ultimate work bench

[thestinker]

Ok....I scored some free counter top material and am going to build a new work bench. I have some good ideas, but am always looking for more. I am going to ake it on the order of around 4 or so feet wide and 8 or so feet long. The same height as the bt so it will be an out feed table. Also I will, in the middle of 1 side have a removable "block" that has a hole deep / wide/ long enough to accomideate the CMS giving around 4' plus table saw on one end and 4' with some kid of extension wing at the other. I also have acuired some almost 1/2 " lexan to make some router plates so I am also thinking about a vouple of drop in router spots in the bench. I am flexable on dimensions and any design ideas.

Let the criticism / help begin....and don't be shy guys!!!

[Ed62]

If you're going to have a spot for a miter saw, check out the fences I made on this thread http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...=miter+station . They are simply held in place with threaded inserts and threaded knobs. They're very easily put on or taken off. If you want more info on how they're made, let me know.

Ed

[thestinker]

Ohh fences!!!

That is a good idea with the extra fences. I might adapt that for my plan. Thanks for the idea. What do ya'll think bout a couple of pieces of t track layed into the bench behind the router inlet to allow for a router fence that could be moved twards or away from the router based on what kind of cut I was doing?

[Ed62]

Thanks for the idea.

You're welcome.

What do ya'll think bout a couple of pieces of t track layed into the bench behind the router inlet to allow for a router fence that could be moved twards or away from the router based on what kind of cut I was doing?

I'd be interested in the answers you get on that one because I think I have a dedicated router table project coming sometime in the future. The tracks are something I wondered about too.

Ed

[tekton]

something like this?
http://christophermerrill.net/ww/pla...l_Stand_1.html

[thestinker]

Yes, something like that. I hadn't planned on making it moveable, but a lot of those some features. I like the router set up, and hadn't thought about the planer stand. I don't own a planer, but 1 well that had several fixed levels for shelves, each set for different tools. One height for the CMS, one for ridgid OOS/belt sander, future planer, future joiner, whatever. I was going to cover the top with 1/4 or 1/8 inch hard board or formica to give a hood slick surface that could be easily replaced if it got full of holes or beat up or whatever. Also the counter tops I got are 5ft by 2,5 foot, so the bench is going to be 5ft by 7.5 ft. I will let the top ovehang around 3 or 4 inches on all sides so I will have room for a clamp to gip the outside edge. For the on / off of the router, a plug inlet, connected to a switch that feeds a plug. Plug in the workbench with some #12 romex with double male plugs to supply power to the swithch, and turn on or off the router with the swithch. I still don't know what I should do about putting tracks in the bench around the router station to allow for a movable fence. What do ya'll think.

RS