as well have first-class dust control.

I'm jealous. :D

I feel that a properly designed workshop is as important as a properly designed kitchen. The easier it is to utilize the tools and space, the easier the projects will be to complete. What I would do is build everything to my own specs. It’s amazing what you will come up with using some graph paper and ideas from a magazine or pics from the internet. Good luck to you and I am envious with the size of your workshop. Keep us posted to how things are going and include pics of the final product.

One thing you may consider is that if you were to ever get water on the floor you would have a heck of a time dealing with it under a "to the floor" workbench.
My dream space would involve more than just carpentry and this type of bench would be a problem.
If on wheels or otherwise easily moveable for cleaning it might be workable for me.

.........................................just a thought. :thinker:

I build all my cabinets on 4" wheels.

Thanks for the inputs. Yep, I will most likely end up designing my own. I'll go with the normal work bench that you can sweep under. As to the cabinets, 4 inch wheels sound like the way to go.

Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Don

The are more plans for workbenches out there than _________. As Tow mentioned earlier, a dust collection system is a great idea. After I put mine in, I couldn't believe the difference...so much less clean up, plus so much healthier. All my cabinets go to ground level, keep the dust and everything else from going under. Workbench is open all the way through and mobile.

I'm ignorant of these systems. What is the normal set up for them. Or, if someone can direct me to a site that explains their use, I would appreciate it.

Don

Installed systems are the ultimate way to go. As far as learning about them, here is a link to Penn State Systems that builds systems of all different shapes and sizes, http://www.pennstateind.com/ There are many different mfgs of thes systems and we could form a thread that would go on and on and on. I have a portable system made by Jet which fits on top of an industrial garbage can that I can roll from machine to machine, which I love. When I get to a more permenant location, I will put an installed system in though. Here is a link for spec-ing out a system which will answer a lot of your questions, plus you can do a Google and find never ending info http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Woodshop_Dust_Collection_System_Specs.html
Chris

Thankyou. I'll be checking them out.

Just a thought (or maybe a question??) from a novice about making your workbench modular and putting it on rollers for easier cleaning. It's very inportant to keep the work surfaces flat, level and alligned with one another....

Wouldn't it be easier maintain the bench allignment (chop saw fences, router fences, etc.) and keep a flat level work surface if the bench was permanent? If you have concerns about water, etc. you could consider building the cabinets under the bench on 6" legs.

In review of my response (#6) that is what I plan on doing. The bench will be fixed with any cabinets under it off of the ground. Other cabinets (for storge) will be on rollers.

Still in the planning stage.

Don

The wheels should be lockable....trust me......have you ever tried to chase a rolling cabinet down a driveway?.....not fun, not fun at all.......