HF Workbench - any good?

[Ronak Shah]

No longer content to work on the floor of my garage, I'm looking for the best inexpensive upgrade to that. I saw the following on the HF website:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92165

Has anyone seen this in the store, and is it good enough for the short term? I may later use it as a base for a benchtop drill press after I build my own workbench.

What would you recommend instead?

[JR]

quote:Originally posted by Ronak Shah


Has anyone seen this in the store, and is it good enough for the short term? I may later use it as a base for a benchtop drill press after I build my own workbench.

Ronak, I've seen this in the store. It looked ok, but flimsy. It could get you by for a while, I guess, but it's not something I'd recommend.

I recognize you're trying to "get off the floor", so getting something done NOW would seem to be the right thing. Even given that, I'd recommend building something. Even if you just used a solid core door on a two-by frame it would be more solid than the HF bench.

Building a work bench is thought to be a right of passage for a woodworker. Indeed, you can expect for multiple rights of passage, because only through use can you discover what you need.

So build it, man!

JR

[Ronak Shah]

Hi JR, thanks for the response. I may do the door idea; I was looking at the folding workbench post as well. It's good to know that I should look at the stability / strength of the HF one when I go in.

[bigstick509]

I picked up the smaller version last year on sale for $49.99,it is being used as a catch all utility table at present. If need be it is better than nothing.

Your might want to check this link out,http://www.terraclavis.com/bws/benches.htm

[autiger1]

Sam's Club has a workbench..steel frame with maple top for $171 Seems to be very sturdy.

Tom

[Ken Massingale]

Ronak,
IMO, a better alternative is to go to HD, get a $45 solid core door, 36x80. Built a frame like the one under the HF bench a few inches shorter and narrower than the door so you'll have some overhang. Attach the door to the frame, give both sides of the door a few coats of finish, anf you have a nice solid, large bench. If you want, band the edges of the door making the banding proud of the top enough to fit a piece of hardboard onto the benchtop. When the hardboard gets banged up, change it.
ken

[vaking]

There is an easy to do free workbench plan here:
http://www.plansnow.com

[Ronak Shah]

So I bought the cheaper, smaller version of the workbench for $55. It's been working relatively well for me now, but does wobble on my uneven garage floor. I might put a leveling pins on the thing.

Still, at $55 and 20 minutes to assemble, I'm pleased with the purchase. I do realize, however, how much I'd love a really nice workbench!

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by Ronak Shah

So I bought the cheaper, smaller version of the workbench for $55. It's been working relatively well for me now, but does wobble on my uneven garage floor. I might put a leveling pins on the thing.

Still, at $55 and 20 minutes to assemble, I'm pleased with the purchase. I do realize, however, how much I'd love a really nice workbench!

The advantage to doing things the way you did is it gives you a chance to work with the bench and decide what you want to change/improve when you build your own.