Garage Workbench?

[scoly]

Been playinng around with sketchup and a workbench design. Being a garage shop with limited space I am trying to utilize the benchtop for maximum function and thought about building it to hold various benchtop tools where the work surfaces of the top of the bench and the tool would be level. This is what I have so far:

Middle panel is removable and benchtop tools rest on the adjustable shelf which raises and lowers using the through dado's in the side. Each tool will have a set of spacers that will register the top of the tool worksurface even with the benchtop.

One problem I see is that the stretcher supporting the top is not going to provide support like I have it now. I would like as much useable room on the bottom as possible for a large shelf to hold the tools. How should I support the top?
This will be my first bench so suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

[LarryG]

Best and simplest solution I can see, without totally hosing your basic design, would be to extend the side panels of the benchtop tools "bin" down to the bottom pair of longitudinal stretchers.

I realize that will divide this bottom area into three segments, but they'd all still be usable. What's the largest single item you'll store down there?

[radhak]

Without pausing to read your post thru (and sorry for hijacking your thread), I havta say that your SketchUP is great!
How much time did it take you to come up with that complete diagram you posted?

[crokett]

If the sides of your tools bin were extended down to the lower stretchers/shelf you wouldn't lose that much storage space unless you have a tool that is too wide to fit on either side or between the sides of your tools bin.

A possible way around this is an extra set of stretchers that the tools bin rides on, but then you have a height restriction on the tools you store on the bottom shelf.

[Tom Miller]

I agree that you need to bring a support down the sides of that middle unit at least to the stretchers, if not the floor. It wouldn't have to be the whole panel, though, it could be four posts from the top apron down to the stretchers.

But, that middle unit is already essentially separating the two sides, so this doesn't gain you that much.

Regards,
Tom

[scoly]

Kinda figured it would take support on either side to make it work. Thanks all.
radhak
I am just stumbling through su. Been playing with it for about a month but only have a little time in it. The bench design was a learning experience and probably took ~2 hrs total.
Thanks again,
Steve

[eezlock]

workbench.......

Nice drawing on the bench...had an idea similar to that one time. I wanted to
try and get some of the old typewriter lifts out of old office desks and incorporate them into a workbench,and make them to hold benchtop machines that would lift up to use and disappear below the top when not needed....could not seem to locate them at a reasonable price though....