Garage Workshop - what would you do?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

So I'm moving to a new home that has a 3 bay garage. Planning on using one of the bays as a workshop/garden storage area.

What would you do to create a bench/workspace for yourself?

In my experience, there's no such thing as a "too big" work surface, and I also need to consider being able to reconfigure the space from time to time – like when I need to set up for a big painting job. So horizontal work surfaces that can be taken down are a big plus. I do have a miter saw and small table saw that need a home as well.

Would you build a "traditional" workbench, or use a more modular system like this?

https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/work-tables/mft3-multifunction-table-basic-500608

I'm not certain if this Festool is the best option, but its versatility seems really great.

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Comments (4)

randy427
10 years ago
I have two work benches that are set on saw horses. One stays set up, unless more space is needed, and the other, with collapsible saw horses I set up as needed. I also use the saw horses with long 2x4s for some larger tasks.

Discarded countertops from kitchen renovations can make for good work surfaces. I put folding legs on one section to use as needed.

I also made a heavier work bench with 2x6s for use with a vice and small anvil. It has two wheels that can be lowered and the other end raised up to re-position.

My table saws have their own stands and only move when really needed, though lowerable rollers are an option.

YMMV
mike_kaiser_gw
10 years ago
The first mistake is only using one of the three bays... [lol]

Work benches are very personal and very much a function of what kind of work you plan on doing. A bench for a woodworker might be very different than one for general use. Flush, solid core door slabs make a good general purpose top and are inexpensive, doubly so if you can recycle one or find a "scratch and dent" discount at the home center. I like a design with cabinets/drawers below for storage.

For something like painting, a couple of saw horses and a sheet of plywood or particle board works fine. Flush, hollow core door slabs make a good work surface too. They're reasonably strong but light.

Festool makes some nice stuff but it tends to be pretty expensive. It also tends to be "Festoolcentric" meaning that they design things so that their accessories work with their tools.

As an aside, I've found that ordinary standards and brackets and particle board, especially if you can cut sheets to size, is the most cost effective solution for wall storage. There's a heavy duty version too. If you can wait, Jan/Feb is the best time for buying storage stuff because the stores tend to have it on sale.
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pima74
10 years ago
Go here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3 and search for "workbench" You'll get plenty of ideas.
neonweb US 5b
10 years ago
If you just need to move it out of the way, but not necessarily fold it up a kitchen island on wheels would work well and offer storage underneath.

We used Ikea kitchen cabinets in our garage since we could customize sizes, shelves, and drawers where we wanted them. Can never have enough storage!