Thread: WIP - Upgrading a folding workbench

Once you've replaced the top and the legs, are you upgrading a gift from SWMBO, or cunningly disposed of it, risk free??
Reminds me of some major house renovations, where you aren't allowed to knock the place over and start again, the covers go over, and after this and that are replaced and 'upgraded' al that is left is a hallways worth of floor boards and a doorsill!

Since I specifically asked her to get it for me, I think I'm safe. At worst I'm still using the vice part, which really is the core of it. She's not bothered as long as I'm happy using it, though I did get in a small amount of trouble today when she found wood shavings in her shoes!

Yeah, I've still got grandad's axe, its had a new head, and a couple of new handles, but still going strong...

On the folding workbench, I bought an old cast steel, Black and Decker workmate from the 70's as they are more rigid than the later pressed steel versions. I replace the tops with some 135x35 oregan with dog holes in useful places. The best thing I did, was to put 2 camping water barrels underneath filled up, which add an incredible amount of mass to the whole thing. It isn't the best, but it does fine when I need to work outside my workshop.

@Rhancock

Hmmm....clever. This has hollow legs and I have a length of incredibly heavy hardwood sitting in the corner of the garage that quite possibly could be put inside the base of the legs...will let you know how it goes, thanks for the idea!

Getting the most out of what you have always gets my vote, good job.

Thanks Robomaniac

I got a few hours this evening to do some work on it after all of the mother's day activities were out of the way.

It's now got two wide blackbutt jaws on the front vice, and meranti jaws on the top vice. I'd have gone with something other than meranti but that's what I had in the right lengths. I'll finish the front and back face with another piece when I get time, just for appearance and to add that little bit of extra weight.

I've decided the legs can stay, but the cross pieces have to go as that's where all the movement is from. I've got some scrap merbau sitting there that I'll use to brace it instead, and look at the drop down tray idea.