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  1. #1
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    Default Basement Workshop - Quick & Dirty

    Over three weeks after I started transforming a basement room to a workshop I am ready to make a start on my clock project. Seems like a long time for a small room but I was held up here and there.

    All up the two benches cost me around $90 which was mostly towards the frame and some towards the screws. The bench tops were a donation from my work.

    1/ The shop-to-be was a store room in its previous life. Don't mind my pink bike...


    2/ I was able to use this bench which is at a handy 900mm height.


    3/ These cabinets which will come in handy for keeping various tools dust free.


    4/ I played around with combinations as one bench top was longer than the other.


    5/ Wood for the frame all cut to size. I used a mix of MGP10, MGP12 and MGP15.


    6/ First frame finished and all went as planned.


    7/ Possibly overkill on the screws but I used 100mm and 75 mm liberally.


    8/ My handy-man father helping out.


    9/ Complete bench. Feels tough as nails.


    10/ Both benches complete and in place.


    11/ Small shop but at least everything is within reach ;-) Have to look at the positives in life.

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  3. #2
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    You are going to have a lot of fun working in there. Don't worry about the pink bike. I didn't notice it until you pointed it out. Do you take it out for a ride every day?
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wongo View Post
    You are going to have a lot of fun working in there. Don't worry about the pink bike. I didn't notice it until you pointed it out. Do you take it out for a ride every day?
    It's a special occasion only bike.


  5. #4
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    two40, thanks for a great post, very informative and the pics so clear.
    Two questions, if I may? Why did you use screws and not bolts, washers and nuts? I notice many benches are made with screws.
    What is the brand of drill press?
    Thank you.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old farmer View Post
    two40, thanks for a great post, very informative and the pics so clear.
    Two questions, if I may? Why did you use screws and not bolts, washers and nuts? I notice many benches are made with screws.
    What is the brand of drill press?
    Thank you.
    Thanks.

    Screws seemed just easier and you can't bolt something in to end grain. If you have a look at photo #7, the leg has 4 screws. The two on the left would be easy with bolts because you're going across the grain on both bits of wood. The two on the right would not work with just bolts and nuts. The screws I used are a countersunk allen head which are very strong and you can get them flush with the surface. The frame is pretty solid. I would feel comfortable with throwing on a bench drill press.

    The drill press is a Hare & Forbes SPD-25A (D147). It's nothing special but for this price point I think you'll be hard pressed to find something better. I've only owned it for a short time but I've done a fair bit of research into drill presses and this one was commonly recommended.

  7. #6
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    Thanks for that, mate.
    Am building a small bench for scroll saw, shall buy your screws now.

  8. #7
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    Yonnee is offline Trailer Bloke & Mild Mannered Moderator
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    Nice space.

    Have you thought of maybe placing the drill in the corner on a 45* angle? They tend to stick out into the room further when placed against the wall in the middle of the room.
    Too many projects, so little time, even less money!
    Are you a registered member? Why not? click here to register. It's free and only takes 37 seconds! Doing work around the home? Wander over to our sister site, Renovate Forum, for all your renovation queries.

  9. #8
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    If you are not going to bolt the drill press to the floor you might consider adding some weight on the base. A friend lent me 2 x 20kg weights.

  10. #9
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    Very neat an all year round workshop.

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheelinround View Post
    Very neat an all year round workshop.
    My workshop in the garage is an all year round one. Either stripped down to shorts and t-shirt or all the way up to your workshop thermals.

  12. #11
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    Looking good 240, starting with an almost blank canvas can be fun!

    Quote Originally Posted by two40 View Post
    Screws seemed just easier and you can't bolt something in to end grain.
    Actually one can do this and it is dead easy.

    Picture says it all.



    The joints are very strong and can easily be tightened. My old woodwork lathe bench was made like this. Derek Cohen uses a similar setup on his woodwork bench.

    If extra strength is needed cylindrical nuts that fit neatly inside the hole can be used. I use these joints to join metal tubes (square and round) together and the joint is almost as good as a welded one and unlike welded joints can be easily taken apart and reused.

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old farmer View Post
    Thanks for that, mate.
    Am building a small bench for scroll saw, shall buy your screws now.
    These are the screws I used. They're called Bugle Bat T17.




    Quote Originally Posted by Yonnee View Post
    Nice space.

    Have you thought of maybe placing the drill in the corner on a 45* angle? They tend to stick out into the room further when placed against the wall in the middle of the room.
    No I hadn't thought of that but I will consider it. It does make sense now that you mention it. I might try a direct replacement with the existing bench (with the doors). Thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by Christos View Post
    If you are not going to bolt the drill press to the floor you might consider adding some weight on the base. A friend lent me 2 x 20kg weights.
    I was considering bolting it on to a wide board for extra stability. The offcut in photo #4 will serve me well in this regard. Thanks for the suggestion.

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Actually one can do this and it is dead easy.

    Picture says it all.
    As I was typing out that you can't bolt in to end grain I had this little voice in the back of my head reminding me that I know very little about woodworking and that it was most likely possible. Glad you called me out as I've now learned something.

  14. #13
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    I used coach screws on my hardwood bench, horses for courses. The reason I did that was I could drill one hole and drive the screw with a pneumatic impact driver, quick and easy. They have never loosened off over many years. The last bench I built was using screws and nuts as above just to try the method.
    CHRIS

  15. #14
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    The room looks great but a little short on power points.

    I suggest making the drill press available in the middle of the room.
    Any work piece of any length and I can manage. I built an island bench = chop saw, scroll saw, drill press and little band saw. By twisting the entire bench from time to time, I can work a 16'/5m length with ease, running it in from the hallway!

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robson Valley View Post
    The room looks great but a little short on power points.
    Well spotted. I only have two power points near the vacuum unit so I have to run a lead behind the bench for the drill press and the sander. I'm still getting a feel for the room and where I want my power tools. I have another sander coming in next week and a scroll saw soon. That should be most of my power requirements other than some hand power tools from time to time.

    Some of you made comments about an all year round workshop. I guess that's one great thing about a shop in the basement. Last night it was pretty cold outside but in the basement I was happily working away in a t-shirt and felt very comfortable. I know it's also very cool in the summer.

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