Dual purpose workbench. Woodwork and metal work?

[chunkytfg]

Being confined to a single garage, albeit a fairly wide one, I'm needing to make myself a dual purpose workbench I cando both woodwork and metal work on.

Has anyone got, made the same?

I'm thinking of essentially having a normal wooden workbench with drawers/cupbaords under it for the usual storage with then something like this on top.

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mac-hobby-modular-fixture-welding-table-1200x800 No legs obviously.

Then taking a wooden top for the woodwork side of things and having it as a cover which is removable.

Just looking for a bit of inspiration if anyone has done something similar?

 

[waddycall]

My three benches are topped with plywood. I mainly do metalwork but predominantly small parts. I usually tig weld if I can otherwise it’s stick. My bench tops have a few minor scorch marks but nothing to write home about. Just needs a bit of care when setting stuff up. Heavy stuff gets done on the floor or in the vice anyway.

 

[Bravheart]

Interesting don't have one and assume space is limited. So thinking out loud get sturdy metal workbench then a fold up wood top. Other way might be more of a fire risk.

 

[gaz1]

space is limited id have a movable table with a drop down top on the wall

with a drop down you can have your tools hidden inside of it

 

[Guineafowl]

That’s what I do - big bench, woodworking vice in the middle, metal one on the end. For dirty stuff, a shaped plywood top.

 

[TEO]

I don't like ply as a top for any bench as it damages easily & gives v nasty splinters, even dents in a ply top tend to splinter. Proper old style birch ply's better but all ply needs a good thickness of lipping.
I like hardboard on ply or MDF.
Hardboard is cheap to replace once it's too beaten up but it's pretty robust.

 

[Erie Fred]

Being confined to a single garage, albeit a fairly wide one, I'm needing to make myself a dual purpose workbench I cando both woodwork and metal work on.

Has anyone got, made the same?

I'm thinking of essentially having a normal wooden workbench with drawers/cupbaords under it for the usual storage with then something like this on top.

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mac-hobby-modular-fixture-welding-table-1200x800 No legs obviously.

Then taking a wooden top for the woodwork side of things and having it as a cover which is removable.

Just looking for a bit of inspiration if anyone has done something similar?

No wood around welding. Period

As posted above, metal workbench.
No places for sparks to linger and smolder either (drawers)

Make a folding steel workbench, with wheels.
roll outside, unfold, and weld.

think "FlatPack with wheels"

 

[MetalMonkey]

If you are going for a wood top, have a look at caberfloor. I've used that on benches before - its tough, flat, relatively inexpensive and tends to char rather than burn. It will light though as it isn't fire resistant.
I'd still want some sort of metal top for welding though.

 

[chunkytfg]

I'd not really given the 'fire' aspect of it much thought. Clearly I need to rethink my plans!

currently I've got a 12'' thick torsion box with side holes for clamping and dumping stuff resting on a coulpe of home made saw horses. The top surface is just MDF so I can cut into it with the track saw and drills etc and when it's beyond saving I just unscrew it and either flip it over or replace it for £25 or so. works great but I constantly think to myself the space under it could be much better served as storage space rather than a place for sawdust to collect.

It also is used as the outfeedd table for my table saw so it serves 2 purposes.

 

[waddycall]

I’m paranoid about fire in my workshop, but not from the bench tops. Any space that isn’t a dedicated hot works area runs a significant risk when welding/grinding etc. You just need to be sensible and vigilant and never walk out until you’ve allowed a good cooling off and fire check period.

 

[chunkytfg]

The fire thing is New to me coming from a woodwork background. I've got first aid kits with homeostatic bandages and tourniquets within arms reach of every skinny blade type tool but only one small, probably out of date., fire extinguisher hiding in the corner out the way!

I'm seriously running out of room though and having to have a collapsible welding table taking up room which I dont really have isnt ideal. Might have to just suck it up and make do!

 

[frank horton]

make a decent bench urself.....if small have a removable wood top ...ur choise Plywood mdf etc.....
I got some road plate that was still flat for a few beer tokens for my top.....
BE AWARE ...cupboards n drawers are a fire hazard...always full of junk and rag....
best bet if u need extra storage would be to have Teso type crates that stack n slide out when working metal....

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Mine is a kitchen work top...under that is timber studs then drawers/box storage...vice bolted through. I used to have a proper woodworking bench (came from a school)...they look great but they're huge and an inefficient use of space. I sold it on eBay...it got turned into a trendy kitchen island I believe!

For woodworking I have a pair of McAllister folding tables....lot easier at dealing with longer items I find.

 

[gaz1]

The fire thing is New to me coming from a woodwork background. I've got first aid kits with homeostatic bandages and tourniquets within arms reach of every skinny blade type tool but only one small, probably out of date., fire extinguisher hiding in the corner out the way!

I'm seriously running out of room though and having to have a collapsible welding table taking up room which I dont really have isnt ideal. Might have to just suck it up and make do!

you should try a 11ftx 8ft shed its even harder some stuff has to go outside

in my case the joinery stuff is outside even with welding and its still outside with that sort of work unless its small enough

 

[Turbo]

Laminate fire doors make a great top for a workbench.

 

[premmington]

I’m paranoid about fire in my workshop, but not from the bench tops. Any space that isn’t a dedicated hot works area runs a significant risk when welding/grinding etc. You just need to be sensible and vigilant and never walk out until you’ve allowed a good cooling off and fire check period.

The rules - In relation to welding and fire are:

1. No welding in the last hour of workshop opening times.

2. No woodwork dust from woodwork power tools.

3. Clear litter and debris away from area you welding in.

4. Buy a fire extingusiher and know how to use it.

5. Sweeping up - taking away the source of ignition is easy work compared to builiding a new workshop roof.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I would suggest there is more chance of you setting fire to wood chips/shavings/sawdust around the bench than the top of the bench itself.
That would be the biggest risk IMO.

You only have to have one red hot BB of weld splatter shoot off and land in a nice dry bed of thin shavings and you have a perfect combination that any boy scout would be proud of.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

As far as starting fires is concerned I can pretty much set fire to anything without even trying!

I once set my jeans on fire..my mate was on the floor laughing so hard I thought he was having some kind of attack!!

I hate the split second it takes...there's a glow in my welding mask but I'm not pulling the trigger...that's strange...oh wait!

 

[Turbo]

As far as starting fires is concerned I can pretty much set fire to anything without even trying!

I once set my jeans on fire..my mate was on the floor laughing so hard I thought he was having some kind of attack!!

I hate the split second it takes...there's a glow in my welding mask but I'm not pulling the trigger...that's strange...oh wait!

A workmate was using a 9" grinder to cut steel and set fire to his greasy overalls.
I walked into the workshop just as he was frantically trying to remove the smouldering overalls over his boots. What made it worse was that it was hot weather and he only had shorts on under the overalls.
By the time I stopped laughing at him dancing around the floor and grabbed the extinguisher he had got them off.
No harm done apart from his pride and some singed leg hair.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

For a B&D Workmate I used a piece of normal kitchen worktop with some 3 x 2 screwed underneath that could then be clamped into the jaws for dirty work thus keeping the Workmate jaws clean.