Thread: New to wood working . What tools to buy?

Ultimately depends on what you're planning on making/space capacities. For me, whenever i need to break down sheet goods its done in the back yard as maneuvering sheet goods in a small shed is just asking for something to be broken ie my back.

So my method is a couple of saw horses topped with anything i have lying around at the time, ie mdf sheet etc.

There are ways around it, I just find wheels on a solid workbench really defeats the whole point of it being "solid".

Just my 2c

Originally Posted by Pagonelos

Hi there.

I think the only way to put your workbench on wheels is this Rockler set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnSY6gpeRDY
Unfortunately I don't seem to find them been sold anywhere here in Australia and on eBay they cost like double the price they pay for that in the US.
Still I think it's the only solution to move AND work.

Hare & Forbes have castors. I have them on my workbench. W935 | CW-63 Castor Wheels - Side Mount | For Sale Sydney Brisbane Melbourne Perth | Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery online at machineryhouse.com.au

Originally Posted by paul.aldred1

So looking at benchtops currently thinking of these two options. Thoughts please.

1) plywood - https://www.bunnings.com.au/bc-deco-...coply_p0390218
2) beech laminated - https://www.bunnings.com.au/2200-x-6...panel_p8330041

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Oh, Id go for the 30mm ply for sure. In fact, I'd get two and glue them together and make a 60mm thick top.

Im building a bench for myself and that has given me a thought about how to do it cheaper. I think it would do the trick very nicely indeed....

Worse case, glue on a 12mm MDF top and add a skirt of 20mm oak. That will make it look pretty nice! (and seriously heavy!!!!!)

Personally I would go the beech benchtop; I bought one myself a year ago for making some rather substantial jigs and can confirm it is a good quality product. If you go for the ply you will need to apply lippings to every exposed edge.

The castors Bucky has linked to look like they are more suitably heavy duty than the Carbatec ones I posted earlier.

I used two of the laminated benchtops glued together for my benchtop & can recommend them. I used Rubberwood ones that Bunnings were selling at the time, not sure if they still have them. They're a light colour, which makes a good work surface.
The Piggy Bank Workbench

Originally Posted by 62woollybugger

I used two of the laminated benchtops glued together for my benchtop & can recommend them. I used Rubberwood ones that Bunnings were selling at the time, not sure if they still have them. They're a light colour, which makes a good work surface.
The Piggy Bank Workbench

Thats an awesome workbench, great skill involved. Sadly bunnings dont sell rubberwood anymore and i cant afford to buy two of the panels to laminate together.

So I added casters and there was a slight wobble even when locked. I looked around and found these at Bunnings : https://www.bunnings.com.au/builders...170mm_p2450075

They work perfectly. Just wedged them under the rails and screw them up to lock the bench. They can be screwed on to the rails but it's not needed.

Just more sanding, painting and top to put on.

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AWESOME find!!!!

You asked..."Can anyone recommend any types of wood for the top,"" Why not try doing what I did. I went to a few stores that sell flooring. I asked if they had any 3/4 inch maple or oak strip flooring from damaged unsellable packages. I found an almost full bin of the stuff at one store and bought about 30 sq ft of finished oak flooring for about 10 Canadian bucks.. For a base I used two sheets of 1 inch MDF. My bench is constructed of MDF is 7ft x 2ft by 32 inches. It must weigh 400 lbs but is absolutely square and solid. The flooring for the top looks great.

Originally Posted by edh

You asked..."Can anyone recommend any types of wood for the top,"" Why not try doing what I did. I went to a few stores that sell flooring. I asked if they had any 3/4 inch maple or oak strip flooring from damaged unsellable packages. I found an almost full bin of the stuff at one store and bought about 30 sq ft of finished oak flooring for about 10 Canadian bucks.. For a base I used two sheets of 1 inch MDF. My bench is constructed of MDF is 7ft x 2ft by 32 inches. It must weigh 400 lbs but is absolutely square and solid. The flooring for the top looks great.

Wow great idea

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I've painted the frame now in domino, the paint was left over from the carport build. 2 coats of undercoat and 2 top coats. Frame looks good. Just the light top to put on now.

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Pics.

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