Thread: Plywood for workbench and shop furniture

Glued and screwed 3/4" plywood to the ends and back of my 2x4 workbench leg assembly. It has almost no workbench movement. For accuracy and you want a tough stable workbench when using it with power tool.

You haven't read properly or looked at the image posted but yes, it is to be 100mm think or 4". If you read the recommendations or some books on workbench design, you will find that the minimum thickness is 100mm or 4", with most going thicker. If memory serves, the Anarchist's Workbench recommends a minimum of 5" or 127mm. If you are familiar with the Benchcrafted design and their tail vice in particular, the minimum thickness is 4" in order to install their tail vice. So, 100mm may seem like a lot but it isn't actually.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

4 sheets of 25mm thick ply? And then laminate them together to make a top that’s 100 mm thick? What is going onto it? An elephant could stand on that.

I’m only familiar with the dozens of different benches I’ve worked on and seen in lots of workshops I’ve spent my life working in. None of those have had or needed a top that was 4 inches thick. Waste of materials and energy, but hey, build whatever you like. My big one ended up weighing 148 kilos, and I knew it would be a bit weighty so that’s why I incorporated wheels into the legs. It was a bit more work but it is much, much more practical and versatile.

You guys, cmon, how come no one ever told me about the paulk table?

This is a game changer for me. A proper workbench I can take to a job site! I'll take a photo of our workbench on Monday for comparison. Needless to say, I am going to purchase the plans and start construction over the next few weeks.

Originally Posted by Pearo

You guys, cmon, how come no one ever told me about the paulk table?

This is a game changer for me. A proper workbench I can take to a job site! I'll take a photo of our workbench on Monday for comparison. Needless to say, I am going to purchase the plans and start construction over the next few weeks.

I built one of these - some pics in the build thread Paulk Workbench - really enjoyed making it, and the torsion box/dog hole system has formed the basis of most of my work surfaces ever since. Plans are cheap, and very clear. Good choice!

bech parf guide.jpg